Page 45 - Catholic Extension Magazine Winter 2019

Extension | Winter 2019 45

Tom and Joanne Literary Center of the Midlands
Kerins discuss closed, leaving many students in
the role of faith in need of tutoring, and the Church
their lives and our
missionary Church. stepped up. “It is an incredible
experience to help those who want
to help themselves,” she said.
Tom also savors volunteering. He
has served on the Archdiocese of
Omaha’s finance committee, and
for the last 10 years, he has men-
tored at nearby Boys’ Town: teach-
ing math, giving advice and sharing
his faith. “Most of these boys don’t
have fathers,” he said. “Their lives
are tough. They’ve gotten into trou-
ble with drugs or gangs, and I help
them think how their lives could
be different.”
Sharing his faith and using it as
a basis for inspiration comes easily
to Tom. “Faith is core in our lives,”
he said. “It is a focus and a moti-
vator. Our relationship with God
PHOTO NATHAN ELSE shapes our decisions and how we
social part — she later realized that from Romania, just started college. approach life. We look to the Gos-
there were gaps in her catechism They all live away from home but pel for guidance in everything —
training. After attending Creighton visit often. how to raise our kids, work issues,
University, she taught 8th grade, Joanne is deeply involved how we support aging parents.”
including confirmation classes, with a project that helps immi- “Tom is really good at keeping
at a Catholic school in Omaha. In grants and refugees at their par- God central in our lives,” Joanne
teaching the students, she discov- ish, St. Vincent de Paul. Three added. “When the children come
ered a few missing pieces in her years ago, the parish adopted two to him with concerns, he asks, ‘Are
own education, which led her to Syrian families. Joanne volun- you praying about it?’”
study hard to stay ahead of her stu- teered to help get them settled — In the last three years, Tom has
dents to give them a good foun- teaching them English, helping served as a judge for the Lumen
dation in Catholicism. She under- them through medical appoint- Christi Award. He is inspired by
stands the importance of cate- ments and even teaching the men the nominees and in awe of the
chism classes, which are so often to drive! depth and diversity of their minis-
lacking in mission dioceses and Through the parish’s outreach tries, which “take his breath away.”
which Catholic Extension helps to program, she teaches English Reflecting upon them, he jokes
support. twice a week to Syrian and with Joanne, “If we want to get
Tom and Joanne have five chil- Afghani women. This effort was to heaven, we better step up our
dren. The oldest is 26 years old and started last year when Omaha’s game.”
the youngest, whom they adopted