Father Tom Bourque is a Franciscan TOR and a proud native of Massachusetts. He has a passion for prayer, ministry and teaching. Father Tom professed his solemn vows in 1981 and was ordained a priest in 1982.
 
Ministry and Education: Entered the community in 1976.  Earned Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Salem State University (MA); Masters of Divinity from St. Michael University and Toronto School of Theology (Toronto, Canada); Masters of Sacred Theology in Pastoral Theology from Regis College (Toronto, Canada); Masters of Arts in Educational Administration from Villanova University (PA); and a Doctorate in Education from University of San Francisco in Catholic Leadership and Private Education Administration (CA). His ministries have included parochial ministry as a deacon and parochial vicar St. Martha Catholic Church (Miami, FL); high school chaplaincy and teaching at Bishop Egan High School (Fairless Hills, PA); Assistant Professor of Religious Studies and Pastoral Ministry at Saint Francis University (PA); Director of Continuing Education and Professor of Religious Studies at Saint Francis University (PA); Provost and Executive Vice President at Franciscan University of Steubenville (FUS); Director of Formation, Local Minister and Vicar Provincial (Washington, DC); Professor of Religious Studies at Saint Francis University (PA) and Professor of Higher Education at Capella University (MN); Local Minister of Queen of Peace Friary and Director of Planning and Mission Effectiveness for the Province (PA); and parochial vicar and pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church (VA).
 
Faith Journey: Father Tom experienced a humbling conversion during his senior year of university. While discerning what path to take after graduation, he encountered the importance of Christ in his life during an Advent Penance Service. During two of his numerous Franciscan pilgrimages to Assisi/Rome, he was blessed to visit the tomb of Saint John XXIII and experienced a faith-filled pilgrimage in the “spirit” of Saint Padre Pio with a brother friar at San Giovanni Rotondo (Italy).

Inspirational Bible Verse: Romans 8:26: “…the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.”

Father Kevin Smith is a Franciscan TOR from Florida. He has a passion for teaching and evangelization. Father Kevin professed his solemn vows with the TORs and was ordained a deacon in 2023 and was ordained a priest in June 2024. 

Ministry and Education: Father Kevin entered the TORs in 2017 after graduating from college and working for a year. Father Kevin has worked in ministry doing catechesis, service to the poor with the Missionaries of Charity, teaching at St. Francis University, and working in Student Engagement at St. Francis University. Father Kevin will be finishing up his studies at Catholic University in DC while also helping out at St. Joseph's. 

Faith Journey: Growing up, I did not enjoy going to Mass and thought of my faith as a chore and an obligation. At a very impactful retreat during high school, I encountered God and His love for me which led me to see the Catholic faith less as an imposed obligation, but more as the key to all of life's major questions. I continued to grow in my faith and be challenged by a fantastic college campus ministry at Florida State and eventually was inspired to give my life totally to God in the Franciscans. 

Inspirational Bible verse: "You my child shall be called a prophet of the Most High, for you will go before the Lord to prepare His way, to give His people knowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of their sins." Luke 1:76-77

Father Dominic Sameera TOR is a dedicated Franciscan priest and educator from the Province of Our Lady of Lanka, Sri Lanka, with a passion for teaching and pastoral ministry. Father Dominic professed his solemn vows with the TORs in 2013 and was ordained a deacon in 2016 and was ordained a priest in February 25, 2017. 

Ministry and Education

Father Dominic holds a Master of Education from Saint Francis University, Loretto, PA, USA (2024), a Teaching Diploma in National College of Education in Bingirya, Sri Lanka (2010), a Postgraduate Diploma in Education from the National Institute of Education, Sri Lanka (2020-2022), and a Bachelor of Arts in Devadarma Nikethanaya, affiliated with Urbaniya University, Rome (2015). His academic achievements reflect his commitment to both spiritual and intellectual growth.

His professional experience includes teaching and mentoring students as a government teacher since 2011, fostering a supportive learning environment that encourages both academic and moral development. In addition to his work in education, he fulfills his pastoral responsibilities as an Assistant Parish Priest at the Cathedral of Galle, Sri Lanka, ministering to the community through pastoral care and sacramental duties.

Faith Journey

From a young age, Father Dominic felt a deep calling to serve both in education and in the Church. His journey led him to embrace both vocations, allowing him to guide and inspire students while also ministering to the faithful. His dedication to education and evangelization continues to shape his ministry and service.

Inspirational Bible Verse

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations." – Jeremiah 1:5