FR. TOM UPDATE: January 6

Jesson Mata, Director of Liturgy and Music at Blessed Sacrament, emailed the following update earlier this evening. Please take a moment to read it. We at Blessed Sacrament, especially the Young Adults, have been so blessed to know Fr. Tom and to be recipients of his priestly ministry. Please keep our dear Fr. Tom in your prayers, both in thanksgiving for the gift that he as been to us all, and for his comfort and peace as he nears the end of his earthly journey and prepares for a glorious reunion on high.

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Greetings family and friends of Fr. Tom:

Fr. Tom is back at Blessed Sacrament Priory in Seattle after almost a week respite with his family and the Poor Clare Sisters in Spokane, WA. He spent time with his brother Steve and his family, as well as his brother Mike. Just a stone's throw away from the monastery, he and his brothers grew up with the Poor Clare Sisters and served Mass for them religiously. That very intimate relationship with faithful and devoted sisters of the Franciscan family predisposed Fr. Tom for his ultimate vocation as a Dominican priest. Even though he is a Dominican (and a good one at that) I am certain that the sisters truly consider him a Franciscan in a Dominican habit.

The return to Spokane was a "homecoming" of sorts. Fr. Tom even noted, on many occasions, that he would not be surprised if Spokane would be his final resting place. This was not the case. We now happily greet him back to Seattle. He was very glad, however, to be among the sisters again and to be so close to his childhood home. I was in Spokane where I had the unique opportunity to walk into the Kraft family house, which was covered in at least five feet of snow, accompanied by Steve and Mike, to greet his father Eugene. Upon entering the house, Fr. Tom immediately touched his father on his shoulder and imparted a priestly blessing upon him, calling to mind his gratitude for the many prayers his father uttered for him. You could tell that there were many memories in that home. Fr. Tom left with a peaceful and joyful heart.

On the flight back home to Seattle, Fr. Tom said in a low voice, "This is it. I am ready."

He is now comfortably resting in Seattle, among his Dominican brothers. As I compose this email, he and Fr. Daniel are celebrating Mass in his room. "Ok, I'll receive Communion from you," he said to Fr. Daniel. "No, you will say Mass with me. I'll put a stole on you and you will say Mass. Like the priest Melchizedek, you will be a priest forever," said Fr. Daniel. Nothing could have been more comforting for Fr. Tom than to hear that he is a priest. He is, indeed, a priest.

Many of you have asked how long he has left with us. While there is no formula that dictates the time he has left, it is evident that Fr. Tom's body is beginning to slow down. He is now taking morphine to manage his pain, he is consistently fatigued, and he eats only for comfort. His spirit is strong and his mind completely lucid, but his body can no longer endure the cancer. We await the time when he will be able to fully rest.

"Only in God," says Fr. Tom, "will I find rest."

Please continue to pray for Fr. Tom, his family, his Dominican brothers and sisters, as well as all those who love him dearly.

Always yours,

Jesson

Fr. Tom at his birthday party - December 21st, 2008
(Photo Credit: Casey Karbowski)