“It’s hard to escape or disconnect the Catholic faith from being Polish,” says Dr. Paul M. Lipowski, EdD, chief charism officer for the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor. Dr. Lipowski, who grew up in Toronto, Ontario, says: “Both of my parents are from Poland and came to Canada to escape Communism. I have a sister, and faith was very much the center of our family life.”
Dr. Lipowski has fond memories of attending St. Pius X school in Toronto and seeing his mom at Mass when he was attending with his class. “Then she would usually get me a slice of pizza for lunch, so that was a nice plus!”
Dr. Lipowski, 40, went on to finish his undergraduate education at Loyola University in Chicago, majoring in history with a theology minor. He then earned a master of arts in pastoral studies at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University.
“I also have a master of letters in Bible and contemporary world from St. Mary’s College (School of Divinity) at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland and a doctor of education in interdisciplinary leadership from Creighton University, as well as certificates in change leadership and HR management,” says Dr. Lipowski.
Following Francis as a Layperson
He counts himself blessed to have ministered with so many Franciscans during his career, calling it “one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.” His small consulting firm, Virtute Duce (Latin for “led by virtue”) has helped advise religious on advancing their mission. He has also worked with Franciscans in parish ministry, university teaching, and with Partners in Franciscan Ministries, the sponsorship corporation of the Sisters of St. Francis of the Neumann Communities. “Franciscan mission integration is my passion, and working for that sponsorship corporation has been where I really came to find and reignite my passion and love for St. Francis and the Franciscan way of life as a layperson.”
Taking on the position with the Franciscan Friars of the Atonement at Graymoor seemed a natural progression for Dr. Lipowski, who came on board in 2022 and describes Graymoor as a “holy mountain.” Located in a serene area of the Hudson River Valley, Graymoor is about 50 miles north of New York City and is “a beautiful place for personal or group pilgrimages as well as retreats,” says Dr. Lipowski.
It was at Graymoor that Mother Lurana White, SA, and Father Paul Wattson, SA, founded the Society of the Atonement and brought their charism of hope, healing, and harmony to the world. In 2017, Father Wattson was named a Servant of God, the first step toward sainthood.
“There are beautiful shrines and chapels on the Holy Mountain, from the Chapel of St. John in the Wilderness on the Sisters of the Atonement property to the Chapel of St. Francis, Holy Spirit Chapel (in the Eastern tradition), Our Lady of the Atonement Chapel, the St. Anthony Shrine, and the Pius X Chapel on top of the mountain with the friars,” says Dr. Lipowski.
Located at Graymoor is one of the oldest ministries for the Friars of the Atonement, St. Christopher’s Inn. The inn is a temporary homeless shelter dedicated to the rehabilitation of men in crisis. They call the men they serve “Brothers Christopher” because they are Christ bearers. It is also home to the Graymoor Ecumenical Institute, which has offices in New York City, where it publishes the Ecumenical Trends magazine.
A World in Need of Franciscan Healing
As chief charism officer, it is Dr. Lipowski’s aim to advance Graymoor’s mission and ministry throughout the world. “I think their charism is one that is so desperately needed in the world today,” he says. “We can see the pain that the broken world is causing around us, as we live and minster in it. This is not only external brokenness but also internal, whether in ourselves, in our relationships with others, or in the Church in general, and with those of other faiths.
“Father Paul [Wattson] and Mother Lurana [White] saw that brokenness and knew that only the Franciscan way could help bring that healing! So, my goal is to help support them in that mission, to do what I can to bring hope, healing, and harmony to a broken world.
“The community of friars and sisters (with their community at the bottom of the mountain), is extremely gracious and welcoming. It is something to experience!” says Dr. Lipowski.
In addition to the friars’ work with individuals through healing and rehabilitation programs at St. Christopher’s Inn and the Do Not Fear to Hope HIV/AIDS support group and their pastoral work through the Holy Mountain Franciscan Retreat Center, they also have a bookstore and a thrift shop that help support their ministries.
Dr. Lipowski’s wife, Katherine, is an educator and department chair at a high school in the western suburbs of Chicago. They reside in the northwest suburbs with their three children: Oliver, Amelia, and Clare. “We also have two dogs (American fox hounds Aryus and Camilla), two cats (Mimi and Bauer), a horse (Paloma), and five chickens (Hej Hej, Miss Checkers, Zuzia, Nugget, and Nova)!”
When he’s not working, he enjoys reading, traveling to new places, and helping his wife with the garden. “And turning our property into a small farm, playing ice hockey, riding, and playing polo. I’m a member of the Barrington Hills Polo Club,” he says.
Dr. Lipowski looks up to many saints, primarily those that have gone through some type of transformation. “I’m particularly devoted to St. Paul and how we wouldn’t have the faith we have today if it were not for his evangelization. St. Maximillian Kolbe, with his Christian charity, is another. St. Marianne Cope and her life of service to those who were truly marginalized and cast out is inspiring, as well as Father Paul Wattson and Mother Lurana White for their bravery and deep devotion to the Franciscan way of life—leaving the Episcopal Church to become Catholics, which was unheard of during that time,” says Dr. Lipowski.
“There’s also St. Clare,” he says. “My birthday is her feast day, and my youngest daughter is named after her. St. Clare’s leadership is something that I admire immensely.”
And, of course, he cites St. Francis. “St. Francis inspires me, especially in the way of life that he modeled for us, but the main inspiration is through his personal conversion and transformation,” Dr. Lipowski says.
“I find it so relatable, even to this day. He was someone caught up in seeking fame and glory only to realize that wealth won’t bring happiness, but simplicity and service will deepen one’s relationship with God. His profound and deep love for the Eucharist also greatly inspires and challenges me on an everyday level.
“Responding to God’s offer of living the example of Christ, like Francis, is a transformational process that doesn’t happen overnight. Like Francis, I would like to think that I could eventually do what he did and become what he truly loved,” says Dr. Lipowski. “Maybe sans the stigmata!”
