Msgr. Tom Leonard h’06, an Inspiration
By Sean Hagerty, S.J. ’98
L
ife, in many ways, is defined by interaction. We are formed by those interactions, and our lives and choices are a
reflection of our experience. Certain people have a tremendous impact on our lives, they inform the way we look at
the world and help us establish what we value. Monsignor Tom Leonard was one of those persons.
I first met Tom Leonard as a boy, in the First Grade, when he was installed as pastor at Holy Trinity Church in the early
90’s. My mother took my siblings and me to mass every Sunday and she would often stop to chat with Monsignor Leonard
on the way out of mass. He always greeted us by name and made us feel welcome at church. In the Second Grade, Monsignor
Leonard came to Saint David’s to prepare us for first communion. He was patient, kind, and had a wonderful sense of humor.
Like many Catholics, my relationship with priests was limited to Sundays and other religious events. While I saw Tom
once a week, I did not know him well. In high school, Tom arranged for me to work at the Incarnation Children’s Center in
Washington Heights, an organization he help found, which cares for children and teens with HIV/AIDS. Working with HIV
positive kids scared me, I was woefully ignorant about HIV/AIDS and was hesitant to talk to, let alone touch, someone with
HIV. It was during this experience that I came to know more about Tom. Where most people actively avoided those with HIV,
Tom went out of his way to take care of them. Where I was frightened and distant, Tom was compassionate. It had a profound
effect on me; Tom sought out and cared for those on the margins of
society because it was what his faith demanded of him. It was a witness
to the faith which stuck with me. As the years went on, I lost touch
with Tom. I joined the Army after college and was stationed in Alaska.
However, when I came home Tom always made a point to welcome me
back to the parish. He asked my mother about how I was doing and
prayed for me when I deployed to Iraq.
When I began to think of the priesthood and religious life, I spoke with
Tom. We would chat in the rectory at Holy Trinity, and he would invite
Msgr. Leonard h’06 at the June 2018 Spring Gathering, during which the
Saint David’s Chapel was dedicated to him. Shown with Michael Imbelli
and Adam Hume ’70.
30 • Saint David’s Magazine