All posts by Fr Tom Tirman

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The lawnboy…….

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I had a parishioner of mine stop by the house today to take a look at my lawn. Maintaining a lawn is really not all that hard when your yard is small (and rectangular), but this new one is not. So the bottom line is that I was in need of some advice.

The good news is that Mike is, and has been, in “the business” for years. I will need to aerate, I will need to thatch, I will need to re-seed, and, I will need to fertilize as well. My former yard I maintained extremely well, and I am excited about the prospect. But my former yard also took a few years to get it right where I wanted it. Thank God I have nothing to do other than to worry about my lawn! Yea right….it is going to be a challenge.
But the good news is that the starter’s pistol has fired and I am off to the races. It is not a sprint, but it is instead a marathon. I am already enjoying it too. Thank God I have the opportunity to do so!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Way to go Butler!

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First of all, congratulations to the UConn Huskies!

But beyond that, I want to let you all know that I am a 1984 graduate of Butler University. I didn’t pick Butler because I wanted to, but it was instead the last stop for a young man who couldn’t get his life together. I had flunked out of my first college (Manchester College) and then my second (Indiana University at South Bend) before I arrived there. I really didn’t know what was in store….I only knew my dad was an administrator there and I could go there without paying for tuition, just room and board. So that’s why I went.

My experience there was exceptional. The faculty was amazing, and many of the people I met are still friends to this day. At that point, the basketball team sucked, but that really didn’t matter. All I kept hearing was how important “the Butler Family” was.
After I graduated and moved away, I missed Butler. I realized what they professed was true. After grad school, because I did graduate in 1984 with a BA in Religion, I found myself involved in forming an alumni chapter in NE Ohio. After moving back to Indiana, I served on the Alumni Board. I have recruited for Butler the entire time.
My point is this…..tonight we didn’t lose the National Championship, but we instead showed the character and determination I learned as a student in need of direction in the early 1980’s. I know Butler to be not just a part of who I am, but a place that formed me more than I could ever confess.
This year was a mediocre year in terms of the basketball season, yet in the tourney we excelled! For us in the Butler family though, it really doesn’t matter. Win or lose, we will be there cheering our team on. And although everyone and their brother is wearing a Butler sweatshirt now like d I do, I will wear mine even if we do not win a game. Family is family, and I am proud to be a Bulldog…win or lose!
Way to go boys! We made it to the finals TWO years in a row, and it was something I never imagined I would see in my lifetime. But next year awaits. I, like all other true Bulldogs, will be rooting us on!
Thanks for a great season Butler….and more than that, thanks for lifting me up and giving me a great foundation for my own life!
Go Bulldogs! You have made me proud!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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A great day…..

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We spent the day in Nashville, and yes when we travel I try not to let people know we are out of town….(BUT NOTE TO BURGLARS…. we always have someone staying at our ALARMED AND MONITORED house).

But Scotty, being the big musician, wanted to head to “music row,” and so we did. It was a great afternoon too. Our hotel was right by the Grand Ole Opry, but they were closed on Sundays……something I would have known had I spoken with my BOSS THE BISHOP who was not just a stage manager there many moons ago, but who met his WIFE there! So we wasted a lot of time trying to get there!
But “music row” was cool. I thought it ODD that there were about 100 people in “Rush” t-shirts, not the conservative icon, but the band. They must have played there…but since I listened to them in high school I just assumed they were dead. Not that this would have prevented them from playing, but as I have discovered…most things do not revolve around me (Okay, nothing does).
But Ben and Scotty had a great time. We ate too much, goofed off too much, and then made our way home. Not soon enough to get Viper out of the pokey (the kennel) but I will pick him up at 8!
It is just SO GOOD to be home. And as I type this on my NEW back porch (sans the cat) I have to confess that life is good. I love it here, and it truly feels like home.
Check back tomorrow night when I post about Butler’s NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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A special day of blessings……..

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Despite a Noblesville loss today, as well as a Scott Tirman possible concussion and half game, we finally made it to a hotel right by the Grand Ole Opry and more than that, a hotel that the Lindenwood Lady Lions women’s lacrosse team was staying at on their way home to Missouri. That’s right, we got to see all the kids together tonight, albeit briefly.

The picture is of Steph and her buddies commandeering not just my laptop, but our bed to type/Skype on. It was a real blessing, especially in that her friends/teammates are some very impressive young women…..and Ben loves them all. He is in heaven when they are around them.
So tonight was a special time. Scott appears well on his way to recovery. Ben has spent the night surrounded by young women who think he is wonderful. We got to see Steph and her friends.
AND with a Butler win I have to ask….how could this day be any better?
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Traffic, kids, and the Rockstar…..

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Ben clearly hates getting his picture taken, but tonight I do not care. I have had a long and miserable day and needed a picture……and he was going to comply.

The picture was taken at Scotty’s lacrosse game in Nashville……yes, Tennessee this time (normally Nashville, Indiana). But it took forever to get there and traffic was a NIGHTMARE. But being able to see Scotty play like a rockstar was what made it all worthwhile. He had a great game and it was so wonderful to see it. And in the JV game, because they were short-handed, Scotty got in as an offensive player (he is the Varsity goalie) and he SCORED. He is going to be able to live with from now on.
But the blessing was being able to be there to see him in goal. It really kills me to miss my kids games, and as the high school women’s coach I have missed a lot of Scott’s. As for Steph, I have never seen her in a college game…..and I regret all of it. It is cool to get to see them both play.
But for now I will just enjoy what I can and force the youngster into pictures when I catch him. I am not as young as I used to be, but my kids are important to me. And as long as I can I will be there to support them!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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March on…….

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I always heard the expression as I was growing up about March either going in like a lamb and out like a lion, or visa-versa. But it seems it went both in and out like a lamb, which after a winter which was really “all lion” that is fine with me. And not that anyone is really interested in how I feel about it, but it does make me feel better to say it.

So this means that the cold weather is most probably gone, and I can now turn my anxious mind toward getting my body into swimsuit shape. Of course that task seems so very daunting to me, so perhaps I will turn it to trading the positions of the snow blower and the lawn tractor in the garage. Yes, I know it will be hard, but I will take a break in between driving them out and then backing them back into the garage. It’s hard work, but somebody needs to do it.
Then awaits the lawn. No it is not needing a mow yet, but April always brings such things. And I must say, it will be a challenge. First of all, it is not square. And secondly, it is much larger than our prior lawn. A parishioner of mine in the business is coming out to tell me what I need to do in terms of fertilizer and upkeep. I may need to get a job as a pastor on TBN where they make that kind of cash…..though I am pretty sure none of them mows their own lawn……so that was just a joke. I will be doing it all myself to save save save.
But the same people also say, “April showers bring May flowers,” but I know that is not really true. The flowers come up in April and so does the grass, along with MUD. But in all honesty, I love it. Yard work is a peaceful distraction from my normal day to day and a blessing to my soul.
March on March…..let’s start up that mower!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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The Break……

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Since I am no longer a student, I tend to calculate my breaks on the ones we take during lacrosse season. And since there is no school Friday due to Spring Break for the students, and because many families leave for vacation after school on Thursday, tonight was our last practice until April 11th. And although I do not think we are quite ready for such a rest as a team at this point, I will say I will be enjoying the time off.

But of course for me it is pretty hard to just rest. I am plenty busy and often resting puts me behind….an being behind just makes things worse. So I try to stay focused, and keep the ship afloat…..and if were just a sailor I would have a bat’s chance of knowing what that means.
But for now I must just declare that I am on break. No, lacrosse will not disappear. The men’s coach actually scheduled two games during break so I know I will get to them. But I will only have to watch. Scott is fun to watch too. And I HOPE to get to a game of Steph’s too, since they play at least three this week somewhere within 10,000 miles from here, which is far closer than usual.

So break will be……some kind of break, but quite honestly I do not know what. But once again, my life revolves around what is happening with my kids. Go figure!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Family….really.

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Although Ben calls her Cindy, she is really more like her second mom. And oddly enough when I mention her it is almost always as the “sitter.” But Cindy is really family to us, and also above me on the list of people Ben would rather hang with. I used to believe I was in the top five…..but in all honesty, I am probably a lot further down the list.

But kids are shaped by the people around them, and Cindy is a big influence on his life…..and we are so thankful for her. Of course my experience in all this is limited. In all honesty, I am normally just transportation. But Amanda and Cindy are always texting and talking…..and giggling. They share a deep love for the boy and his presence in both their lives seems to make their bond pretty strong. And I am glad they are friends too…..anything to distract Amanda from my faults is a real blessing.
But I thought tonight I might just post this note about Cindy. I am blessed that she is Ben’s second mom! Tonight’s picture is of she and Ben together!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Hot Tub Pool…….

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Sure it is dark, but tonight (my to Stephanie’s chagrin…she wanted to use it when she was home but it was not ready) the boys took the first dip in what Ben identifies as the “hot tub pool.” No, it’s not the hot tub. Nor is it the spa or hot pool. This, like most things in our home, have a “Ben definition,” and this is the Hot Tub Pool.

And although Scotty was tired and really not too enthused about heading out there, he is the model big brother and went out and wrestled around with Ben. They are a hoot together, and tonight was no exception. And I am certain this is only the first of many “dips” in the pool (no that was not a statement of judgement on my children, I’m just using authentic 1970’s lingo to make an observation of what the boys were doing).
But it was fun for them, and fun to watch. Ben’s focus has been on that for days and it was a real blessing to finally get there. Scotty’s departure looms in times like these and I wonder just how Ben will be, because they are very close. But the one sure thing about life is that there will be changes. I am just thankful for the great times in between them…..tonight, of course, being a great example.
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+
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Confirming the obvious…….

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There is a lot happening in our churches, and today it was evident as Bishop Loomis confirmed quite a few people in 2 different churches today. (The picture is from St. Patrick’s, the smaller of the two services where there were just four people Confirmed, well actually 3 and one Reaffirmation, but in all honesty we are just as good looking in all of our churches!)

But today reminded me of not so long ago where as a priest I would struggle to see people really step up and out professing their faith. It seems to be a problem we no longer have, but then the leadership I/we are under is different. The expectation of the leadership of my past was focused upon the principles of tolerance and acceptance, which are both great principles…….as long as they are grounded in the Gospel. When they are not, things become diluted, and dilution, by definition, is something that weakens something else. And when that something is the power of Christ to change lives, well then, it really not something anyone should profess.
So gladly I watched the Bishop lay his hands upon people who are getting it and heading in the right direction…..not diluting their lives and asking for God’s blessing upon mediocrity, but humbly confessing who they are and then willingly professing Christ. It’s a powerful way forward and not a stopping point. And I am so blessed to see it happening before me in our midst!
Goodnight my friends and God Bless!
Tommy+