Bishop Holds Mass at SUA, Has Meeting with Upperclassmen

By Ava Pitzen ‘24

Every two years Bishop Daniel Thomas comes to SUA for a mass, and to have a meeting with the upperclassmen. This year the mass and meeting took place on March 1. 

During this year’s mass the Knights of Columbus accompanied Bishop Thomas and the junior and senior classes had a meeting with Bishop Thomas afterwards. In the week leading up to this meeting, each class had the opportunity to brainstorm and write down questions that they had for the Bishop. 

Class of 2024 with Bishop Daniel Thomas. Photo courtesy of SUA

Starting off this meeting, Bishop Thomas introduced himself and vocalized how grateful he was to be there with the students. One of the first questions that was asked was what he liked most about being Bishop. The Bishop responded with, “One of the great gifts a Bishop has is to have a conversation with our young people.”

Bishop Thomas talked about his calling to be a clergyman. When he was seven years old he “heard the Lord’s voice” in his head and soul. The people who were most influential in pushing him to pursue this calling were his mom and dad as well as a college professor who took him under his wing. 

A question that everyone seemed to have was how the responsibilities of a Bishop differed from that of a priest. Bishop Thomas described it as “Broader shepardy,” since he oversees all the parishes in the diocese instead of just one. 

One of the bigger topics that was discussed was what the difficult parts of being a Bishop is. Bishop Thomas talked about having to guide people in the right direction, dealing with sin, reacting and responding to questions, and meeting with victims who experienced sexual abuse as a minor.

When talking about the most profound moment he had as bishop, he spoke about a meeting he had with the terminally ill child. 

“To kneel at the bedside of a dying boy of cancer, who was 12 years old, and prayed on the floor with his family. While praying with the rosary, I have never felt the Holy Spirit like I did that day,” Bishop Thomas said 

Bishop Thomas went on to explain how to develop a relationship with God and made it clear that honesty, time together, being totally giving and silence were the best ways of letting God into your life.