February 7, 2018
Father Thomas F. Scaletty
Father Thomas F. Scaletty, 82, a priest of the Diocese of Wichita for 54 years, died February 7, 2018. He was a resident of Humboldt, in Southeast Kansas, where he had lived since his retirement in 2007. A rosary vigil was prayed Sunday, Feb. 11, and a Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Monday, Feb. 12, at St. Patrick Church in Parsons. Bishop Carl A. Kemme was the principal celebrant. Father was buried in Calvary Cemetery in Parsons. Father Scaletty was born on Jan. 27, 1936, in Parsons. He attended St. Mary’s Catholic Elementary School and graduated from Parsons High School. He then graduated from Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, where he attended on a golf and basketball scholarship. He then enrolled at Conception Seminary College in Conception, Missouri. He was ordained on May 25, 1963, in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Wichita. Father Scaletty, known as a “priest’s priest,” served in a wide variety of appointments in his active service for the diocese. He was parochial vicar at St. Teresa Parish in Hutchinson, where he also taught at the high school; and served St. Patrick Parish in Chanute; and Holy Savior Parish, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Christ the King Parish, and All Saints Parish, all in Wichita. He worked in the Chancery as director of the Office of Missions, later as assistant chancellor, and then as moderator of the Respect Life Office. He was an instrumental leader in the pro-life movement. During the 1991 Summer of Mercy pro-life protest in Wichita, Fr. Scaletty was arrested, along with several other priests and many laity, outside of an abortion clinic. He taught at Kapaun Mt. Carmel Catholic High School and served as pastor of Church of the Resurrection Parish in Wichita; St. Jude Parish in Wichita; St. Patrick Parish in Chanute; and St. Joseph Parish in Humboldt. He also served as administrator of St. Francis Parish in St. Paul and St. Ambrose Parish in Erie. Father Scaletty, often accompanied by his beloved pet Boxer dogs, was a superior golf player and won many tournaments.