Easter Wednesday – 23 April 2025
To the parishioners of St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish,
It is with a heavy heart that I share with you that my assignment as a parochial vicar at St. Thomas Aquinas University Parish will come to an end in August. Beginning this fall, I will begin studying in the Philosophy PhD program at Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Since the Dominican Order is one with a long tradition in the intellectual life and in teaching, it is common for some priests to pursue doctoral work two or three years after a first assignment.
Even though I am happy about this next step, that does not make it easy to leave STA or the graduate and professional student ministry that has been my focus since I arrived in June 2023. I have had the time of my life serving as a priest at this parish over the past two years, the very first of my priesthood, and I wish it could have been longer. I will carry many wonderful memories of my time here.
Thank you for all you have done for me while I have tried to learn how to be a priest and to serve you in this assignment. And as I begin this new phase of my priesthood, I will continue to pray for all of you.
Cordially,
Fr. Nicholas