Priest In Residence Celebrates 60 Years

By DEREK MAUL Tribune correspondent

Published: May 10, 2008

VALRICO - In 1948, Harry Truman was re-elected president, Mahatma Gandhi was assassinated, Israel became a nation, the long-playing record was invented, the game of Scrabble was introduced and Boston native John Scully was ordained to the Catholic priesthood.

"May 6, 1948," Scully said, "I was ordained by Cardinal [Richard] Cushing. Five years later, I came to Florida. Florida was mission territory, and I was especially interested in instructing people who wanted to commit to the Catholic faith."

Scully was assigned to St. John's Parish in Hialeah, then served briefly in Punta Gorda before beginning his commitment to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area in 1956.

"Thanks be to God, I've had converts ever since," the 83-year-old priest said as he celebrates 60 years in the priesthood.

The priest's assignment to St. Petersburg kicked off a flurry of activity.

"I was asked to start the Sacred Heart Parish in Pinellas Park," Scully said. "I got sisters from Connecticut for the school. At the same time, I started Bishop Barry High School for boys. It was later changed to St. Petersburg Catholic" High School.

Scully also helped St. Patrick Parish in Largo get off the ground.

"It was hard work," Scully said. "I got sisters from Massachusetts to staff the school. I was also asked to start a new parish in Seminole," Blessed Sacrament Church.

In 1962, in response to growing demand, Tampa Catholic High School opened with energetic Scully at the helm.

When Scully arrived in Florida in 1953, the diocese of St. Augustine encompassed most of the state. The Archdiocese of Miami was created in 1958, and in 1968, the Diocese of St. Petersburg was formally established under Bishop Charles McLaughlin.

"I told the bishop I wanted to volunteer for foreign missions," Scully said. "He gave me permission to go to Kenya, and I was there roughly three years in the '60s. It satisfied me, and when I came back I was assigned the Society of the Propagation of the Faith."

Scully worked with that national mission society for about 30 years.

The cleric's time in Kenya initiated decades of travel.

"I've been going back to Africa - Uganda, Kenya and Sudan - every two years," he said. "I spend a month, baptize, say Mass and perform marriages. Thanks be to God, I've baptized thousands. It's one of the outstanding memories of my life."

The 1970s and '80s provided more opportunity for service, and Scully was instrumental in starting two more parishes in the Clearwater area.

"I named one St. Catherine, for my mother," Scully said, "then St. Michael's after my father."

Scully's last big task was working with St. Theresa Parish in Spring Hill. He stayed there 16 years.

At age 75, diocese rules required Scully to give up the parish, he said.

"In 1999, I retired, but I continued to help out in several other parishes and work in missions."

Last year, Scully joined the staff at St. Stephen Catholic Church as priest in residence.

"I'm very happy," he said. "I've been exercising all the duties of a priest. Father [Bill] Swengros is supportive, and the people are so friendly."

His lifelong commitment to the church was something he felt called to do since he was a preteen.

"The Holy Spirit whispers in your soul," he said. "Christ chooses us."

As monsignor, Scully is technically a member of the pope's household.

"I've been to Rome several times," he said. "I had the great thrill of standing beside Pope John Paul twice in his private chapel and celebrating Mass with him."

On May 4, St. Stephen celebrated a special Mass of thanksgiving in honor of Scully's years of faithful service.

"Priesthood has been much more than I expected," he said. "I never dreamed the scope of the work. As our Lord said, those who follow him, he'll give a hundredfold. I can testify to that - the peace, the joy, the happiness."

To those who may be contemplating a similar life, he offered these words: "I try to speak to boys all the time, and girls too," he said. "I was very happy for 60 years. when God calls, don't turn a deaf ear."

MEET MONSIGNOR JOHN SCULLY

OCCUPATION: Priest in residence, St. Stephen Catholic Church, 5049 Bell Shoals Road, Valrico

BORN: Boston, 1924

EDUCATION: St John's Seminary, Boston

ORDAINED: May 6, 1948

MOVED TO FLORIDA: 1953

CALL: (813) 689-4900

NOTABLE QUOTE: "Every Catholic should be a witness to Christ by the way they live."

Derek Maul can be reached at derekmaul@gmail.com.