“As a Basilian priest and a 1979 alumnus I am both honoured and humbled to be coming home to St. Mike’s,” said Fr. Jeff Thompson. “I pray to God that my work at St. Mike’s, my time here, my influence in some way ... inspires some more young men to follow the priestly life and in particular the Basilian vocation.” 

Thompson comes to the private Catholic boy’s school from the Basilian’s Detroit Catholic Central High School in Michigan, where he served first as a teacher in 2005 and eventually president. Prior to that, Thompson taught at St. Michael’s College School for three years. 

A life-long member of the Catholic education community, Thompson, ordained in 1991, said he intends to carry on the traditions which he found so enriching as a student. 

“I have every intention of continuing the Basilian traditions of Catholic education which are at the foundation of St. Mike’s since its inception in 1852,” he said. “I have a robust appreciation for life, all aspects of life, and I think Catholic education teaches the human person to embrace God’s grace that comes to us through every aspect of life.” 

Fr. Dennis Noelke, St. Michael’s chair of the board, said Thompson “brings great enthusiasm and commitment to St. Michael’s.” 

“He is passionate about Catholic education and his previous experience . . . will serve him well at St. Michael’s,” Noelke said. 

Thompson said he is excited about meeting his new students. 

“I will see in them myself back in 1974. I remember how schooling was and how life was and I understand where they are in their own development,” he said. 

“I am really excited about walking alongside them in this discovery of themselves at St. Mike’s. I will be for them a representative who embodies the history and traditions of the school and the Basilian fathers.”