New pastor assignments/Fr. Michael Sciumbato

Intermountain Catholic

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Father Michael Sciumbato

Several parishes and missions in the Diocese of Salt Lake City will receive new pastors or administrators on Aug. 1. Here is a brief introduction to those who will take the assignments.

Father Michael Sciumbato

Father Michael Sciumbato was born in Salt Lake City and graduated from South High School. He spent a year at Creighton University, then completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in journalism and communications. Afterward, he earned a Juris Doctor degree from the U’s S.J. Quinney College of Law. He worked as an attorney in private practice for eight years, then entered Mt. Angel Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity degree. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City on June 25, 1994 by the Most Rev. William K. Weigand. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Rose of Lima Parish in Layton and teaching at St. Joseph High School in Ogden. He then served as pastor of the parishes of St. Elizabeth in Richfield (and its missions in Torrey, Ephraim and the Central Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison), Notre Dame de Lourdes in Price, St. James in Ogden, Our Lady of Guadalupe in Salt Lake City and most recently at St. Ann, also in Salt Lake City. In addition, he administered pastoral care at the University of Utah Medical Center, Primary Children’s Medical Center and the Huntsman Cancer Center. On Aug. 1 he will become pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Ogden and St. Florence Mission in Huntsville.

What would you like your new parishioners to know about you?

This is my third go-around in Ogden (I began teaching at St. Joseph Catholic High School following ordination 24 years ago), and later, I served as pastor for a year at St. James Parish.

 What are you looking forward to most about your new assignment?

I look forward to returning to a vibrant faith community and serving the people of Weber County in every way I can. I look forward to the many challenges presented to the pastor of St. Joe’s: a very large bilingual parish, three schools, attending to the community of St. Florence, and working together with the other priests of the deanery.

As a priest, what has been your biggest challenge?

I know my biggest challenge will be, as it has been in all the other parishes where I have served, to unite the various ethnic communities and celebrate the wonderful unity-in-diversity that is our beautiful Catholic Church.

As a priest, what has been your most satisfying experience?

Bringing people home to the faith, some after being away for many years, and healing their brokenness and pain, has always been among my most satisfying experiences.  See you soon!