Fr. Paweł Rytel-Andrianik – Vatican
Pope blessed the jubilee chalice
During the audience in St. Peter’s Square on June 17, the Holy Father blessed the chalice presented by a delegation from the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union, accompanied by Auxiliary Bishop Witold T. Mroziewski of the Diocese of Brooklyn and Queens.
“The blessing of this jubilee chalice by Pope Leo XIV is a great honor for our institution and the entire Polish community abroad,” said Bogdan Chmielewski, President and CEO of the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union. “Celebrating fifty years of growth and service to our members, we are grateful for the opportunity to present this gift to the National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa in Doylestown, Pennsylvania, which has been the spiritual home for American Polonia for decades,” he added.
One of the largest ethnic credit unions in the United States
During their stay in the Vatican, the delegation prayed in St. Peter’s Basilica. The visit to Rome, connected with the organization’s golden jubilee, was an opportunity to reflect on the remarkable journey the Credit Union has made – from a small community institution to one of the leading cooperative financial institutions serving hundreds of thousands of members across the United States.
Founded in 1976 by the late Father Longin Tołczyk, a visionary priest and community leader, the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union was established to help Polish immigrants achieve financial stability and realize the American dream.
“Recognizing the challenges faced by newly arrived Polish families, Father Tołczyk created a trustworthy financial institution based on the values of faith, service, and mutual assistance. What began as a small community initiative has grown into one of the largest ethnic credit unions in the United States, serving successive generations of Polonia and remaining true to its mission of empowering families, supporting communities, and nurturing Polish heritage.
“The blessing of the jubilee chalice in the Vatican is a beautiful tribute to the legacy of Father Tołczyk and the thousands of members, volunteers, directors, and employees who have built the success of the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union over the past five decades,” the organization stated in its press release.
About the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union
Founded in 1976, the Polish & Slavic Federal Credit Union is one of the largest credit unions serving the Polish community in the United States. With 25 branches in six states and assets of approximately 3 billion dollars, PSFCU remains true to its mission of helping members achieve financial success while preserving the traditions, values, and heritage of the Polish-American community.
