Fr. Thomas Wise, CSV, celebrates his sixtieth year as a Viatorian religious on August 15, 2009. Fr. Wise graduated from Our Lady of the Angels Grade School in Chicago, IL, attended St. Ignatius High School, entered the military, and after discharge, joined the Viatorians. While teaching at Spalding Institute in Peoria in 1958, the tragic fire at his grade school occurred where three teachers and over one hundred students perished.

Fr. Wise studied a variety of academic fields to prepare himself as a teacher and parish minister. His academic milestones include graduating from St. Ambrose College in Davenport, IA, with a degree in political science. He pursued theological studies at Regina Angelorum Theological Seminary in Arlington Heights, IL, which led to his priestly ordination. Moreover, he earned a Master of Arts degree in educational administration while teaching at Spalding Institute in Peoria, IL.

Fr. Wise taught high school students in the United States and Colombia. His first assignment was at Cathedral Boys High School in Springfield, IL, during the school year 1952-1953, after which he studied theology. After ordination, he taught at Spalding Institute from 1957 to 1961, a year that marked a major turning point in his life. He, along with Frs. James Crilly, CSV, and Bert Mayr, CSV, traveled to Bogotá, Colombia, to found Colegio San Viator. As the school grew over the years, he served as assistant principal, dean of studies, and assistant superior. In 1970, Fr. Wise returned to the United States and taught for one year at Saint Viator High School in Arlington Heights.

He began his work in parish ministry in 1973 at St. Viator Parish in Chicago as associate pastor. In 1979, he became its pastor, a position he held until 1985. His later assignments as associate pastor were at St. Viator Parish in Las Vegas, and then at Holy Family Parish in Granite City, IL, where he retired in 2002.