Father Michael Ross Sciumbato

Friday, Apr. 26, 2024

On behalf of Bishop Oscar A. Solis and Father Kenneth Vialpando, Msgr. Colin Bircumshaw, vicar general, regrets to announce the recent death of Father Michael Ross Sciumbato.

Fr. Sciumbato passed away on April 27, 2024 after struggling for some years with several chronic health conditions. He was 69 years old.

Fr. Sciumbato was born in Salt Lake City, Utah on November 28, 1955. He attended Hawthorne Elementary and South High School in Salt Lake City, graduating in 1974. He attended college for a year at Creighton University, Omaha, and then the University of Utah, SLC, graduating with a Doctorate in Jurisprudence in 1981. He worked as a lawyer for seven years before entering Mt. Angel Seminary in 1988.

Fr. Sciumbato was ordained at the Cathedral of the Madeleine on June 25, 1994 by Bishop William K. Weigand. His fluency in Spanish and concern for the Hispanic community facilitated both his extensive pastoral ministry to this community and his assistance, especially to the poor, as an immigration lawyer.

His first priestly assignment was at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Layton, as parochial vicar, while also teaching at St. Joseph Catholic High School (1994 -1996). He became pastoral administrator of St. Elizabeth Parish in Richfield (1996 to 1999); he served as pastor at Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price (1999 to 2002), pastor of Saint James the Just Parish, Ogden (2002 to 2003); and pastor of Saint Francis of Assisi Parish, Orem (2003 to 2007).

Fr. Sciumbato served as chaplain for the Salt Lake Hospitals (2007-2008), before becoming pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Salt Lake City (2008-2011). He then served as pastor of Saint Ann Parish and Kearns-Saint Ann School (2011 to 2018). His final pastoral assignment was as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Ogden and Saint Florence Mission, Huntsville, (2018 to 2021).

Fr. Sciumbato was granted early retirement on July 28, 2021 for health issues. He had been in residence in Salt Lake City since his retirement.

Funeral arrangements are being arranged by the family.

Requiescat in pace, Fr. Sciumbato