Fr. Tom Walsh, a longtime priest for Holy Trinity High School received the African-American Heritage Award for Clergy Leadership on February 24, at a ceremony held at Holy Trinity.
25 students, staff, and faculty attended the socially distanced ceremony, which celebrates an individual member of the clergy who “exemplifies what it means to be a person of service, integrity, and commitment to the African American community, Catholic education and the values of our faith.” Dr. Jim Rigg, Superintendent of Catholic Schools, presented Fr. Tom with the award, a customized, engraved clock, in the Brother Philip Smith Conference Center.
Having dedicated his life to Christ and to Catholic education, Fr. Tom (pictured with clock) has long been a champion of Holy Trinity, noting he was initially drawn to the school because of its diverse student body and its mission of helping Chicago-area youth lead lives of leadership and service. Fr. Tom spent 16 years at Holy Trinity as a basketball coach, a teacher, and as a member of the school’s campus ministry team. In recent years, he has served as the celebrant for Holy Trinity’s school Masses in addition to his full time role as Pastor at Saint Martin de Porres Church on the west side of Chicago.
“Fr. Tom is certainly deserving of this award as he has been incredibly dedicated to Holy Trinity and our mission for over twenty years,” said Tim Bopp, Holy Trinity President. “In addition to being a prior member of the teaching staff, development team, coaching staff and campus ministry team, Fr. Tom never hesitates to offer his services to our school.”
Fr. Tom gave several minutes of remarks, where he emphasized his love of Holy Trinity and the students, and his commitment helping young people reach their full potential. “Don’t just have dreams. Go out and get them,” Fr. Tom said to students in attendance.
In addition to his commitment to serving as our Mass celebrant, Fr. Tom will dedicate at least one day a week of service to Holy Trinity as time allows next school year. Join us in congratulating Fr. Tom on this honor and thanking him for his many years of service to the HT community.
