Letter of Recommendation

I wrote this letter of recommendation for a student at St. Mary's High School. One of my friends thought I should post the letter on this blog. I hope you enjoy the letter. 

December 19, 2006


Mr. Dave Stapleton
Head Baseball Coach
Grand Canyon University
3300 W. Camelback Road
Phoenix, AZ 85017


Dear Mr. Stapleton,


I am writing this letter of recommendation for Gabriel Servin, a senior at St. Mary’s High School in Phoenix, Arizona. I have known Gabe since his freshman year at St. Mary’s, where I teach freshman and sophomore theology. There are so many good qualities and characteristics to say about this student, I hardly know where to begin.

I can honestly say that Gabe has developed from a young boy into a responsible, passionate, and genuine man. He has the strength and integrity that all people should strive for in their life on this earth. Although a reserved man, Gabe walks with the presence of a prince and is one of the most humble high school students I have ever encountered. In every endeavor he takes on, Gabe puts his whole heart and person into the project. For every project Gabe is involved in, he is the foundation and cornerstone. I have yet to see him do anything halfheartedly. From his work as President of the Senior Class, his responsibilities as an athlete on the football and baseball fields, to his work with the Columbian Squires, and his work in his youth group, Gabe is a natural born leader and truly is an adult among adolescents. He is responsible and his work ethic is unprecedented.

Not only is Gabe a hard worker, he is a genuine and sincere person. As I have watched him grow into the man he has become, I can say with my whole heart that God is present within him. He tirelessly places other before himself and does all that he can when asked to help others. In a year where he has been through some family difficulties, Gabe remains strong is his faith to God. He is a virtuous man with heroic qualities and the Kingdom of God will notice him and be grateful because he is among the saints in heaven.

I hope and pray that Grand Canyon University will allow this student to be an integral piece of your family for the next four years. If given admission to your university, Gabriel Servin will impress you as he has impressed me and every other teacher at St. Mary’s over the past four years.


Sincerely,



Thomas J. Perna

Freshman and Sophomore Theology Teacher
Moderator – Sophomore Class and Columbian Squires

First Week of Classes at Franciscan

I am currently sitting in the John Paul II Library. I have been in here for the past 3 1/2 hours reading. I should really be reading Dei Verbum for Sr. Johanna's class, but I have been playing on Facebook. I will be up late tonight reading that Vatican II document as well as 20 pages in another book about the history of Vatican II. This is life here at FUS when your studying theology at the graduate level.  

We just finished our first week of classes. Let me say - WHOA! My "WHOA" has a dualistic meaning to it. First, my classes just ROCK of orthodoxy. They are really amazing and my professors are just spectacular. Franciscan is such a holy and Catholic institution. The second meaning is that I have so much reading ahead of me that the Tommy Perna of old is now gone. I was once a fun guy in a previous life (2 weeks ago), but since I am now in this program, my attitude has switched to study, study, study. I am not complaining, but making an observation. The primary reason I am here at FUS is to attain my Masters in Theology. 

My classes are as followed: Teachings of Vatican II (Fr. Dan Patee, TOR), Principles of Biblical Study I - Old Testament (Dr. John Bergsma [this class is great because Dr. Bergsma is very funny]), Catechetics (Sr. M Johanna Paruch), and Scripture, the Heart of Catechesis (Bob Rice). 

Please pray for me this semester! All my family and friends back in Phoenix and around the globe are in my prayers.  Pax! 

Franciscan University of Steubenville

Wow! That is all I can say for my first week living in Steubenville. Classes begin on Tuesday (August 26th) and I find myself feeling like a Pavlovian Dog. All the new graduate students are chomping at the bit to begin classes as well. There is so much to write that I can't find the time to keep this blog current. I am excited for my four classes: Vatican II, Catechesis, Scripture - Heart of Catechesis, and PBS 1 (Old Testament). I have my books now and ready to go. Look for a new Blog on Tuesday or Wednesday explaining my first days of school.  

On a personal note, I am making lots of new friends here at Franciscan. There are so many new friends, I can barely remember all of their names. I can clearly say that this is where God wants me to be at this time in my life. College life and the whole campus environment is such a blast. On Friday, we had the Oath of Fidelity Mass here at Franciscan. This is where the new professors profess their fidelity to the teachings of the Catholic faith and promise not to teach against it. It was an amazing Mass with the Bishop of Steubenville, Most Rev. Daniel Conlon.  This Mass was only the tip of spiritual iceberg that I will experience here at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.   

New Beginnings & Remembering the Past

It was my intention to begin this blog last night, but after arriving late at my destination, I chose to put it off until today.  I am half through my trip to the Franciscan University of Steubenville. For the next two years, I will be studying Theology and Catechetics at one of the most CATHOLIC schools in the United States.  Honestly, I am so excited I can't sit still. Sleeping at night has been difficult because I want to arrive to Ohio as soon as I can.  Patience is not my thing, but I have to be patient. 

Personally, my heart is heavy because I am leaving behind my mom, dad, friends, and students at SM. My parents saw me off yesterday and it was an emotional time. The three of us went through this 11 years ago when I started at the University of San Francisco. My parents are the two most important people in my life. Their support for me over the 34 years of my existence is unspeakable. They support, support, and support. Although they are having a difficult time with my departure, they know (at least they say it), how important this second masters is for me.  I am also leaving at an important time in my sister's (Carla) life. Her boyfriend (Brandon) recently proposed to her and they are in the beginning stages for the marriage. I pray that all goes well as they begin their marriage preparation. 

My friends -- I will miss you as well. Thanks Phil & Amy for my going away party on Saturday night. The two of you have always been such good friends to me. Phil, we go back to USF and the bonfire parties at the beach when nobody wanted to go out that night. We always made a party happen. Pat (Patricio Juan Pedro) - thanks for always being such a great friend. Like Philly Boy, we go back many years.  Garibaldi - I was glad to see you come to Phoenix and working with you for the past 3 years. With Christina, bringing the zeal of JP II to SM was challenging and also rewarding.  Pate - we partied in Scottsdale before it was Scottsdale. You have always been a loyal friend. We have to thank Quinn for introducing us to one another years ago. (Bear Down!)

To all the students who have graduated or are currently at SM -- remember always that Our Lord and his Blessed Mother will always love you. Pray for me as I pray for you. The Morning Crew: Yeager, Butts, Paige, Jaime, Sydney, Christina, Abby, Ober, Sarah, and Rodia (RIP).  Graduates: Emilio - a young adult with a heart of service and obedience. I will pray for you and your time at CU. Ciani - another powerhouse, strong character and a natural born leader. Amy Povinelli - one of my first students at SM and the most faithful student in the Class of 2007. Continue to be strong in your Catholicism. 

On a personal note, I wish I would have paid more attention in my high school geography class. On this trek I am driving through places that I remember from geography, but can't remember all the details and the importance of the locations. Mrs. Pearl would not be pleased with me. 

;-) 

Nicole Rodia

This was an email I sent out to many of my friends yesterday through email. It’s about a student of mine...pray for her soul and for her family. Thank you.

Hello everyone,

It has been quite a long time since I have sent out a blast email, but St. Mary’s High School needs your prayers at this time. Nicole Rodia, a junior here at SMHS, was killed in a car accident on Sunday evening. I received the call and was at the hospital within minutes. Nicole and her friend Meghan (out of the hospital) were driving home from Mass (she had just received Holy Eucharist!) at St. Theresa’s when the accident occurred. Nicole was pronounced dead at the scene.

This has hit me very hard personally. I had Nicole in my Theology class last year. She began hanging out in my classroom last year with her friends. When this year began, Nicole and about 10 other students were ALWAYS in my classroom before school and during break. She was often sitting in my desk chair or right next to me in another chair near my desk. There were mornings when I would arrive a few minutes tardy to school; there was Nicole waiting for me at my door.

I find myself in tears as I write you this email. I loved this kid! She was a fantastic all around student. Gifted academically and athletically as well as had a strong Catholic faith. I had many conversations with her regarding the Church in class and outside of the classroom. I remember encouraging her to go on the March for Life with us in Washington D. C. She was a true example everyday of a holy and virtous child of God. One of her friends said to me, we all make the wrongchoices, but Nicole always made the right choice.

Tomorrow night is the prayer service and rosary and Friday will be the Funeral Mass at St. Theresa’s at 10am (Arizona time). Please say a prayer for Nicole and the entire Rodia family as well as for Meghan Lawrence and her family. 

Note to the Readers: On the inside of my sun visor in my 4 Runner, I have Nicole's Funeral Mass Prayer Card. 

"A Confession"

This is a poem written by a Polish poet whose name is Czeslaw Milosz (1911-2004). I first read this poem Spring semester of 1997 in my Senior Seminar in the St. Ignatius Institute at the University of San Francisco. This poem had such an impact on me that it inspired me to write my senior thesis around it. The title of my thesis was -- The Flawed and Aware Prophetic Witness: A Condition of Human Existence. Along with another student, I won the Senior Thesis award that year in the St. Ignatius Institute. 

I remember Dr. Erasmo Leiva gave us this poem the week before at the end of class and at the next class he asked who would like to read it. My hand went up like it was shot out of cannon. Dr. Leiva said to me, "Tom, how did I know that you would be the one that would like this poem?" I guess he knew me pretty darn well. I hope you enjoy.

"A Confession" (1985)

My Lord, I loved strawberry jam

And the dark sweetness of a woman's body.

Also well-chilled vodka, herring in olive oil,

Scents, of cinnamon, of cloves.

So what kind of prophet am I? Why should the spirit

Have visited such a man? Many others

Were justly called, and trustworthy.

Who would have trusted me? For they saw

How I empty glasses, throw myself on food,

And glance greedily at the waitress's neck.

Flawed and aware of it. Desiring greatness,

Able to recognise greatness wherever it is,

And yet not quite, only in part, clairvoyant,

I knew what was left for smaller men like me:

A feast of brief hopes, a rally of the proud,

A tournament of hunchbacks, literature.

OPENING DAY

I wrote this the first time in 2004 and then again in 2007. It was composed two days before Opening Day. 

Today is the day that begins 7 months and 162 days of pure American delight; a pastime that has steamrolled through history as an army into battle. For us, fans of the Bronx Bombers, we will cheer and smile just like children opening presents on Christmas morning because today is the day that the Yankees play again.

As the 2007 season begins in the House that Ruth Built, our team, will run unto the field with great enthusiasm and vigor. They will sprint to their positions as children run to a playground. We know how our Bombers have won World Series Championships in the past, its called tradition--104 years of New York tradition. 

Along with this tradition, will be the twin advocates of awe and mystique; twins who have in the past shattered the confidence of Yankee opponents. These legendary twins have catapulted 26 teams into the books of baseball history. The god's of baseball--Ruth, Gehrig, Joe D, Mantle, Maris, and Munson, will open the clouds with the might of their bats and throw from their gloves the passion and love that helps us cheer on our team, 

THE TEAM…..THE NEW YORK YANKEES.