As a child in Oriskany Falls, N.Y., Br. Thomas McNamara developed a love for agriculture and ecology. It is no wonder that he answered a call to follow in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of ecology and the environment. 

On Aug. 16, Brother Tom marked 25 years of Capuchin life. He celebrated this milestone with friars, friends, and family on Aug. 22, at a special Mass at the Church of St. Mary, a part of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in New York City, where he has served as pastor to an immigrant community since 2017.

Brother Tom took some time with The Capuchin Journey to reflect on his silver jubilee as a Capuchin friar.

How did you discover your call to religious life?

As a child, people were always telling me, “I think you’d make a great priest.” At first I would say no, but I knew the Lord was calling me.

I always loved gardening. So, after studying agriculture, I worked in landscape construction and then taught high school classes in agriculture in the little town of Oxford, N.Y. I enjoyed this but still felt the Lord guiding me to something else, until one night I felt Him calling me like a voice from within. 

So I prayed and then applied to the Diocese of Syracuse to become a priest. They gently turned me down: “Tom, we don’t feel your call is with us,” they said.

I was disappointed, but I still heard the Lord’s call. Then a friend said, “You remind me of this group of friars who work in our parish.” She connected me with Br. Jack Rathschmidt, who gave me the number of the Capuchin vocation director. I called, visited the friary, and here I am!

It was like coming home. 

So, the initial rejection ultimately led you to your Capuchin vocation.  

As difficult as it was, the diocese helped me to understand what I was looking for. I didn’t recognize it before, but I was not looking for a job, I was looking for a relationship—something I couldn’t have named before.

I wanted a relationship with Jesus Christ: Jesus Christ in community, in fraternity.

Did you take to the Capuchins right away?

It felt a bit awkward at first, because I’m from the country, and I never lived near a big city like New York. But it was the Capuchin Franciscan charism, which feels more people-oriented, that drew me in. And of course, St. Francis’ focus on the earth, ecology, agriculture and care for creation was something that always interested me. 

I also love including others in what we’re doing here. St. Francis was that way. He was like a Pied Piper, getting people involved. Jesus was, too. He got people to see that God is not distant. He is actually quite close. And if you’re quiet enough, you might hear His voice speaking from deep within. That’s what it’s about.

So the Capuchins were sort of a natural fit for me.

Tell us about your ministry to Hispanic and immigrant populations.

When I joined the friars, people were amazed that I was working on the streets with immigrants. My first assignment as a Capuchin was working with Spanish-speaking communities out on Long Island in East Patchogue, N.Y. I went on to several other assignments before taking the opportunity to do mission work for two years in Honduras.

It’s exciting to experience the Church of what we call the Third World and how it is being integrated into our celebrations here in the Northeast. People almost shout out the responses at Mass and actually join in the singing.

I think we can often get caught up in our heads, but faith starts in the heart for them. They start from belief, and then they go to the head. It’s a beautiful piece of our Church and provides the yin for our yang, you know?

What inspires you in your vocation as a Capuchin?

I’m actually surprised that there aren’t more people choosing this life! I am inspired by people’s faith. It’s exciting to pray with people in their homes or in the hospital and see the power of the sacraments come alive. They really enrich my life.

I also get to live in this great parish community. I don’t have my own children, but I have all these people I serve that love me, and I love them. It’s amazing, especially now that I’m in my tenth year as pastor at Our Lady of Sorrows. I can’t walk down the street without hugging or high-fiving half a dozen people!

It was great to have this parish community at the recent celebration of my jubilee so they can better understand my life as a Capuchin. 

How does being a priest and pastor align with your vocation as a friar?

The roles can support each other but can also be in conflict. I’m a pastor of a church with responsibilities in this neighborhood. When you work in the parish, especially as pastor, you have a unique responsibility to the parish and parish activities. There are times that this can conflict with the charism of fraternity. For instance, the friars in White Plains may be having a picnic on the Fourth of July, but we always have a parish picnic here on that day. It’s something that each friar needs to discern for himself. Particularly as pastor, I’m somewhat torn at times. 

Contemplative time can also be a struggle. The good thing about the friars is we have quiet times baked into our days, to which I try to add at least 15 minutes to half an hour of silence and a little bit of reading on my own. It’s a challenge but necessary, because if I don’t replenish myself, I have nothing to offer.

On the other hand, the Franciscan charism enriches my priesthood and vice versa. The fraternal life is a bit like a marriage. Both vocations require mutual respect, sacrifice, and understanding. 

How would you summarize your feelings about your life as a Capuchin?

The one word that comes to mind when I think on the last 25 years is gratitude.

Br. Jack Rathschmidt spoke at my jubilee Mass and said how we are called to always be attentive and amazed at the beauty around us and in response have a grateful heart. Be amazed at what we have and how others who are less fortunate carry their burdens so faithfully; and, in response, serve out of gratitude.

St. Augustine said, “Late have I loved you. You were with me, but I wasn’t with you.” I didn’t recognize that. I didn’t know at certain times that God was with me, but He always is. So, I feel tremendous gratitude to God for always being with me.

And in response, I feel a desire to serve. How can I serve you now, Lord? What is it you would have me do?