I was born in Windsor, as one of 6 children, to parents who were faithful Catholics. As such, we were brought to church every Sunday as a family, and that was important to my faith development. The Catholic school system was also instrumental. In particular, the Basilian Fathers who ran Assumption High School that I attended. I am a late vocation, as for 20 years the practice of law was my vocation. However, God is always full of surprises, and through prayerful discernment, he led me to enroll at St. Peter’s Seminary and I was ordained in 2004. After spending 2 years as Associate Pastor at Most Precious Blood in Windsor, and 2 more years at St. John the Baptist in Amherstburg as Associate Pastor, I served another 10 years as Pastor before moving to the South Zone Cluster of Our Lady of Mercy, St. Benedict and St. Joseph in 2019.
Fr. Michael Opeyemi Woods by name, I was born and bred in the ancient city of Ibadan, Nigeria, in the West of Africa. The first of 6 children (2 boys and 4 girls) to the devout Catholic family of Patrick and Margaret Woods. The lively parish community, Catholic education and family faith life nurtured the desire for service to others in me and the resultant aspiration to the priesthood — a decision I consider the best decision of my life.

My journey started in Windsor; Ontario and have been working with the bank for 21 years and I was transferred 15 times to different cities across Canada.
Since being ordained by Bishop Fabbro in 2004, I have been in Belle River, Wallaceburg, Gander, Newfoundland and for the next 12 years, I was in Wingham, Brussels and Listowel, which I thoroughly enjoyed.
In 2020, I suffered a debilitating stroke. During my recovery, I was assisted by Father Christopher Gillespie in Wallaceburg and then when Father Chris was transferred to Tecumseh, I went with him.
I personally like to birdwatch and so Gayle, our parish housekeeper, is excited!
Father Brian Jane asked me in October 2025 to assist him, and I moved into Our Lady of Mercy rectory.
I enjoy my new apartment, and I look forward to working with the Sarnia Bluewater Roman Catholic Family of Parishes and with its wonderful staff.