Fr. Tom Fangman Shares What it Means to be a Silent Inspiration By J1 Reporter Ella Mandolfo
You may not consider yourself as someone inspirational, but the truth is you probably inspire someone in the world whether you know it or not. In Father Tom Fangman’s case, he definitely inspires many. When he was asked if he considered himself to be an inspirational person, he said that he was honored that he is viewed as such, but he doesn’t think he is anything special. That is the exact point of being a silent inspiration. Although in his opinion he is just living his life, he is still inspiring. Fr. Tom is an inspiration because he lives his life in service to others. When Fr. Tom thought about himself as an inspirational person, he said his main goal is to treat everyone with respect and love. The most inspiring people are the people who aren’t trying to inspire others, they are just living their life in faith and being a good person because it’s the right thing to do. Fr. Tom embodies the idea of being a man for others in the different ways he serves the community. The hardest thing he has had to accept was that he can’t do it all, no matter how hard he tries. His answer can be relatable for
a lot of people because the making sure he is treating everyone with love and feeling of turning people down when they need your respect. It’s inspiring that help is the worst, but imag- he does all of these things and so much more and the ine if you were a priest and you had to turn away a whole time he is selfless and never asks for anylast blessing for someone dying or you couldn’t offi- thing in return. Being selfless is not an ciate somebody’s wedding. easy Fr.Tom thing described “Appoach every day to do, himself as an opportunity espeas a percially son who instead of an obliwhen always gation because an you wants to please opportunity helps you are a busy others to realize ‘I get to’ and perand never let I’m blessed to be here, son like anyone whereas an obligation Fr. down. That’s means ‘you have to’. In Tom. It can very life there is too much to be so relatable for most live for and strive for easy to fall people, to let things be obligainto but in small reality tions.” -Fr. Tom Fangman selfwe can’t ish do it things like complaining, all. For example, Fr. Tom not being grateful, taking has had to deal with the things for granted, or just COVID situation this past not living every moment year where he is making the calls for the regulations in the present. In his office at St.Patrick’s parish in and rules in place and everyone has a different Elkhorn where he has been opinion. There is no way the pastor for five years he can make everyone Fr. Tom reflected on his happy. He has had to do life. It was the day before what, in his eyes, is the his 60th birthday and he best thing to do for the explained the four quesmajority of people, while tions he asks himself every 64
decade: “I am making the world a better place? Do I have my health? Are there people I love? Are there people that love me?” He said that if he could answer yes to those four questions, then he was alright with turning another decade older. He is a perfect example of being grateful and being aware of all that you have in the present. He inspires his parishioners to be more aware of how blessed they are, and he reminds them that they are human, they are not perfect, humans make mistakes, one person can’t do it all and that’s ok because as long as a person is actively trying to treat everyone with respect and love then they are doing everything they are supposed to be doing. Everyone needs to be reminded of that sometimes. Similarly, everyone needs to find a person who inspires them to become better versions of themselves. Fr. Tom is admired because of how he chooses to live his life, and he inspires many, particularly his parishioners to become better people. He leads by example and proves anyone can inspire others. He believes in living every single day with a purpose. His advice is to “Approach
