The Archdiocese of Vancouver announces the death of Fr. Joseph Swoboda, a well respected and loved priest. Fr. Swoboda was ordained to the priesthood in 1955 and retired in 1989. He was a faithful servant. He is survived by many family members and friends. He will be missed by all who knew him. Prayers will be offered on Tuesday, May 8 at 7pm at Holy Rosary Cathedral, 646 Richards St, Vancouver, where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated May 9 at 10:30am. Principal Celebrant, Archbishop J. Michael Miller CSB. Interment to follow at the Garden of Gethsemani. In lieu of flowers, donations gratefully accepted to the Heart and Stroke Foundation.

Joseph was born to parents Stephen John (+1960) and Alice Margaret (+1974) in 1920.  They moved to the Fraser Valley that same year and Joe completed his high school studies in Abbotsford.  He attended the University of British Columbia in the faculty of science with a view of becoming a teacher, following in the footsteps of his mother.
When WWII broke out, Joe joined the Canadian Officers Training Corps, now, following in the footsteps of his father who had served in the Canadian Armed Forces overseas during WWI.
In late 1943, Joe was encouraged by his younger brother Fr. Francis OMI (+1992) to consider becoming a priest and possibly serving as an army chaplain.  Thus, Joe obtained permission from the civil authorities and began his studies for the priesthood at the Seminary of Christ the King- then in Burnaby, conducted by the Benedictine Fathers.  He received his first year of theology at Mount Angel Seminary with the Benedictines in Portland, Oregon.  He completed his theological studies with the Oblate Fathers at Saint Paul’s University in Ottawa.
Father Swoboda was ordained on June 4, 1955 by the late Archbishop Martin M. Johnson who was coadjutor of Vancouver.  Fr. Joe was a member of the Society of Joseph.  Father’s first assignment was serving in Holy Rosary Cathedral in Vancouver for two years.  He was then assigned to the Coast Missions that included mission churches at Alert Bay and Port Alice on Northern Vancouver Island.
Father Joe served in several parishes of the Archdiocese of Vancouver including St. Jude’s (Vancouver), St. John the Apostle (Vancouver), St. Mary’s (Chilliwack), Our Lady of Good Council (Surrey), St. Francis de Sales (Burnaby), Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, (Powell River), St. Patrick’s(Maple Ridge), St. Ann’s (Abbotsford), St. Joseph’s (Port Moody).  He also served at Pearson General and Mount St. Joseph Hospitals.  Father Joseph was very dedicated to the El Shaddai.