Fr. Tom, as he is known, is a Salesian of St. John Bosco (more familiarly known as Don Bosco), the founder of the Salesian congregation. In his new role at Felician University, Fr. Tom celebrates Mass on Sundays at 7:30 pm in the Alden Trust Room in Sammartino Hall on Felician’s Rutherford Campus.

On Tuesdays he’s available for confessions and counseling at the Chapel on the Lodi campus before saying Mass at 11:30 am. Then on Thursdays he returns to celebrate Mass at 11:30 am at the Chapel in the Castle on the Rutherford campus. All participants are required to wear masks and follow social distancing protocol. Fr. Tom says due to the global pandemic attendance has been light, so he likes to make himself available to any students who may be on campus. “What I feel bad about is there are so few students present on campus. So, I do try to walk around a little bit, make myself present in the hallways and talk to a couple students here or there. Fr. Tom wants to remind anyone who may be feeling anxious because of the pandemic that, “both chapels are open all day for students and faculty to stop by for a visit for a few minutes and pray quietly. Such moments of prayer can be very helpful and uplifting.”

The new chaplain is especially grateful for the welcome he received from Felician’s Director of Campus Ministry, Andy Fellows, whom Fr. Tom says “exemplifies and lives the Felician spirit. Fr. Ruekert says he is happy to be Felician’s new chaplain and especially enjoys joining the virtual morning prayer at 8:45 am saying, “ the daily, virtual, communal morning prayer service reflects and encapsulates very well the university’s spirit of welcome and inclusivity. The five Felician values of respect for human dignity, compassion, transformation, solidarity for the poor, and justice and peace. These values are so very important for our world today. And I am thrilled to embrace them in my new role as Chaplain of this University family.”