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Pastor Update – Lent 2025

Dear Friends,

Lent is here. This Wednesday, we will mark our foreheads with ashes, proclaiming to the Lord and to the world that we repent of our sins and are ready to do penance for our shortcomings. As the priest or minister places the ashes on our foreheads, we are reminded: “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return,” or “Repent and believe in the Gospel.” But are we prepared to embrace this call willingly and purposefully?

Before we enter into Lent, we must prepare our hearts for it. Let us take these days to reflect on our lives, especially the past year, and make a plan for this sacred season. In life, we recognize the need for pauses—whether for rest, reflection, renewal, or repair—so that we can perform better. Lent is precisely such a time. It invites us to withdraw from our busy schedules and spend time with the Lord, who will guide us to focus on the areas we need to improve. This season is an opportunity to bridge gaps, heal wounds, and strengthen our relationships with
both God and others.

There is no single path that works for everyone. Each of us must discern what will bring us closer to God. But one thing is certain no one else can do it for us. As we begin this Lenten journey, let us place our trust in the Lord and ask for the grace to emerge as better, more faithful people—ready to celebrate Holy Week and Easter with renewed hearts.

Blessings on your Lenten journey!

Fr. Thomas Vathappallil
Pastor

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Welcome Father Marco

Get to know Fr. Marco, our new Associate Pastor

Father Marco

Father Marco Valentini was born in Rome in 1966. His two grandmothers were Italian, but born in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. He lived twelve years abroad in off-limit countries and in Canada. Then he was ordained a Priest for the Diocese of Rome in May 1994.

Since 1984 he is a member of the former Pontifical Palatine Guards, now Association Saint Peter and Paul in the Vatican. Since November 9, 2022 he works for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and one in Theology. In 2016 he Graduated Highest Honors with Distinction, Summa cum Laude, with a Master in Liturgy from San Anselmo, Rome.

Fr. Marco collaborated with the Russell and Berrie Foundation for Interreligious Dialogue and with the Maximum-Security Prison inmates in Opera, Milan, for their theatre group and wood craft laboratory.

As one of the Italian liturgical advisors, he collaborated in various architectural projects, particularly in the one that in 2021 won for the setting of the Italian Conference of Bishops’ Chapel in via Aurelia 796, Rome.

Personal interests, suspended with his coming to the U.S.: technical drawing and manual works, particularly restoration, brickwork, electricity and woodwork. He likes driving in any condition of weather, traffic or terrain. In the Red Sea he used to fish and collect the most poisonous beings existing, the Conus Textile shells. Since the first day Fr. Marco arrived in the U.S., at St. John Vianney Parish in Brookfield, WI, he felt at home and likes Southeast Wisconsin very much.

Now he wants to focus to announce and offer the work of God with us in Northwest Racine, WI.

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Welcome Father Thomas

Get to know Fr. Thomas, our new Pastor

Father Thomas

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.

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