Golden milestone: Fr. Tom Wigginton marks 50th anniversary of his priestly ordination

Father Tom Wigginton's ordination card and a photo of Fr. Wigginton during his years as pastor of St. Paul the Apostle Parish in Fort Worth.

The 50th ordination anniversary is a monumental milestone in the life of a priest. 

In Father Tom Wigginton’s five decades of pastoral leadership, faith, love, and service, he has left an indelible mark on the lives of parishioners in our diocese. 

Although health challenges preclude a big celebration of his golden jubilee, Fr. Wigginton and some cherished friends reflected on the momentous occasion.

Jane Sandoval, director of faith formation at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, worked in the parish office with the priest for many years until his retirement in 2013.

“When my parents were passing, it was 2:30 a.m. and raining. Fr. Tom [Wigginton] got in his car and came to the nursing home to be with them,” she recollected. “He said they needed it and that’s what we are here for — to serve.” 

Sandoval emphasized the gift of his willingness to sacrifice a great deal of time and energy for his flock. “He wanted people who were broken to be whole. If he saw a need, he would try to create a program to help them. He would worry about your soul getting to heaven.”

His years as a priest give him an insightful nature, she added, describing him as a “lovely man.” She added, “He’d see things in me that I didn’t see in myself. He would tell me that I had gifts that I don’t realize I have to help our church be a better church.” 

Serving God and country

Born Ellsworth Thomas to Anne and Ellsworth Wigginton on August 1, 1944, Fr. Tom, as he is known, is the oldest of five children raised in Chicago, Illinois. He first thought about becoming a priest at a very young age. 

“I was in second grade at St. Leo Elementary School in Chicago and felt called,” Fr. Wigginton remembered.

His high school years were split between the St. Augustine Minor Seminary in Holland, Michigan, and Bogan High School in Chicago where he graduated in 1963.

Two years later, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and completed basic training in San Antonio. He served as a chaplain’s assistant at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth from 1965-1967, followed by one year on Shemya Island, part of Alaska’s Aleutian Islands.

After accepting an early separation from military service, the young Wigginton returned to Fort Worth and began studies for the priesthood. He received an undergraduate degree in humanities from the University of Dallas and Holy Trinity Seminary in Irving in 1973 and then completed a master’s degree in divinity from Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans, Louisiana. 

Fifty years

Bishop John Cassata ordained Fr. Wigginton as a priest in the Diocese of  Fort Worth on June 12, 1976, at Immaculate Conception Church in Denton. His first assignment was as associate pastor of St. John the Apostle Parish in North Richland Hills. Three years later, he was named pastor of Our Lady of Mercy Parish in Hillsboro.

In 1981, Fr. Wigginton became pastor of Holy Cross Parish in The Colony until he was named parochial vicar of St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Arlington in 1990, where he was also a hospital chaplain and involved in federal prison ministry. Three years later, he was appointed pastor of St. Paul Parish, where he remained for 20 years. 

Fr. Wigginton served under all four bishops of the diocese since its establishment in 1969: Most Rev. John Cassata (1969-1980), Most Rev. Joseph Delaney (1981-2005), Most Rev. Kevin Vann (2005-2012), and Most Rev. Michael Olson (2014-present). Fr. Wigginton said he felt a special connection to Bishop Cassata, whom he described as “very personal … like a father to all the priests.” 

In his free time, the priest often shares his variety of interests with his younger sister, Barbara, including ethnic foods, movies, art, music, traveling, and especially reading. 

“I had a whole series on the lives of the saints,” he said. Among his favorites are St. John Vianney, patron saint of parish priests, and St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy, a country he has visited several times. 

Compassionate shepherd

A lifelong parishioner at St. Paul, Dianne Garcia knows Fr. Wigginton through her service in the parish council and various church groups. 

She said, “One of the most impressive things about Fr. Tom is that he always wants everyone to have a relationship with our precious Lord,” she said. “He wants to instill a love for Jesus in everybody.”

By his initiative, St. Paul Parish launched GriefShare, DivorceCare, and other ministries, Garcia recalled. Fr. Wigginton saw these programs as an opportunity to invite others to the parish, regardless of their religious affiliation.

Garcia said she treasured Fr. Wigginton’s homilies, his ability to explain the Gospels, and how he always makes himself available if someone wants to talk. “He would take the time to listen. He was very approachable when parishioners had questions,” she said. “Fr. Tom doesn’t make you feel like it was a dumb question, just one that wasn’t answered.”  

Fr. Wigginton has a fun-loving nature and “loves to laugh,” Garcia said. One of her favorite memories includes his clown and puppet ministry, which Fr. Wigginton used to illustrate Jesus’ love to the parish youth. “He made a good clown,” she insisted. “He was adorable and loved children. Through that ministry, he would bring the kids to the Lord.”

Garcia said parishioners felt seen by Fr. Wigginton. “He is good at shepherding and knowing his people,” Garcia said. “He is a very compassionate individual.” 

Patricia McKeever, administrative assistant at St. Paul, agreed that Fr. Wigginton has a “large personality” and “likes to have fun and joke.” She said his warmth and dedication to the parish was most evident. 

“You could tell he loved us and wanted to instill faith and service in us,” she said. “That’s what made us feel like a family here. We all were working toward becoming better and following Christ. That’s what he wants for everybody.”