Ella Mandolfo - “Fr. Tom Fangman Shares What it Means to be a Silent Inspiration”

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 feeling of turning people down when they need your help is the worst, but imagine if you were a priest and you had to turn away a last blessing for someone dying or you couldn’t officiate somebody’s wedding. Fr.Tom described himself as a person who always wants to please others and never let anyone down. That’s very relatable for most people, but in reality we can’t do it all. For example, Fr. Tom has had to deal with the COVID situation this past year where he is making the calls for the regulations and rules in place and everyone has a different opinion. There is no way he can make everyone happy. He has had to do what, in his eyes, is the best thing to do for the majority of people, while making sure he is treating everyone with love and respect. It’s inspiring that he does all of these things and so much more and the whole time he is selfless and never asks for anything in return.

Being selfless is not an easy thing to do, especially when you are a busy person like Fr. Tom. It can be so easy to fall into small selfish things like complaining, not being grateful, taking things for granted, or just not living every moment in the present. In his office at St.Patrick’s parish in Elkhorn where he has been the pastor for five years Fr. Tom reflected on his life. It was the day before his 60th birthday and he explained the four questions he asks himself every 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

“Appoach every day as an opportunity instead of an obligation because an opportunity helps you to realize ‘I get to’ and I’m blessed to be here, whereas an obligation means ‘you have to’. In life there is too much to live for and strive for to let things be obligations.” -Fr. Tom Fangman

every day as an opportunity instead of an obligation because an opportunity helps you to realize I get to and I’m blessed to be here, whereas an obligation means you have to. In life there is too much to live for and strive for to let things be obligations.”

These words are a perfect example of living every moment to the fullest, and living your life with intent. If you choose to live your life with intent, then you will be an inspiration to someone, whether you mean to be or not.

Fr. Tom Fangman gives a homily at a wedding at St.Patrick’s in Elkhorn, NE