We have received several “prayer favors” recently. I’m sharing one of them with you in this newsletter because it was not only amazing to the person involved but also to those at the Guild. There are several more “prayer favors” for you to read on the website: tvwguild.org
Peter’s Prayer Favor
Peter was not in Virginia when Tom Vander Woude died. He was taking care of his mother in Colorado. The farm where she lived was in the flat and dry area of that state. Shortly after Tom’s death, Peter received a call from his sister telling him about the death of Tom and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Peter didn’t think of the heroism and holiness of Tom’s act, only that it was a terrible way to die. Peter had cleaned out septic tanks on their farm before and realized the horrible and hazardous conditions they epitomized.
The farmhouse has a picture window that looks out toward a small tree that had dead branches at the top. After his sister’s phone call Peter was praying, looking out the window, and asked for a sign that Tom was in heaven. The sign he asked for was a blue jay. Tom had graduated from Creighton University and their mascot was the blue jay. Peter had never seen a blue jay on the farm, and he wasn’t even specifically praying to see a living blue jay. He just wanted some sort of blue Jay sign. Maybe just a picture of a blue jay, and not even immediately.
Very shortly after Peter had finished his prayer, there was a big wind that blew, and a whole flock of blue jays appeared and landed in the tree. The blue jays stayed only a few seconds, then flew off in that wild wind. Peter could hardly believe what he had just seen – so strange, even without the prayer; but so amazing after having made the prayer. Peter thanked God for giving him his sign and the comfort that knowing Tom was truly in heaven.
Many people have asked, “Why hasn’t Tom’s Cause been started before this?” The only answer I can find is that a sufficient cadre of those that knew him and of his works for the community hadn’t realized that it was not only possible but also how to go about doing it. So many people are busy with their own lives and priorities, that it’s difficult for them to add one more task to their daily schedule. That is why we have started the Tom Vander Woude Guild – a nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation. We hope it will provide background information; access to a cadre of Tom’s friends and acquaintances; and sufficient support to the Arlington Diocese in carrying out the pursuit of Tom’s Cause for Sainthood. Please refer to Newsletter # 1 on the tvwguild.org website, or Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio (also on the website) for further information regarding the requirements associated with Tom’s Cause for Sainthood.
Please tell other people about the existence of the tvwguild.org website. Also about the formation of the Guild and its initial goal to have Tom designated as a Servant of God in celebration of the Arlington Diocese’s 50th Anniversary.
Please remember to bookmark our website and “spread the word”: www.tvwguild.org
Finally, your kind and generous donations are truly appreciated and always welcome.
Sincere blessings to you all,
Keith Henderson
Board Chairman,
Tom Vander Woude Guild
P O Box 193
Front Royal, VA 22630
Email: [email protected]