Dominique returns to St. Wendelin

FOSTORIA – St. Wendelin Parish is hosting a welcome celebration for their new pastor following 11 a.m. mass today. The Rev. Todd Dominique, who was assigned by Bishop Daniel Thomas of the Diocese of Toledo, began at St. Wendelin in July. He previously served at St. John Catholic Church and Holy Cross Catholic Church in Dayton. Dominique was ordained in 1994. He served for eight years as associate pastor at St. Wendelin. “I’m glad to be back in familiar territory,” Dominique said. He went to College Seminary at St. Meinrad Seminary earning a bachelor’s of arts degree in English. Dominique later attended seminary in Cincinnati at The Athenaeum of Ohio Mount St. Mary’s Seminary of the West, earning a master’s degree of divinity and of sacred theology. Following that he earned a master’s degree of science in education from the University of Dayton. Dominique said becoming a priest always was a calling. “As a child, I had always wanted to become a priest,” he said. “I had great support from my family.” Dominique said Thomas felt he would make a great fit at St. Wendelin to fulfill the needs of the community. “There is great teamwork here,” Dominique said. In regard to the school, Dominique said he and the administration team are working toward being good stewards. “It is our time to move the school forward and bring education into a new dynamic,” he said. “It is a big project, but not an impossible one.” Dominique said they plan to continue to instill the “academic excellence that we’ve always had.” “We have a good history,” Dominique said. “We are embracing all in the education work and trying to think outside of the box.” Dominique said it is a great opportunity to support individual students’ gifts and talents. “The sky is the limit,” Dominique said. For the future, Dominique said he hopes to see his flock come to church and fill the spiritual hunger they have. “There will be challenges out there, but people need to know there is hope out there and even through troubled times they grab a hold of here some stability,” he said.