Clergy
The Most Reverend Robert E. Guglielmone, DD is the Bishop of Charleston. A native of Long Island, New York, Bishop Guglielmone was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI to be our shepherd in 2009.
Father Christopher Smith, STD/PhD – Parish Priest
Father Smith is a native of Greenville, South Carolina. He was received into the Catholic Church at the age of 13 at St Mary’s. After graduating from Southside High School, he went to Christendom College in Front Royal, Virginia. After a year living in Rome studying at the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, he entered priestly formation at the Pontifical Roman Major Seminary, the Pope’s personal seminary, for service in the Diocese of Charleston. While there, he obtained a licentiate in dogmatic theology from the Gregorian University and also studied French at the Institut Catholique in Paris. Father Smith was ordained Deacon by Camillo Cardinal Ruini, Papal Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, on 30 October 2004 and Priest by Bishop Robert Baker of Charleston on 23 July 2005.
Father Smith spent two years at St Mary’s, Greenville as Parochial Vicar and then Administrator pro tempore. He then was assigned to St Peter’s, Beaufort and Holy Cross, St Helena’s Island as Parochial Vicar and Administrator pro tempore. He then spent two years at St Francis-by-the-Sea on Hilton Head Island. In all of his parishes, he had primary responsibility for Hispanic Ministry, chaplaincy and teaching in parochial schools, and apostolate to the sick. While in Beaufort and Hilton Head, Father Smith pursued a Master of Business Administration degree at the Citadel.
In 2009, Bishop Guglielmone assigned Father Smith to the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain. He defended his doctoral dissertation in dogmatic theology on the thought of twentieth-century French Jesuit Henri De Lubac in June 2012, after which he received the degree of Doctor of Sacred Theology.
Father Smith speaks Spanish, Italian, French and some German. He enjoys reading, kickboxing, and music. He is a member of the Church Music Association of America and contributes regularly to the Chant Café blog. He is also a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America and is a speaker on sacred music, liturgy, theology, and catechesis.
Father Richard Tomlinson, STD – Parochial Vicar
Fr. Tomlinson was ordained on 21 November 2009, at St. Therese the Little Flower Church in Summerville, SC on the occasion of the parish’s 25th jubilee. He was the first priest ordained by Bishop Robert Guglielmone in the Diocese. His first assignment was at Stella Maris Church in Sullivan’s Island with Msgr. Lawrence McInerney and as chaplain of Bishop England High School. Father attended Tulane University in New Orleans, where he studied English, history and psychology.
His later studies included philosophy, Greek, Latin and Hebrew. Before his vocation to the priesthood, he worked in the finance industry. He attended seminary in Washington, D.C., and Rome.
Fr. Tomlinson’s social outreach includes work with people with AIDS and mental disabilities as well as the homeless.
Deacon Robert (Bob) Smith was ordained Deacon on May 19, 2007 by Bishop Baker for the Diocese of Charleston after 5 years of formation (32 courses). He was assigned to Prince of Peace, where he and his family have been parishioners since 1981. He is married to Lois and has 4 children and 3 grandchildren located along the east coast (New Hampshire, New York City and Ft. Bragg, NC).
Deacon Bob graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1968 with a BS in Engineering and again in 1974 with an MBA also from Notre Dame. He is retired from Cryovac Div of Sealed Air Corp (formerly W R Grace) after 35 years in various financial and marketing management positions. He is also retired from the Army after 32 years (3 active duty years and 29 years in the reserves) as a Colonel. He is a Viet Nam veteran and commanded an Engineer Company, Engineer Battalion and a Chemical Brigade. His final assignment was Chief of Staff of one of the 12 major Army Reserve Commands. He is a graduate of the US Army War College and recipient of Bronze Star, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal (5) and Army Achievement Medal (3).
Deacon Bob is currently active with the Knights of Columbus (Council 9184 and Holy Family Assembly – 4th degree); the Notre Dame Club of the Western Carolinas (a co-founder and oversees a $1 million scholarship fund and contact with current students (14 students from the club area in 2011); diaconate formation; the Army Engineer and Chemical Associations; school boards at St. Anthony of Padua and POP; and the various activities associated with the diaconate at POP. He enjoys his prayer life, his family, anything Notre Dame, maintaining friendships, traveling (most recently to Israel, Italy, France, & Poland/Czech Republic), and sports.
Deacon Gary Walczak was born in Buffalo, New York. He completed Kensington High School, Buffalo, New York 1958 and served in the United States Marine Corps from 1959 to 1963. He married Nida Quisay Walczak April, 1961 in the Philippines. Gary has an adopted son,Paul Walczak, who is now living in Wichita, KS and has one grandchild: Alexandra Walczak; living in California.
Deacon Gary received his BS in Business Administration in 1976 from San Diego State University, and undertook MBA studies at San Diego State University. He has 30 years experience in the Defense and Aerospace industry.