The Reverend Monsignor James S. Conlan (or “Father Jim” as he was so affectionally called by all who knew him) was the Pastor of the Church of the Infant Saviour in Pine Bush N.Y. from 1990 to 1996. He was born on June 9, 1927 in the Bronx, NY to Richard and Eleanor Conlan. Father Jim grew up and lived his life with a withered leg as a result of being born with polio.
Father Jim had a difficult time growing up and playing sports due to his bad leg but when playing baseball he would play first base because it did not require much movement.
Father Jim entered the seminary because he always desired to be a priest. On one occasion while walking to class he was approached by a Jesuit priest and was asked if he had polio. Father Jim answered yes and the priest replied “you must feel sorry for yourself, don’t you” then walked away. Father Jim thought about the comment and ultimately realized that he had always felt sorry for himself and he also realized that the polio was God’s gift to him and was meant to direct his life towards God. Father Jim completed the seminary and was ordained to the priesthood. As God would have it, Father Jim was assigned to teach at Cardinal Hayes and Cardinal Spellman High Schools.
It was while teaching at high schools that Father Jim became aware that the Lord had blessed him with the “gift of healing”. At first Father Jim was afraid of this “gift” and eventually traveled to the Midwest to meet with another priest who had the same gift. The priest explained to Father Jim that it was indeed a blessing from God and that he shouldn’t be afraid of it and that when he prayed for healing he should always pray that “God’s will be done”.
Father Jim returned to New York with confidence. Father Jim was eventually assigned to St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers. Because Father Jim had such outstanding oratory skills, he was named head of of the homiletics department and taught the seminarians how to preach the word of God. Father Jim received permission from Cardinal O’Connor to start a “Parish Mission’s team”. The parish mission team traveled to parishes throughout the Arch Diocese of New York where over 500 three day missions were conducted. Hundreds of spiritual, physical and emotional healings took place. These healings included cancer, broken bones, emotional healings and marriages that came back together.
At the age of 63 Father Jim was assigned his first parish which was the Church of the Infant Saviour. Father Jim stayed until he was forced to retire because of health reasons in July, 1996. On October 14, 2001 Father Jim passed away and his funeral mass was held at his home parish of Infant Saviour where, 75 vested priests were on the altar, to concelebrate the mass. The
mass was officiated by Bishop McCarthy. There were dozens of priests and deacons sitting in the pews.
The Reverend Monsignor James S. Conlan will be remembered for bringing back energy and life to our parish. Everything that he did, he did with great love for the parishioners. He showed that our faith should bring joy and happiness to us all.
Read The Testaments Made By Parishioners And Knights For Father Jim – PDF
Read the Official Decree of Council Name Change Proclamation Submitted to Knight of Columbus Supreme Council – PDF
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