​Fr. Jim has been involved with Catholic Schools almost his entire life.  Born and raised in Kalamazoo, he attended St. Augustine school from first through ninth grade and finished high school at Hackett Catholic Central (now Hackett Catholic Prep), having been in the first Sophomore class when the school opened.  After receiving a degree in Physics, and a teaching certificate, from Western Michigan University he went back to teach Physics and Math at Hackett for 19 years before entering seminary at age 40 to become a priest.  Since ordination he has been working closely with the teachers and students as chaplain, and later pastor, at Lake Michigan Catholic schools.  Now he is happy to be here at Saint Basil Catholic school and overjoyed to see it thriving.