- Tom Neal, Ph.D., Guilty Bystander
- I am married to Patricia Ann, we have four children and a grandchild. The rest is commentary.
- I serve as a catechist in the Church. That’s my crowning office. I do theology as a service to this call.
I love Pope Francis as our bridge-building Pontiff.
I am grateful to be a Catholic layman, cherishing my baptismal life as the apogee of existence.
Justified by grace, indwelt by the eternal Trinity, reborn to participate in divine life, empowered with Christ’s priestly, prophetic and kingly authority to consecrate the world to God by striving to love the world God-so-loves as God loves it.
On top of all that, I’m invited to participate in Christ’s crucified posture toward our fallen world to repair it into the New Creation. - And I’m still leaving a lot out here on the great dignity of being a layman. So much more.
I do not aspire beyond lay life. I am not worthy of it, but I am grateful.
Thanks for joining me here as I dare to muse on such things, fitfully. 
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Neal Obstat Theological Opining 
Tom,
Father Tim here in Tallahassee. Fr. Ganci told me about your blog site so I thought I’d have me a look-see. Good stuff….short and sweet.
Blessings
[…] wise friend once said, “When you say yes to His work, He will paint you beautiful.” Now that’s the kind […]
[…] this piece for the Catholic Year of Faith blog co-edited by my friend Dr. Tom Neal, and I’m thrilled to see our friends across the big pond to the west have found his […]
[…] over-the-top Catholic Martha Stewart-ish to some, but here’s why we do it. As my friend Dr. Tom Neal encourages, “Stay close to the logic of the liturgical cycle since theology is first and best […]
You are my favorite spiritual blog! Thank you so much!
Hi Tom! So glad I found u all! Hope all is well in Metairie… Louise is there too, & I did live there in 2011. Love your blog! Will be in town May . Miss you all…
[…] Blog post by Tom Neal, PhD […]
Tom! I’m so happy I found your blog!!! You and your family have been in my thoughts and prayers recently, so I don’t assume this is by chance. I would love to catch up with you sometime soon! I’m praying for you and your family, and I hope you’re doing excellent down in Louisiana. It was such a blessing to have our paths cross (obviously providentially) during our respective times in IA. I’m back in Colorado, currently working at the Augustine Institute. In fact, I run into Lori quite often now as well! (Perhaps CO would merit a visit from you in the near future?) We’ll see. God is so good. Thank you for all your work for the Church. I look forward to catching up with you very soon! Have a wonderful Lenten season!
God bless,
Ted
ted.mast@augustineinstitute.org
[…] A wise friend once said, “When you say yes to His work, He will paint you beautiful.” Now that’s the kind of color I’m praying to receive during this Year of Faith. The Door of Faith is open. Let’s walk through it together. I hear the colors over there are worth dying for! […]
Just saw that you’re in Louisiana, but teach at IPF – I’m from Omaha and relocated to Louisiana 5 years ago!
Thank you for writing and your instruction! God bless all your efforts!
Hi Tom! This is Michael Gagnon (from CSU). I was wondering what you’re doing on Memorial Day weekend 2014? We’re having the Allumni retreat in Orlando and I’m looking for guest speakers.
What’s your email? The retreat is in a hotel in Orlando and the theme is, “Stepping Up and Stepping Out”. It is based on two quotes by Pope Francis about stepping out of our comfort zones and routines and taking a risk in following Jesus and living as he would have us live. We’re still working on the schedule, but we’d love to have you as a keynote speaker (perhaps giving 1-2 keynote talks). Also, you should know that we don’t have $ in the budget to pay for travel or hotel. But we can pay you in prayers.
Hi Tom!
I’d like to send you an interview request to join me on an upcoming episode of my new podcast. If you’d be willing to share your contact info with me via email, I’d be grateful.
Thanks!
Tara
[…] don’t know if anyone was persuaded by this post, so it was heartening to see this article by Thomas J. Neal, who is the Academic Dean and Professor of Spiritual Theology at Notre Dame Seminary in New […]
Thank you for coming to jacksonville!
Thank you, Pete!! It was a great blessing to come. Really.
I subscribe to only two blogs and yours is one of them. You never disappoint. I routinely share your thoughts with my men’s prayer group, fellow prison ministers, and fellow choir members. Just this morning, your post quoting “How blessed are loveless places” is being printed for me to take to inmates living in just such a place. Bless you. Bless your work.
PS The other is http://shirtofflame.blogspot.com/
David, you are the encouragement that keeps me writing. Thank you and God bless your service to the least of His brethren.
Hi, Tom
I just subscribed to your blog and really love what you have to say. I am still working at Georgetown on my CPE but will be done in August. I am headed down to New Orleans for a vacation this week-I’m hoping to get back there when I’m through. I would love to keep in touch.
Louise!!! It would be so awesome to have you back.
Good Morning, I’m not sure how to address you, but I just want to thank you for your
posts. I always like them and I save the ones that really speak to me. I like the way your posts include your life, your family, your friends.
This post is especially meaningful. In the last few months, I have come to be aware and believe that we can really talk to God and “hear” Him as is written about in Genesis with Adam and Eve. (I’m better at emojiis, so I would put a woman dancing, a thumbs up, a very smily, smily-face and hands clapping here.)
Thank you also for letting us know about 21 Pilots. I really like them and used one song in a Faith Formation class that I taught.
Thank you for your posts. I try to find time to read your posts, Richard Rohr’s, Ron Rolheiser’s, Vinita Hampton Wright’s (when she does write) Joan Chittister’s and Bishop Barron’s as well as their books. I will look forward to reading your book too.
Lisa
Hi Dr. Tom,
My name is Mary. I am from MQP parish in Mandeville, Louisiana. You came to our parish for the Lenten mission last week. I wanted to talk to you about the talk you gave. You really inspired me. I believe that God has put those memories and experiences in your life for a reason. Keep experiencing life to the fullest.
Love, Mary
Thank you, Mary! What a beautiful thing to hear. May God bless you and I hope our paths cross again. Thank you for making time to write this. Peace, Dr. Tom
😎 Dr. TJN
😎 A teacher, preaching with the pen
😎 A post on the way
😎 Sometimes making someone’s day
😎 Sandwiched between the serious is a dose of the amusing
😎 We know sooner or later that something is coming, coming
😎 Spiritual nourishment
😎 Thank God for posts that are truly God sent
😎 What you feed, when we can get to it, we eat it up
😎 With a spiritual swagger in the best way you instruct
😎 All credit goes to God as you surrender
😎 The Holy Spirit is at work in you ever so tender
😎 In Christ Jesus keep on keeping in real
😎 Orthodox all every way, naked truth transforming lives lived in God’s presence resulting in how we stand, walk, sit or kneel
😎 Making a difference for all eternity
😎 Thank you, your ministry of self, both time and energy, very much blesses me
Wow. This is beyond my capacity to respond to adequately — may God hear your words and look with favor on me as you say. Thank you for investing your poetry in me, tmm. Blessings in abundance,tjn
Dr Neal,
I just discovered your blog. Really like it! Are you in CL?
Fr Tran
Portland OR
Fr. Tran,
Thank you for your comment!
Well, I would love to become part of CL, especially after attending the NY Encounter last month.
We don’t have any groups in New Orleans.
But I am considering it for certain.
God bless you out there in Portland!
Tom Neal
Loved your talks yesterday. Wish we had more time. Would really like to hear your thoughts on praying as a couple. Please contact me about teaching our diaconate class. Also, continued prayers for good results this week.
Bob,
It was a great joy to be with you all!
I will record a reflection on prayer, what should have been my talk #2
And send to Marian.
Thank you for requesting it.
God bless you and I hope to see you again.
Email me any time tneal@nds.edu
Tom Neal
Beautiful
Dearest Tom! I came across your writing on the Word on Fire blog today and then found this blog. I am unsure if you’d remember me but you led my RCIA back in 2004! I am prayerful you are safe and well this and each day. And thank you for helping to light my fire for God so many years ago! Elbow deep in Merton, Keating, Rohr and Avila, you were integral to my beginning! THANK YOU!
Stephanie: Wow, I am so touched that you reached out to me. Those authors, yes! What wonderful memories those years are for me!! I am so encouraged and happy to know your faith continues to flourish. I remember your name, though I wish I remembered more…I am sure if we met again and shared a few specifics I would remember immediately. I pray you and your loved ones are well. May God bless you for your kindness remembering me. Be well, dear Stephanie. Tom +
Hi Dr. Neal!
Great to hear you again on Catholic radio!
I am listening to you as I write. I just heard about your blog and found it!
Blessings to you and your family!!
Thank you — YOU ARE TOO MUCH!!! Patti!! Your talented children! Awesome family! Love from the Neals ❤
Dr. Neal,
I had the privilege and joy to be uplifted by your recent Lenten mission at St. Francis Xavier. Your discussion was educational, entertaining and most importantly reminded us of God’s ever presence in our lives.. if we are willing to “listen” to His voice. Thank you for sharing such poignant and meaningful stories. Your heartfelt devotion to your mother resonated with me, as I too share a special bond with my 93 year old mother. God has granted me much success in my life, but of all, the gift of my parents is the greatest treasure that I will ever have. I thank God for such beautiful Earth angels, who have guided me and I believe that they, like your mother, will continue to guide us until we meet them again.
Like Father Joe, I hope that you return next Lenten season to remind us how special life on Earth can be with God in our heart.
Thank you.
Tom,
Heard you speak on nights one and two at St Clement of Rome’s Lenten mission. Enjoyed both sessions,and wanted to find and follow your blog. Loved all the factual information and heartfelt stories, suggestions and theological trivia. I am looking forward to Wednesday evening. Thank you.
Karla Donewar
Thank you so very much for this gift of a comment, during a hard week last week
God bless, Karla