Tom Vander Woude Guild
Newsletter # 9
September 28, 2024
The summer has been long and hot, but very productive. One of the first actions that took place was that the Guild added another Board Member. For some time, the Board felt that we needed a member of the Vander Woude family on the Board to represent their interests and help with the identification and collection of various documents and details of Tom’s life.
On May 16, 2024 Christopher (Chris) Vander Woude became our newest Board Member. Chris is currently the K-12 Dean of Students and Athletic Director at Chelsea Academy, Front Royal, VA. Being Tom’s fifth son, he was raised on the family farm in Nokesville, VA. After graduating from Christendom College, Chris soon became their Athletic Director and then the Dean of Students. Just prior to joining Chelsea Academy, Chris was the Athletic Director at Saint John Paul the Great Catholic High School in Dumfries, VA.
Another key change for the Guild was that Rev. Monsignor Paul F. deLadurantaye has been identified as the Guild’s new contact at the Catholic Diocese of Arlington regarding Tom’s Cause. Msgr. deLadurantaye has recently returned to the diocese after almost 6 years living in Rome while serving as an English interpreter for Pope Francis.
In early August of 2024, Msgr. deLadurantaye became the diocese’s Chancellor. The chancellor’s main role is to manage diocesan records and documents. Specifically, he is responsible for:
• Gathering, arranging, and safeguarding the acts and archives of the diocesan curia.
• Maintaining sacramental registers that detail the sacramental history of each parish in the diocese.
• Serving as the official notary on documents issued by the diocesan bishop.
• Preserving the recorded history and historical artifacts of the diocese.
• Other duties that the bishop might require of him.
A Board Member of the Guild met with the Monsignor, and we are looking forward to working with him and, hopefully, utilizing his experience of working with many of the Roman curia staff.
As many of you are aware, we have been asking for: 1) Stories of Tom’s Christian service to his church, community, yourself, or a loved one; and 2) Stories of his faith and/or the reputation of his holiness. In July, Kevin Kelly and his wife invited us to attend a small dinner party at their home. They also invited two other couples that knew Tom well. We recorded the stories that they told us about Tom and the added details of stories that we had heard or read about in various news reports prior, but there was a need for additional personal details. The conversation was wonderful, and they were of great help in adding to Tom’s reputation for holiness and Christian service to so many with whom he came into contact.
In previous newsletters, we also mentioned that we would support any gathering at a church or organization to “spread the word” about Tom and his Cause. Gratefully, we have been asked to speak to a group of parents in a “Family Faith Formation Program” at St. Michael’s Catholic Church just outside Boston, MA in early November. They wanted to know more about Tom Vander Woude, his family life, and his Cause. Many people are interested in “what it takes for someone to be made a saint”. Luckily, Fr. Oetjen has been very helpful in delineating the “early diocesan stages” of the process. Both the Board Chairman and our newest board member, Chris Vander Woude, will be speaking to the group.
Finally, we will also be promoting Tom’s Cause at the 15th annual Thomas S. Vander Woude Memorial Golf Tournament on Monday, October 14, 2024, at the Shenandoah Valley Golf Club, Front Royal, VA. The club is rated as one of the 10 best places to play golf in the state of Virginia by Golf Digest. Please stop by our table and say “hello”.
All proceeds from the Golf Tournament will go to support the Thomas S. Vander Woude Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship is for two $5,000 four-year renewable scholar-athlete scholarships awarded each fall semester to two incoming students. Students must meet certain criteria and apply for the scholarship.
How can each person help to encourage and support Tom Vander Woude’s Cause?
Five simple ways:
1) Forward or share this newsletter with your family and friends. It’s easy – PLEASE DO IT. One or more of them might know a story or two about Tom that could be used in his petition.
2) Let your friends and family know they can sign up for the Newsletter at: www.tvwguild.org
3) Send us any stories of:
a) Tom’s “Prayer Favors” that were answered for you or a friend.
b) Christian service to his church, community, yourself, or a loved one.
c) Stories of his faith and/or reputation of his holiness.
d) Please send any of the above to [email protected]
4) Tell your pastor about the Cause and ask to host a group presentation at your church, women’s group, KofC Council, veteran’s group, etc. We are happy to support – just contact us via email at: [email protected]
5) Make a tax-deductible donation via our website or directly to our following address. We promise that we will protect your donation and use it wisely for the encouragement and support of Tom’s Cause.
(For gifts of highly appreciated stock or IRA Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs), please send us a note requesting proper instructions to: [email protected])
Our Sincere blessings to you all,
Keith Henderson,
Board Chairman
Tom Vander Woude Guild
P O Box 193
Front Royal, VA 22630
Email: [email protected]