Congregation of the Resurrection

Second Sunday of Advent
2025-12-07
FOCAL POINT:
For the common life to flourish we must promote trust and communication among the members.

Deceased:
Cl. Andrzej Piasecki,1898, San Francisco, USA

Birthdays:
Fr. Andrzej Gieniusz, 1958, Poland
Fr. Leslaw Ogryzek, 1960. Poland
Fr. Marcin Paca, 1984, Poland

First Vows:
Fr. Adam Otrebski, 1985, Poland

Ordination:
Fr. Delwyn Haroldson, 2012, USA

For the deceased members and benefactors of the Congregation.
For all Resurrectionists in the world.
In thanksgiving for the gift of Saint Ambrose, noted theologian and scholar.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“As Christians, we can hardly stop advocating marriage simply to avoid countering contemporary sensibilities, or out of a desire to be fashionable or a sense of helplessness in the face of human and moral failings.” (Amoris Laetitia, 35)

St. Nicholas
2025-12-06
FOCAL POINT:
Members are encouraged to provide affirmation and support for our superiors at every level.

Deceased:
Fr. Andrew Spetz, 1918, St. Louis, USA
Br. Jan Opanowicz, 1950, Rome, Italy
Fr. Tadeusz Sikorski, 1981, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Fr. Stephen Gira, 2010, St. Louis, USA

For the Church, our Holy Father and our local ordinary.
For all Christians preparing to celebrate the Incarnation of our Saviour.
For all people and institutions named in honour of St. Nicholas.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The welfare of the family is decisive for the future of the world and that of the Church.” (Amoris Laetitia,31)

December 5
2025-12-05
FOCAL POINT:
That superiors, especially local superiors, will fulfill their responsibility to assist the members in their spiritual life and development.

Deceased:
Fr. Bruno Ostrega, 1986, Chicago, USA

Birthday:
Fr. Bartlomiej Gzella, 1973, Poland

For those who have commended themselves to our prayers, and for those for whom we have promised to pray.
That during this Season of Advent, we may take the time to make space for the Lord to be incarnate in our hearts and lives.
For the leaders of our Congregation at the local, provincial and general level.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The treasury of Mary’s heart also contains the experiences of every family, which she cherishes. For this reason, she can help us understand the meaning of these experiences and to hear the message God wishes to communicate through the life of our families.” (Amoris Laetitia,30)

St. John Damascene
2025-12-04
FOCAL POINT:
One of the responsibilities of the Superior General is to function as a unifying force, and to promote the international character of our Congregation.

Birthday:
Fr. Christopher Buda, 1949, Poland

Ordination:
Fr. Paul Smith, 2010, USA

For our seminarians, novices, affiliated and aspirants.
For the conversion of sinners.
For the inspiration of St. John Damascene to rest upon all artists who create icons for whom he is their patron.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Every family should look to the icon of the Holy Family of Nazareth.” (Amoris Laetitia, 30)

Saint Francis Xavier
2025-12-03
FOCAL POINT:
Our Constitutions exhort us to work towards having them become a guiding force in our life as a Resurrectionist.

Deceased:
Fr. William Kloepfer, 1910, Guelph, Canada
Br. John Popko, 1939, Chicago, USA
Br. Marian Misiorny, 1961, Poznan, Poland
Fr. Edward Dietrich, 1989, Kitchener, Canada
Fr. Joseph Palubeski, 2011, Hamilton, Canada

Birthdays:
Fr. Timothy Uniac, 1958, Canada
Fr. Jacek Praski, 1964, USA

For our directors of formation on every level.
For vocations to the Congregation.
For the members of the Society of Jesus as they celebrate their co-founder, Saint Francis Xavier.
For blessings upon all Resurrectionists and Apostles of the Resurrection, during this Advent Season.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Against this backdrop of love so central to the Christian experience of marriage and the family, another virtue stands out, one often overlooked in our world of frenetic and superficial relationships. It is tenderness.” (Amoris Laetitia, 28)

December 2
2025-12-02
FOCAL POINT:
Consecrated religious are invited to live their vows authentically, credibly, radically, prophetically and joyfully.

Deceased:
Fr. Michal Oleksy, 1918, Zakopane, Poland
Fr. Wladyslaw Orpiszewski, 1942, Krakow, Poland

Birthdays:
Fr. Kasimierz Mikucki, 1951, Poland
Fr. Stanislaw Jankowski, 1966, USA

For our Congregation, superiors, and for vocations.
For peace in the world.
For parents, relatives, friends and benefactors who have died.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“A family’s living space could turn into a domestic Church, a setting for the Eucharist, the presence of Christ seated at its table.” (Amoris Laetitia, 15)

December 1
2025-12-01
FOCAL POINT:
Resurrectionists will continue to study and pray with the Constitutions, as well as, reflect upon the charism and mission of the Congregation.

Deceased:
Fr. Theobald Spetz, 1921, Kitchener, Canada

Birthday:
Fr. Henry Ruszel, 1926, USA

First Vows:
Fr. Marek Tomski, 1982, Poland

Ordination:
Fr. Rafal Wasilewski, 2012, USA

For the Church, our Holy Father and for our local ordinary.
During this Season of Advent let us prepare ourselves with prayer and reflection to celebrate the Incarnation.
For living and deceased benefactors of the Congregation.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The couple that love and beget life are a true, living icon – not an idol like those of stone or gold prohibited by the Decalogue – capable of revealing God the Creator and Saviour.” (Amoris Laetitia, 11)

St. Lawrence of Brindisi
2025-07-21
FOCAL POINT:
“Besides daily participation in morning prayers and evening prayers, each religious will spend at least one hour each day in private prayer and reflection.” (Con. 70)

Deceased:
Fr. Chester Brzegowy, 1957, Chicago, USA
Fr. Joseph Baniewicz, 1968, Chicago, USA
Fr. Jan Dybowski, 2012, Szczecinek, Poland

Birthday:
Fr. Evandro Miranda Rosa, 1975, Brazil

For growth in our trust, acceptance and affirmation of one another within Community.
For our country, and for civil rulers on the local and national level.
For those who, by their example and teaching, uphold the teachings of the church, and today we remember the example of St. Lawrence of Brindisi, Doctor of the Church.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Consecrated men and women are sent forth to proclaim, by the witness of their lives, the value of Christian fraternity and the transforming power of the Good News.” (Vita Consecrata, 51)

Saint Therese of the Child Jesus
2024-10-01
FOCAL POINT:
“Under the pressure of apostolic activity, the Resurrectionist will maintain a unity in his work and spirituality.” (Con. 194)

Deceased:
Fr. Joseph Zwierzycki, 1963, Chicago, USA
Fr. Ernest Schumacher, 2001, Louisville, USA

Bishop Ordination:
Bishop Wesley Spiewak, 2015, Bermuda

For the Church, our Holy Father, and for our local ordinary.
For all doctors of the Church, may the example of Saint Theresa guide them in their scholarly pursuits.
For our parents, relatives, friends and benefactors, and for those who have commended themselves to our prayers.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“This is why the earth herself, burdened and laid waste, is among the most abandoned and maltreated of our poor; she ‘groans in travail’ (Rom. 8:22).” (Laudato Si’ 1)
