Crash transforms priest's faith from intellectual to emotional

LIBERTY

A deep faith in God sustains the Rev. Steve Popovich, who continues to recover from a serious Nov. 12, 2013, car accident.

On that day, the priest, then-pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Church in New Middletown, celebrated morning Mass and then headed to the Ohio State Penitentiary to minister to inmates. His vehicle slid on ice on Struthers Road, was hit by a pick-up truck and pushed into a tree.

Father Popovich talked recently about how his faith has made the difference. “God works in us and on us. God continues to mold and stretch me,” he said. “I’ve found the faith of others supportive.”

Before the accident, his faith was “different and more intellectual ... a knowledge about Jesus,” he said. “Now my faith is more on an emotional level ... more in my heart.”

The accident, he said, “has made me more thankful for everything I have ... I’m thankful for all the little things.

“I’ve always been a positive person,” he said, “... though I have down times. Sometimes in the middle of the night I have negative thoughts,” he continued. “But I am so fortunate to have family and friends ... I have a wonderful support system.”

Father Popovich is a resident at Liberty Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center, a Windsor House facility, 1355 Churchill-Hubbard Road, where his therapy continues.

Read more about his journey in Thursday's Vindicator or on Vindy.com.