Obituary: Father James A. Houston, 84, retired priest

WORCESTER – Father James A. Houston, 84, entered peacefully into the arms of Christ on Wednesday, September 17, at Oasis at Dodge Park in Worcester.

Born on Sept. 25, 1940 and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey, he was the beloved son of Irish immigrants James and Elizabeth (Slowey) Houston.

Father Houston graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School. He began his religious formation at Holy Apostles Seminary in Cromwell, Connecticut, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy. He completed his theological studies at Christ the King Seminary in St. Bonaventure, New York.

On May 25, 1968, Father Houston was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Worcester by Archbishop Thomas A. Boland in Newark, New Jersey.

Following his ordination, he served as associate pastor at Our Lady Immaculate in Athol, Our Lady of Fatima in Worcester, St. John the Evangelist in Clinton, and Our Lady of the Lake in Leominster. While in Clinton, he began part-time ministry as chaplain at Fitchburg State College, later named full-time campus minister on July 7, 1974.

In addition to his campus ministry, Father Houston was appointed diocesan director of Continuing Education for the Clergy in 1979 and was a lecturer at the Ecumenical Institute of Assumption College. That same year, he earned a master’s degree in psychology and counseling from Assumption College.

In 1980, he was appointed international director of the Emmaus Program, a spirituality initiative for priests. That summer, he and two fellow priests traveled to five Asian countries to introduce the program to Maryknoll priests, brothers, and sisters. Father Houston also volunteered for over two decades as chaplain to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay.

Finishing his ministry with Emmaus in 1989, he was named associate Pastor of Our Lady of the Angels in Worcester.

While there he was involved with AIDS ministry and participated in the Vatican-sponsored International AIDS Conference in Rome.

On June 20, 1990, he was appointed pastor of St. Rose of Lima Parish in Northborough, where he faithfully served for 31 years, retiring in June 2021.

Father Houston is survived by his brother, Joseph Houston and his wife Myra; two sisters, Kathleen Santa Marie and her husband Michael and Grace Woodrow; as well as many beloved nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his brother Patrick Houston and his sister Mary Ann Zupkus.
Interment will follow at St. John’s Cemetery, 260 Cambridge St., Worcester.

In lieu of flowers, a scholarship has been established for a man or woman from Worcester County attending Mass Maritime. Memorial contributions may be made in Father Houston’s name to the Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 101 Academy Drive, Buzzards Bay, MA 02532.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main St., Holden.