Connie Morella: “the Reverend Monsignor Thomas Wells, 56, of Germantown, Maryland, pastor of Mother Seton Catholic Parish in Germantown…”

“the Reverend Monsignor Thomas Wells, 56, of Germantown, Maryland, pastor of Mother Seton Catholic Parish in Germantown, died Thursday, June 8, in the parish rectory. He was the victim of an apparent breakin and killed after a violent and bloody struggle with the intruder. This morning, at 11 o'clock, a funeral mass will be celebrated by Cardinal James A. Hickey at the Sacred Heart Church, which is one of the churches that Monsignor Wells served. What can I say about a man who was in his prime, who was a shepherd to a community, whether they belonged to his faith or not. I talked to some of the congregants who made statements, such as, ``He was only the pastor at Mother Seton for about a year and a half, but he touched so many people in the 2,000-member congregation, just as he touched those in other parishes that he served.'' He had served in 5 parishes within the last 3 decades in the State of Maryland. The churches where he served over the past 30 years had been filled in recent years with people who loved the priest for whom they now pray. They are overwhelmed by grief. He encouraged a lot of the young people. He inspired all who knew him. He was warm, friendly. He had a tremendous sense of humor. He always gave very exciting sermons, motivating people to be the best and to do the most for others. One can see that the light of God was within him. He was a very holy man, not just by his position in the church as monsignor, but by the way he helped people.”