From the Pastor- Fr. Marcin Fuks

Dear Parishioners of St. Bernard of Clairvaux and St. Stanislaus Kostka,

Here it's a bit about myself. I look forward to meeting you!

I was born in a small town in Poland. I was raised into a Catholic family and I am the oldest of four. Before I went to the seminary, I had studied Physical Education. Even though, my family and I had a foundation for the Catholic faith I experienced a time of crisis in my faith. This crisis happened while I was in high school and in me grew a rebelliousness. During my crisis, I was helped immensely by the experience of the adult Itinerary of faith, through the catechesis of the Neocatechumenal Way in my parish. Through that itinerary, I was able to experience the love of God and His presence in my life, and with some time I was able to discover my vocation to priesthood. During the 2008 World Youth Day to Australia, I felt that God was calling me to be a missionary priesthood.

I was sent to a Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Newark in 2009. I did my studies at the school of theology at the Seton Hall University and was ordained in 2018.

In each of these assignments I was given opportunities to bring the light of the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus to men and women from different cultural backgrounds. And was blessed to experience the witness of so many men and women to our Risen Lord.

After my ordination to the priesthood, I was assigned as a parochial vicar to the Immaculate Heart of Mary church in Mahwah. While at I.H.M I had the pleasure of working with the English and Polish-speaking communities, by celebrating mass for them, leading the youth group, and leading the parish and sacramental ministry. Also, during my time there I was asked to help with Campus Ministry at Ramapo College.

On March 1, 2022, I began my new assignment at St Bernard and Stanislaus Kostka, first as a parochial vicar, and then, since July 1, 2022, as new administrator of the parish.

Being in the parish for a few months I realize that there are many challenges, problems, as well as many blessings that this community has to offer. Like the Prophet Jeremiah, I wanted to exclaim, “Oh Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, because I am too young and without experience.” (Jer. 6:1). The Lord answered to Jeremiah by assuring him of that he was given the graces necessary to fulfill the mission set in front of him. Only with the same spirit of humility, and your help, I can enter into the mission of growing together in the love of Jesus Christ, the Son of God and our Savior.

Fr. Marcin