Rev. Peter Wood

I was very happy when I learned of my assignment to St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Houston, Texas which began in July of 2022. And I continue to be blessed in this assignment. The blessing now of having come to know the people and parishioners of this parish over the course of four years. It is great to know and to be known by so many, a real sense of community with the priests and people of this parish community. The parish continues to grow and expand.

I am amazed at the gifts and talents and the love so many people have for their church which is demonstrated by the donation of their time, talent and treasure.

I have really been blessed by the opportunity to celebrate Mass in this parish and in such a beautiful church building and to administer the sacraments among the people of God and preach the word. These are the reasons for my ordination and the origin and root of my priestly vocation-to do these things among the people of God.

Additionally, the opportunity to be among the young adults, the young professionals of this community, to come together with them weekly for prayer and for fellowship, to teach and to prepare engaged couples for the sacrament of matrimony and the many opportunities to walk along the road of life with so many people has truly been a blessing. And the staff here at St. Michael, all those who work here and all of us doing this work together makes the daily work week such a joy to be part of.

And equally important, to serve the students, parents, faculty and staff at St. Michael School. The long history of this school and to be part of this history I find especially significant since Catholic education is among the most important ministries in the Catholic Church.

I was raised in an Air Force family, the middle of three sons. We lived in many places. In fact, I was born in Nagoya, Japan. We also lived in New York, Alabama, and Washington DC. Then with my father’s retirement from the Air Force, we moved to Florida around the time I was entering high school.

Later, regarding my college education, I majored in American Studies at Florida State University, philosophy and pre theology at The Pontifical College Josephinum in Worthington, Ohio, and four years of graduate theology at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.

My career activity in addition to priesthood, includes Catholic education as a high school and middle school religion teacher and coach. I have also taught faith formation in parishes to both youth and young adults.

My parents are deceased. In fact, both are buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington DC. My oldest brother Ned is also deceased, having served in the Army and in business and in his last years in retirement in South Carolina. He is buried in the National Cemetery in Beaufort, South Carolina. My younger brother, Chris, lives up the road in Spring, Texas. Both my brothers entered the corporate world. I gravitated toward the priesthood. I have been most especially blessed to come from a close famity.

My family calls me uncle-brother-Father Peter-my two brothers have had three daughters each and now their daughters with their own children. Additionally, I found out somewhat recently, a high school friend, who raises and trains horses, named one of her horses Father Pete. But I don’t think the horse won the Kentucky Derby or anything.

I have had a lifelong love of sports and played football, basketball, baseball and golf.

But mainly, I am here for the people of St. Michael and of the archdiocese and am very glad to be working in conjunction with our Pastor, Fr. Bart Reynolds.

I will be leading a parish pilgrimage to Guadalupe, Mexico in Mexico City this coming April 5-April 9,  2027. Pope Leo has designated this apparition cite of the Blessed Virgin that took place 500 years ago a Jubilee Year beginning October 2026-October 2027. 

Many graces and blessings are available for those wanting to make this pilgrimage. There is room for 40 people. Perhaps the Blessed Virgin is calling you and waiting to be with you, a chance to experience her love in a special way in Guadalupe. This pilgrimage promises to be a very great blessing as we travel together as priest and people of St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church. I look forward to this very special week.