THE GLOBE
PO BOX 5079 (51102)
1825 JACKSON ST.
SIOUX CITY, IA (51105)
712.255.2550
800.352.9035
WWW.CATHOLICGLOBE.ORG

Year for Priests: Reflecting on vocation, ministry

Name: Father John M. Thomas

Birth Date: Sept. 4, 1938

Hometown: Rock Rapids, Iowa

Education: Rock Rapids High School; Jordan Seminary, Menominee, Mich.; Holy Cross Seminary, La Crosse, Wis.; St. Bernard Seminary, Dubuque

Ordination date: June 4, 1966

Current Assignment: Retired

Hobbies/interests: Woodworking, gardening, golf and traveling

Describe your call to priesthood: I remember from early childhood having the priesthood in the back of my mind. I began to think of it seriously my last year of high school. I visited Father Leo Berger who was very helpful and a real inspiration to me. So I entered the seminary and have never looked back.

Did anyone or anything provide you with inspiration to follow the call to priesthood? My parents were the primary inspiration. Growing up in Rock Rapids, only six of my 48 classmates were Catholic. We did not have a Catholic school, not even a religious education program. My parents took very seriously their responsibility to raise us in the faith. They taught me the catechism, but more importantly, they gave me wonderful examples of living their faith.

Was it a difficult decision to make? It really was not a difficult decision. I felt that God was calling me, and I wanted to answer that call.

What do you enjoy most about being a priest? Occasionally I get the impression that some people think the life of a priest is lonely and difficult. I have experienced great joy as a priest from the support and encouragement of parishioners and also from the satisfaction and fulfillment administering the sacraments and seeing the wonderful gift of faith alive in the people.

Are there any particular devotions or prayers that are dear to your heart? The greatest source of spiritual nourishment for me is the Mass and praying the Divine Office.

Why do you find the priesthood to be a worthy vocation? A seminary rector asked me why I wanted to be a priest and my answer was, “I love God and I love people.” My life as a priest has given me a great deal of happiness and is a very rewarding and fulfilling life.

What would you say to a young man considering a vocation to the priesthood? I’d say to a young man: “I sometimes think that the best kept secret of the priesthood is that it is truly a wonderful life. It does involve sacrifice and hard work, but so do marriage and parenthood or the single life, and so do other professions, be it medicine, law, farming or getting up and going to work at a job every day.” I would encourage anyone considering a vocation to the priesthood to give it a try.