Welcome Father Thomas

Get to know Fr. Thomas, our new Pastor

Fr. Thomas also known as Sojan Vathappallil was born in Kerala, south India in September, 1974, into a devout Catholic family.  His parents, Joseph and Anna Vathappallil are both deceased.  Anna went home to the Lord in January of 2015.  Joseph went home to the Lord recently, in March, 2024.  Fr. Thomas has a living brother and sister in India.  Two of his younger brothers and a nephew, passed away in their childhood.  He has three nephews, three nieces and a great nephew.

Fr. Thomas had all of his formal education and seminary formation in India.  He was ordained to the priesthood on December 27, 2001.  He is passionate about his priesthood and the people he serves.  He served in India for five years, as Vocation Director and then Pastor of St. Sebastion/Little Flower churches in Karnataka India. In June of 2006, Fr. Thomas moved to America where he has served in different parishes in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee.  Among them are:

• Associate Pastor: Mount Carmel and St. James, Kenosha, WI (2006-2008)
• Associate Pastor: St. Rita/St. Aloysius, West Allis, WI (2008-2011)
• Associate Pastor: St. Aloysius, Immaculate Heart of Mary and Mary Queen of Heaven, West Allis, WI (2011-2014)
• Administrator/Pastor: Mary Queen of Heaven, West Allis, WI (2014-2019)
• Associate Pastor of the newly merged Mother of Perpetual Help Parish, West Allis, WI (2019-2020)
• Pastor: St. Lucy, Racine, WI/St. Sebastian, Sturtevant, WI (2020-2024)

Now, he comes to serve the parishes of northwest Racine: St. Paul the Apostle, St. Rita, St. Louis and St. Mary’s by the Lake.

Among Fr. Thomas’ hobbies are: reading, listening to music, and calligraphy.