Rt Rev Bernard Nowicki
Pastor
A native of western New York, the Rt. Rev. Bernard Nowicki hails from the east side of Buffalo where Polish immigrants had settled. It’s in this locale and around the Church that many of Bishop Nowicki’s most meaningful activities and efforts in his life revolved.
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The parish church that formed his spirituality and much of who he is today was the Polish National Catholic Cathedral on Sobieski Street under the patronage of the Holy Mother of the Rosary. Parish life at the Cathedral was rich with spiritual and cultural opportunities that engaged Bishop Nowicki. Activities he was involved in included acolyte service, membership in the boys, youth and men’s societies along with membership in the Cathedral adult and men’s choirs. He participated in the Polish dancing and stage presentations including plays Polish language declamations and poetry at celebratory occasions.
Before assuming the pastorate at Heart of Jesus, Bayonne, NJ, the then Father Nowicki, served as the pastor of two parishes in the Pittsburgh area. During this time he met a graduate student in voice at Carnegie Mellon University, Barbara Ann Liberasky, who later became his wife. They have a daughter, Berit Elizabeth, who resides in Massachusetts.
Bishop Nowicki is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he majored in psychology and of the Giralamo Savonarola Theological Seminary of the Polish National Catholic Church where he prepared for the priesthood. He did post-graduate work at Nashotah House, an Anglo-Catholic seminary of the Episcopal Church, and earned a masters degree in divinity from Drew University, and a Masters degree in social work with concentrations in group work and in alcohol and drug addiction studies from Rutgers University.
Several vehicles provided by the PNCC allowed Bishop Nowicki to serve in capacities that aligned with his interest in Polish music, both sacred and secular. These include the chaplaincy of the NY-NJ Seniorate United Choirs, a chapter of the PNC National United Choirs. Within that national choral organization, he served as one of the Chairs of the NUC Hymnal Commission which produced a bi-lingual collection of Polish hymnody. For many years, Bishop Nowicki was also an active participant in the Bard Choir of Pittsburgh, an NUC singing group within the Pittsburgh Seniorate specializing in Polish folk music. Other church and community Polish organizations that he is affiliated with include the Polish National Union of America, the Spojnia Credit Union, the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee, Inc. as the 2012 Marshall of the Bayonne Contingent in the Pulaski day Parade, and the Kosciuszko Foundation which accorded him the honor of offering an invocation at its Ball at the Waldorf Astoria.
Among his other responsibilities within the Church, Bishop Nowicki has served as an instructor in pastoral theology at the Giralamo Savonarola Theological Seminary, and currently holds a position on the Church Synod’s standing Commission on Liturgy. He is the ecumenical liaison to the interfaith organization, Christian Churches Together, and he continues in his work as a member of the Polish National Catholic – Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission and will ex officio take his place on various standing commissions of the General Synod.
Before assuming the pastorate at Heart of Jesus, Bayonne, NJ, the then Father Nowicki, served as the pastor of two parishes in the Pittsburgh area. During this time he met a graduate student in voice at Carnegie Mellon University, Barbara Ann Liberasky, who later became his wife. They have a daughter, Berit Elizabeth, who resides in Massachusetts.
Bishop Nowicki is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he majored in psychology and of the Giralamo Savonarola Theological Seminary of the Polish National Catholic Church where he prepared for the priesthood. He did post-graduate work at Nashotah House, an Anglo-Catholic seminary of the Episcopal Church, and earned a masters degree in divinity from Drew University, and a Masters degree in social work with concentrations in group work and in alcohol and drug addiction studies from Rutgers University.
Several vehicles provided by the PNCC allowed Bishop Nowicki to serve in capacities that aligned with his interest in Polish music, both sacred and secular. These include the chaplaincy of the NY-NJ Seniorate United Choirs, a chapter of the PNC National United Choirs. Within that national choral organization, he served as one of the Chairs of the NUC Hymnal Commission which produced a bi-lingual collection of Polish hymnody. For many years, Bishop Nowicki was also an active participant in the Bard Choir of Pittsburgh, an NUC singing group within the Pittsburgh Seniorate specializing in Polish folk music. Other church and community Polish organizations that he is affiliated with include the Polish National Union of America, the Spojnia Credit Union, the General Pulaski Memorial Parade Committee, Inc. as the 2012 Marshall of the Bayonne Contingent in the Pulaski day Parade, and the Kosciuszko Foundation which accorded him the honor of offering an invocation at its Ball at the Waldorf Astoria.
Among his other responsibilities within the Church, Bishop Nowicki has served as an instructor in pastoral theology at the Giralamo Savonarola Theological Seminary, and currently holds a position on the Church Synod’s standing Commission on Liturgy. He is the ecumenical liaison to the interfaith organization, Christian Churches Together, and he continues in his work as a member of the Polish National Catholic – Roman Catholic Dialogue Commission and will ex officio take his place on various standing commissions of the General Synod.
Rev. Father Sean Dodd
Assistant Pastor
Born and raised an evangelical in East Texas, Fr. Sean was guided by the Holy Spirit to the Catholic faith. In 2018, he visited St. Martin and St. Rose Parish in San Antonio, Texas, where he became a member and began making monthly visits despite the five-hour drive. In 2020, he was confirmed into Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church.
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In 2022, Fr. Sean moved to the seminary in Scranton, Pennsylvania. The following spring, he received minor orders, and in the spring of 2024, he was ordained a deacon. By the grace and mercy of God, on May 10, 2025, he was ordained a priest of Christ in the Polish National Catholic Church through the hands of His Grace, the Most Reverend Anthony Mikovsky, at St. Stanislaus Cathedral—where he joyfully begins his priestly ministry as the parish’s assistant pastor.
Fr. Sean has a love of languages, especially Japanese, and has casually studied many others. This passion for language has deepened his appreciation for diverse cultures and strengthened his desire for ministry within them. Like many of his peers, he also enjoys video games, music, and television. In addition, he maintains a strong interest in theology and philosophy, drawing insight from many theologians while particularly admiring the works of Plato.
What drew Fr. Sean to the Polish National Catholic Church was its commitment to preserving the historic liturgy, theology, and practices of the ancient Church. He notes that many young people are rediscovering the Ancient Churches; PNCC, Rome, and Eastern Orthodoxy, for their fidelity in maintaining what was handed down, rather than chasing after passing fads or modern trends.
Among the many treasures of the faith, Fr. Sean finds joy in the blaring organ of the cathedral, the solemnity of the liturgy, and the rich aroma of incense. Most of all, he treasures how all these elements draw him closer to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who becomes truly present upon the holy altar at Mass. For him, this is the greatest privilege of being a Polish National Catholic.
Fr. Sean has a love of languages, especially Japanese, and has casually studied many others. This passion for language has deepened his appreciation for diverse cultures and strengthened his desire for ministry within them. Like many of his peers, he also enjoys video games, music, and television. In addition, he maintains a strong interest in theology and philosophy, drawing insight from many theologians while particularly admiring the works of Plato.
What drew Fr. Sean to the Polish National Catholic Church was its commitment to preserving the historic liturgy, theology, and practices of the ancient Church. He notes that many young people are rediscovering the Ancient Churches; PNCC, Rome, and Eastern Orthodoxy, for their fidelity in maintaining what was handed down, rather than chasing after passing fads or modern trends.
Among the many treasures of the faith, Fr. Sean finds joy in the blaring organ of the cathedral, the solemnity of the liturgy, and the rich aroma of incense. Most of all, he treasures how all these elements draw him closer to his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who becomes truly present upon the holy altar at Mass. For him, this is the greatest privilege of being a Polish National Catholic.
Mary Zarhorsky
Office Manager
Mary, our Office Manager, is known for her approachable and welcoming character. She is dedicated to assisting both clergy and parishioners with all administrative matters pertaining to the church, ensuring the daily life of the parish runs smoothly and with care.
rebecca (Becky) Elfman
Music Director
Rebecca (Becky) Elfman makes her home in Kingston, PA. A native of California, Becky studied organ, liturgy, piano, improvisation and theology at Valpariso University, IN, where she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Music Composition, studying with Dennis Friesen-Carper, Philip Gehring, J. B. George, Lorraine Brugh, Joseph Bognar, E. Louise Williams, Frederick Niedner, and David Truemper. A consecrated Deaconess in the Lutheran Church, Becky has a deep background in church music, serving as a church musician for more than 17 years.
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Previously, Becky was Director of Music at Grace Lutheran Church, Malverne, NY, and Saint Paul's Lutheran Church, Dallas, PA. She also has significant experience as a teacher. While in the Long Island parish, she taught music in the K-6 church school, serving 120 students. She also teaches privately at her own studio, Mosaic Music, located in Kingston. A talented pianist, Becky serves as an accompanist for vocal students at Wilkes University and Marywood University.
Becky loves everything to do with singing and composing music. As a singer, she performs in Scranton with three distinguished choral groups: Arcadia Chorale, the Marywood University Concert Choir, and Voce Angeli, the latter of which recently premiered her choral work "All the Pretty Horses." She has arranged and adapted many hymns and liturgical music for the Cathedral, composing, also, a commissioned anthem for the 50th Anniversary of ordination to the priesthood of Rt. Rev. Bishop Nowicki..
Becky’s expressed goal is to strengthen and enrich the musical life of the congregation at Saint Stanislaus Cathedral. She is eager to welcome new singers into the Cathedral Chorale and to engage with all musicians who are interested in helping her achieve that goal..
Most recently, Bishop Nowicki appointed Becky to serve as a member of the Music Commission of the Central Diocese of the PNCC.
Becky loves everything to do with singing and composing music. As a singer, she performs in Scranton with three distinguished choral groups: Arcadia Chorale, the Marywood University Concert Choir, and Voce Angeli, the latter of which recently premiered her choral work "All the Pretty Horses." She has arranged and adapted many hymns and liturgical music for the Cathedral, composing, also, a commissioned anthem for the 50th Anniversary of ordination to the priesthood of Rt. Rev. Bishop Nowicki..
Becky’s expressed goal is to strengthen and enrich the musical life of the congregation at Saint Stanislaus Cathedral. She is eager to welcome new singers into the Cathedral Chorale and to engage with all musicians who are interested in helping her achieve that goal..
Most recently, Bishop Nowicki appointed Becky to serve as a member of the Music Commission of the Central Diocese of the PNCC.
jason Seliga
Youth Center Manager
Jason, our Youth Center Hall Manager, is always ready to lend a hand with his friendly and approachable nature. He works closely with parishioners and guests to ensure the Youth Center is well cared for and that events run smoothly for all who gather there.