Let the photos speak for themselves (the first is Fr. Tom's, and the last two are courtesy of Lisa Falk. I had some photos of my own, but you all have seen them already.):
Despite his obviously mischievous personality, Fr. Tom is genuinely in love with both his faith and his call to the priesthood. His ordination seven years ago led him to assignments at various parishes throughout the South Jersey area before being named Director of Vocations for the Diocese of Camden, and chaplain for Rowan University in February of this year. Since then, he has developed a personal responsibility to young adults in the diocese as he assists them in discovering God's will for their lives, whatever it may be. As university chaplain, Kiely serves to meet the spiritual needs of Rowan students through celebrating Mass five days a week at the Newman House, hearing confessions, spiritual direction, and acting as moderator for Catholic Campus Ministries. He is currently priest in-residence at St. Stephen's Catholic Church in Pennsauken.
I sat down with Fr. Tom this week to discuss his own spiritual journey, the finer points of the priesthood, and how working with young people has impacted his life. (Hit the play button on the left of each player to hear an audio clip.)
As one of five children, Kiely said that a strong belief in God and Catholicism was always encouraged and fostered in his family. This encouragement led him to feel called to the priesthood at a very young age, though discovering the vocation (or call by God) early in life is fairly uncommon. He entered the seminary in San Diego, CA immediately after high school, thrilled to be answering the call, but realized two years later that he wasn't ready to make the commitment.
He moved to the East Coast to be with his family as they started a business, taking on various odd jobs in security and sales. The call never let him go, however, and he returned to the seminary for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. For a second time, he felt disillusioned with what he found there, particularly the absence of joy and love of priesthood. Feeling discouraged, he left again, returning to the family business where he was glad to help out. "I really think that God's time isn't our time. Nothing ever needs to be rushed or on a timeline," he said.
This led to an eventual invitation to explore the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, a religious order of ordained men bound together by a particular spirituality. Kiely explained that while he loved the community, it was not what God was calling him to. Each order has a particular "charism" or element that they are focused on, like teaching for the Dominicans, youth ministry for the Salesians, or poverty in Franciscan orders. "You really have to feel drawn to [a community], but you also have to fit into it," he explained. More searching led to a few years spent with the Carmelites, then the Franciscans, but neither were good fits. Kiely remained optimistic throughout the trial and error process. "That's the whole point: it's not my call; it's God's call. I'm just saying yes to it . . . that's where we find our freedom."
The Kielys would eventually relocate to Myrtle Beach as the family business expanded, with Tom going along to work as a banqueter and bartender. He also took the time to travel around the country and through Europe, but knew he was only putting off the inevitable: his ordination. Finally, at the age of 37, 19 years after his first time as a seminarian in San Diego, he prostrated himself at the altar and became a diocesan priest for the Camden diocese, certain that he had made the right choice.
He admits, however, that it took some time getting used to. "People treat you differently, especially older people who are calling you Father, and you feel like you should be calling them Father out of respect," he recalled, laughing. "They're not doing it because of me, Tom Kiely," he said about the reverence people have shown him, "they're doing it because of what I have been called to be--a priest of God. And that beauty and reverence people show the priesthood is just unbelievable."
Now, as Director of Vocations, he acts as an advocate for young men and women with all kinds of backgrounds as they discern if they, too, have a vocation to be a priest or religious sister. He also assists those interested in becoming deacons, couples hoping to marry, and even those wanting to live celibately as singles consecrated to God "in the world." At Rowan, it's not uncommon to find him having lunch with students as they talk about exams, job interviews, and potential love interests. (I have to admit to being one of those people.) Wednesday evenings are CCM nights, and Kiely stays all day to help with dinner, offer Confessions or Adoration of the Eucharist, or just sit around and play cards.
It may sound like fun and games, but in reality, every aspect of his position is meant to bring others to accept the love of God into their lives.
Sharing his own experiences is perhaps what makes Fr. Tom so easy to talk to. Unlike other men who may become priests right after high school or college, he has lived in the world and struggled with every issue and decision that young adults go through today. He offers a final word of advice to Catholic young people:
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