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The Heroic
and the ordinary
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Dear Friends in Christ,
Monday night, Chris Vander Woude gave a great talk about his father’s ordinary life and heroic death. His talked was entitled No Greater Love, drawing from our Lord’s words at the Last Supper:“Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (Jn 15:13).
Tom’s death was heroic. When his youngest, downs syndrome, son fell into the septic tank on the family farm, Tom jumped into the pit of sewage to save him. He was able to keep his son safe until help arrived, but he himself fell under and died.
Tom’s selfless act was Christlike. His jumping into a septic tank to save his son is a good image of God’s descending into this fallen world to save His creatures and make them His children.
Another Gospel quote captures the importance of Tom’s ordinary life: “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much” (Lk 16:10). After a career as a Navy pilot and in commercial aviation, he led a quiet life as a husband, father of seven, coach, director of altar boys, and farmer. His devotions were simple: daily Rosary, Eucharistic adoration, Sunday Mass without fail.
Heroism only comes from years of living ordinary devotion in one’s life. Repeated, small acts of virtue and love train a person in self-giving and sacrifice so that, should the moment come for the ultimate sacrifice, the heart is ready.
Tom’s heroic death only makes sense in light of his ordinary life. May we strive for and never tire of that everyday holiness that alone makes us capable of sacrifice and, when necessary, heroism.
You can watch the talk here and learn more about Tom here.
Updates…
Our Food Donation program is in need of nonperishable food. They need 1-2 lb bags of rice and bags of beans; pasta, cans of meat, canned fruit, peanut butter and jelly. Please place them in the baskets in the vestibules of the church. For more information and to volunteer, go here.
Boots and Bling is the theme for this year’s Saint James School Gala & Auction – Saturday, May 2nd at Washington Golf & Country Club. You can support the school in one of two ways (or both!) by donating via the Gala website at or by bidding on silent auction items from the comfort of your own home. Silent auction items are available to view now with bidding open this weekend on Sunday, April 26th, through Saturday, May 2nd.
You don’t need to attend the Gala to participate in the silent auction.Email here with any questions. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.
Saint James Fraternity has been forming the men in the faith for over four years. They meet in the Parish House every Tuesday morning from 7-8am (between 6:30 and 8:15 Holy Mass). The goal of the Fraternity is to form the men in prayer, mortification and apostolate through talks, examination of conscious and personal accountability. We will be starting a fresh series of talks starting Tuesday April 28. Please spread the word.
Thank you for your generosity to our WorkCampers after Masses last weekend. If you missed the opportunity, here’s a link to help out.
Vacation Bible School-Online registration on our website opens April 24th for rising K-5 from 9am-Noon July 13-17, 2026. This year’s theme is “Rainforest Falls: Exploring the Nature of God.” Adult and teen volunteers (rising 6th-12th graders) will be needed. Volunteers from last year need to re-register this year. Go here for more details on VBS.
Could you not watch with me one hour? (Mt 26:40) First Friday All-Night Adoration on Friday May 1st begins at 7:30pm and ends Saturday, morning before the 8:30am Mass. Sign-up here to keep vigil with our Lord.
Deadly Humor
Someone tried to sell me a burial plot. Honestly, that’s the last thing I need.
Sincerely in Christ,
Fr. Scalia