Early life Stanislaus Brzana was born on July 7, 1917, in
Buffalo, New York, to Frank and Catherine (née Mikosz) Brzana. After his ordination, the diocese assigned him to
missionary work at the
Cattaraugus Reservation in Western New York. After the start of
World War II , Brzana enlisted in the
US Army Chaplain Corps. Embedded with the
Ninth Armored Division, he saw action during the
Battle of the Bulge in 1944 and 1945 in Belgium. After his discharge from the US. Army, Brzana returned to pastoral work in parishes in the diocese. The diocese sent him to Rome to study at the
Pontifical Gregorian University, where he earned a
Doctor of Sacred Theology in 1953.
Auxiliary Bishop of Buffalo On May 24, 1964, Brzana was appointed
auxiliary bishop of Buffalo and
titular bishop of
Cufruta by
Pope Paul VI. He received his
episcopal consecration at
St. Joseph's Cathedral in Buffalo on June 29, 1964, from Bishop
James A. McNulty, with Bishops
Celestine Damiano and
James Johnston Navagh serving as
co-consecrators.
Bishop of Ogdensburg Brzana was appointed bishop of Ogdensburg by Paul VI on October 22, 1968. During his tenure, he served on committees of the
National Conference of Catholic Bishops and took part in deliberations of the
Second Vatican Council in Rome. He also established several churches and education centers, and was active in regional civic and social activities, including caring for striking
miners and their families. In addition to receiving a Caritas award from
Catholic Charities, he was made an honorary chief of the
Mohawk Nation in 1977. After 25 years in Ogdensburg, Brzana resigned on November 11, 1993. He spent his retirement in Buffalo, and later died at St. Joseph Hospital in
Cheektowaga, aged 79. ==References==