Father James Swift to Lead Holy Trinity Seminary

The new rector of Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving will officially assume his responsibilities as rector on June 1. Father James Swift, C.M. will fill the post vacated late last year when then-Monsignor Michael Olson was named by Pope Francis as the new bishop of Fort Worth.

Bishop Kevin J. Farrell says he welcomes Father Swift to Dallas and is excited about what it means for the seminary, “I am extremely pleased to have Father Jim Swift join us as the rector of Holy Trinity Seminary. He is a priest who is well known and highly regarded for his vast experience in priestly formation and in administration. I am grateful to the Vincentian Community for generously allowing Father Swift to serve in this very important leadership role as the seminary experiences significant growth.”

Father Swift said he is thrilled with his new assignment, “I'm excited to be in Texas and already have experienced the friendliness and welcoming spirit for which this state is so famous.  The Church is growing fast in Texas, and the need for priests is great.  In my visits since January, I've been deeply impressed by the men of Holy Trinity.  Their love for the Church, their desire to serve, and their friendship with Jesus give all of us reason to be hopeful and confident in the future of the Church.”

Father James Swift was born in 1950 in Wichita, Kansas. He graduated from St. Thomas College Seminary in Denver in 1973 and entered the novitiate of the Congregation of the Mission in August of that year. He professed final vows in 1976 and was ordained a priest in 1978. He has advanced degrees in sacramental theology, liturgical research and systematic theology.

Father Swift has spent most of his priesthood working in seminaries in priestly formation. He has also served  in  various  administrative  capacities,  including  as  provincial  superior  for  his  religious  order’s Midwest Province. His studies and work have included fundamental theology, Christology and Mariology, Eucharistic theology, liturgical theology and foundational sacramental theology.

Monsignor Greg Kelly, vicar for clergy for the Diocese of Dallas, has served as interim rector since January

15 when Father Swift’s appointment was announced.  Holy Trinity Seminary is located in Irving in the Diocese of Dallas and currently provides formation to seminarians from 15 dioceses throughout the south and southwest.