The Marianists (Society of Mary) (SM)
25th Ordination
Father Thomas J. French
Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland
First profession: 1988
Ordination: 1997
Education: Bachelor’s in education, Mount St. Mary’s University, 1978
Master’s in special education, Loyola University-Maryland, 1989
Master’s of divinity in theology, Francisco School of Theology, 1997
Service in the archdiocese: Pastor, Our Lady of the Pillar Church, Creve Coeur, 2012-present
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Archdiocese of Baltimore, Baltimore, Maryland, 1988-93
Principal and president, Archbishop Riordan High School, San Francisco, California, 2004-10
About Father Thomas J. French: My discernment began as a student at Cardinal Gibbons High School in Baltimore, where I was taught by the Marianist brothers and priests. My vocation strengthened during my studies at Mount St. Mary’s College and Loyola University and was formalized with my first-vows profession as a Marianist brother in 1988 After teaching for five years at my high school alma mater, I was called to the priesthood in the 1990s, attending seminary in Toronto, Canada, and Berkeley, California, and was ordained in Marriottsville, Maryland, on June 20, 1997. After my ordination, I served as a high school administrator — principal and president — in San Francisco for 12 years before being called to pastoral ministry in St. Louis. I began serving as pastor of Our Lady of the Pillar Church in Creve Coeur in 2012 and continue in that ministry currently. I serve on various boards and councils in the Archdiocese of St. Louis.
60th First Profession
Brother James M. Maus
Birthplace: St. Louis
First profession: 1962
Education: Bachelor’s in English and history, St. Mary’s University, 1965
Master’s in English, Saint Louis University, 1975
Master’s in school and mental health counseling, St. Mary’s University, 1981
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher, William Cullen McBride High School, St. Louis, 1965-69
Counselor, St. John Vianney High School, Kirkwood, 2005-18
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher, Don Bosco High School, Milwaukee, 1969-71
Teacher, Thomas More Catholic High School, Milwaukee, 1971-79
About Brother James M. Maus: Little did I realize when I began this journey the places it would take me, the blessings and joys, as well as the challenges and opportunities for my spiritual and emotional growth. One of the great blessings of my life as a brother, in my roles as both counselor and teacher, has been to guide young people in their own journeys towards maturity. I owe so much to so many. Thank you to the members of my own family, who always have been encouraging and supportive, and especially to my mother, still vital and full of life at age 95. Thanks to the brothers with whom I have lived and worked. Their example and kind words have guided me and supported me for as long as I can remember. Thanks to the thousands of students and hundreds of faculty members with whom I have had the privilege to work and to learn from. Above all, thanks to Jesus and His Blessed Mother for the grace to pursue a way of life that strives to make God’s way a reality in our world.
70th First Profession
Brother Jerome Bommer
Birthplace: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
First profession: 1952
Education: Bachelor’s in history, St. Mary’s University, 1955
Master’s in U.S. history, Saint Louis University, 1967
Service in the archdiocese: Teacher and athletic director, St. Mary’s High School, St. Louis, 1955-63
Assistant principal and teacher, St. John Vianney High School, Kirkwood, 1964-69
Assistant principal, St. Mary’s High School, St. Louis, 1971-72
Principal, St. Mary’s High School, St. Louis, 1972-76
Principal, St. John Vianney High School, Kirkwood, 1976-82
Assistant provincial, St. Louis Province, 1992-2002
Service outside the archdiocese: Teacher and club moderator, Roncalli Diocesan High School, Pueblo, Colorado, 1969-71
Teacher and club moderator, Daniel J. Gross High School, Omaha, Nebraska, 1983-87
Principal, Nolan Catholic High School, Fort Worth, Texas, 1988-92
Rector, Chaminade University, Honolulu, Hawaii, 2002-11
About Brother Jerome Bommer: “I’ve enjoyed my life as a Marianist, and over the years, it has been pleasant. I became aware of the goodness of the brothers, enhanced by our family spirit: Living in a Marianist community is a blessing. As we were assigned ministries, we learned them while we were doing them — often receiving help from someone with a wealth of experience in the area in which we were working. God has blessed me with Marianists who supported me. The love I received was powerful I thank the Lord and Mary for giving me a Marianist vocation.”
Brother Bommer retired in 2017 and resides at the Marianist Residence in San Antonio. He celebrated his jubilee on May 7, 2022, in San Antonio.