Homecoming Mass

Jim Szoboyna celebrates in Manville

By:Mary Ellen Zangara
   For many years he was known as Jim Szoboyna, but now he’s "Father Jim."
   Saturday, he was ordained to the priesthood at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, DC. On Sunday, the Rev. Szoboyna returned to Manville to officiate his first Mass at the church he grew up in, Sacred Heart Church on South Main Street.
   "Hi, my name is Father Jim," he told the congregation at the 10 a.m. Mass. "I was baptized here, I received my First Holy Communion here, I received my Confirmation here.
   "I am celebrating my first Mass here and there is no place like home."
   Sunday’s Mass also afforded the Rev. Szoboyna the opportunity to share his first Mass with his mother, Barbara, on Mother’s Day.
   "I couldn’t have asked for a better Mother’s Day present," she said. "Just knowing that Jimmy was so devoted to the Blessed Mother and has his first Mass at Sacred Heart on Mother’s Day. At this point knowing that my daughter is happy in California, my son Jon just had a baby and Jimmy is now a priest — a mother couldn’t ask for more."
   A bus with friends from Manville took the trip to the ordination from his childhood parish of Sacred Heart.
   The 44-year-old longtime resident thought it was only appropriate to return to Manville after spending most of his life here.
   The Rev. Szoboyna graduated from Sacred Heart School and Manville High School, before attending Upsala College in East Orange, majoring in accounting. After receiving his degree, he went into public accounting with his own practice on Route 202.
   But a longtime interest in religion caught up with him. After almost 13 years of the ups and downs of a professional practice, he began rethinking about the priesthood. "I was in my 20s already when I thought about priesthood and it was a slow process," he said.
   He began teaching Confirmation CCD classes at Sacred Heart, and became more involved in the church.
   In July 1993, he was asked to chaperone some of the youth from Sacred Heart to the Youth Day in Colorado to hear Pope John Paul II. As he listened to Pope John Paul II speak, he started to consider entering the priesthood.
   After that, the Rev. Szoboyna started working toward it.
   "It was a tough decision, grappling with that … not to get married, not to have a family, shuffling around dreams," he said. "That was a key moment deciding to enter the seminary."
   He entered the Washington Theological Seminary in WashingTon, D.C., and began seven years of studies, two years of philosophy, four years of theology, and a year of spirituality in Chicago.
   His ordination was a powerful experience and he said two moments will remain with him forever.
   The first involved having 30 priests laying hands on his back saying prayers as he offered himself to God.
   "You could feel all their presence with the responsibility of priesthood as a heavy weight and you feel them supporting you," the Rev. Szoboyna said.
   The other was coming back to Manville for his first Mass.
   "This is where my vocation started. The prayers and support this town has given to me with open arms," he said.
   As he stood on the altar, he said it was "emotionally draining."
   "It was almost just seeing my life there," he added. "I see teachers, coaches, neighbors and relatives different times of my life just flashing before me. It was overwhelming."
   He was surprised to see so many people at his Mass — past classmates, friends and many others.
   A new priest never gives the homily during his first Mass, and the Rev. Szoboyna asked the Rev. Tom Forrest, a missionary, to do the honor. He described the Rev. Forrest as "an inspiration as soon as I entered the seminary. If I could be like Father Forrest, I would be very happy with myself."
   The Rev. Szoboyna wished his dad could be here to see this moment, but James Szobonya died about 18 months ago. Rev. Szoboyna’s new chalice was engraved and dedicated to the memory of his dad, and will always stay with him as he celebrates Masses.
   He is now officially assigned to St. Martin of Tours Church in Bethpage, N.Y., a very large parish on Long Island about 80 miles from Manville.
   He will be there at least for the next three years, after which he could be assigned elsewhere. The Rev. Szoboyna will celebrate his first Mass at Bethpage on Sunday morning.
   Meanwhile, Ms. Szobonya is very proud of her son.
   "You never think of your son being a priest. You wish them health, be happy with whatever mate they choose or business. You want success for them. Never did I ever think this!" she said.