MADISON “It’s $300?” James Spada could hardly contain his shock during a trip to a local mall years ago, when a salesperson told him the exorbitant price of a luxury pen that he wanted. No doubt, that perfectly crafted writing instrument would have doubled as a symbol of his early success in the business world.
“At that moment I had an epiphany. I realized that I wasn’t leading but following what the world said that I should be doing. So I thought, ‘If I’m going to be a follower, I might as well follow Jesus.’ That was one big step for me,” said Spada, senior principal and member of the board of directors of Summit Financial Resources Inc., Parsippany. Spada engaged in a conversation about his faith life, during the latest session of “Speaking of Faith” recently at St. Paul Inside the Walls: the Diocesan Center for Evangelization at Bayley-Ellard here.
Spada sat at a small table across from Father Manning, the evangelization center’s executive director and diocesan vicar for evangelization, who asked him insightful questions about his active faith life and his service to others. The featured speaker talked about the many epiphanies he experienced during his difficult faith journey that enabled him to redirect his life from a focus on chasing financial success to a focus on the importance of “having God at the center of my life.” Listening in on this intimate conversation was an enthusiastic and engaged audience that asked him questions at the conclusion of the 90-minute program that evening.
“‘Speaking of Faith’ is a series of interviews with noted Catholics, where we ask them to reflect on the concept of God and about the integration of faith with life,” Father Manning told the audience in his introduction.
But faith did not seem important to Spada as successful salesman in his 20s, when he got caught up in the materialism of society — “the nicer car, nicer home and prettier girl.” Now a married father of four sons, he added, “I wanted to make money after college because I thought that was what was going to make me happy.” But Spada experienced an epiphany while attending a men’s Christian breakfast, where he listened to a witness talk by an older man, who also had achieved much in his career.
“The man said that he was climbing the ladder of success. When he got to the top at 60-years-old, he realized that that ladder was leaning on the wrong building,” said Spada, who attended Catholic school. “I said that I’m sensing that I’m on the same ladder that he was on and I want to get off this ladder and onto the right ladder.”
The stories of successful people, who turned to God — like that of the man at the Christian men’s breakfast or on the 700 Club television show — attracted Spada. One day, host Pat Roberson encouraged listeners to pray if they wanted God to come into their lives. He prayed quietly and privately.
“Nothing really happened, but it was the first indication that God was missing in my life and that I wanted God in my life,” said Spada, who kept God “in the backseat” of his life and continued to pursue happiness through financial success until he was 28. “I prayed to God that I desperately wanted my life to change. And that’s when it started to change — when I realized that God is my Father who loves me. He can’t change me unless I want to be changed,” he said.
So Spada got involved in the People of Hope, a Catholic Charismatic community in Berkley Heights, which sponsors many outreaches, and regularly attended retreats. During the Speaking of Faith conversation, Father Manning asked him, “What’s the easiest way for you to pray?” Spada replied by stating that found the concept of “letting go and letting God” as promoted by many retreats difficult to follow.
“I was like, ‘How do you do that? How do you not do anything?’ I always do something to get a result. That was so hard for me,” Spada said. “I’ve tried all forms of prayer. I’m always thinking about God and praying. A day doesn’t go by that I’m not thinking in terms of God in my life,” he said.
At Summit Financial Resources Inc., Spada specializes in comprehensive financial planning, estate planning, family wealth counseling, investment management, retirement planning and insurance/risk management. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Kean University, Union, and attended the College For Financial Planning to become a Certified Financial Planner. Spada also belongs to the Financial Planning Association.
Spada also uses some of his talent, time and treasure to benefit others. This Mendham resident is past founding president of the Morris County Chapter of Legatus, an international Catholic business leaders organization; is a trustee/executive committee member for the Tri-County Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarships to parochial and private schools for inner-city youth; and is a member of the board of directors for Several Sources Shelters. Also, Spada has served as a Confirmation sponsor for high-school students at his home parish, St. Joseph’s, mendham.
“James applies the strategic thinking that he uses in business to his life of faith. When searching for something more in his life, he said, ‘I’m Catholic; let me investigate,’ ” said Allan Wright, St. Paul’s academic dean. “Thank God for someone, who is so passionate about his Catholic faith. James uses his God-given gifts to make money, but God also gave him a generous heart,” he said.
The next “Speaking of Faith” will feature Mary Oswald, who will discuss God’s presence despite physical challenges, at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 6. Information: (973) 377-1004.