Obituary of Msgr. Samuel J. Faiola

Rev. Samuel J. Faiola, born in 1925 in Niagara Falls, died 2/12/2018. He was predeceased by his parents Leo and Mary ( D' Arcangelo), a brother, Rev. Rocco. He is survived by a sister, Nickie, a resident of Lockport. He attended St. Joseph's Parochial School and then entered the Diocesan Minor Seminary in Buffalo. He continued his studies in Christ the King Seminary at St. Bonaventure University, Allegany, N.Y. where he received BA and MA Degrees. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Buffalo, in 1949. After ordination he served as Administrator of St. Mary's Church in Cattaragus for a year and then was assigned as Pastoral Associate at Nativity of the BVM Parish in Buffalo until June 1952. He served as associate at Precious Blood Church during the summer. In the Fall assigned to the Diocesan Minor Seminary, he taught various subjects including Latin, English and Science. In 1962 he was assigned to Rome, Italy for graduate studies in Theology at the University of Saint Thomas in Urbe during the first two sessions of Vatican Council II. There he achieved a Doctorate in Theology and upon returning to the States taught Sacramental Theology at St. John Vianney Seminary, the newly established Major Seminary, located in East Aurora. The seminary was later called Christ the King. In addition to lecturing in theology, he was appointed as Director of the Transitional Diaconate Program and also of Field Education for the training of the seminary students. He was also Director of the Diocesan House of Prayer which at that time was located on the seminary grounds. He served as director of the Clergy Study Days for the priests of the diocese. In 1975, he was assigned as pastor of St. Stephen's Parish in Middleport where he served for twenty years, retiring from administrative duties in June 1995. During retirement he continued presenting talks on various theological subjects; continued with the preparation and training of Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist for the Eastern Niagara Vicariate was active in the Retrouvaille Program and assisted in the celebration of parish Liturgies. During the years of 1957 through 64 he wrote a weekly column for the Diocesan Paper, first, a Vocation Column and then later the Answer and Question Column. At the Minor Seminary he edited also a quarterly Vocation Bulletin that reached all 7Tb and 8Tb grade students in the parochial school system. A Wake will be held on Saturday morning from 9:30-10:30 AM at Holy Trinity Parish, St. Stephen worship site, 21 Vernon Street, Middleport, followed immediately by Mass to be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Interment will be in St. Joseph Cemetery, Niagara Falls, NY. Online condolences at www.pruddenandkandt.com.