Parish Staff

Pastor Fr. Krzysztof Gazdowicz
“Father Krzysztof,” as he is best-known, was born in Brzozow, Poland, where he lived with his family until he attended the seminary in Cracow.

When he was 19, he joined the Order of Capuchin Fathers of St. Francis of Assisi and completed his philosophical studies at the Papal Theological Academy in Krakow. During college, Father Krzysztof was a member of the Mission Club and other student organizations that ministered to the poor.

In 1996, he transferred to the Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius, in Orchard Lake, Michigan, where he was enrolled in the pre-theology program for cultural adjustment and in the English as a Second Language (ESL) program. It was at this time that Father Krzysztof came to the Diocese of St. Petersburg. He wanted to become a priest when he was a child but felt God calling him when he was in high school. He completed his seminary at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and was ordained to the Transitional Diaconate on March 29, 2003. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of St. Petersburg by Most Reverend Robert N. Lynch on May 15, 2004.

Since ordination, he has served as Parochial Vicar at Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace (2004-2007), St. Catherine of Siena, Clearwater (2007-2009), and St. Frances Xavier Cabrini, Spring Hill (2009-2013). On July 1, 2013, he was assigned as Pastor of Sacred Heart Parish, Dade City, where he served until 2024. From 2017 to 2024, he also held the office of Vicar Forane of the East Central Deanery. On July 1, 2024, Father Krzysztof began his current assignment as Pastor of St. Thomas Aquinas Parish, New Port Richey, Florida.

Associate Pastor Fr. George Varkey
Father George P. Varkey is a member of the Missionary Society of St. Thomas the Apostle (MST), established in 1968 in Kerala, which is in the southwest of India. He was ordained on April 17, 1990 in his home parish of St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. Fr. Sebastian, the current pastor of Our Lady Queen of Peace in New Port Richey and Fr. Matthew, the parochial vicar of St. Ignatius in Tarpon Springs, are of the same order.

Fr. George is the third child of a small family of four children. His father has been called to eternal rest and his mother lives with his brother. Just after his ordination he was sent to the missions.

Later he was appointed as the vocation promotor and professor in the seminary. After five years he was sent for his post graduate degree of Masters in Social Work (MSW) and he later completed Youth Ministry training.

Soon after his studies were completed, he took charge as a pastor. And later, he was again sent back to the missions as Mission Councilor for five years. As he finished his term he was elected as the General Councilor where he was in charge of seminary formation and Priest Welfare. During this time he also served as the Director of the Office of Regional Vocation Promotion under the Catholic Bishops Conference. Before leaving India for the Diocese of St. Petersburg, Fr. George served as the rector of the minor seminary for his order. We are truly blessed to have him as part of our parish family!