Fr. Philip Thompson

How many years have you been a priest?  
43 (ordained June 3, 1978)

 

How many years have you been a part of the St. Pius X Elementary community?  
11 years (I became pastor of St. Pius in July 2010)

 

What do you enjoy most about your vocation as a priest?  
Probably the most important (and enjoyable) thing is being able to celebrate the sacraments for and with the people, to be an instrument of God's grace in their lives.

 

Why is Catholic education important to you?  
Next to being raised in a Catholic family that regularly practices the faith by going to Mass and praying, the Catholic school is the best way the Church has to educate people in the faith.  Jesus was known as "Rabbi" by his disciples; "rabbi" means "teacher."  So the Church fulfills its mission to teach as Jesus did through its Catholic schools.  Personally, I am a product of Catholic education throughout all of my formal education -- grade school, junior high, high school, college, seminary, and 2 graduate degrees.  The only class I took that was not in a Catholic school was driver education in high school.  I have taught and been a principal in Catholic high schools.  My parents valued Catholic schools and I know personally the importance of Catholic schools.  They are worth the value and sacrifice involved.