Rev. Thomas G. Simons

Fr. Tom was born and raised on the west side of Grand Rapids where he attended Catholic elementary and high schools.  In 1968 he entered St. Joseph Seminary College and attended Aquinas College in Grand Rapids.  He completed his college studies at St. Francis Seminary and the University of San Diego, graduating in 1972 with a BA Degree in Philosophy.  Four years of theological studies followed at St. John’s Provincial Seminary in Plymouth, Michigan where he received a Masters in Divinity Degree in 1976.  Fr. Tom was ordained a priest by Bishop Joseph Breitenbeck on January 30, 1977. 

His first assignments were as Associate Pastor at Holy Name of Jesus Parish in Wyoming and St. Jude Parish in Grand Rapids.  Fr. Tom took graduate studies at the University of Notre Dame where he completed a Masters Degree in Liturgy in 1981.  He was then asked to open an Office for Worship for the Diocese and also founded the Institute for Worship and the Diocesan Liturgical Commission. He also served as Masters of Ceremonies for Bishop Robert Rose.  Fr. Tom served in this position for 10 years.  He was assigned as Pastor of Holy Redeemer Parish in Jenison where he served from 1984 to 1991.  He then served as Executive Director of the National Federation of Priests’ Councils in Chicago for three years.  He then came to St. Francis de Sales Parish in Muskegon where he has been serving since 1994.