Catholic Journal

First Musings

In this first blog, I’d like to give you a bit of information about myself. First of all, I’m a priest of the Archdiocese of Detroit. Currently, I am the Academic Dean at SS. Cyril & Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. For the past 125 years, the “Polish Seminary,” as SSCMS is sometimes known, has trained priests for service in the American Church. Initially, this service was exercised in Polish-American parishes. In recent decades however, our students serve in a variety of parishes around the United States. In future blogs, I will be sharing some stories from “the Lake.”

Second, I have been ordained for almost 18 years. During that time I have had a variety of assignments ranging from parochial ministry to chancery work to seminary formation work. Each assignment has its own particular joys and challenges. But each day has brought me closer to God and enabled me to deepen my commitment to ministry. I love being a priest. And I really enjoy helping seminarians to discover their unique talents which will enhance their lives as priests.

The third piece of information I’d like to share with you is the variety of interests and hobbies that I have. They could be divided into three categories: music, literature, and movies. Since I was very young, I have played musical instruments: piano, violin, saxophone, cello, guitar, flute, piccolo, fife and recorder. For the past 35 or so years, my primary instruments have been the piccolo and the flute. Between the various bands, orchestras, pit orchestras and solo performances, I have had the opportunity to play a lot of the professional literature. I’m hoping that I will be able to play for another 35 or more years.

I am also an author. My first officially published work is entitled Understanding Sacramental Healing which is published by Hillenbrand Books. The book explores the rites of anointing and viaticum and how they can be better utilized in the twenty-first century. I also enjoy reading. Since I was a history major, historical novels, action-adventure novels and biographies are of special interest.

Finally, I like movies, especially comedies, action-adventure and human interest. Like many people, I belong to Netflix. Since I am quite busy with my academic duties, I really don’t get a chance to watch TV that much. When I do get a few free hours, I sit in my easy chair and watch a movie or two. Also, I get a chance to catch up on movies that I missed while they were in the theatre.

In subsequent blog entries, I will be sharing more of my spiritual reflections on life, the Church and scripture. It is my hope that these writings will help you to get closer to God and enable you to better live your vocation as a child of God.

Msgr John Kasza

REVEREND MONSIGNOR JOHN KASZA was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Detroit in 1993. He holds a B.A. in History from Wayne State University, Detroit and an Master of Divinity from Sacred Heart Major Seminary. He earned his doctorate in Sacramental Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo in Rome in 1999. Msgr. Kasza has served as an assistant professor of sacramental theology, liturgy and homiletics at Sacred Heart Major Seminary and has also taught at the Liturgical Institute at St. Mary of the Lake University in Mundelein, Illinois. He most recently served as Secretary to both Adam Cardinal Maida and Archbishop Allen Vigneron and was Vice Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Detroit. In July of 2009, Msgr. Kasza became the Academic Dean at SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake, Michigan. Monsignor is currently pastor of St.Therese of Lisieux parish in Shelby Township, Michigan and has authored several articles. His book, Understanding Sacramental Healing: Anointing and Viaticum, is available through Amazon.