Photo provided by Fr. Ken Cienik from his retirement ceremony in 2010. (Picture from left to right) Fr. David Hammond, sister Yolanda Turak, brother-in-law Donald Turak, sister-in-law Sandy Cienik, Fr. Ken, and Fr. Mark Bristol.
After serving as a chaplain in Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom, Fr. Ken Cienik, SA, was unexpectedly called into service again on Sept. 11, 2001. He was at the Navy Yard when a hijacked plane crashed into the Pentagon. Without thinking twice, Fr. Ken jumped into action as a first responder.
Fr. Ken retired as a chaplain in 2010 after 24 years of service with the Navy and Marines. His decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Now assigned to the Chapel of Our Savior in Brockton, Massachusetts, Fr. Ken reflects fondly on his time as a military chaplain. “It was an honor to be recommended,” he recalled.
He added that this type of service fits perfectly with the mission of the Atonement Friars:
“We exist as a Catholic religious community to invite the world to join us in the quest for healing and reconciliation. We do this by living, embracing and fostering the Franciscan spirit of At-One-Ment which includes the unity of all and the healing of the broken and those who have lost their way.”
Fr. Ken recently celebrated his 60th jubilee of entrance into the Society of the Atonement. He was elected to the General Council of the Atonement Friars this year, where he will serve until 2029. In addition, he is now heading the Graymoor Guild for the cause of the beatification of the Servant of God Fr. Paul Wattson, SA.
Fr. Ken also traveled to Italy this year, where he visited his fellow Friars and had an audience with the Pope. He was even able to present Pope Francis with a copy of a book about Fr. Paul and talk to the Pope about the quest for canonization.
All in all, it has been a wonderful year for Fr. Ken, and how special for all of this to happen as the Atonement Friars celebrate their 125th anniversary.
As another Veterans Day approaches, Fr. Ken waxes nostalgic about his time with the military. But he doesn’t look for praise. He wants to pass the baton. He encourages other priests to explore this rewarding way to serve God and country.
“I want to know, who will carry the torch?” he said. “Who will step up and be the next chaplains?”
This Veterans Day, we thank Fr. Ken for his service, and we pray that others will accept the call to be military chaplains.
Great to see this Fr. Ken, you are an inspiration to all who have had the pleasure of knowing you and working with you. Miss the Mountain so much. Sincere congrats, Linda Dyekman