Getting to Know Father Tom Suss

Getting to Know Father Tom Suss

By Alice Huth-Derrah

Father Tom greets me with a cheery “hello” upon answering his phone. He is blessed with that rare quality of having both a reassuring and assured voice that invites you into conversation.

Father Thomas Joseph Suss was born on Sept. 5, 1944, in Tacoma, Washington. Baptized into a Catholic family, he was raised by his widowed mother. Father Tom, the youngest of 6 children, was a little over a year old when his dad passed away. His mother moved the family to Fife, a small farming community just outside of Tacoma, where he attended grade school and Bellarmine Jesuit High School.

As he grew up, Father Tom realized he “envied friends with dads” and, at the age of 12, he got the idea that he “could choose a father.” He began purposefully observing men in his life. The criteria he would use to make his decision would be based upon careful attention as to how these men treated others, their wives, children, friends, and strangers. Father ended up choosing four men who had so impressed him with the way in which they conducted their lives, Father decided he wanted to “pattern” himself after them. These men would remain in his life always. One Father’s Day, when he was 26 years old and on a visit to Rome, he wrote a letter to each of them. He shared with them the choice he had made so long ago, and the invaluable impact the learnings gained from their examples had on his life. Years later, at the funeral of one of his chosen fathers, he learned that the letter he’d written was still in the man’s wallet. Father Tom fully believes that “God gave me the inspiration to turn something negative, like losing a father, into a positive.”

Father Tom would go on to attend Seattle University for 1 year; Jesuit Seminary for 1 ½ years; and 3 years at the University of Washington (“Go Huskies,” Father good-humoredly adds) obtaining a degree in Recreation Education. Father loved traveling, and hoped his degree would eventually lead to a career as a cruise director. He had, however, always had an “attraction to mystery and things not easily understood.” From his earliest memories Father had a “fascination with God,” the “Greatest Mystery,” and he believed in the specialness of individuals and the importance of reaffirming that everyone is unique and important. He entered St. Thomas the Apostle Seminary in Kenmore, Washington and, in order to work his way through school, he obtained a job as a Seattle Transit bus driver. The work enabled Father to interact with many different kinds of people, something he has always enjoyed. One day, a friend got on the bus and observed Father’s many “good mornings” to passengers boarding the bus. Later, his friend commented on how each one of those greetings came across as if it were meant especially for that person. On June 2, 1973, after completing his studies, Father Tom was ordained at St. James Cathedral in Seattle.

Asked about the most joyous aspects of being a priest, Father Tom says it’s celebrating Mass, “that’s a given.” Father adds that the “privilege of hearing confessions” is also a wondrous experience because it affords people the opportunity for “renewal,” allowing them to be reconciled to God and the Church. Most importantly, Father says he wants people to feel “lifted up even when they may be experiencing the worst time in their life.” Father Tom’s exceptional interest in and love of people seems to guarantee that will be the outcome.

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12 thoughts on “Getting to Know Father Tom Suss

  1. Father Tom you have such a fascinating way of introducing the theme of each Mass. I marvel at the clarity you bestow and how lovingly you share your incredible knowledge. Thank you Fr. Tom!

  2. ALWAYS love Fr. Tom’s descriptive way of explaining the readings. He somehow simplifies those readings so a lay person can understand and appreciate the message that is being conveyed in simplistic terms.

  3. God bless our holy clergy who work tirelessly day in & day out to help save our souls, I wanted to be a priest at 17 & at 62, too young, then too old, I tried again at 64 years of age, pandemic began and I received no reply. Now however I’ve applied to be a Friar to the Poor & Marginalized, looks like I will be one, Capuchine Franciscan, myom & I both thought I’d be a priest, God sent me a different venture, looking forward now, with Bishop Olmstead I’m blessing, I still love the priesthood and all Deacons, Religious, & Consecrated Ones who serve our Holy Mother the Church, both morally upright, prayerfully & truthfully, God bless all.+

  4. Father Tom, spoke to you after Sunday Mass at St. Helens on 4/1. I tried to send an email to you but I must have done something wrong. i would appreciate it if you could find some time for me to come and speak with you Thank you. JoAnn Pilcher
    (email or phone 480-745-0444)

  5. Father Tom,
    Each time I serve with you I feel like can record continuing education hours to satisfy my Diaconate requirement. Thank you for insisting that I make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land with you in 2020. I am forever changed by God bringing us together. Praise the Lord!

  6. I’ve studied in Israel for 3 months with Fr. Tom. A great man. A very patient man. We’ve become good friends, but somehow life happens and our paths took different turns. I just read this article…and I thought, this might be a good chance for us to get reconnected with a very good man.

    1. JORGE— My friend. Where are you? I have thought of you so often and now here you are on this cite–a year later. I didn’t even know this cite existed. I’ve never seen it. However, my phone # is: 253-460-6229 and my email is just as simple: tomsuss@gmail.com Unfortunately my computer is dying and it will be a couple of weeks before I’m up and operating again. I’m using a brotyher’s right nowe. If you get this, please call. It would be so good to hear your voice again. Shalom, friend– +Tom

  7. We meant Father Suss many, many years ago as a young couple when my husband & I were first married (47+ yrs ago) in Tacoma, WA!
    Though we lost touch w/him after many years, somehow my husband found this article & shared it w/me last night on Christmas Eve. Throughout the years, he left such a light in my heart following several opportunities of meeting up w/him. Hearing how he has continued to touched other lives is no surprise. You are so often in my thoughts & we would love to see him again!
    Please reach out to us…?
    Meanwhile, have a Merry Christmas & a blessed holiday💕

    1. Elaine– I can’t believe this. I never knew this cite existed. I’m using my brother’s computer to try and get into my emails and this popped up. Please call me at: 253-460-6229. It would be wonderful to see you and Don again. Hopefully we can connect. Thanks for your kind words from last Christmas. Peace– +Fr. Tom

  8. Please fr. Tom call your old friend, I need to talk to you please.
    Chris scheer 253 223 6655
    Your brother in Christ,
    Chris

Leave a Reply to Ann Tyrrell Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

12 thoughts on “Getting to Know Father Tom Suss

  1. Father Tom you have such a fascinating way of introducing the theme of each Mass. I marvel at the clarity you bestow and how lovingly you share your incredible knowledge. Thank you Fr. Tom!

  2. ALWAYS love Fr. Tom’s descriptive way of explaining the readings. He somehow simplifies those readings so a lay person can understand and appreciate the message that is being conveyed in simplistic terms.

  3. God bless our holy clergy who work tirelessly day in & day out to help save our souls, I wanted to be a priest at 17 & at 62, too young, then too old, I tried again at 64 years of age, pandemic began and I received no reply. Now however I’ve applied to be a Friar to the Poor & Marginalized, looks like I will be one, Capuchine Franciscan, myom & I both thought I’d be a priest, God sent me a different venture, looking forward now, with Bishop Olmstead I’m blessing, I still love the priesthood and all Deacons, Religious, & Consecrated Ones who serve our Holy Mother the Church, both morally upright, prayerfully & truthfully, God bless all.+

  4. Father Tom, spoke to you after Sunday Mass at St. Helens on 4/1. I tried to send an email to you but I must have done something wrong. i would appreciate it if you could find some time for me to come and speak with you Thank you. JoAnn Pilcher
    (email or phone 480-745-0444)

  5. Father Tom,
    Each time I serve with you I feel like can record continuing education hours to satisfy my Diaconate requirement. Thank you for insisting that I make the pilgrimage to the Holy Land with you in 2020. I am forever changed by God bringing us together. Praise the Lord!

  6. I’ve studied in Israel for 3 months with Fr. Tom. A great man. A very patient man. We’ve become good friends, but somehow life happens and our paths took different turns. I just read this article…and I thought, this might be a good chance for us to get reconnected with a very good man.

    1. JORGE— My friend. Where are you? I have thought of you so often and now here you are on this cite–a year later. I didn’t even know this cite existed. I’ve never seen it. However, my phone # is: 253-460-6229 and my email is just as simple: tomsuss@gmail.com Unfortunately my computer is dying and it will be a couple of weeks before I’m up and operating again. I’m using a brotyher’s right nowe. If you get this, please call. It would be so good to hear your voice again. Shalom, friend– +Tom

  7. We meant Father Suss many, many years ago as a young couple when my husband & I were first married (47+ yrs ago) in Tacoma, WA!
    Though we lost touch w/him after many years, somehow my husband found this article & shared it w/me last night on Christmas Eve. Throughout the years, he left such a light in my heart following several opportunities of meeting up w/him. Hearing how he has continued to touched other lives is no surprise. You are so often in my thoughts & we would love to see him again!
    Please reach out to us…?
    Meanwhile, have a Merry Christmas & a blessed holiday💕

    1. Elaine– I can’t believe this. I never knew this cite existed. I’m using my brother’s computer to try and get into my emails and this popped up. Please call me at: 253-460-6229. It would be wonderful to see you and Don again. Hopefully we can connect. Thanks for your kind words from last Christmas. Peace– +Fr. Tom

  8. Please fr. Tom call your old friend, I need to talk to you please.
    Chris scheer 253 223 6655
    Your brother in Christ,
    Chris

Leave a Reply to Ann Tyrrell Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *