Why I became a Paulist;

An Interview with Tom Tavella, C.S.P.

Father Tom Tavella, the first of six boys, knew at an early age that he wanted to become a priest.  After graduating from college at the Diocesan Seminary College on Long Island he decided to get out into the world and took a job as a bill collector for a New York City clothier.  During this time Tom had not forgotten the calling he had felt from his childhood.  He read advertisements for the Paulist Order and learned of their emphasis on preaching.  Tom always enjoyed speaking and decided to join.                   

He attended the Paulist seminary at St. Paul University.  The seminary moved to Catholic University in Maryland where Mark David Janus was studying.  The two became friends.  Tom was completing his masters degree in Scripture Studies when the Paulist director at the time was looking to fill ministry slots. 

Tom’s first assignment was in Toronto as a Missionary.  He was then called to serve as a campus minister at the University of West Virginia Neuman Center.  It was there that Tom used radio broadcasts to send out the Paulist message.  Immaculate Conception in Knoxville Tennessee was his next post where he served as Associate and then Pastor.  He enjoyed preaching and teaching as a parish priest.  After three years as Pastor he was ready for a change of pace and returned home to the Father house in New York and to his first love, missionary work.   

The mission work involved conducting parish retreats.  The retreats were tailored to meet the needs of the people using the Paulist message of evangelization, reconciliation and ecumenism.  Fr. Tom loved his work and did not consider moving until he received a call from Fr. Mark-David asking him to come to Grand Rapids to serve at the Catholic Information Center.  Fr. Tom weighed the options.  Fr. Mark-David, Fr. John Kenny, and other Paulists spoke highly of the Grand Rapids community.  Fr. Tom had enjoyed working with Fr. John in West Virginia.  Fr. Mark-David was a long-time friend.  The CIC loved good preaching and teaching.  Fr. Mark even mentioned the availability of high-speed internet at the CIC.  With the ducks all lined up, he couldn’t refuse and decided to jump at the opportunity.   

Fr. Tom will provide education services over the Internet and monitoring the content of information on the website here at the center.  He will add his 23 years  experience in teaching and preaching to the talented team at the center.  He is a storyteller and looks forward to sharing as a Bard on occasion.  He also has a love for cooking which will definitely be appreciated by his housemates.  He obviously has a sense of humor as well.  Because Fr. Tom’s office is located in the CIC basement and living quarters are on the second floor he quips that in “Six months I’ll either be back in shape or dead.”

Lets all welcome Tom.  We are fortunate to have his talents, humor, and interests join us at the CIC. 

“I felt called from an early age.”

Fr. Tom's Ordination