The Reverend James J. Lofton

THE REVEREND JAMES J. LOFTON
Pastor Emeritus, Sacred Heart Parish, New Philadelphia died at Geisinger Saint Luke’s Hospital, Orwigsburg on Tuesday, 2 May 2023. He was 88 years of age.

Born in Camden, New Jersey, Father Lofton is the son of the late Peter Lofton and Nellie (Mesevich) Lofton.

Father Lofton attended H. L. Bonsall Elementary School, Camden, New Jersey. He graduated from Saint Joseph High School, Camden, New Jersey. He entered Saint Francis Seminary, Loreto, Pennsylvania where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Philosophy. Father Lofton also attended Villanova University, the University of Pennsylvania, and Union College, Schenectady, New York where he earned his Master of Science Degree in Chemistry.

He was ordained to the Priesthood on 27 May 1961 by the Most Reverend J. Carroll McCormick, Bishop of Altoona-Johnstown, at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, Altoona, for the Third Order Regular of Saint Francis.

Father Lofton’s first assignment was Parochial Vicar, Sacred Heart Parish, Brooklyn, New York; followed by Professor, Bishop Egan High School, Fairless Hills.

Father Lofton was incardinated into the Diocese of Allentown on 23 June 1972.

Father Lofton’s first assignment in the Diocese of Allentown was Parochial Vicar Pro Tempore, Saint Anne Parish, Bethlehem and Parochial Vicar, Saint George Parish, Shenandoah.

Father Lofton’s first pastoral assignment was Pastor, Our Lady of Siluva, Maizeville; Pastor, Saint Vincent de Paul, Girardville, Sacred Heart, New Philadelphia and Holy Family, New Philadelphia.

During the course of his priestly ministry, Father Lofton served as Professor, Bethlehem Catholic High School, Associate Professor, Cardinal Brennan High School, Fountain Springs and Chaplain, Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Santa Maria #26.

On 15 June 1999, Father Lofton was granted the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus, Holy Family Parish, New Philadelphia and Pastor Emeritus, Sacred Heart Parish, New Philadelphia

FUNERAL MASS

A Mass of Christian Burial for Father Lofton will be celebrated at Saint Ambrose Church, 201 Randel Street, Schuylkill Haven, Pennsylvania on 15 May 2023 at 11:00am by His Excellency, The Most Reverend Alfred A. Schlert, D.D., J.C.L., Bishop of Allentown. The Homilist will be Reverend Monsignor Edward S. Zemanik, Pastor, Saint Ambrose, Schuylkill Haven.

Main Concelebrants will be Reverend Monsignor David L. James, Vicar General and Pastor, Saint Peter Parish, Coplay, Very Reverend Adam C. Sedar, Vicar for Clergy and Pastor, Saint Nicholas Parish, Walnutport, and Reverend Monsignor Edward S. Zemanik.

A visitation will be held at the church from 10:00am until the time of Mass.

BURIAL
Interment will be held privately at Calvary Cemetery, Pottsville.