Fr. Simon Felix Michalski, OP

My name is Fr. Simon Felix Michalski, O.P.
I was born in Michigan in 1965, and I have four brothers and one sister.  I was raised in Taylor Michigan.
 
I attended High School at Harry S. Truman, (Graduated in 1983) Obtained a BA in Linguistics (1999), and A MA in Pastoral Ministry in 2001. I then Entered the Dominican order in 2002. I was 37 years old.
 
 Before I entered the Order I held many jobs including manual labor as a roofer and six years as a Postal worker. I was also a perpetual college student and I was hoping to be a professor. God kept calling me to be a priest, and I finally surrendered to His love and I stopped running from Him. 
 
I entered the Order in August 2002. Our Novitiate is in Denver, Colorado. During my yearlong Novitiate I learned how to live the Dominican way of life and I studied and practiced Contemplative prayer with vigor.
 
I moved to St. Louis in 2003 and underwent initial formation. During this time I strove to understand the Spiritual life while undergoing intense studies at Aquinas Institute of Theology. I lived in a community of 24 other men, and I was under the direction of a student master. In the summers I served in other places including Chicago, Mexico, and St. Peter’s MO. I served in Madison Wisconsin for my Pastoral year.
 
 I was ordained on May 11^th, 2008 in St. Louis Missouri, by our own Dominican Bishop Kelly, O.P. and obtained an Mdiv, Masters of Divinity at the same time.
 
After my Ordination I went to serve in Columbia Missouri at St. Thomas More Newman Center, as an associate pastor and as House Superior, until 2012. I also served at Sacred Heart parish in Columbia MO. In these years I made an intense study of the priesthood.
 
My next assignment was in Bloomington Indiana until 2015, again as a associate pastor at St. Paul Catholic Newman Center, and House Superior. I worked with Evangelical Catholic in establishing and Equipping students for Evangelization. I also made an intense study of the Dominican way of prayer and living.
 
I then served in Madison WI at Blessed Sacrament Parish, as an associate pastor (parochial vicar) and as a Prior of our Convent, Blessed Sacrament Priory until 2017.
 
In 20017, I was elected Prior to our House of Studies in St. Louis Missouri. I served until 2020.
I worked during this time with Food for the Poor, St. Ambrose on the Hill, St. Mary Magdalene Catholic Church, as well at Mercy Hospital. A Prior has charge over the Friars who live in his care. Also while in St. Louis I received certification and training in healing and deliverance prayer at the Catholic Renewal Center.
 
In 2020 I was appointed Pastor at St. Vincent Ferrer Catholic Parish in River Forest, Illinois. I served there during the COVID pandemic.
 For medical reasons regarding my cardiac and circulatory system I resigned in 2022. I was on a sabbatical for six months undergoing cardiac rehabilitation, emotional care, and spiritual care during my initial recovery.
 
I was then assigned for a second time in Bloomington Indiana, at the St. Paul Catholic Center. I am serving as an associate pastor with special interest and attention to missionary disciple training. I also have a heart for healing/deliverance prayer and the spiritual life including contemplative and mental prayer.
 
My other interests include history, nature, and museums. 
 
I have given my life to following Jesus in the way of St. Dominic. We are called Dominicans, or more formally as the Order of Preachers.  Dominicans are known as Friars.  Friars are like monks, except we do not live in monasteries. We spend some of our day in contemplation and prayer; and some of our day living in community; and some of the day we spend in study; and some of the day we spend in service, or ministry. These are the four pillars of Dominican life: Prayer, Study, Community, and Ministry or Preaching. I find that I am fulfilled and happy in this way of life.