Fr. John Thomas was born in November, 1965 in Uniontown, Kentucky, the youngest of six children. His parents and most of his family still live in the area. He likes reading and traveling. He attended a Catholic grade school through eighth grade and a public high school, graduating in May 1984. In August of 1984, he entered St. Pius X Seminary in Erlanger, Kentucky and Thomas More College. There he majored in Elementary Education, with a focus in Theology and Philosophy, graduating in 1988. He began his graduate work at Saint Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Indiana in August 1988. He graduated with a Master of Divinity in May 1993.

Fr. John was ordained to the Diaconate on October 3, 1992 and to the Priesthood on May 29, 1993. He celebrated his Mass of Thanksgiving on May 30th at his home Church of St. Agnes in Uniontown, Kentucky. Father John asks us to all "Please pray for all priests and that more young men and women will open their hearts to a life of service in the Church as a priest or vowed religious."

  Reverend Father John Thomas

 (270) 885-8522

In the words of Glenmary Sister Pat Leighton, "The idea of a native African priest being missioned in Kentucky would have been nearly unthinkable 25 years ago." Today, it's a reality with Father Chrispin Oneko, the eldest of 9 children from Kenya, who is now here at St. Michael the Archangel Church.

 

Father Chrispin was ordained in his native East African, Mombasa, Kenya, where he served as pastor of Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church. The Bishop assigned Father Chrispin to Jamaica where he ministered for four years as pastor of a mission church. He requested a transfer to the United States, and wound up in Kentucky with us at St. Michael the Archangel Church in the Owensboro, KY diocese. Check out Father Chrispin's own web site at www.FatherChrispin.com.

 Reverend Father Chrispin Oneko

(270) 640-9850 

Jack Cheasty retired from the military in 1997 at the rank of major. Jack's journey to ordination began with his conversion in Jerusalem in 1986. His family entered the Church in 1991. Along with Margaret Donahue and Perry Elder, he formed the original steering committee which led to the establishment of St. Michael the Archangel parish.

 

He was accepted into diaconate formation in the Diocese of Nashville in 2002 as the Diocese of Owensboro had not yet established a program.  Ordained on the 9th of June 2006 at the Cathedral of the Incarnation, Bishop John McRaith (Owensboro Diocese) concelebrated the ordination Mass with Bishop David Choby (Nashville. Diocese).  The Laying on of hands was imposed by both bishops.  Bishop David assigned Jack to St. Michael the Archangel Parish,  Diocese of Owensboro,  at the request of Bishop John.

 Reverend Mr. Jack Cheasty

Currently Deployed to Iraq with 101st Airborne