Fr. Randy Phillips was ordained a priest on December 10, 1983, which is the feast day of Thomas Merton. He earned a doctorate in Sacred Theology (STD) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in 1988. “My vision of leadership is neither to be out in front, pulling people along, nor pushing from behind. I believe one leads from within the midst of the community. A continuous ring of concentric circles would be a good image of my style. I place a high priority on worship because the Sunday Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life. This is where all ministry begins and to where all ministry returns. I also place a high priority on social justice, striving to seek first the Reign of God by standing with the poor, oppressed, and the outcasts of our society and of our church.”  In addition to serving as pastor of St. Blase Parish in Sterling Heights, Michigan, Fr. Randy is an adjunct instructor of theology for Siena Heights University, a member of the Catholic Theological Society of America, and a regular contributor to Pastoral Liturgy magazine.