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Fr. Thomas Dominic Valentine Kraft,
OP
Fr. Tom Kraft, O.P. was born and raised in Spokane, WA. He is the
second of four children born to Gene and Julia Kraft. As a grade school boy,
he was blessed to live across the street from the Poor Clare monastery,
where he served Mass for many years. The nuns were and still are a powerful
spiritual influence in his life. Just two blocks down the street from the
Kraft residence is the parish of St. Francis of Assisi. There, Fr. Tom
enjoyed going to grade school and participating in all the activities of the
parish and school. He delighted in serving mass and meeting many
Franciscans, who were a positive influence in his vocation.
Fr. Tom attended a Jesuit preparatory school followed by
two years at Gonzaga University and three at Eastern Washington University.
Since grade school, he felt the call to be a priest and seriously considered
entering the Franciscans while at the University. After graduating from
college, he was blessed to work in a volunteer program in the archdiocese of
Seattle. By the grace of God, he lived close to the Dominican parish,
Blessed Sacrament, where he attended Eucharist. After Mass one day, a
Dominican asked him if he had ever considered becoming a Dominican priest.
He did not know what it meant to be a Dominican. Over the course of the year
in Seattle, he was drawn to the Dominicans and the priesthood. After being
accepted, he entered the novitiate in 1977, made vows in 1978, and was
ordained a priest at the Oakland Cathedral in 1986.
His first assignment was at the Arizona State University
Newman Center. There he found a wonderful ministry to the college students;
he loved working with young Catholics. He continued his service to students
by serving six years at the University of Utah Newman Center.
One of his interests was the Spanish language; he studied
the language as a hobby. Soon he desired to study full time and was given
permission to study Spanish in Bogotá for seven months. After completing his
studies, he was blessed to be assigned to the new Dominican mission parish
in Mexicali, Mexico where he worked for eight and half years. He treasured
the years of serving the poor and needy of Mexico.
After such a unique assignment, he decided to get back
into Newman ministry and was assigned to the University of Washington Newman
Center for three superb years.
During this time his mother died of cancer and his
father’s health began to fail. He decided to request a year to be close to
his father so he is presently serving in University Ministry at Gonzaga
University in Spokane, WA. There he is the coordinator of a retreat program
and faith sharing groups among the students.
Fr. Tom loves the Dominican life and preaching. He lives
the Dominican motto of contemplare et contemplata aliis tradere: to share
with others the fruits of your contemplation.
Last updated: December
17, 2007
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Please pray for Fr. Tom Kraft who has begun treatment
for cancer. Blessed Sacrament Parish in Seattle has established a
website for Fr.
Tom in which everyone can receive updates on his progress,
leave greetings and prayers, sign his guest book, and offer support,
March 4, 2008.
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Photo 2003
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Dominican Mission Foundation
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Dominican priest, Fr. Tomas Kraft is currently
Chaplain of the Newman Center at the University of Washington. Fr. Tomas
shares stories of his recent pastoral journey as priest of a parish in
Mexicali, Mexico during "The Conversation with Father Bob" program.
Listen right now, May 14, 2005.
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