New Pastor Installation

Bishop Serratelli installs new pastor for St. John Kanty Parish

CLIFTON  Conventual Franciscan Father Waclaw Sokolowski was installed as pastor of St. John Kanty Parish here by Bishop Serratelli Sept. 6. The parish has been administered by order since 1935.

The history of St. John Kanty Parish began when St. Joseph Parish in Passaic established a mission for the Polish people in Clifton in the late 1920s. A church was built on Speer Avenue in 1934 and continues to serve the many Polish families residing in the Athenia section of the city. The parish was the last established (1935) before the foundation of the Paterson Diocese.

Father Sokolowski previously served at St. John Kanty as parochial vicar coming from the Polish province but speaking little English at the time. He learned the English language there while serving for 13 years before being sent by his order to serve in the Canadian province.

Now, 15 years later, Father Kolowski has returned and is the 10th pastor of the parish. The parish will mark its 80th anniversary this year