Six priests, five years: Father Thomas Jones
Father Thomas Jones elevates the Body of Christ during his first Mass, celebrated May 23, 2021, at St. Philip the Apostle Church in Flower Mound. (NTC/Ben Torres)
On May 22, 2021, six men were ordained priests for the Diocese of Fort Worth. Five years later, Father Thomas Jones shares his memories and experiences.
IN FIVE YEARS: Currently, I’m the pastor of Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Abbott and Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Penelope, and I previously served as parochial vicar of St. Jude Parish in Mansfield.
HUMAN NATURE: I'm an introvert and I worked on computers in the military – which doesn't lend itself to building relationships, at least not easily, or without misinterpretation. However, pastoral work is all about building relationships, with a lot of people, and this is what Christ has called me to. Building relationships and communicating well is not just necessary for my vocation, it is critical for living life and being an adult human being. We have endless methods of communicating and yet so many still feel so isolated. The most important thing God did was communicate Himself to us in Jesus Christ, who is the Word of God. If that wasn't enough, what did He say with His life but, 'I don't want to take from you, I want to give to you eternal salvation.' He continues to give us his sacrificial love in the Eucharist, the animating force of our faith, and the promise of our hope. He just wants to love us, but we have to respond to that love, to communicate.
CLOSE TO GOD: Some of my most profound moments of discernment have been in the presence of the Eucharist. It's something that I've experienced throughout formation. I've had different glimpses of God's power and significance while sitting in front of the tabernacle and praying. I'd imagine what heaven might be like. To close my eyes for the last time, then to open them going into the Mass of all eternity, to be able to see everybody again, which brings tears to my eyes even now. As on earth I shared His presence in the Eucharist, there to be able to present Christ to each person face to face.
NOT ME: It's not about me. I am not the source of salvation for anyone. I am pointing the way to Christ and His saving power. It is up to each person to accept His grace and cooperate with it. I'm grateful to be the conduit, to make the introduction, but He's the one that freely offers salvation. The same salvation that I need too. I didn't create myself, I can't save myself, and I need a savior. He knows I'm not perfect; but He still loves me for some reason, probably has more to do with His goodness than my worthiness.
SPIRITUAL FATHER: I will never again live in a home, only a rectory. I will never share my bed, nor will I ever have a biological son or daughter. Despite all that, I am still called father and I cooperate in God's creativity. Many fathers cooperate with God's creative work in a biological way, to bring about temporal life. I cooperate in a spiritual way, to bring about eternal life. Although in this life I have been blessed with many spiritual sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, some of whom even still talk to me. I thank God for all of them, every day.
FINDING GOD'S PRESENCE: I experience God most closely in the Eucharist. It is the sacrament of His Sacred Heart upon the cross. I know He is also there for us when we are suffering, whether in mind or in body, in the confessional or in the hospital. I feel most like a priest when I am able to help someone in a dark place, to give that person peace or perspective, to see that spark of hope, or the weight of sin lifted in the confessional. Although it wounds me deeply when people need help but won't reach out. I was created to serve so it's like being uncreated when I can't serve. A pain beyond words. I suspect that pain would go away if I stopped loving, but so would the reason I exist.
BROTHERHOOD AND FATHERHOOD: The 6 of us didn't start at the same time, but we all finished at the same time. Then, with all the presbyterate, even guys from different religious orders, God put us here for the same reason. There is something similar to the camaraderie of the military. We have an unspoken bond with every other priest, throughout the world and all history. Our mission is to shepherd souls to heaven.
FUTURE GOAL: Heaven.
Perspectives from all six priests ordained on May 22, 2021: