Father Charles S. Szivos

Father Charles S. Szivos, who formerly served as director of vocations for the archdiocese and as spiritual director of St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, died Sept. 5. He was 50.

Cardinal Dolan will offer the Funeral Mass at St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus Church, the Bronx, Thursday, Sept. 13, at 10 a.m. Father John Bonnici, pastor of St. Columba parish in Chester, will deliver the homily.

Since 2016, Father Szivos had served as parochial vicar of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus parish in the Bronx. Father Thomas Derivan, pastor of St. Theresa of the Infant Jesus, said, “Father Charles always had a great devotion to St. Theresa, and how happy he was to be in a parish named in her honor.”

Father Szivos served as pastor of St. Patrick’s in Highland Mills, 2015-2016.

He was spiritual director and professor at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie, 2008-2015. He served as spiritual director of St. John Neumann Residence in the Bronx, 2006-2008, and was director of vocations for the archdiocese, 2005-2006.

He was parochial vicar at two other Bronx parishes: St. Philip Neri, 2004-2005, and St. Helena’s, 1999-2004.

“He was wonderful; he was always ready to bring people comfort,” said Father Bonnici in an interview with CNY.

“He was very well-read in many things—the arts, literature, sports, but especially the saints. He was very knowledgeable about the saints. He used all that knowledge in his sermons. People enjoyed his sermons very much.”

Father Bonnici added, “We give thanks to God for Father Szivos. We will celebrate his life (at the Funeral Mass). I first met him over 15 years ago when he was my associate at St. Philip Neri in the Bronx, and then he continued on for years as a weekend associate even though he had other jobs…He was a great preacher, a great storyteller, and he would captivate people of all ages. He was always ready to be of service to people; he mentored lots of young priests.

“He was diagnosed with Type One diabetes three years ago, and his health began failing.”

Born in the Bronx, he entered the St. John Neumann Pre-Theology Program in 1992 before studying for the priesthood at St. Joseph’s Seminary, Dunwoodie. He was ordained May 15, 1999 by Cardinal John O’Connor.

Father Szivos is survived by his sister, Helen Szivos, and his brother, James Szivos, and three nephews and a niece.

Burial will be in St. Raymond Cemetery in the Bronx.