Fr. Michael Sciumbato: ‘A simple and gentle soul who loved God and served his people as best he could’

Friday, May. 10, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY – Father Michael R. Sciumbato, who died April 27 at age 69 due to complications from diabetes, was recalled during the funeral services as a devoted priest who loved the poor.

At the May 6 vigil, Father Erik Richtsteig, pastor of St. Ambrose Parish, said his seminary classmate was someone with a good sense of humor, musical skills, “and especially his love for those in need. These are all gifts that God gave him.”

God also mentioned Fr. Sciumbato to the Priesthood, Fr. said Richtsteig. “That is a gift that God has given Mike and through him to all of us, because when we receive a gift from God, we never keep it to ourselves, we have to let it go through us into the world.”

At the wake, Fr. Sciumbato’s sister Linda Tsoufakis remembered him as “a selfless individual who was focused on serving, improving and enriching his community.”

For example, she said: Fr. Sciumbato combined his spiritual gifts with his legal expertise to “provide much-needed legal immigration services to all who asked him.”

In addition to administering the sacraments, he organized many fundraisers for his parish communities, she said.

“Of course, Father. Mike did not do these activities alone,” Tsoufakis said. “His enthusiasm for these projects was contagious. He always managed to get people to join him and support the cause with their time, talent and money.”

Also speaking during the vigil, Fr. Sciumbato’s cousin, Rose Graham, spoke of him as “the son, the brother, the uncle, the cousin, the friend, the man.” … He caused people to be honored, and he touched countless lives. That’s how he should be remembered.”

In his comments at the vigil, Bishop Oscar A. Solis extended his condolences to the family on behalf of his fellow clergy and the people of God in the diocese. “Thank you for sharing your brother with the community of the people of God throughout the Diocese of Salt Lake City,” he said. “Not a single word from us could express our gratitude for the long, dedicated service that Fr. Michael Sciumbato had given to the people of God here in Utah.”

As a partner in evangelization, Fr. Sciumbato was a faithful, dedicated servant in the service of God and asked for nothing more than to serve, the bishop said.

During the funeral Mass the next day, Bishop Solis remembered Fr. Sciumbato’s work in the diocese, adding, “Even in retirement, he never lost sight of how to bring people closer to the Lord and how to do God’s work in whatever way he could. Fr. Mike brought the gospel to life in words and actions, proclaiming the good news of God’s blessings and beatitudes. He brought comfort to the meek, comfort to the poor, to those who mourn and to those who are persecuted. In his unique way, Fr. Mike integrated his knowledge of case law with his priestly ministry in the parishes to which he was assigned. Everyone knows that he had a big heart for the poor, especially the undocumented, by helping them acquire (legal) immigration status. …Fr. Mike will be remembered as…a simple and gentle soul who loved God and served his people to the best of his ability.”

A resident of Salt Lake City, Fr. Sciumbato was born on November 28, 1955. He attended Creighton University for a year before completing his undergraduate studies at the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in journalism and communications. He then went to law school and obtained a doctorate in law from the American SJ Quinney College of Law.

After eight years as an attorney in private practice, he attended Mount Angel Seminary, where he earned a Master of Divinity in 1994. On June 25, 1994, he was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Salt Lake City by the Rev. William K. Weigand, seventh Bishop of Salt Lake City.

For the next 28 years, Fr. Sciumbato held many pastoral assignments in the diocese. His first was as parochial vicar at Saint Rose of Lima Parish in Layton, while also teaching at St. Joseph Catholic High School. In 1996, he became pastoral administrator of Saint Elizabeth Parish in Richfield, after which he was appointed pastor of Notre Dame de Lourdes Parish in Price. He subsequently served as pastor of St. James the Just Parish, Ogden, and then pastor of St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Orem. From 2007 to 2008, he served as chaplain for Salt Lake Hospitals before becoming pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish, Salt Lake City. In 2017, he became pastor of Saint Ann Parish and Kearns-Saint Ann School. His last pastoral assignment was as pastor of Saint Joseph Parish, Ogden and Saint Florence Mission, Huntsville.

Fr. Sciumbato took early retirement on July 28, 2021 due to health issues and has lived in Salt Lake City since his retirement.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rosario and Angelina Mirabelli Sciumbato. He is survived by his brother James (Laura); his sister, Linda Tsoufakis (Jim); and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated May 7 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church. Committal followed at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.