Metropolitan Archbishop William Skurla ordains Father Thomas wells to priesthood in Houston, Texas
Deacon Thomas Wells was ordained a priest forever by Metropolitan Archbishop William C. Skurla during the Divine Liturgy on Saturday, Jan. 18 at his home parish of St. John Chrysostom in Houston, Texas.
Concelebrating with the Metropolitan were Very Rev.Elias L. Rafaj, administrator of St. John; Very Rev. Robert M. Pipta; Rev. Father Janucz A. Ihnatowicz of the Latin Archdiocese of Kraków, Poland; and the Rev. Father Fadi Al Mimass of the Melkite Mission of St. Barbara in Houston.
The parish Deacon Andrew Veres; Deacon Brian Norrell of St. Basil in Irving, Texas; Sub-deacon Bryan Scotton of the Passaic Eparchy; and Subdeacon Jamil Daaboul of the Melkite Mission assisted.
Deacon Jeffrey Mierzejewski served as cantor. Also serving at the altar were Father Tom’s son, Michael; his son in law William Peacock; and parishioners Ryan Black, Will Colbert, Phillip Kaye, David Dominguez and Angelo Luna.
In his homily, Archbishop William noted that “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired hand, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep. I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father, and I will lay down my life for the sheep.
“Father Thomas Wells has been called to follow the example of the Good Shepherd. Unlike the hired worker, Father Tom is to lay down his life for the people of God, to be a good shepherd and servant of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Father Tom was well-prepared for his ordination. He studied theology and catechetics at the University of St.Thomas in Houston, earning an undergraduate degree in Religious Education and a Master’s degree in Pastoral Studies.
He served as the Director of Religious Education for a large urban parish for 12 years in the Latin Diocese of Galveston-Houston. Later, he studied information technology and software development, completing a successful IT career in the oil and gas industry from which he retired.
Tom then responded to the call of the Lord by entering SS. Cyril and Methodius Seminary in Pittsburgh, Pa. in August 2015 as a candidate for the priesthood. After four years of study and formation, Father Tom received a Master in Divinity. Tom has ordained a deacon on Sunday, June 3, 2018, by Metropolitan Archbishop William at his home parish of St. John Chrysostom Now again, in the presence of family, friends and his fellow parishioners of St. John, Deacon Thomas became Rev. Father Thomas at the hand of his Archbishop.
Especially rejoicing with him were his wife Mary, his son Michael and wife Alicia, his daughter Teresa and husband Father Thomas Wells ordained to priesthood in Texas continued from page 1 PAGE 4 MARCH 2020 William, his brother David and wife Vickie, Father Tom’s sisters-in-law, grandchildren, and nieces.
A lunch-reception followed the Divine Liturgy of Ordination.
May God grant to the Priest Thomas peace, health and happiness for many blessed years! Axios!
