For men in vocational transition, please know that much may have changed since this story was written including grade, title, ordination, position, and parish placement. Enjoy our wealth of archived information, however!

Meet New Seminarian Tom Gardner

Tom is a parishioner at St. Catherine of Siena Parish

Tom grew up in Bexley, Ohio in what he calls a close-knit neighborhood as the second oldest of five children. He attended Bexley public schools and developed a desire to teach after he had an inspirational teacher in 5th grade.  

Considering the Priesthood

In eighth grade, Tom remembers a teacher asking him if he ever considered the priesthood. “I had a little inkling of it then,” said Tom.

Active in Theater and Music

In high school, Tom was active in theater and performed in productions such as Les Misérables and Joseph and the Technicolor Dream coat. He was the graphics editor and techie responsible for the school newspaper. He sang in the choir and was a member of a vocal ensemble. “I loved theater. I used to be shy, but through theater in high school, I really opened up,” said Tom.

Active in Boy Scouts

Tom was active in Scouting and earned several Catholic medals along with his Eagle Scout project his senior year by selling donuts to raise enough money to buy a computer for a youth center in downtown Columbus. He then did a 3-day workshop to teach the staff and kids how to use it.

A Jesus Jam Fan

Tom began attending Jesus Jams near their beginning and continues to attend them to this day. “I have always enjoyed Jesus Jams. It has really helped with my discernment. The first time I adored the Blessed Sacrament was at a Jesus Jam.”

Seminary after High School: A Passing Thought

Tom thought about seminary after high school, but for him it was “a passing thought. It wasn’t the right time.”

Graduated from The Ohio State University

Tom attended and graduated from The Ohio State University this past spring. He is 23 years old. While at OSU, Tom lived in a St. Paul’s Outreach household where the men prayed together daily and lived a Catholic lifestyle. He majored in Technology Education—which included learning about woodworking, webpage design, robotics, and electronics. He did his student teaching in the Columbus area in all those disciplines.

Active in St. Paul’s Outreach

“I think being involved in SPO led me to dive deeper in my prayer life and I realized the calling to seminary as I grew in my faith. So I met with Fr. Jeff about seminary,” said Tom.

The Pontifical College Josephinum

Tom started at the Pontifical College Josephinum in August, 2009 and his family is very excited and supportive. When he moved in, one of the first things he did was build a loft in his room. “The new Rector actually encouraged it. After many trips to Lowes, and a lot of wood, I have a nice loft where I can sit and study Philosophy and read for enjoyment. I have a mini fridge and my OSU chair up there too. Sometimes I just listen to the ocean sound effects from my alarm clock and imagine I’m on the beach,” said Tom.

Praying the Liturgy of the Hours

Tom was used to structured prayer in the SPO house, which included the morning prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours. He did this all through his four years with SPO before entering seminary. “The seminary does a good job of transferring you into the structure of prayer that they have. I had a lot of structure before with prayer and classes, so it has been an especially easy transition for me in that area,” said Tom.

Daily Mass and Prayer

In seminary, the men attend Mass daily and pray together throughout the day, attend classes, and study. “It is an atmosphere formed by prayer and fellowship. I love the sense of community amongst everyone. We are one big family!”

Seminarian Interests

In his free time, Tom enjoys making videos for the diocese, working on computers and reading. He also enjoys running and has done a couple half marathons in Columbus – one where he and his three younger siblings all trained and ran together.

Seminary: A Radical Call

His advice to other discerners is this, “Don’t be afraid to make a radical choice for the Church. Seminary is not a stuffy place where nobody has fun, it is a vibrant faith community where you can learn, discern, and have a lot of fun doing it!” said Tom. “If you think you might be called to the priesthood, the seminary is a great place to discern. You are not automatically stamped a priest if you go to seminary. Seminary is not the end of discernment; it is a place to continue discerning.”

So you Think You are Called to be a Priest …

“Seminary life is a joy! It is a great atmosphere where you will make good friends that you will have the rest of your life even if you leave seminary. If you think you are called, your choice to enter seminary will give people great hope! Be that witness of hope!”