CENTRAL FALLS R.I. - The Rev. Anthony D. Iwuc, a South Attleboro native and the retired pastor of St. Joseph's Parish in Central Falls, was honored on the 55th anniversary of his priesthood by the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America at the last quarterly meeting of the officers and board of directors at the organization's national headquarters in Chicago.

William Ozog, the Polish Roman Catholic Union national president, gave Iwuc a plaque "in recognition of his 55 years in humble service to God, the Church and all God's people through his priesthood, which has uplifted and inspired many souls."

Iwuc - who attended public schools in South Attleboro, St. Joseph's School in Central Falls, and graduated from St. Raphael Academy in Pawtucket - spent 12 years as the group's national chaplain and 22 years as its vice chaplain.

He studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary, St. Mary College and SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Michigan before being ordained by the late Bishop Russell J. McVinney at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence on May 30, 1953.

After ordination, he served at Our Lady of Czerstochowa Parish in Quidnick, R.I., as an assistant, administrator protem and pastor, until he was assigned to St. Joseph's Parish in Central Falls in March 1972. He served there until his retirement in 2005, and he now lives at St. John Vianney Residence in Providence, offering assistance primarily to the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary in North Providence, St. Ann Parish and Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Providence and the Forand Manor in Central Falls. Iwuc was baptized and confirmed at St. Joseph's Church, and also celebrated his First Solemn High Mass, Silver Jubilee Mass, Golden Jubilee and Farewell Mass at the parish. He celebrated his 80th birthday with a Mass of Thanksgiving last year.

Iwuc is the national vice chaplain of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America, the oldest and largest Polish-American fraternal benefit society that was founded 135 years ago in 1873. He's also a trustee at SS. Cyril and president of the Rhode Island Division of the Polish-American Congress.