AS THE WORLD SPINS, THE CROSS STANDS FIRM

My name is Mirosław Szynal, allow me to introduce myself and share my story.

I was born and raised in Polanów, a picturesque town in Western Pomerania, in the Koszalin-Kołobrzeg Diocese. I come from a working-class family, and I spent my childhood among peers in the kindergarten and primary school in Polanów. It was here that I was baptized as a two-month-old, becoming a child of God and gaining entry into the parish register of the baptized and the eternal book of the saved.

From an early age, I was closely connected to the Church attending catechism classes, preparing for my First Holy Communion. Afterwards, I joined the group of altar servers and I participated in meetings, learning the principles of serving at the altar. I continued my formation by attending lector and cantor courses. These experiences strengthened my love for the liturgy and awakened my calling to the priesthood. After completing primary school, I attended the Agricultural School Complex in Sławno, where I obtained the title of technician in water melioration and passed my final exams. After graduation, I decided to continue my journey at the Higher Seminary in Koszalin, which I completed with priestly ordination on May 26, 1990, given by Bishop Ignacy Jeż.

My first parish was a rural one in Szczeglino, where I performed duties related to sacraments, catechesis, leading the youth group, pre-baptismal teachings, and pre-marital courses. The next parish was the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Sławno, where there was a family atmosphere created by Prelate Marian Dziemianko. Here, I was also involved in the ministry for the deaf, made possible by my additional sign language studies at the seminary.

In 1995, I went on a mission to Tanzania, where I worked until November 1996, after which I returned to the same parish. Until June 2003, I worked in several other parishes in the Koszalin-Kołobrzeg Diocese, after which I decided to move to Canada, where there was a shortage of priests. After speaking with the bishop, I received permission for a one-year stay. In Winnipeg, Manitoba, I met with the bishop of the Saint Boniface Diocese and was assigned a parish with three places for Sunday Masses. I worked there for seven years, and thanks to the cooperation of parishioners, we were able to build a new church.

I was then transferred north to the Churchill-Hudson Bay Diocese, where I worked with the Inuit people for two years. In 2012, I contacted the bishop of the Helena Diocese in Montana, USA, where I worked until 2017. In the autumn of that year, after discussions with Bishop Robert Morlino of the Madison Diocese in Wisconsin, I began working in his diocese, serving in several parishes and as a chaplain at the University of Wisconsin Hospital in Madison.

After discussions with Archbishop Bernard Hebda and the administration of the Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis, I have taken on the role of chaplain at Unity and Mercy hospitals. From July 1st, I will also be serving as a Priest at Holy Cross Parish in Minneapolis. With God's help, I strive to serve our community for the good and salvation of our souls.

Since childhood, I enjoy playing soccer, handball, volleyball, and basketball. I also love cycling, hunting, fishing, sailing, skiing and horseback riding.

I look forward to meeting you and building our community together. Sincerely, Fr. Mirosław Szynal, Parochial Vicar A