We invite readers to send short stories about the ways in which their lives have been personally blessed by the life and work of priests and religious in our diocese.

By Karina Fabian

To hear confessions, to counsel the sick or despairing, even to listen to the congregation sing out the Sunday Psalm (usually on-key) – these simple tasks of a priest may seem ordinary, but to Father Richard Sodja, whose hearing has been deteriorating steadily, they are precious indeed.

Father Sodja transitioned to “senior status” last February after his hearing loss made it too difficult to fulfill all of a pastor’s duties, but he continues in his long history of service to the diocese wherever he can. He had been drawn to the priesthood since he was in seventh grade, when he became acquainted with Msgr. Edmund Gilmore. “He was very kind and considerate. He projected the air of being happy as a priest,” said Father Sodja.

The Church and faith were very strong in Father Sodja’s life, but his father convinced him to try other avenues before committing to the priesthood. “I joined the Air Force, thinking that if after that, I still had the desire to be a priest, I must have a vocation.” He was ordained in 1965 at the age of 32.

He has served in parishes in Butte, Dillon, Helena, Cut Bank and Whitehall. He was proud to have helped start Our Lady of the Valley Parish in Helena with Sister Ann Paula Lindorf and is glad to see the parish flourishing. He also remembers fondly his time at Cut Bank working with two other priests. (“We called ourselves the Triumvirate,” he said with a smile.) Nonetheless, he said his greatest joy was to serve the sick and dying.

“I witnessed deathbed confessions and saw the deep faith of so many patients. It has always given me a sense of spiritual fulfillment,” he said. Ministering to the people, he added, was always his favorite part of being a priest.

Unfortunately, his hearing loss has made him unable to continue that part of his vocation. “My disability has limited my involvement, and I’m disappointed in that regard.” Even though he is 70, he said he’d gladly return to ministry if he could.

Right now, he resides at Carroll College and is seeking ways to improve his hearing. He continues to try different hearing aids and other therapies, even as he learns to adjust to his deafness. “Still, I have no regrets. I hope and pray I can continue to serve as God calls me to.”

The precious gift of hearing may be slipping away, but his faith, God’s most precious gift, lives on.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 20, No. 10, October 15, 2004.