Fr. Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv.
60th Anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood
Anniversary Mass
Sunday, November 7, 2021
St. Paul Church, Kensington, CT
12:00pm
Informal Reception
Saint Paul School Gym
A large group of Franciscan Friars Conventual, Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist, St. Paul Church Parishioners, family and friends gathered on Sunday, November 7, 2021 for a special Mass in celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Ordination to the Priesthood of Our Lady of the Angels Province friar, Fr. Raymond Borkowski, OFM Conv.
Friar Raymond has served in pastoral ministry at St. Paul Church since 2010, but his 67 years as a Franciscan Friar Conventual included years of study in the USA and Italy, followed by service in varied ministries including education, vocation, formation, pastoral and missionary sites. In the November 7th parish bulletin, Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. (Pastor) stated: “Fr. Raymond has served the Franciscans and the Church in so many ways over the years. He often has a smile on his face and is ready to share a story or a memory that is often accompanied by one of his hearty laughs!! His Franciscan spirit is alive and well 67 years after his profession of vows.” This was a great way to begin National Vocation Awareness Week. Friar Raymond was the main celebrant for his Anniversary Mass, with several of his confreres on hand to concelebrate, including our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. who delivered the homily.
Friars in attendance: Fr. Joseph Benicewicz, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. Paul Church), Fr. Michael Englert, OFM Conv. (Parochial vicar of St. Paul Church), Fr. Mark Curseky, OFM Conv. (Pastor of St. John Catholic Church), Fr. Piotr Tymko, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar of St. Paul Church), Fr. Richard-Jacob Forcier, OFM Conv. (Province Secretary, Director of The Shrine of St. Anthony, Spiritual Director of the Companions of St. Anthony), Br. Vincent Vivian, OFM Conv., Fr. Mitchell Sawicki, OFM Conv. (Chaplain for Our Lady of the Angels Care Center), Fr. Charles Jagodzinski, OFM Conv. and Fr. Mieczyslaw Wilk, OFM Conv. (Parochial Vicar at the Basilica of St. Stanislaus, Bishop & Martyr).
Friar Joe reminisced about his entrance in the Order during Friar Raymond’s tenure as Vocations Director. Read More
Several members of Friar Raymond’s family were able to join in the celebration.
Friar Raymond with some of the Franciscan Sisters of the Eucharist who were in attendance. He serves as confessor at their Generalate and Motherhouse in Meriden, Connecticut.
Friar Raymond with present Mother General of the Sisters – Mother Miriam Seiferman and Co-Founder & Former Mother General – Mother Shaun Vergauwen (seated) – and with Sister Raffaella Petrini, whom Pope Francis has recently appointed Secretary-General of Vatican City, the highest-level post ever held by a Religious Sister
Three former Vocation Directors: Fr. Vincent Gluck, OFM Conv., Friar Raymond, and Fr. Martin Kobos, OFM Conv.
