Death of Fr. Bill Thomas Arch DIocease of Detroit, Mich

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Terry_from_Ypsi

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I received the following sad news from “Citizens for A Pro-Life Society.” Such men of God are hard to replace.

Regards,

Terry_from_Ypsi

The following memo was composed just a few hours before learning that Fr. William Thomas, pastor of Holy Spirit Partish in Hamburg, MI died this morning, July 23rd. Pray for the repose of his soul.
It should be added–regarding his many accomplishments-- that Father Bill brought great speakers to the parish such as Fr. Mitch Pacwa and Fr. Coropi to preach missions there—speakers nationally
known for their love of the Church.A memo regarding Fr. William Thomas–pastor of Holy Spirit Parish–Hamburg, Michigan. Fr. William Thomas has fallen into a coma. He is in a hosp ital in Germany
where, about 10 days ago, he was admitted with pneumonia. He has been in a coma since Wednesday of this week (July 18th, 2007). He is in critical condition and may be dying. Sorry to sound so
melodramatic, but these are just the facts. It is important to keep in mind, especially in light of the accusations against Fr. Thomas by a member of Holy Spirit Parish, the many great and good things
Fr. William Thomas accomplished as pastor of Holy Spirit Parish. Fr. Thomas showed himself to be a true son of the Church. Under his leadership Holy Spirit Parish was known for its orthodoxy in
teaching and liturgy. Here is only a partial list of Fr. Thomas’s accomplishments and contributions to the life of Holy Spirit Parish and the life of the Church:
  1. He insisted that the Holy Tabernacle be in the center of the church sanctuary.
    2.) He installed a new marble altar to give glory to the Eucharistic Lord (to replace wooden altar).
    3.) Placement of statues to make the sterile church interior more Catholic and more condusive to prayer and worship.
    4.) Promotion of Perpetual Eucharistic adoration.
    5.) Installment of a Communion rail.
    6.) Purchase of a quality organ to enhance Eucharistic worship
    .7.) Consistent support for all pro-life activities.
    8.) Support for Michigan Life-Span–making Holy Spirit an affiliate parish of that group
    .9.) Support for the missionary activity of Fr. Paublo Straub and his missionary order in Mexico.
  1. First Holy Communion, Confirmation and marriage preparation totally consistent with the teachings of the Church.
  2. Support for a parish bookstore with materials completely faithful to the teaching of the Church.
  3. Founded a parish school–so there would be a parish school faithful to the teachings of the Church.
  4. All Fr. Thomas’s homilies strongly and unabashedly supported the teachings of the Church–he always spoke the truth and never flinched in this regard.
  5. Holy Spirit, under Fr. Thomas’s leadership, only had a ltar boys serving all the masses—to promote vocations to the priesthood.
  6. Fr. Thomas consistently and couregeously spoke and worked against the homosexual agenda–even actively promoting the Michigan Marriage Amendment when the bishops were slow to do so. He really went
    out on a limb here and his advocacy prevailed.Fr. Thomas has served Jesus and His Church and has shown enormous love and commitment to the Catholic Faith. PRAY FOR HIM NOW. And please pray for Holy
    Spirit Parish. (PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SEND THIS MEMO OUT ON YOUR OWN LISTS)
    Yours in Jesus,
    Monica Migliorino Miller,
    Ph.D. Director of Citizens for a Pro-life Society and Associate Professor of Sacred Theology, Madonna University. ( home.core.com/ )
–

Please pray for an end to abortion.
 
My in-laws are members of that Church. They’re going to be so upset. She was actually telling me about him being in Germany this past weekend.
 
I understand that there were 37 con-celebrating priests at his funeral Mass this morning. I miss him and have since he was placed on administrative leave back in Oct. '05. I don’t know about all 15 of Dr. M’s points, but he did have a significant impact on my spiritual life and that of my family.
Father William Wesley Thomas
Born: 12-25-1938
Ordained: 6-17-1978
Born to Eternal Life: 7-23-2007

The following was received in an email on 6/24, from my Pastor and forwarded to the parish:​

Dear Monsignor, Father, Pastoral Coordinator and Deacon,

With sadness yet with firm hope in the resurrection, I write to inform you that Fr. William W. Thomas died at Marienhof Hospital in Koblenz, Germany on July 23, 2007 after a short illness. He died of Legionnaires disease.

The funeral liturgy will be at Schoenstatt in Germany on Friday, July 27, 2007, at 1 PM with burial in the priests’ cemetery near the Schoenstatt shrine.

There will be a Memorial Mass for Fr. Thomas at Holy Spirit Church in Hamburg, Michigan Friday July 27, 2007 at 11 AM followed by a luncheon. Priests who wish to con-celebrated are asked to bring a alb and white stole. Bishop Mengeling will be principal celebrant and homilist.

Fr. Thomas was ordained at Schoenstatt, Germany on June 17, 1978 by Bishop James S. Sullivan. He was assigned as a Parochial Vicar at St. Patrick Brighton, St. John Vianney Flint and St. Paul Owosso. He was a Chaplain at Lansing Catholic Central High School and on September 4, 1999 appointed pastor of Holy Spirit Parish Hamburg, Michigan. At the time of his death he was on a leave of absence. Fr. Thomas also served in the Diocese of Wurzburg, Germany and Jerusalem, Israel.

In an email letter of condolences to Fr. Makranyi and the faithful of Holy Spirit Parish, Fr. Oskar Buehler, the Rector of Schoenstatt, said “Fr. William was well prepared for his final call by our Heavenly Father.”

Fr. Darin Robert, who is serving in the U.S.Army as a Chaplain, was in Koblenz to see Fr. Thomas and represented our diocese to Fr. Bill’s religious community at Schoenstatt.

Condolences can be sent to Dr. Simon Ashi, 59 Legacy Court, Delray Beach, Florida 33445. Dr. Ashi is Fr. Thomas’ adopted son.

Please remember the resolution passed by the Presbyteral Council which reads “Each priest incardinated in the Diocese of Lansing will offer one Mass without stipend whenever an incardinated priest, a religious priest serving in the diocese, or an extern priest serving in the diocese, passes to eternal life.”

Sincerely yours in Christ our High Priest,

+Carl F. Mengeling
Bishop of Lansing
Diane Arzberger
Secretary to Michael Diebold
Department of Communications Director
Roman Catholic Diocese of Lansing
517-342-2440
 
Hello Terry, I’m A New Memeber Of Catholic Answers Forum And Recently Came Across Your Posting Regarding Fr. Thomas’s Death. I Knew Fr. Thomas , I Meet Him A Couple Of Times In Person And Had Several Phone Conversations With Him. I Was Very Impressed By His Deep Love For The Church And His Obedience To Authority. He Was Blessed By God With A Very Catholic, Holy And Dramatic Death. I Believe He Went Straight To Heaven. Do You Happen To Know What Is Going On At Holy Spirit Parish Now? Is There Any Interest In The Schoenstatt Marian Movement There?

MICHIGAN
 
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