Home Page Home Page Events Events Photos Photos Diocese of Ogdensburg Home Page  
Follow Us on Facebook


Archives Year of faith... a story of faith

Serving God and community

February 13, 2013

By Michelle Beagle
Staff writer

Croghan - As the journey continues through this Year of Faith and a new liturgical year has begun, Thomas Schneeberger is living out his faith, serving his community, educating children and bringing home the importance of being rooted in a belief system that exemplifies Christian values and love for Jesus.  This charismatic and enthusiastic man is a member of the St. Stephen’s Parish and the fulltime director for St. Francis Christian Formation Center.

Journey begins
As with any journey, a journey of faith begins with the first step; the planting of a seed and watching it grow.
For Tom, the seed was planted by his mother, Nina,   St. Stephen’s music director and organist.  As a child, Tom would tag along to the choir rehearsals and became absorbed in listening, observing and waiting for his mother to finish the practice.  While he was peering out from high up in the choir loft the seed started to germinate.
“Looking down onto the altar from above provides you with a whole new perspective,” he said.  This gave Tom his philosophy of moving faith outward into the world.

The next steps
Upon graduating from Beaver River High School he attended Wadhams Hall Seminary in Ogdensburg, completing a degree in philosophy and theology. While at Wadhams Hall he worked summers as a counselor at Camp Guggenheim in Saranac Lake.

Although Tom’s mother was a piano teacher, he chose not to pursue the piano. Instead, to the delight of many, he picked up the guitar and his music ministry begun.  His time at Guggenheim would further develop his music ministry.  Tom completed his studies at Wadhams Hall and returned to the Croghan area to wed, Ann Schantz. 

Parish ministry
In 1980 Tom took over the coordinator’s position for religious education for the churches of St. Stephen’s in Croghan which includes the areas of Belfort, Castorland, Indian River and New Breman.  The old Franciscan Friary at St. Stephen’s, known as the Franciscan Formation Christian Center houses Tom’s office, and he embraces the chrism and philosophy of the Franciscan Tradition. 

Over the years his title has changed many times; Coordinator, DRE, RICA director, but the vision remained the same -  to teach and embrace Catholic values, passing knowledge and love of the church unto others. For the past 28 years he has facilitated the Upward Retreat Weekend for students of the parish in grades six, seven and eight at Beaver Camp in Lowville.The youths participate in a challenge course to help build confidence and trust. The weekends also feature Mass and workshop activities. The high school age group participates in a retreat the first weekend of January also held at Beaver Camp. 

On the road
For the past five years as part of Tom’s youth ministry, he has taken a group of young people to St. Francis Inn in Philadelphia, Penn., on Memorial Day Weekend. The Inn is run by the same group of friars from the Holy Name Providence who operated St. Leo’s Catholic School in Croghan for 76 years.  Brother Xavier who had served in Croghan in the 1950’s was instrumental in assisting the group’s visits. 

The young people work serving meals, busing tables and immersing themselves in the experience of “being a light in the world for others.”  They must follow through on assigned tasks and be accountable.  After the weekend a debriefing session is held giving the students a chance to discuss the impact of the experience.

In the community
The local community is important to Tom and he belongs to many broads and organizations. For the past eight years he has served on the Board of Education at Lowville Academy and currently serves as president.  He is a member of the Loyal Brotherhood of Elks and has served on the Head Start Board of Directors for 16 years and one time served as president.

He is currently the president of Catholic Charities Diocesan Board.  At one time he was Diocesan Director for DRE’s. 

An author
Between the responsibilities of Director of the Formation Center, Tom has found time to write and publish two books of children’s literature, a natural progression for a man who enjoys educating others about God’s presence in the world. 

In 2006 he wrote Magnum’s Homecoming published by Gateway Press in Utica.  Magnum ,a beagle dog, is lost in the woods for 72 days in the foothills of the Adirondacks and eventually finds his way home.  It is a story whose theme is one of faithfulness and never giving up. 

In 2008, Catch the Wind and Spin, Spin, Spin was published by Publish America.  A story based on wind energy.
Illustrations for that book were provided by students of the gifted and talented program at Lowville Academy and Central School.

Role models
If you were to ask Tom who he looks to as positive examples for living out their faith he names Pope John XXIII and Mother Theresa. Pope John placed emphasis on ecumenism and was instrumental in the Second Vatican Council, he explained, while  Mother Theresa reached out to the truly unfortunate with compassion.  She did not hold a personal agenda except to allow God’s light to shine forth, he said. As such, Tom feels there is a natural flow from the body of the church to being a presence in the world.

Finding a balance
In asking how balance is found, he states the importance of paying attention to the inner voice of contemplation, receiving strength from the Holy Eucharist and paying attention to the little things with an “attitude of gratitude.”  He says that his faith today is ever ongoing and evolving, growing deeper and forming roots. 

Tom stated he likes to read the America magazine published by the Jesuits. When working with future catechists Tom states it rejuvenates and refreshes his faith. Today, as every day, Tom is showing up and continuing on his faith journey and hopes others will continue on their personal faith journeys as well.

Thomas Schneeberger reflects on the growth of his faith from his childhood in Croghan through his life in ministry, particularly with young people. He currently serves as the director of the St. Francis Christian Formation Center in Croghan.

North Country Catholic North Country Catholic is
honored by Catholic Press
Association of US & Canada

Copyright © Roman Catholic Diocese of Ogdensburg. All rights reserved.