My name is Fr. Tom Wilisowski, and I’m a Polish priest. I was born in 1973 in southeast Poland. I grew up in my hometown, Jaslo, on a small farm. My father, Joseph, who died in 1997, was a factory worker, and my mother, Antonina, was an elementary school teacher. I have one younger brother, Mathias, who is married to his wife, Monica, and they have three children John (8), Karol (5), and Rita (2). My family lives in Poland.
In Jaslo, I finished primary school and high school. After that, in 1992, I joined the Polish religious order of the Congregation of St. Michael the Archangel (CSMA – Michaelite Fathers). Eight years later, in 2000, I was ordained to the priesthood in Krakow. During my first 14 years as a priest in Poland, I was an Associate Pastor, an Educator in the High School for Boys in Miejsce Piastowe, a Vocation Director, and a Pastor. A very important, and satisfying, duty during my priesthood in Poland was leading the yearly Michaelite youth pilgrimage from Warsaw to Miejsce Piastowe. A two-week journey of more than 250 miles on foot for over 100 pilgrims. I held this post for nine years. In November 2014, I joined my Religious Brothers in North America, with its headquarters in London, Ontario. I started my American journey at St. Clare of Montefalco parish in Grosse Pointe Park, and currently, I’ve been serving at St. Andrew’s church in Rochester as the Associate Pastor.
In my spare time, I love nature, hiking, biking, and running. I love sports, not only as a spectator, but also as a participant, especially soccer, volleyball, and recently and unexpectedly, I’ve started to love golf! I also enjoy watching films and listening to music. But most importantly, I love God, I love His people, I love the Catholic Church, my religious community, and my vocation.