Welcome to the Church of the Holy Family
Catholic Church in the heart of New Rochelle, New York
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Meet Father Livinus Torty, MSPA devoted priest of the Missionary Society of St. Paul (MSP), Fr. Livinus brings with him a wealth of pastoral experience spanning three continents.
Born in Nigeria into a devout Catholic family, he is the fourth of six children and one of two religious vocations; his younger sister is a nun. His late father served as a school principal, while his mother is a nurse, both instilling in him the values of compassion, service, and faith that helped nurture his vocation. Fr. Livinus attended Immaculate Conception Junior Seminary in Umuahia for his secondary education and later studied philosophy and theology at the National Missionary Seminary of St. Paul in Abuja, Nigeria. He was ordained to the priesthood on July 7, 2001 in Abuja, by the late Archbishop Joseph Fiorenza of Galveston-Houston. His priestly ministry began in Nigeria as Parochial Vicar at St. Peter's Parish in Bida (2001-2002), followed by missionary work in the Republic of Chad (2002-2005), where he ministered in a rural parish and taught English in a public high school. He later served for nearly 17 years in the Catholic Diocese of Stockholm, Sweden. During his time in Sweden, Fr. Livinus held several pastoral and leadership roles: Chaplain to the African Catholic Community (2006-2013), Pastor of St. Olof Parish, Sundsvall (2012-2018), Pastor of St. Mary Magdalene Parish, Gothenburg (2018-2022), and Mission Superior of the Missionaries of St. Paul in Sweden (2015-2021). Most recently, he served as Parochial Vicar at St. Joseph of the Holy Family Church, Manhattan, New York (2023-2025). A committed lifelong learner, Fr. Livinus holds a Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology, masters degrees in History, Adult Learning, Anthropology. He speaks English, Swedish, French, Spanish, and Igbo. His interests include reading, writing, teaching, current affairs, traveling, listening to music, and taking long walks. Known for his deep faith, love for people, and joyful spirit, his personal motto is: "In all circumstances give thanks" (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Fr. Livinus is delighted to begin his pastoral ministry in our parish. |