Very Rev. Senior Fryderyk S. Banas

Very Rev. Senior Fryderyk S. Banas, 33 year pastor of the Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church of Ware, passed away suddenly on Monday, July 18, 2022 in the parish rectory.  Fr. Senior Banas was born in Chicopee, Massachusetts to the late Stanley Banas and Valaria (Szczepanek) Banas.  He was a 1947 graduate of Chicopee High School.  Fr. Senior attended Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton, Pennsylvania.  On October 19, 1950 Fr. Senior was ordained to the holy priesthood, by the late Bishop John A. Misiaszek.  He was one of six newly-ordained priests who received a special blessing from the organizer of the Polish National Catholic Church, the late Prime Bishop Francis Hodur.  Fr. Senior celebrated his first solemn high mass on October 22, 1950, in the Holy Mother of the Rosary Church in Chicopee, the church in which he was baptized, received his First Holy communion, confirmed and reared.  Holy Mother of the Rosary Parish always had a special place in his heart.  He was elevated , to Senior Priest on August 4, 1964, by the late Prime Bishop Leon Grochowski.  He served parishes in Buffalo, NY, Hazleton, PA and McAdoo, PA.  For 23 and 1/2 years he was the pastor of St. Adalbert's Church in Dickson City, PA, often he would speak of his fondness for the people of Pennsylvania.  In 1979 Fr. Senior returned to New England and was the pastor of Blessed Virgin Mary Parish in Fall River for 10 years.  On May 15, 1989 Fr. Senior Banas assumed the pastorate of Holy Cross Church in Ware.  For 33 consecutive years he remained as pastor and shepherd of his flock, until God called him home on Monday.  Fr. Senior Banas dedicated his life to the Polish National Catholic Church.  He served on numerous commissions of the church.  He served as national director on the Board of Directors of the Polish American Congress representing the Polish National Catholic Church. Fr. Senior served two terms on the Polish National Union of America.  He was the chaplain for the United Choirs of the Polish National Catholic Church, and served 20 years as secretary for the Central Diocese Clergy Conference.  Fr. Senior was an instructor at the Savonarola Theological Seminary in Scranton, for many years, teaching moral theology, liturgy, ideology of the Church, and the Polish Language.  Fr. Senior was a Priest in the purest sense, he served God and his people faithfully wherever he was. He loved and was so proud of his Polish Heritage, speaking Polish whenever he could. Fr. Senior will be missed by all who knew and loved him.  Fr. Senior Banas was pre-deceased by his beloved mother, Valaria who assisted him as companion, co-worker and inspiration for 32 years up to the time of her death on January, 14, 1984. Fr. Senior Banas leaves his nephew and caregiver, Eugene Kulas of Ware, cousins from the Szczepanek and Moryl Families, a large family in Poland from the Szczepanek and Glodz Family, his parish family and many friends. Fr. Senior Banas will Lie in Repose on Friday, July 22, 2022 from 5 - 6:30 PM in the Holy Cross Polish National Catholic Church, 61 Maple Street, Ware.  A Requiem High Mass will be offered on Saturday, July 23, 2022 at 11 AM in the church.  Fr. Senior Banas will be laid to rest next to his beloved mother in the Holy Mother of the Rosary Cemetery in Chicopee following the mass.  The Koziol Family of Cebula Funeral Home is directing the arrangements.  For more information and online guest book, please visit:  www.cebulafuneralhome.com .

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