About Us » Rector
Very Rev. Tony Vilano
As a member of an Air Force Family, Fr. Tony lived in many places around the world, but calls San Antonio home. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from UTSA, a Masters of Divinity from Oblate School of Theology and is currently working toward his Licentiate in Canon Law from Catholic University of America in Washington, DC.
He was ordained on May 17th, 1996 and began his priestly ministry at Notre Dame in Kerrville. He also served as pastor at St. Rose of Lima in Charlotte and Tilden, St. Mary's in Fredericksburg, St. Francis Xavier in Stonewall and St. Ann's in La Vernia.
While serving as pastor of St. Mary's he helped give new life and a bright future to their Catholic school, increasing student enrollment four consecutive years and conducting a successful $4.5 million capital campaign to build a state-of-the-art gymnasium and community center.
Fr. Vilano was appointed to San Fernando in June 2008. Archbishop Gomez stated "his ability to bring people together, developing in them a sense of unity and purpose, will be invaluable as he works with the people of San Fernando, while recognizing their authentic love for God and Church. These great gifts, I believe, will serve him well as he begins his new ministry as Rector." In addition to his duties as Rector, Fr. Tony is Vicar for Clergy and Consecrated Life with the Archdiocese in San Antonio.
As Fr. Tony reflects on his various ministries, he said "The assignments I have served have helped me in my formation as a Priest in the Archdiocese. I learned the importance of investing my time to formulate a homily for weekday and weekend Masses that help the people I serve to understand the Word of God more clearly and apply it to their lives. Working for the Office for Clergy and Consecrated Life has taught me the hard work that our clergy do in the Archdiocese of San Antonio. They continually give unselfishly to the people and the church they are serving. They are my heroes."
