Retirement celebration planned for Fr. Stanislaw Herba

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Fr. Stanislaw Herba

PARK CITY — Father Stanislaw Herba, who has served in the Diocese of Salt Lake City for 29 years, will retire July 31.

Fr. Herba was born in Maziarnia, Poland, and studied philosophy and theology there before being ordained a priest on May 17, 1964 in Poznań, Poland by Archbishop Antoni Baraniak for the Society of Christ Fathers for Poles Living Abroad.

After a year of ministry in Poland, Fr. Herba was assigned to Brazil, where he served in various locations for 10 years before being sent to New Bedford, Mass. He then ministered in Providence, R.I. and Portland, Ore., before coming to Utah in 1989.

His first assignment in the Beehive State was as temporary parochial vicar at St. Vincent de Paul Parish. From 1990 to 1996 he served as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Magna. That was followed by seven years as pastor of St. Therese of the Child Jesus Parish.

In 2000 Fr. Herba received a Decree of Exclaustration from the Society of Christ, and in 2001 he was incardinated into the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

Fr. Herba’s other assignments in the diocese were at the parishes of St. Ambrose, where he also was chaplain at the University of Utah Medical Center and Primary Children’s Hospital; the Cathedral of the Madeleine; Saint Francis of Assisi; San Isidro Mission; Saint Patrick in Salt Lake City; and Saints Peter and Paul. His final assignment was as pastor of Saint Mary of the Assumption Parish, where he began in 2010.

In addition, Fr. Herba was a member of the Presbyteral Council and dean of the Salt Lake Deanery.  

“No matter where he was assigned, he was the model of pastoral care and concern for the people,” said Msgr. Colin F. Bircumshaw, vicar general. “He also brought with him the skills to relate to many cultures, himself coming from Poland, having ministered for 10 years as a religious priest in Brazil, and speaking several languages, including Polish, English, Russian, French, Portuguese and Spanish.”

“Fr. Stan has touched many in various parishes in Utah,” agreed Deacon Bob Hardy, who is assigned to St. Mary of the Assumption Parish.  

The parish will honor Fr. Herba with a picnic and social on July 15. The picnic will be a combination barbecue hosted by the Knights of Columbus and a potluck for all attendees.

“We want this event to be a sign to Fr. Stan of how much we appreciate the many years of tireless service he has given to the church, the diocese, and our parish,” said Deacon Tom Tosti, who is assigned to the parish. “Like many of our priests, Fr. Stan left his home and family to serve in a foreign land where he knew no one nor the language. … We rarely think of the sacrifices our priests make and how they always make themselves available to us. It’s time for Fr. Stan to take a well-deserved rest.”

The parish is accepting cash gifts for Fr. Herba for travel expenses for a trip to Brazil in the early fall. To make a gift, send a card with a check made out to St. Mary’s, with “Fr. Stan” written in the memo line to: St. Mary of the Assumption, 1505 White Pine Canyon Rd., Park City, UT 84055. A basket for cards and/or checks also will be available at the retirement celebration.

WHAT: Retirement Celebration for Fr. Stan Herba

WHEN: Sunday, July 15, beginning with Mass at 11:30 a.m.

WHERE: St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 1505 White Pine Road, Park City

For information on what to bring to the potluck, visit http://www.stmarysparkcity.com/.