Fr. Callistus Szpara, OFM Conv., son of Jacob and Bronislava (Juszynski) Szpara, was born on October 6, 1897, in Chicopee, MA. His elementary training was imparted to him at the Parish School of St. Stanislaus, Bishop-Martyr, and the public school in Chicopee. His secondary education was at Chicopee High School and La Salette High in Hartford, CT. Desirous to study for the priesthood he discussed the plans with his pastor, Fr. Lawrence M. Cyman, and as a result, Fr. Callistus was admitted and sent to Syracuse, NY. There, in the Province of Immaculate Conception, he entered the Novitiate and professed his simple vows on August 22, 1917. From 1917 to 1919 he matriculated in philosophy at St. Anthony-on-Hudson, Rensselaer, NY. For his theological studies from 1919 to 1923 he was sent to the Seraphic College of St. Bonaventure in Rome, Italy. On March 17, 1923 he was ordained to the priesthood at St. John Lateran in Rome, Italy, by Bishop Palica. Returning to the United States Fr. Callistus began his priestly ministry in the parochial aspostolate. As a parochial assistant, he was assigned to the following parishes of the Province: St. Stanislaus Kostka, Shamokin, PA (1923); St. Stanislaus Kostka, Baltimore, MD (1923-1925); Our Lady of the Angels, Detroit, MI (1925-1929). For a brief span of time he was appointed as administrator of St. John the Evangelist Church in Newark Valley, NY and began the building of St. Francis Mission Church in Catatouk, NY, both in the Diocese of Rochester.
Conscious of his administrative ability, the Minister Provincial and the Provincial Definitory appointed him to the office of pastor of the Our Lady of the Holy Rosary Church, Taunton, MA and St. Stanislaus, Bishop-Martyr, Church, Chelsea, MA. For thirty-three years Fr. Callistus ministered to the people of God in the capacity of pastor, in good and difficult times, cementing them together to work for the parishes and the Church. After his retirement from the office of pastor, he returned "in residence" to Holy Rosary Friary to work with his Franciscan confreres to increase the membership of the Parish dedicated to Our Lady of the Rosary. Fr. Callistus' earthly life ended on Sunday, August 3, 1975, at the Braintree Nursing Home, Braintree, MA, in the 78th year of his age, 58th of his religious profession and 53rd of his priesthood. A concelebrated Mass of Christian Burial was offered on Tuesday evening in Holy Rosary Church, Taunton, with the Most Reverend Daniel Cronin, S.T.D., Bishop of Fall River, as the principle celebrant. The homily was delivered by Fr. Felician Plichta, OFM Conv. A second Mass was celebrated on Wednesday morning at St. Stanislaus, Bishop-Martyr, Church, Chelsea by the Minister Provincial, Fr. Edmund Szymkiewicz, as principal celebrant with approximately 40 religious and diocesan priests as concelebrants. The homily was delivered by the long-time associate of Fr. Callistus, Fr. Anthony Konieczny, OFM Conv., pastor of Corpus Christi Church, Buffalo, NY. Internment was in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Chicopee, MA, (Friars' Circle, No. 21)