Fr. Grzegorz Wojcik

Q: Describe your educational and professional background before entering formation.
A: 1995-2000, technical high school, electricity and electronics; 1990-1994, music school, clarinet section, all in Kwidzyn, Poland.

 

Q: What first interested you in the priesthood?
A: At an Advent retreat I heard a priest who came from the missions in Africa. He had a lot of stories about evangelization. While listening to him there was a spark that ignited in me.

 

Q: When did you first feel called to the priesthood?
A: When I was a teenager I had some difficulties in accepting my family; at that time my mother brought me to listen to the catechesis of the Neocatechumenal Way (a Vatican approved, parish-based catechumenate).  This experience changed my life. It enabled me to love my family and to discover that the Lord is calling me to the priesthood, and to be missionary.

 

Q: What ultimately led you to enter the seminary?
A: In the year 2000 I met a homeless person with whom I spoke for a long time and I understood that the Lord may be calling me to help people who are suffering and to bring them to Christ. I went to a Neocatechumenal Way meeting in Italy for all men aspiring to pursue a vocation to be a priest with a missionary call and I was sent to Denver.

 

Q: Where did you find support for your call to the priesthood?
A: My Neocatechumenal community helped me to traverse my youthful rebellion and lead me to discern that God is really calling me to the priesthood.

 

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the priesthood?
A: I value in the priesthood that the people have their sins forgiven by God using the priest as an instrument by the grace and the mercy of God.

 

Q: What has been your favorite class or aspect of seminary life?
A: The two I’ve liked the most are: Ancient Philosophy, and Psalms and Wisdom Writings.

 

Q: What is your favorite pastime?
A: When I was 15 my family camped a week in the woods by a lake. I liked the fishing and the windsurfing.

 

Q: Is there a particular talent or gift you feel you bring to the Church as a whole?
A: Prior to coming to the seminary I studied to be an electrician for five years.  Perhaps I might use some of that knowledge at a parish.  I also studied music; it, too, may be helpful in my ministry.

 

Q: In today’s world, a call to celibacy is seen as radical, if not impossible. How have you reconciled the priesthood’s call to celibacy with this challenging cultural perspective?
A: There are certain events in my life that proved to me that it is possible to live in chastity. I knew some girls who were my friends, but God made it very clear to me that he is calling me to a vocation different than marriage. Therefore, I believe, and I have already experienced, that with the grace of God it is possible to live in celibacy.

 

Q: If you have been on mission (or itinerancy) as part of your formation thus far, share where you went and what you learned from that experience.
A: I consider it a privilege to be on mission (itinerancy) as Jesus did, walking through towns while teaching his disciples.

I’ve been sent to many places: Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Wyoming. Basically it was an experience of God’s providence; to see how he constantly takes care of me and sends me to those who need to hear about Jesus Christ.

I saw God acting in many people and transforming their lives. I saw marriages being rebuilt, families reconciled, and people being freed from their addictions through their participation in the Neocatechumenal Way.

 

Q: Can you recall a particular moment when you have been called to give testimony to your faith, or more particularly, to your vocation to the priesthood?
A: There have been many occasions when I had to give an account of my faith and to say why I believe. Once I met a person who wanted to commit a suicide; I shared with her how God took me out of my situation of suffering, and it consoled her.

It is always a privilege for me to give glory to God, sharing an account of what he has done in my life, because he gave me a new life.

 

Q: How do you feel about this significant step, being ordained to the diaconate, in your priesthood formation?
A: I am glad that I was considered worthy to perform the ministry of the deacon. For me it is not a promotion to boast of, but the possibility to be a servant.