Deacon Thomas J. Driscoll, D. Min.
Chairperson, Holocaust Study Group
Thomas J. Driscoll is the Pastoral Associate at Holy Family Catholic Community in Wayland, NY. Tom is a native Rochesterian. He earned a B.A. in sociology from St. John Fisher College, an M.A. in liturgy and systematic theology at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN and a Doctor of Ministry from Colgate Rochester Divinity School in social justice education. He was ordained a Permanent Deacon for the Catholic Diocese of Rochester in 1984.
Tom married Michele Szembrot, an art educator, in 1974; they have four children ages 33-20. He holds dual citizenship in the United States and the Republic of Ireland. He is an avid student of Irish history and language. His other interests include tango dancing, ice hockey, the 27-time world champion NY Yankees and the genealogy of his ancestors.
Deacon Tom’s career has focused on full-time parish ministry including service at St. James Church, Rochester; St. Jerome Church, E. Rochester; St. Louis, Pittsford; St. John’s Church, Spencerport.
In addition Tom co-founded & directed The Pittsford Food Cupboard (1998-2001); co-founded The Elderberry Express (1987); was a member of the Pittsford Central School District Religious Observance Advisory Committee (1997-2001) served as chairperson of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission (1978-1982)
Educational Ministries have motivated Tom. He has been an Instructor, in the Rochester Kollel at Temple B’rith Kodesh from 2001 until the present. He served as Director of Community Education at St. Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry, and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Ministry Studies. He taught graduate courses in Christian Fundamentalism, Preaching, Interfaith Marriages, The Papacy and American Catholic Experience from 2001-2004. He also served as chairperson of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission from 1978 to 1981. Tom served as chairperson of the Muslim-Catholic Alliance (2003-2004); a member of the Diocesan Public Policy Committee (2001-2004); and the Board of Directors, Greater Rochester Community of Churches, 2002 -2004
In Holocaust Studies Tom’s areas of research are the history of ant-semitism, the relationship of the Catholic Church to the Holocaust and the Holocaust in German occupied Soviet territories.
“I became involved in the Holocaust Study Group for three reasons:
- I believe that inter-religious healing is a long slow process, operates on many levels, and needs the commitment of every Christian.
- Feelings and ideas of superiority, which were found in the 1930's in Germany are frighteningly found in the United States today and this needs to be confronted.
- Genocide has not gone away. We need to learn what the causes are and be vigilant in watching for the danger signs.
“I am struck by the words of Mohandas K. Gandhi: “What difference does it make to the dead, the orphans and the homeless, whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name of liberty or democracy?”
Mahatma Gandhi (1869 - 1948), "Non-Violence in Peace and War"
”I am deeply honored to be part of the team in creating this important educational opportunity.”