Fr. Tom Reitmeyer Voted Alum of the Year
Fr. Tom Reitmeyer attended St. Michael’s Academy from 1992 – 1996. During his time at St. Michael’s, he was a manager for the basketball team, a member of the debate team, the National Honor Society, and the Peer Leader Program. Following his graduation from St. Michael’s, Fr. Tom attended Texas A&M University where he earned a degree in Biochemistry and Genetics in December 2000.
Realizing that he wanted to be a police officer instead of going to medical school to become radiologist, Fr. Tom went to work for the College Station Police Department as a dispatcher 911 operator. In 2003, he was hired and sworn in as a police officer. Over the course of the next five years, he served as a Patrol Officer, a Field Training Officer, a Crime Scene Investigator, and a Detective. Sensing a call to the priesthood, Fr. Tom made the difficult decision to leave the police department to work at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church as the Resource Development Director. In addition to working at the church, Fr. Tom continued to volunteer as a police officer while he considered entering seminary.
Realizing that he wanted to be a police officer instead of going to medical school to become radiologist, Fr. Tom went to work for the College Station Police Department as a dispatcher 911 operator. In 2003, he was hired and sworn in as a police officer. Over the course of the next five years, he served as a Patrol Officer, a Field Training Officer, a Crime Scene Investigator, and a Detective. Sensing a call to the priesthood, Fr. Tom made the difficult decision to leave the police department to work at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church as the Resource Development Director. In addition to working at the church, Fr. Tom continued to volunteer as a police officer while he considered entering seminary.
In 2008, he was accepted as a seminarian for the Diocese of Austin and began his Pre-Theology and Philosophy studies at Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving, TX. In 2010, Thomas entered St. Mary’s Seminary in Houston and completed his Masters of Divinity, Masters of Theological Studies at the University of St. Thomas, and a Bachelor’s of Sacred Theology (S.T.B) from St. Mary’s in Baltimore, MD. During his seminary formation, Fr. Tom had the opportunity to do mission work and Spanish language studies in Guatemala as well as spend a summer with the Focolare Community in Rome. A highlight of his visits to Rome were the opportunities to attend public audiences with both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis.
On June 6, 2015, Fr. Tom was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Austin. He is one of the first, if not the first alumnus of St. Michael’s to be ordained a Catholic priest. His first assignment was Parochial Vicar at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in North Austin. Upon his ordination, Fr. Tom also reconnected with the St. Michael’s community by offering several Masses at the school, providing sacraments at retreats, and serving as a member of the Alumni Board Association.
In July of 2016, Fr. Tom was transferred to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Killeen, TX so that he could gain experience working in a parish with a Catholic school.
“It was a really great experience to witness the joy of the students and watch them grow and develop in their faith. What was even more impressive was to watch these children go home and evangelize their families as well. The Catholic education that these students received was not just formative for them, it affected their families, our parish, and our community. It was a great joy to be a part of the school’s mission to form disciples. Many of the teachers I met and worked with reminded me of the great teachers I had at St. Michael’s,” he said.
In December of 2017, Fr. Tom was re-assigned as the Parochial Administrator for St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Round Rock. It just so happened that this was his mother’s parish at the time and he was also able to reunite with his brother, Bill Reitmeyer ’92, and his family. Fr. Tom was named pastor of St. John Vianney in 2018, and continues in that role today. In addition to his duties as pastor, Fr. Tom serves on various committees at the diocesan level including: the Priestly Life and Formation Committee, the Priest Personnel Board, the Admissions and Scrutinies Board for the Permanent Diaconate, and the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Review Board. Fr. Tom also played a key role in developing and implementing and Early Ministry Program for Priests that is designed to help newly ordained priests grow in their priestly identity and ministry during their first five years after ordination.
On June 6, 2015, Fr. Tom was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Austin. He is one of the first, if not the first alumnus of St. Michael’s to be ordained a Catholic priest. His first assignment was Parochial Vicar at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church in North Austin. Upon his ordination, Fr. Tom also reconnected with the St. Michael’s community by offering several Masses at the school, providing sacraments at retreats, and serving as a member of the Alumni Board Association.
In July of 2016, Fr. Tom was transferred to St. Joseph Catholic Church in Killeen, TX so that he could gain experience working in a parish with a Catholic school.
“It was a really great experience to witness the joy of the students and watch them grow and develop in their faith. What was even more impressive was to watch these children go home and evangelize their families as well. The Catholic education that these students received was not just formative for them, it affected their families, our parish, and our community. It was a great joy to be a part of the school’s mission to form disciples. Many of the teachers I met and worked with reminded me of the great teachers I had at St. Michael’s,” he said.
In December of 2017, Fr. Tom was re-assigned as the Parochial Administrator for St. John Vianney Catholic Church in Round Rock. It just so happened that this was his mother’s parish at the time and he was also able to reunite with his brother, Bill Reitmeyer ’92, and his family. Fr. Tom was named pastor of St. John Vianney in 2018, and continues in that role today. In addition to his duties as pastor, Fr. Tom serves on various committees at the diocesan level including: the Priestly Life and Formation Committee, the Priest Personnel Board, the Admissions and Scrutinies Board for the Permanent Diaconate, and the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Review Board. Fr. Tom also played a key role in developing and implementing and Early Ministry Program for Priests that is designed to help newly ordained priests grow in their priestly identity and ministry during their first five years after ordination.
In the summer of 2019, at the request of Bishop Vasquez, Fr. Tom began studies in Canon Law at the Catholic University of America. For four summers, Fr. Tom will study at the University in Washington D.C. and then take classes online during the fall and spring. He is expected to receive a Licentiate in Canon Law degree (JCL) in August of 2022. He will then assist Bishop Vasquez and the lay faithful of the Diocese of Austin in various canonical matters and proceedings.
In his free time, Fr. Tom can often be found at Dell Diamond rooting his favorite minor league baseball team, the Round Rock Express, or just about any other baseball game he can find. He enjoys traveling when he can, but loves to be at home with the people that God has called him to serve.
In his free time, Fr. Tom can often be found at Dell Diamond rooting his favorite minor league baseball team, the Round Rock Express, or just about any other baseball game he can find. He enjoys traveling when he can, but loves to be at home with the people that God has called him to serve.
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