‘Father James’ joins St. Barnabas as associate pastor

by Kathleen Steele Gaivin 
Strongsville native the Rev. James Kulway joined the staff at St. Barnabas Church on Aug. 4 as parochial vicar (associate pastor) to pastor the Rev. Ralph Wiatrowski. Ordained to the priesthood on May 21, 2016, Kulway has served the past four years at St. Mary Queen of the Apostles Church in Brook Park. 

The 33-year-old priest didn’t set out for the seminary right after high school. After graduating from Strongsville High School, he headed to Coastal Carolina University in Conway, S.C. He earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and a master’s in teaching before making his way back north to St. Mary Seminary in Wickliffe. 

“It was a slow journey [to the priesthood],” he said. 

It wasn’t until he was 19 years old that he “began looking for more. I began seeking out God more.” 

Over the next couple of years, the calling to the priesthood began to tug at the young man’s heart. It was while Kulway was a high school math student teacher and applying for a teaching job that he decided that he needed to give the seminary a try, and he never looked back. He studied philosophy and theology at St. Mary Seminary for six years before being ordained. 

Once ordained, Kulway said he “got involved in everything,” which earned him praise from his former pastor the Rev. Jim Stenger at St. Mary Queen of the Apostles. 

“He is a hard worker and has worked well with people of all ages and with our entire staff. His enthusiasm and zeal in bringing people to the Lord is contagious,” Stenger wrote to parishioners on July 26. “He has enjoyed ministering to the young people in our PSR program, youth Ministry, young adult ministry, and also at Incarnate Word Academy and Holy Name High School. His Bible study programs and adult education sessions were very well attended here. He has great compassion for the sick and the dying,”

“I’m excited about coming to a church with a school,” Kulway said.

He said he is also looking forward to becoming involved in Lifeteen, the high school youth ministry at St. Barnabas. 

In Kulway’s off time, he said he enjoys sports. He likes to run, especially. He’s run multiple marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2016. 

“I just like being outside, to be honest with you,” he said.  Presently, “Father James” is assigned to St. Barnabas for a four-year term. It is likely, however, that he will be transferred and named a pastor of his own church before that time is up, as there are a number of Cleveland priests expected to retire due to age in the next few years. 

Feature image photo caption: The Rev. James Kulway speaks at a women’s retreat. Photo courtesy J. Kulway