IHM, Pennybyrn community come together for High Point priest’s 50th anniversary
Oblates of St. Francis de Sales Father Tom Norris celebrated his 50th anniversary of ordination to the priesthood by throwing a party for the people – young and old – he ministers to, including students at Immaculate Heart of Mary School and Pennybyrn retirement community in High Point. The school arranged a luncheon and special musical performances for everyone’s enjoyment. “I’ve always wanted to bring a sense of community to everyone here,” he explained. ( Photos by Spencer K.M. Brown | Catholic News Herald)HIGH POINT — When Immaculate Heart of Mary School’s leaders proposed an anniversary bash to commemorate their chaplain Father Tom Norris’s 50th year as a priest, he hesitated. He didn’t like the idea of being in the spotlight.
Instead, Father Norris suggested a celebration for the entire IHM Parish community where he serves, inviting residents from the nearby Pennybyrn retirement community to bring together young and old.
So plans were made. Invitations went out. And when the day came, May 4, the celebration at IHM School was exactly what Father Norris hoped for – a blending of generations and sharing of community spirit.
“He told us he simply wanted to throw a ‘senior luncheon’ for residents of Pennybyrn,” said Maryann Leonard, IHM’s principal. “But as people began asking what the luncheon was for, Father Tom finally had to tell them.”
More than 200 people turned out for the occasion – including IHM students and residents of Pennybyrn, where Father Norris also loves to serve.
“I’ve always wanted to bring a sense of community to everyone here,” Father Norris explained. “Loneliness can be so hard on the heart and soul. Just to have everyone here – not to celebrate me or a silly anniversary – but to be together, for the kids to see this older generation and connect, that’s just wonderful.”
Since the pandemic, it has been difficult for many in the community to come together and join in fellowship. Father Norris has worked hard to do just that.
The celebration spanned generations, from 4-year-olds in the pre-kindergarten class to a Pennybyrn resident who just turned 102 and still attends daily Mass. The occasion also celebrated Immaculate Heart’s graduating eighth-grade class, who volunteered to serve the luncheon.
“Father Tom’s impact on the school and parish have been so incredible,” Leonard said. “He truly embodies the virtue of humility and is a true teacher at heart. He knows how to teach in his sermons, and he really reaches the kids.”
After the meal, the school’s music director had a surprise performance for everyone. Students in pre-kindergarten, kindergarten, first and second grades took the stage, filling the banquet hall with Bible songs. Then IHM student Rohan D’Souza performed a violin solo, followed by fellow eighth-grader Jiseung Ha playing the piano to accompany a group of eighth-grade singers.
Father Norris was nearly in tears as the students gifted him with “prayer bouquets,” potted flowers with prayer intentions for him from each class at the school.
Despite his best efforts to put the spotlight on others, the community spirit took on a life of its own and became a celebration of Father Norris, too.
Looking around the room full of friends and students, Father Norris couldn’t help but reminisce on his time as a priest.
“It’s hard to believe, 50 years,” he said. “It began all those years ago in Philadelphia. In June of 1973, there were six of us to be ordained. But the auxiliary bishop who was scheduled to ordain us was sick. We all were wondering, even that morning, if he would show up. What would happen if he didn’t? He did, of course, fighting sickness.” Ordination day “was one of the happiest days of my life.”
Father Norris was ordained a priest with the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales, a religious order known for its teaching in parish schools. His ministry eventually led to his assignment at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish and School in 1989.
Father Norris grew up going to Catholic schools and had relatives who were in religious life. The priesthood was something he was always interested in.
“I always thought it was something wonderful to aspire to: a life of service. And when the Oblates came to our high school, it sort of clicked for me. These were men who served God and taught school, the two things I was most interested in, and that’s when I knew I would be a priest.”
He entered seminary when he was 17, much to the doubt of family and friends.
“My aunts all took bets, saying I wouldn’t make it to Christmas as a seminarian that first year,” Father Norris remembered, smiling. “Back then I just took it one day at a time, and that’s what I’ve always done. One day, one year at a time, and this is where God has led me.
“I’ve always tried to tell these students over the years that the temptations of many careers will arrive, but they don’t always reward you how you hoped. Religious vocations take a lot of sacrifice, but you must take it one day at a time and it will be worth it. Because in a life of service to others, the rewards are immeasurable.”
— Spencer K.M. Brown
CHARLOTTE — Little did Michael Camilleri know that when he entered the Diocese of Charlotte’s seminarian program, he’d also learn how to cook besides discerning the priesthood and earning a degree from Belmont Abbey College.
During his final year at the college seminary in Mount Holly, Camilleri has served as head seminarian of the kitchen and trained at Aqua e Vino in Charlotte to bone up on his culinary skills and learn how to make Italian dishes from scratch.
Knowing how to cook is important, Camilleri realizes. “It can be difficult for a priest who can’t cook to eat well.” Now, he adds, “I’m trying to train up the rest of the guys.”
“One of the favorite dishes the men have enjoyed is a baked rice dish from Malta, where much of my family is from,” he says.
Camilleri, a member of St. Elizabeth Church in Boone, is one of 45 men enrolled in various stages of formation for the priesthood in the diocese. He just finished his studies at St. Joseph College Seminary in Mount Holly, earning a bachelor’s degree from nearby Belmont Abbey College.
He plans to go on to continue formation for the priesthood at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Cincinnati this fall.
CNH: When did you first consider the priesthood?
Camilleri: I first heard the call to the priesthood when I was very young – 3 or 4 years old. My family loves to talk about how I used to “play Mass,” which is actually one of my earliest memories. I lost sight of the vocation in late elementary school until right before high school – I wanted to go into computer science.
While preparing to enter high school, by the grace of God, I decided to pursue what He put on my heart from that early age and I entered the college seminary.
CNH: How did you go about discerning where you felt called to explore a possible vocation?
Camilleri: I was always open with my family about my thoughts on the priesthood, but the first person outside my family whom I spoke with was probably Father Robert Ferris, my pastor at the time. Later, at the beginning of high school, when I was more seriously discerning, I spoke with my pastor Father Matthew Codd.
The diocese’s Quo Vadis Days retreat was invaluable for my discernment because I was able to see and speak with many priests in both formal and informal settings. They also gave us a taste of the rhythm of prayer life in seminary, including Holy Mass, praying the Divine Office and Eucharistic Adoration. I also remained active in my parish and asked Our Lord numerous times for guidance. The most important part of discernment is prayer.
CNH: How and when did you reach out to learn more?
Camilleri: I have a very precise answer for this. I reached out to the Vocations Office by email on October 26, 2014, at 9:41 p.m. My email is a bit funny to read back. It begins “Dear Fr Gober, My name is Michael Camilleri, and I am 14 years old. I am discerning diocesan priesthood, but because I am 14, I’m far too young to go to seminary.” When I read back over the rest of my message to Father Gober, I imagine he must have had a good laugh.
CNH: You entered St. Joseph College Seminary in 2018 after graduating from high school. What has been your discernment process there?
Camilleri: The most important part of one’s prayer life is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the unbloody re-presentation of Christ’s own perfect Sacrifice on Calvary. I think I could count on my fingers the number of days I have not attended Holy Mass since I entered the seminary. I fervently love the elevations of the Sacred Body and Blood of Our Lord during the Mass, during which one can adore Our Lord in the flesh and pray that indulgenced prayer along with St. Thomas: “My Lord and My God.”
We seminarians also spend time before the Blessed Sacrament, we pray the Divine Office, and we pray the rosary.
Complete abandonment to God’s will is essential, I think. Psalm 126 says, “Unless the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it.” Unless we abandon ourselves to His will and say with Our Lord, “Thy will be done,” our work is in vain. If, however, I offer all my little daily actions to God for Him to use as He pleases, I will surely not toil in vain. God takes care of the rest.
CNH: Looking back on your discernment journey to this point, what do you think has helped you the most to discern God’s will for you?
Camilleri: Ultimately, it is God’s grace that has guided me. I have certainly made my own contributions – attending Holy Mass, all other forms of prayer, being open to God’s will – but all of this amounts to nothing other than following His will. I ask the Blessed Trinity that I continue to follow His will, and I ask the reader to please pray for that, as well.
— SueAnn Howell, senior reporter
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Seminarian education is funded in part by the annual Diocesan Support Appeal.
Learn more about the DSA and how to donate online at www.charlottediocese.org/dsa.