Paweł Zybura, OP

In order to prepare for work at St Rajmund's parish in Menlo Park, California, I was sent to the Dominican Priory in Cork, Ireland. I attended the Cork English Collage for a period of six months.

In St. Mary's church, I learned to celebrate the sacraments (Eucharist, confession) in English.

The brothers of the Poznan monastery elected me as bursar. This election was accepted by the Provincial. I served in this function for two three-year terms. As a priest I exercised sacramental ministry. Every year in Advent and Lent I preached retreats in various churches of the Archdiocese and beyond. I was also an adult chaplain. My responsibilities were:

• Managed staffing schedules for employees.
• Designed and implemented flexible solutions to aid business efficiency and drive process improvements.
• Oversaw administration and management of different areas of ministry.
• Planned and conducted worship services, wrote sermons and worked with key church leaders to carry out church mission.
• Acknowledged contributions of local community to church through public announcements.
• Led group sessions to explore bible teachings.
• Represented religious institution by speaking and attending local events.
• Interpreted religious texts and created summaries.

At the retreat house in Korbielów, I was a preacher. It was also a time of recovery for me. My responisbilities were:

• Provided pastoral care through preaching, counselling and prayer.

In the Szczecin priory I was bursar. I was elected to this position by the brothers of the friary and approved by the provincial. I served as bursar for a three-year term and was re-elected at the end of that term. Due to ill health, after a year the provincial sent me to a retreat house in Korbielów to rest.
I administered the sacraments in a parish in Szczecin. I led a Bible study group for young people and adults. I also volunteered at a cancer hospital. My responsibilities were:

• Oversaw administration and management of different areas of priory.
• Raised congregational awareness of community needs.
• Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals and baptisms.
• Led group sessions to explore bible teachings.
• Visited patients at homes and hospital at request of hspital staff.

My duties in the parish were related to sacramental ministry among the faithful (hearing confessions, celebrating Masses and services). I was a secondary school religion teacher for two years. I was also a youth chaplain in the parish. My responisbilities were:

• Built positive, constructive relationships with students for holistic educational support.
• Organised class trips to religious buildings for increased subject relevance and appreciation.
• Advised parents on student progress, strengths and areas for improvement during report evenings to increase encouragement at home.
• Officiated special services such as weddings, funerals and baptisms.