Speaking of Faith

Financial expert and active Catholic to appear at Speaking of Faith event Dec. 9

MADISON  Joseph Spada of Summit Financial Resources Inc., Parsippany, will engage in a conversation about the intersection of faith, work and life during the next Speaking of Faith dialogue event at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 9 at St. Paul Inside the Walls: the Diocesan Center for Evangelization at Bayley-Ellard here.

Father Paul Manning, St. Paul’s executive director and diocesan vicar for evangelization, has been hosting the long-running Speaking of Faith series of programs, where he interviews a person of faith, which, in the past, has included an attorney, an artist, academic, priest, businessman and a journalist. Father Manning asks about his or her encounter with and response to God and the integration of faith into work and life.

A parishioner of St. Joseph’s, Mendham, Spada serves as a senior principal and member of the board of directors of Summit Financial Resources and 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.

A nationally recognized specialist and speaker, Spada has been quoted in numerous publications, such as the New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Barron’s, and on many broadcast networks, such as Bloomberg TV and CNBC. He has also written articles on wealth management and personal financial planning issues published for publications, such as Forbes.

The married father of four sons, 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 for inner-city youth in parochial and private schools; and is a member of the board of directors for Several Sources Shelters, a non-profit organization that provides assistance and shelter to single parent families. Also, Spada has served as a Confirmation sponsor for high-school students at St. Joseph’s.

“Joseph uses his gifts and talents to make money, but he also gives back and his very generous,” said Allan Wright, St. Paul’s academic dean, who in 1988, invited Spada to speak to his theology class at Union Catholic High School, where he taught at the time. “People often talk about the Church as the Church of the poor. But can you be Catholic and still make a profit? Joseph has been very successful but still helps provide for education, helps people up and employs other people. Successful people are called to follow Christ as well,” he said.

Information: (973) 377-1004.