Reverend Michael R. Sciumbato

It is with profound sadness and deep love that we announce the passing of our beloved brother, Reverend Michael R. Sciumbato, on Saturday, April 27, 2024. Father Mike returned to the loving arms of our Savior, Jesus Christ, due to complications from diabetes.

Father Mike was born in Salt Lake City, Utah, to his loving parents, Rosario and Angelina Mirabelli Sciumbato, on November 28, 1955.

Father Mike was a true Renaissance man who had many talents and abilities. He used his gifts to pursue multiple educational and career paths during his lifetime.

He spent the first year of his undergraduate education at Creighton University and then completed his studies at the University of Utah, earning a Bachelor’s of Science in Journalism and Communications. Father Mike then entered law school, earning his Juris Doctorate degree from the S. J. Quinney College of Law at the University of Utah.

He then began his first career as an attorney and worked in private practice for the next eight years.

Father Mike heard our Lord calling him to become a priest. He responded to the call, and entered Mount Angel Seminary, earning a Master’s of Divinity in 1994. He was ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City on June 25, 1994, by the Most Reverend William K Weigand. Father Mike then began his second career, holding many pastoral assignments throughout Utah over the next 28 years including: Saint Rose of Lima in Layton and St Joseph Catholic High School in Ogden; Saint Elizabeth in Richfield, including its missions in Torrey and Ephraim, and the Utah Correctional Facility in Gunnison; Notre Dame de Lourdes in Price; Saint Francis of Assisi in Orem; Saint James in Ogden; Our Lady of Guadalupe in Salt Lake City; Pastoral Care at The University of Utah Hospital, Primary Children's Hospital, and the Huntsman Cancer Institute; Saint Ann and Kearns-Saint Ann Catholic School in Salt Lake City; and his final assignment was at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Ogden and Saint Florence Mission in Huntsville, Utah

Throughout his pastoral assignments and into his retirement, Father Mike utilized his broad legal expertise and fluency in Spanish to implement a third, parallel career providing low-cost immigration legal services throughout the state. In true Christ-like fashion, Father Mike felt strongly that immigration was an issue of social justice. Because of his commitment, he helped hundreds of individuals and families gain legal residency status to live a better life in the United States.

Father Mike was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his brother, James (Laura), his sister Linda Tsoufakis (Jim), and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

We extend our deepest gratitude to his cousins, Rose Graham and Ron Mirabelli, for providing much needed support and comfort to Father Mike throughout his pastoral assignments and during his illness.

Father Mike was the epitome of love, kindness, joy, and justice during his full life. If we all lived as he lived, this world would be a better place.

Viewing will be held on Monday, May 6, from 6 to 8 pm at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 2315 East Redondo Ave., Salt Lake City, UT, where vigil service will begin at 7:00 PM.  The Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 7, at 11:00 am, also at St Ambrose Catholic Church. Committal Rite to follow at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 4th Avenue and "T" St., Salt Lake City. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Carmelite Nuns of Salt Lake City by clicking the donate button above. 

Funeral Mass will be livestreamed. Please click the "Watch Service Live" button above to be directed to vieiwng link.