Tomasz Albrecht

Home Parishes:

St. Joseph Willimantic, CT

St. Therese de Lisieux, Archdiocese of Katowice.

Seminaries Attended:

SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Orchard Lake,MI

Silesian Major Seminary of Archdiocese of Katowice

High School: Zespól Szkól Technicznych w Rybniku im. Tadeusza Kosciuszki

College: Theological Department of University of Opole

Hobbies: Sports - swimming, hiking, biking, good music, good books, good food, playing instruments (didgeridoo, djembe, guitar)….and many others that I don’t have time for.

When was the first time you thought of or about becoming a diocesan priest?

At the age of 4 – 5 years old.

What were major Catholic activities you participated in prior to attending the seminary?

I was and still I am a member of Light – Life movement established in Poland by servant of God, father Franciszek Blachnicki, who was a priest serving in my home diocese in Poland. This movement is providing very good: biblical and liturgical formation for youth in my home diocese. It is charismatic, focused on outreach, evangelization and generates a lot of vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Who influenced/inspired you to consider diocesan priesthood? Please explain.

My home pastor and priests that I met with on summer retreats organized by Life – Light movement. I was inspired by their dedication, authenticity, commitment and courage in proclaiming and living out the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

What would you say to a young man who thinks he may have a priestly vocation?

Stop thinking, make up your mind….DO IT!!!

What activities would you recommend in order to help foster a culture of vocations to priesthood or religious life?

1. Fostering vocations in youth groups by proper, biblical and liturgical formation.
2. Rebuilt the image of priest in US after what happened in 2001.
3.Stop thinking about religious vocation as a “second career” option or marketing product to promote - but start living out in what we do believe as a priests.
4. Words after a while are useless, what really works is testimonies of life that we priest have to give. Young people need ideals to follow we have to point those ideals by the way how we live it.

What was your career or background before entering the seminary?

I made my final decision of entering the seminary in my home diocese after a one year of living on my own and studying in Cracow. I was at that time a student of Technical University of City of Cracow – in department of computer engineering.

Please describe the importance of prayer in your life.

It is equal with breathing. No prayer = no air=no life=certain death.