MY FAVORITE PRIEST

A humble parish priest

By Corinne Coffey

It is a rare privilege to meet someone who is living every moment of his life for the glory of God. Father Jim Scharinger was such a person. Father Jim exemplified our suffering Savior. He suffered from ill health all his life but never let it interfere with his priestly duties.

    The youngest of nine children, he grew up in a devout Catholic home. His mother died when he was young so he was raised by his father and older sisters. Three of these sisters became Franciscan Sisters of Charity.

    Father Jim was very talented musically, playing a clarinet, piano and accordion. He studied music after high school but when he felt the call to the priesthood, he realized he could use his music to glorify God while being a priest. And that he did! He played the piano or his accordion at parish suppers, Christmas concerts, at the Personal Care Home and in gatherings in private homes. He was famous for his “laughing song” which brought tears of joy and laughter to many a child and adult, too.

    He spent several years in monasteries where he developed qualities that made him a very special parish priest: a regulated prayer life with a deep devotion to the Liturgy of the Hours, a devotion to the “little way” of St. Thérèse, which showed in his promptness and meticulousness in small things, a love of the rule of St. Benedict, which he passed on by encouraging others to become Oblates of St. Benedict.

    Having to leave the monastic life because of ill health, he was ordained a Roman Catholic priest and served in parishes in southern Manitoba, Canada. Partly because of his love for music, he was drawn to the Byzantine Rite, and became fluent in Ukrainian. Not only did he become expert with the Eastern Liturgy but developed a great love of Ukrainian literature and culture.

    Father Jim was totally dedicated to serving his people. In his Ukrainian parishes in Manitoba, he would have three Divine Liturgies on a Sunday, many miles apart, in order to bring the sacraments to as many of the faithful as possible. He was always available for confession. He would take the Eucharist to shut-ins and visited the hospitals and care homes frequently.

    Father Jim corresponded with many people. He gave good solid spiritual advice when needed and cheery encouragement to others. He was very pro-life, always willing to support the local pro-life organization in any way he could.

    After serving eleven years in Ukrainian parishes in Manitoba, he felt he was being called home to Wisconsin, to the Roman Catholic Church. During his stay there, he was able to help some monks get established in the Eastern Rite and there is now an Eastern Rite monastery at Eagle Harbour, Michigan.

    He returned to the Eastern Rite and spent three years in N.D. parishes. He was involved in the Catholic school there and taught music to the children. For his work in promoting Ukrainian culture and tradition he was elected to the N.D. Ukrainian Hall of Fame. At this time he learned he had a fatal disease called Amyloidosis and decided to return to his beloved Ukrainian people in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Although very ill he continued to serve several parishes, driving many miles and never canceling a service. He would drive 35 miles to give a First Friday Mass because he had a deep devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the nine first Fridays.

    Eventually he was put on kidney dialysis and although tired and weak from his disease continued to serve two parishes. He also had Mass at the Personal Care Home, giving Communion to the sick, hearing confessions and always having a kind word for the elderly residents. He was always available and never refused a call from someone in need. He drove 90 miles (one way) in a snowstorm to give the last rites to an elderly man in a care home.

    Father Jim remained cheerful and optimistic throughout his illness. He seemed to have the outlook of 2 Cor. 5:6-8, “So we are always of good courage; we know while we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord, for we walk by faith, not by sight. We are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.”

    Father Jim never missed saying daily Mass. His heart was giving out and it took great effort to walk only a few feet, but he said Mass until the day he died. His dedication to his calling as a priest, to bring the sacraments to the faithful and his patient suffering were a tremendous, inspiring example to all who knew him.

    Father Jim died peacefully in his sleep February 23, 1999 at the age of 61. May he now “be at home with the Lord” he served so faithfully.     

You are invited to contribute to this series by sending in an account of a priest whom you admire. Articles should not exceed 800 words. The best of these will be printed. Send to “My Favorite Priest,” c/o Homiletic & Pastoral Review, 50 S. Franklin Turnpike, Suite 1, Ramsey, N.J. 07446. If you have a good photo of the priest, please send that also. Enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope, if you wish to have your article returned. . . . Corinne Coffey resides in Ethelbert, Manitoba, Canada.—Editor

Back to Catholic Information Center Main Periodical Page

Back to Homiletic & Pastoral Review Table of Contents March 2000