Jubilee of Rev. Gotfryd Niemczyk

On Sunday, March 3, Fr. Gotfryd Niemczyk, CSMA, celebrated his 90th birthday in the parish of Eitorf. On that day, the jubilarian presided over a special Mass celebrated by a group of confreres led by Fr. Krzysztof Poświata, Vicar General of the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel, and Fr. Lesław Kunc, Superior of the German-Austrian Vice-Province. "The basis of our life is a gift. We are a gift to ourselves and to others. When we celebrate with someone, we can say that this person is a gift to us," said Fr. Stanisław Friede, CSMA, during his homily. "Today, we honor Gotfryd Niemczyk, the man and the priest. Reaching the age of 90 is not a personal achievement, but a grace and a reason to thank God, according to the words placed in the invitation to today's jubilee: "Thanks be to God through Jesus, our Lord" (Rom 7:25), the preacher continued. He then described the honoree and his passions in a very warm and cordial manner. Fr. Stanisław stated that even as a retired priest, he is a friendly and trusted conversationalist and pastor to so many, actively participating in the life of the Church and the world, including the digital world. We are very grateful to have him here. His prayer is an important element in the mosaic of parish life. We warmly congratulate Father Gotfryd and thank God together with Gotfryd, the local community, and the countless number of those who cannot be with us today, for the fact that the good Lord has given him so many years. Gotfryd is an enrichment for us. At the end, words of good wishes were also spoken: "Dear Father Gotfryd, may God show us His wonderful goodness in you, guard you like the apple of His eye, and shield you with the shadow of His wings. All the best on your birthday. May God bless you, give you strength and the best of health." After the Eucharist, the second part of the celebration took place, during which the invited guests offered many warm words of congratulations and wishes to the jubilant priest. There were also gifts and a jubilee cake with the image of Fr. Gotfryd.