For the past 30 years, Fr. John Thompson has dedicated his life to education, not just as a teacher, but also as a minister, chaplain, pastor and president. He has experience working in secondary and higher education, in parishes and with the poor in Mexico. He spent 12 years at Chaminade-Madonna College Preparatory school in Florida serving as chaplain and president, and at Chaminade University as a chaplain and an assistant professor in education. Before accepting the role of pastor for Holy Rosary Catholic Parish five years ago, Thompson was in Mexico doing missionary work and serving as the liaison to the Marianist Provincial Council.

At St. Mary’s, Thompson is responsible for promoting and fostering the Catholic and Marianist identity of St. Mary’s and its mission. He ensures the orientation, education and formation of trustees, faculty, staff and students related to the University’s mission. He provides opportunities for connecting the University community with the Catholic Intellectual and Marianist educational traditions. These opportunities include building on the University’s many successful traditions, such as the MacTaggart Catholic Intellectual Tradition Lectures, Marianist Heritage recognitions and celebrations, Chaminade’s Birthday Party, Marianist Founders Day, and the daily 3 O’clock Prayer.

Thompson was born and raised in New York, entered the Society of Mary (Marianists) in 1990 and was ordained a priest in 1999. He received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Binghamton University and a master’s in Divinity from the Franciscan School of Theology. He also earned his Doctorate of Education in Catholic School Leadership at the University of San Francisco.

The parish mission will be Monday, March 20 – Wednesday, March 22. Each evening will begin with Mass at 6:00 PM followed by the mission presented with Fr. John Thompson.