Getting to Know Fr. Kubicki (Morning Air)

On an episode of Morning Air, John Morales had a chat with Fr. James Kubicki—a Jesuit priest who's been a big part of the Relevant Radio family for years. They took a stroll down memory lane, digging into Fr. Kubicki’s upbringing, his journey to the priesthood, and even some fun tidbits about his hobbies.

Milwaukee Roots: Fr. Kubicki grew up right near where he works today at St. Francis de Sales Seminary in Milwaukee. He’s a true Milwaukee native, raised by Polish immigrant parents who were all about education. They made sure he went to the best Catholic schools around, which is how he ended up at Marquette High School, run by the Jesuits—the very group he had no clue would become such a big part of his life!

Childhood: When John asked if Fr. Kubicki ever played priest as a kid, he laughed and shared a sweet story about playing Mass with his friend Tom Fogarty in the basement. 

The Big Turning Point: But it wasn’t until a high school camping trip with a Jesuit priest that Fr. Kubicki really started thinking about becoming a priest. That trip around Lake Superior hit him hard—the beauty of nature, the camaraderie with the other boys, and celebrating Mass outdoors planted a seed in his heart. He realized he wanted to do for others what that Jesuit priest had done for him.

Life’s Little Surprises: What might surprise you is that Fr. Kubicki was super shy growing up. He was the kid who didn’t want to raise his hand in class, afraid to speak up. Fast forward to today, and here he is, chatting on the radio, reaching people from coast to coast. It’s a testament to how God’s grace can work in the most unexpected ways.

Fr. Kubicki also shared a bit about his hobbies—he used to collect stamps, and now he’s into golf and crossword puzzles. And yes, he’s a big Green Bay Packers fan—because, let’s be honest, who isn’t if you grew up in Milwaukee?

It was a joy listening to Fr. Kubicki’s story, and as John said, we’re so grateful for his “yes” to the priesthood.

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