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[Woodstock Report, June 1998, No. 54]
Copyright © 1998 Woodstock Theological Center
All rights reserved
Thirteen years ago, Father Thomas J. Reese, S.J., came to the Woodstock Theological Center as a visiting fellow hoping to spend a year writing a book on the American bishops. Like the guest who came for dinner and never went home, he stayed much longer than he had planned. Tom did not realize that writing Archbishop: Inside the Power Structure of the American Catholic Church (Harper & Row, 1989) would take three years. Nor did he anticipate that it would evolve into a trilogy that included A Flock of Shepherds: The National Conference of Catholic Bishops (Sheed & Ward, 1992) and Inside the Vatican: The Politics and Organization of the Catholic Church (Harvard University, 1996).
Also at Woodstock, Tom organized a major research project on episcopal conferences that resulted in Episcopal Conferences: Historical, Theological, and Canonical Studies (Georgetown University Press, 1989), which he edited. A similar research project on the Catechism for the Universal Church resulted in publication of The Universal Catechism Reader (HarperCollins, 1990), also edited by Reese. Tom has also been director of the International Visiting Fellows Program and has been one of three individuals developing a study of ethics for lobbyists.
Tom is frequently cited in the press as an expert on the U.S. Catholic Church. He designed Woodstock's web page and has been treasurer for the Center. Father James Connor, director of Woodstock, says, "We at the Woodstock Center owe a debt of gratitude to Tom Reese for all of his contributions over the past 13 years, not only to Woodstock but to the Catholic Church as a whole."
In addition to Tom's work at Woodstock, he has been very active at Holy Trinity Church, Washington, D.C., for the past eight years as coordinator of the 5:30 p.m. Sunday liturgy and chaplain to the Young Adult Community. Margaret Costello, director of liturgy at Holy Trinity, said, "Tom has brought a deep commitment to liturgy and to collaborative ministry. Tom's generosity has been legendary and he has become a trusted friend, generous with his time and his great gifts, compassionate, and truly kind."
Now, Tom has been appointed editor in chief of America, the weekly magazine published by the Jesuits in the United States, by the ten American Jesuit provincials and the president of the Jesuit Conference, Father Brad Schaeffer. It was from America that Tom came to Woodstock 13 years ago, and now he must return. Tom says, "It is with both excitement and sadness that I pack my bags to move back to New York City. I am excited by the opportunities and challenges of being editor of what is the most important and influential Catholic magazine in the United States, but I am saddened by leaving Woodstock and all of the colleagues and friends I have here. I am also disappointed that I will have to leave the Woodstock project I began on ethics and lobbying.
"I especially want to thank all of the friends of the Woodstock Theological Center who have supported, with encouragement and donations, the work of the Center during my years here. Woodstock is a great center for examining contemporary issues from a theological and ethical perspective. Please continue your support of Woodstock!"
To those of you unfamiliar with America, this is your chance to get to know the weekly magazine that is the premier forum for intelligent, ethical, and religious reflection on politics, culture, and the church. It is also where you will be able to follow the latest thoghts and musings of its new editor, Father Thomas J. Reese. Subscription information is available at the America web site or by calling 1-800-627-9533.