Friary
The Franciscan friars, as spiritual sons of St. Francis of Assisi and heirs to the legacy of St. Anthony of Padua, have been present at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Bridgeport almost since its very beginning. They have always faithfully served both the Polish community and American parishioners, and they continue to do so to this day. Over the years, the friary has belonged to various provinces: first, the Province of St. Anthony of Padua in the USA, then the Province of Our Lady of the Angels in the USA, followed by the Canadian Custody, and now, it is part of the Gdańsk Province of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe.
The friars currently serving in the friary include Father Norbert M. Siwinski, who is the guardian and pastor, Father Stefan Morawski, the senior pastor of the community and parish, and Father Grzegorz Kordek, who serves as the parochial vicar.
Father Norbert M. Siwinski, OFM Conv.
Born in 1978, is a member of the Franciscan Province of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe in Gdańsk.
He holds a doctorate in theology and Mariology from the Cardinal Stefan Wyszyński University in Warsaw. From 2004 to 2018, he served in pastoral ministry in Germany, and since 2018, he has been the pastor of St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Bridgeport, Connecticut.
Father Norbert is an active scholar, whose interests include Franciscan theology, Mariology, angelology, Latin language, and medieval spirituality. He is also an active member of several international Mariological societies, including the Polish Mariological Society, the German Mariological Society in Kevelaer, and the Mariological Society of America in Dayton, Ohio. Additionally, he collaborates with the editorial team of the journal “Il Santo” in Padua.
His main intellectual project is the translation of the Marian Sermons of St. Anthony of Padua from the original Latin into Polish and German.
A complete overview of his academic work and research projects can be found on his homepage:
https://paternorbertmsiwinski.academia.edu
Beyond his pastoral and academic endeavors, Father Norbert is passionate about sports, including kayaking, fitness, and cycling.
Father Stefan Morawski, OFM Conv.
Born in 1943, is a member of the Franciscan Province of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe in Gdańsk. He entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in 1959 and made his solemn vows in 1966. Two years later, in 1968, he was ordained to the priesthood.
He is a graduate of the Catholic Academy in Warsaw, where he earned a master’s degree. After his studies, he served for three years as vice-rector of the Minor Seminary in Niepokalanów. He then ministered in Koszalin at the newly established Church of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, engaging in pastoral work and in building the parish community. Later, he became a superior and pastor in Kołobrzeg.
In 1989, he was assigned to a ministry in the United States. Since 1990, he has been associated with St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Bridgeport—initially working alongside friars from the American province, and later within the Polish province—holding various leadership roles, including pastor and guardian.
To this day, he serves with great zeal in the confessional, preaches homilies, and visits the sick with the sacraments. He offers spiritual support and shares the rich experience of his priestly life.
Father Grzegorz M. Kordek, OFM Conv.
Born in 1977, is a member of the Franciscan Province of St. Maximilian Maria Kolbe in Gdańsk, Poland. He entered the Order of Friars Minor Conventual in 1998 and made his solemn profession in 2003. He was ordained to the priesthood in 2005.
He completed his specialized studies in fundamental theology at the John Paul II Catholic University of Lublin, earning the degree of Master-Licentiate. His scholarly interests focus on the teaching of Joseph Ratzinger/Pope Benedict XVI, with particular emphasis on the relationship between Christianity and the religions of the world.
He has served as a parish priest, catechist, and hospital chaplain, as well as spiritual director at the Franciscan Major Seminary and as socius at the Franciscan postulancy.
Since September 2024, he has been serving as parochial vicar at St. Michael the Archangel Parish in Bridgeport. A graduate of a technical secondary school in electronics, he is eager to integrate new technologies into pastoral ministry.
Links to the Franciscan websites:
Prowincja Gdańska Ojców Franciszkanów
Vocations in Our Lady of the Angels Province
Franciszkańskie Duszpasterstwo Powołaniowe w Gdańsku
