St Stan Illustrated Story

96 F ather Stanislaus’s apostolic zeal was not confined to the faithful who visited the Cenacle. He frequently visited the surrounding and outlying parishes and assisted the pastors by hearing confessions, preaching and catechizing. His zeal, perseverance, and dedication to the welfare of souls – particularly those of the simple folk – were unsur- passed. The Saint was always ready to preach at parish feasts and festivals. He would walk long distances in order to show fatherly kindness to the poor and socially wronged who stood in such dire need of comfort and help. How many souls he thus brought closer to God, what peace and concord he spread around him – this is something that God alone knows. W hen Fr. Papczynski paid his first visit to the parish church at Jasieniec, he found it an almost complete ruin. The pastor of this poor parish had no means of undertaking the necessary repairs. When Fr. Stanislaus suggested the building of a completely new church, he shook his head in resigned hopelessness. Father Papczynski, apparently with the pastor’s reluctant consent, addressed a fervent appeal to parishioners, urging them to shoulder the task themselves. He was the first to make a sizable donation to the build- ing fund. The work was begun. In quite a short time the people’s enthu- siasm for this common venture infected even the pastor. When funds ran low, Fr. Stanislaus himself went begging. It is not surprising, then, that when the new church was finally com- pleted, Fr. Papczynski remained in the memory of a grateful people as its principal architect.