Father James A. Janda

Intermountain Catholic

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Father James A. Janda

SALT LAKE CITY — Reverend James A. Janda died peacefully at CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa in Salt Lake City on Aug. 7, 2010, after a prolonged illness. He was born to Mary and Anthony Janda on March 30, 1936, in Milwaukee, Wis. After completing college at Marquette University, he entered the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) for the Wisconsin Province.

Ordained a Roman Catholic priest on May 24, 1972, in Saint Louis, Mo., Father Jim taught at Sacred Heart Lower School, in New York City, and then served as chaplain at Fordham Weigle Hall. Upon his transfer to Denver, Colo., he served as parochial vicar at Loyola Parish and chaplain at Mercy Hospital. He subsequently left the Society of Jesus and in August 1996 began ministry in the Diocese of Salt Lake City.

As parochial vicar at Blessed Sacrament Parish in Sandy, Father Jim was known for his gentle and generous heart. His Bible studies were popular with parishioners, as were his uplifting homilies intertwined with his personal poetry. During his life he wrote and published a series of short religious stories for children, school plays and books of poetry, which were appreciated by many Catholic families.

In 2004, Father Jim retired to CHRISTUS St. Joseph Villa. He had suffered from emphysema for many years. To assist the medical field, Fr. Jim donated his body to the University Medical Center for research.

Father is survived by two sisters: Sister Barbara Janda, SSND and Mrs. Sue Haley, both of Austin, Texas; a brother, Mark Janda of Milwaukee, Wis; niece and goddaughter Kayla Carmichael; and nephew Brad Haley.

A Memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, Aug. 25 at 10 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Parish, 9800 South 1700 East, Sandy. He will be buried at Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery.