Rev. John Wheeler, CSB
Weekend Associate
I would like to let you know a little about myself. I was born in Detroit, the third of
eleven children. Our little brother Michael died of pneumonia at the age of 6 months in
1948. The other 10 of us are still alive and kicking (7 boys and 3 girls).
I was raised in Redford Township, went to grade school at St. Michael’s of Livonia and
St. Valentine’s of Redford Township. After graduation, I went on to
Catholic Central High School where I
graduated in 1957. From there I went immediately to the
Basilian Fathers’ novitiate in Rochester, N.Y..
I have been a professed Basilian for 50 years, and an ordained Basilian priest for 40.
Mainly I have been a teacher (36 years). But I was a parish priest in Owen Sound, Canada,
for 5 years, too.
Though I taught for four years each in France and New Mexico, my main teaching work has
been at Catholic Central (28 years).
I was a weekend assistant in the 70’s at St. Genevieve church in Livonia, in the 80’s at
St. Val’s, and for the past 9 years here at St. Priscilla parish. It is a real joy for
me to be a part of the St. Priscilla family.
As a teacher, I have mainly taught French. Since 1979, I have organized French Summer
Exchanges for the students. In July of 2008 my students and I will once again be spending
a month in Annonay, France. It’s a tough job, but somebody has to do it!