Congregation of the Resurrection

Third Sunday of Advent
2025-12-14
FOCAL POINT:
“We assist the laity in their own efforts to become prophets to the world and to transform it by providing them with a deeper experience of the paschal dynamic in their lives.” (Mission Statement)

Deceased:
Fr. Ladislaus Okulczyk, 1964, Winnetka, USA
Fr. Jan Reinke, 1975, Krakow, Poland
Fr. John Mix, 1988, Des Plaines, USA

For those members of the laity who join with us in our educational and parish apostolates.
For fidelity to our vows and our Congregation charism and mission.
On this third Sunday of Advent let us deepen our preparations for the Incarnation.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“No one can think that the weakening of the family as that natural society founded on marriage will prove beneficial to society as a whole, the contrary is true.” (Amoris Laetitia, 52)

St. Lucy
2025-12-13
FOCAL POINT:
“We reach out to all people through our pastoral-educational ministry but especially join in solidarity with people diminished by unjust structures.” (Mission Statement)

Deceased:
Fr. Franciszek Zachara, 1931, Radziwillow, Poland
Br. Stanislaw Baba, 2000, Poznan, Poland
Deacon Brian Karley, 2019, Louisville, USA

Birthdays:
Fr. Krzysztof Swol, 1967, Poland

Ordination:
Pope Francis, 1969, Argentina

For deceased members, friends and benefactors of the Congregation.
For Advent blessing upon the Congregation.
For those suffering from blindness and other vision difficulties, may they be comforted through the intercession of Saint Lucy, patroness for the blind.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“In many cases, parents come home exhausted, not wanting to talk, and many families no longer even share a common meal.” (Amoris Laetitia, 50)

Our Lady of Guadalupe and National Day of Prayer in Solidarity with Indigenous People
2025-12-12
FOCAL POINT:
“Our Congregation must be a model of Christian community in which people are one in heart and mind.” (Mission Statement)

Deceased:
Fr. Jan Giecewicz, 1936, Vienna, Austria
Fr. Richard Balazs, 2020, Chicago, USA

Birthday:
Br. William Hallas, 1947, USA

Ordination:
Fr. Krzysztof Mortka, 1987, Poland

For the conversion of sinners, and for all in affliction, temptation and agony.
For vocations to the Congregation.
Let us join our prayers with all Indigenous people so that we may stand in solidarity as one.
Let us offer praise and thanks to God for the gift of Mary to the Church.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Most families have great respect for the elderly, surrounding them with affection and considering them a blessing.” (Amoris Laetitia, 48)

Saint Damasus I
2025-12-11
FOCAL POINT:
“We call others, especially youth and families, to communities of the Risen Christ in which faith, hope and love radiate as a sign of union with Christ and His Mother, Mary, in the Church.” (Mission Statement)

Deceased:
Fr. Luigi Scafuro, 1948, Pescara, Italy
Fr. Lucjan Krawiec, 2021, Poznan, Poland

Birthday:
Br. Nucinaldo Bezerra de Arruda, 1983, Brazil

For our members in the missions.
For the intercession of Saint Damasus upon our Holy Father.
For Advent blessings upon the members of the Congregation of the Resurrection.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“If the family, in the light of faith, accepts the presence of persons with special needs, they will be able to recognize and ensure the quality and value of human life, with its proper needs, rights and opportunities.” (Amoris Laetitia, 47)

Our Lady of Loreto
2025-12-10
FOCAL POINT:
“Convinced of God’s unconditional love for us, we herald the liberation and salvation of each person and society as a passage from death to life in which every situation of evil and injustice is overcome.” (Mission Statement)

Ordination:
Fr. Renato Benassi, 1995, Brazil

Deceased:
Fr. Joseph Tarasiuk, 1947, Chicago, USA

For the grace to imitate our Founders and for the spirit of the resurrection.
For the safety of all who travel.
That during Advent let us prepare the way of the Lord.
For the Loreto Sisters, may they continue to proclaim the Good News.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“Migration is another sign of the times to be faced and understood in terms of its negative effects on family life.” (Amoris Laetitia, 46)

December 9
2025-12-09
FOCAL POINT:
“The Congregation of the Resurrection announces and gives witness to the Paschal Mystery.” (Mission Statement)

Deceased:
Cl. Stefan Zelev, 1896, Nettuno, Italy
Fr. Josef Per, 1957, Poznan, Poland

Birthdays:
Fr. Andrzej Skrzypczak, 1958, Poland
Fr. Kazimierz Siwiec, 1965, Poland

For our country and for peace.
For all who hunger and thirst for God.
For peace in the world this Advent.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The lack of dignified or affordable housing often leads to the postponement of formal relationships.” (Amoris Laetitia, 44)

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
2025-12-08
FOCAL POINT:
“We believe that Mary is our model for all that we are called to be and do as Resurrectionists.” (Charism Statement)

Deceased:
Fr. Josef Zabowka, 2020 Lomianki, Poland

First Vows:
Fr. Henry Ruszel, 1946, USA
Br. Nucinaldo Bezerra de Arruda, 2011, Final Sept. 8, 2017 Brazil
Fr. Jose Flavio Sotero Barbosa, 2011, Brazil
Fr. Ricardo Michelin de Souza, 2015, Brazil
Cl. Lucas Freitas da Cruz, 2019, Brazil
Cl. Diogo Sousa Dos Santos, 2021, Brazil
Cl. Gabriel Melore Ramos Bastos, 2022, Brazil
Cl. Tiago Dos Santos Teixeira, 2022, Brazil

Ordination:
Fr. Vitalis Masika, 2022, Tanzania

For God’s blessings upon the Congregation through the intercession of Mary.
For fidelity to our vows, and the charism and mission of the Congregation.
In thanksgiving for the gift and example of the Virgin Mary.
For all deceased Resurrectionists and Apostles of the Resurrection.

FURTHER REFLECTION:
“The weakening of faith and religious practice in some societies has an effect on families, leaving them more isolated amid their difficulties.” (Amoris Laetitia, 43)

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)
