Celebrating 50 Years of Faithful Service: Fr. Jim Blocher, CSB

  Fr. Paul English, CSB (left) Fr. Blocher CSB (center) and Fr. Morgan Rice, CSB (right).

Fr. Paul English, CSB, and Fr. Morgan Rice, CSB, recently made a special visit to St. Louis, Missouri, to honor a remarkable milestone in the life of their fellow Basilian, Fr. Jim Blocher, CSB.

The occasion? The celebration of Fr. Blocher’s 50th anniversary of Ordination to the priesthood—a truly incredible achievement and a testament to a life dedicated in service to the Church, the Basilian community, and countless others.

Over five decades, Fr. Blocher has served with humility and dedication across a wide range of Basilian missions and parishes, always responding to the needs of the people with compassion and quiet strength.

Fr. Blocher entered the Basilian novitiate in 1964, continuing his formation at the House of Studies. In 1974, he completed an MA in Spanish at the University of Texas, studying during the summers while based at St. Basil’s College. His early ministry took him to Mexico, where he served as a deacon in Tehuacan and Mexico City.

Returning to the U.S., he served at the University of St. Thomas and as an assistant at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. He went on to serve at St. Theresa’s Church and with the Basilian Fathers of Angleton, then returned to St. Theresa’s for a second time before pursuing theological studies at the University of St. Thomas School of Theology.

Fr. Blocher’s pastoral and healing gifts became evident in his role as a counselor at the Fort Bend Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse. He also served in Spanish ministry at Sacred Heart Church before returning to parish leadership with the Basilian Fathers of Angleton, then as rector and pastor of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church.

From 2000 to 2005, he served as pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Rosenberg, and from 2005 to 2009, ministered at St. Mary Star of the Sea Parish in Freeport with the Basilian Fathers of Brazoria County. He returned once more to St. Thomas High School from 2009 to 2011, and then resided at Dillon House until 2019.

Throughout every stage of his ministry—whether teaching, counseling, or pastoring—Fr. Blocher has lived out the Basilian ideals of goodness, discipline, and knowledge, leaving a quiet but lasting impact on every community he served. His journey reflects the heart of a true shepherd—faithful, compassionate, and always close to the people.

We congratulate Fr. James Blocher, CSB, on his golden jubilee and thank him for fifty years of loving, faithful service to the Church.