8 Questions for Fr. John Soltis

St. Philomena Church

I am ecstatic about featuring Fr. John here on my blog! He is a terrific priest who puts humor in his homily, so you can be sure to leave the vicinity of the church with a sense of joy. What is his secret? Simple. He takes the time to prepare his homilies. :-)

Thank you, Fr. John!






8 Questions for Father John Soltis


Maryknoll Father John Francis Soltis, 74, was born in Minneapolis, Minn., and has one sister. He attended Maryknoll College and Seminary before being ordained a priest for the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America (Maryknoll) in Maryknoll, N.Y., on June 9, 1962. Father Soltis served as a missionary in Korea for 30 years and worked in development in the United States for eight. He arrived in Hawaii in June 2001 and has worked at St. Pius X Parish in Manoa and at St. Joseph Parish in Hilo. Father Soltis is currently in residence at St. Philomena Parish in Salt Lake. He is now the only Maryknoll priest in Hawaii.
1. Who do you consider to be a hero in your life?

It would be Father Vincent Capodanno, a Maryknoll Missioner assigned to Taiwan. He joined the Chaplain Corps, became a Navy chaplain for the Marines, and was assigned to Vietnam. He was a priest dedicated to the fighting Marines. While administrating to the wounded in the battlefield, Father Capodanno himself was killed after covering one young man’s body with his own, his body riddled with 27 bullets. I admire him for his dedication and service to others.

2. Do you have any hobbies?

I have worked with stained glass for several years. I have also done Korean calligraphy which I studied while in Korea and I am learning and enjoying Oriental art. I also enjoy reading novels and am a moviegoer.

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