Tom Vander Woude Guild
Newsletter # 4
October 24, 2023
Yesterday, 10/23/2023, we again received highly awaited news from the Diocese. Two very talented and highly educated priests have been asked and have accepted an additional task to assist the Guild in their efforts to support Tom Vander Woude’s Cause. Bishop Burbidge has a great interest in the possibility of Tom Vander Woude being designated a Servant Of God and is very grateful for two of his priest’s willingness to assist in the process. Both assisting priests have been “Roman Schooled” in pertinent disciplines which will be extremely helpful to the Cause.
Fr. Kevin Walsh, the current pastor of Precious Blood Catholic Church in Culpeper, received his priestly formation at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, MD., and was ordained by Arlington BishopJohn R. Keating May 16, 1992. Father Walsh has served in many churches in the diocese, as well as being the chaplain of Marymount University for two years. Fr. Walsh was first appointed as a pastor in 2004 to St. Philip Church in Falls Church. After a 3-month sabbatical to Vietnam in 2008, he returned to serve as the pastor to two other churches prior to advancing his education. In 2013 Fr. Walsh began full-time studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, studying for a license in Sacred Theology with a concentration in Biblical Theology.
Fr. Steven Oetjen graduated from Carnegie Mellon University and then attended St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Wynnewood, PA. After his second year of seminary, Arlington’s Bishop Loverde requested that he continue his studies at the Pontifical North American College (“The NAC”) in Rome. Upon his return to the diocese, he continued his studies in Cannon Law full-time at the Catholic University of America.
Father Oetjen was ordained as a priest on June 10, 2017. Currently, Fr. Oetjen is an Advocate for the Respondent at the diocese’s Office of the Tribunal while continuing his studies part-time at Catholic University toward a Doctorate in Cannon Law (JCL) degree. You also may have read his article in the September 7-20, 2023, edition of The Arlington Catholic Herald explaining why the Lord told Peter to forgive 77 times.
Through the grace of God; the wonderful generosity of a good and supportive Bishop; and two priests who are willing to say “YES” when called upon; the Tom Vander Woude Guild is now being aided by an experienced theologian and an energetic cannon lawyer. Blessed be our God.
There are still many steps and much work that must be done which would allow sufficient information for Bishop Burbidge to thoughtfully and prayerfully be able to make a decision regarding the “official start” of Tom Vander Woude’s process toward Canonization. The Office of the Tribunal and its capabilities will be used for various interviews and documentary collections/validations. Also, the theological aspects of Tom’s faith and holiness will be well recognized and authenticated thanks to our two newly added diocesan priests.
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 tax-deductible donations are truly appreciated and always welcome.
Our sincere blessings to you all,
Keith Henderson
Board Chairman,
Tom Vander Woude Guild
P O Box 193
Front Royal, VA 22630
Email: in**@tv******.org