Father Thomas L. Boland, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of Louisville, died on Sept. 15. He was 81 and had been a priest of the archdiocese for 56 years.
Father Boland, a native of Louisville, attended Christ the King School, Flaget High School, St. Thomas Seminary and St. Mary’s Seminary in Baltimore. He was ordained by Archbishop John A. Floersh on May 8, 1965.
He served as pastor of Holy Spirit Church from 1989 to 2002 and St. Patrick Church from 2002 to 2010, when he retired. He served as associate pastor of St. Therese Church from 1973 to 1989.
Father Boland taught at Trinity High School from 1965 to 1969 and 1970 to 1978 and was in residence at St. Barnabas Church during that time.
He also served the archdiocese in a variety of other roles, including as director of the Family Ministries Office from 1978 to 1989 and director of Renew.
He was also involved in family ministries at the national level through the National Association of Catholic Family Life Ministers (NACFLM) from 1978-1995, serving as the first president and also as a board member.
He served on the following archdiocesan committees: six terms on the Priests’ Council, two terms on the Priest Personnel Board and four years on the Catholic Services Appeal Board.
He was also assistant chaplain of St. Thomas-St. Vincent Home, as associate director of the Vocation Office and a counselor in the Family Relations Center during his years of service.
He is survived by his cousins.
Visitation will be at St. Edward Church, 9608 Sue Helen Drive, on Sept. 19 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. with an evening prayer service and Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Fr Tom was my moms cousin. We spent numerous holidays together. We are devastated at his loss. He was a good and righteous man. We will forever remember him, holidays at his condo, and continued contact thru phone calls. He gave my mom last rights in the Emergency room at Baptist East in 2017. He said ” it’s either her time, or not”. It was. May God grant unto him eternal life, comfort and blessings. Our level of pain is beyond comprehension. Our comfort is knowing Tom will greet us when it’s our time.
Sincerely
Michele Ruffra (Healy) Broderick
Father Tom was in our class of 1953 at Christ the King Grade School. Every once in a while we would hear from him. We were very proud to say he was one of our class as his various pursuits always exhibited his leadership proficiency. May he Rest in Peace.
I served as organist/choir director at St Therese from 1978-1983, and began my 43 year career as a Catholic teacher in the Archdiocese. Father Tom served as a great mentor and also wrote a graduate school recommendation for me. Many moments of inspiration. Truly a man of energy and vision who gave HIS ALL! A joyful eternal LIFE awaits. In gratitude……
Respectful farewell to Father Tom. Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord and let your perpetual light shine upon the departed soul.