St Mary's Church

Building Fellowship & Bettering our Community through the Gospel

Father Senior Charles has been Pastor of St. Mary Parish in South Bend since 1994. He was ordained in 1989 at All Saints Cathedral in Chicago, Illinois and served there as an assistant for nearly 5 years. He is the first third generation priest of the PNCC. His father, the late Bishop Joseph C. Zawistowski served the Church for 53 years and his grandfather, the late Very Rev. Joseph L. Zawistowski served the Church for 52 years.  He is active in the community and was an organizer of the Oliver Gateway Neighborhood Association, established by the parish for the benefit of the neighborhood. 

Pastor and Bio

In addition, he serves as chair of the diocesan School of Christian Living commission, a member of the Diocesan Council, chair of the diocesan Diaconate commission, an instructor in the diocesan deacon formation program, chair of the diocesan Clergy Circle, chair of the National School of Christian Living comission, a member of the Polish National Catholic / Roman Catholic  Dialogue team, and appointed to the Supreme Council by Prime Bishop Anthony at our 2022 Synod.