A Special Message from Fr. Christopher

    As I am sure you have heard by now, Bishop Paprocki has appointed me parochial administrator of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish, effective July 1, at which point I also begin serving as pastor of Our Lady of Lourdes. I receive this assignment with deep gratitude—to God, to our bishop, and to each of you—and I look forward to getting to know you and serving you in the months and years ahead.

   I want to begin by expressing my sincere thanks to Fr. Jason Stone for his faithful leadership of St. Thomas. Beyond his pastoral care for this community, Fr. Stone has been a true mentor to me personally, and I am grateful for his friendship, his wisdom, and his example of priestly ministry. Please join me in praying for him as he begins his next assignment.

   Though I am only beginning to come to know St. Thomas, I have heard much about the deep faith, the genuine love, and the quiet strength of this parish. The people of St. Thomas have remained steadfast through real challenges, and that fidelity is itself a great gift to the Church in our diocese. I am honored to be entrusted with the care of a community whose love for their parish runs so deep.

   We all know that the Church faces many challenges today, and St. Thomas is no exception. And yet, I am convinced that the Lord is not finished with the people of this parish—far from it. Our Lord himself reminds us, “It was not you who chose me, but I who chose you and appointed you to bear fruit, fruit that will last” (John 15:16). Where there is genuine faith and committed discipleship, there is always fertile ground for the Holy Spirit to work. And on this Pentecost Sunday, as we celebrate the outpouring of the Spirit upon the Church, we make our own the prayer of the psalmist: “Lord, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth” (Ps 104:30).

   I come not with sweeping plans or quick answers, but with a desire to listen, to pray with you, and to discern together with you what the Lord is asking of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in this moment.

   I promise to love you, to serve you, and to accompany you as your administrator. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with any concerns or feedback. I know that I can count on your prayers and support as we begin this new chapter together. And please pray for all of us priests, that we would be shepherds after the Lord's own heart.

Love, Fr. Christopher

Published May 24, 2026