La Salette Father Efren Tomas, 54, was born in Cabatuan in the province of Isabela in the Philippines. He is one of six children. Tomas attended St. Louis University in Baguio City and Divine Word Seminary in Tagaytay City. He was ordained a Missionary of Our Lady of La Salette on March 27, 1981, in Cabatuan. Father Tomas has been a pastor, seminary director and vocation director. He was also a provincial superior for nine years. He arrived in Hawaii in July 2004. Father Tomas is the pastor of Christ the King Parish in Kahului, Maui.
1. Do you have any hobbies?
I’ve been very athletic in my life, playing basketball in my younger years, and I’m now into tennis. It’s not only work and pray but also play.
2. What’s the Church’s biggest challenge today?
Emerging from the recent scandals that have rocked it, the Church must respond as it did through the Councils of Trent and Vatican II. It must change and adopt new policies. It must lift the veil of secrecy. We must walk in the “Light.”
3. Which person have you admired most in your life?
Pope John Paul II. He was relentless in reaching out to all men. I was one of the most privileged few to have a personal encounter with Pope John Paul II. In 2000, during the general chapter of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette, where I was one of the delegates, we were called to a private audience with His Holiness and I had the chance to speak to him personally.
4. Who in this world would you most like to meet?
I would like to meet Pope Benedict XVI, since I’ve had an in-person meeting with his very charismatic predecessor.
5. What is your favorite childhood memory?
Getting up early in the morning to attend Misa de Gallo (dawn Mass at 4 a.m. on Dec. 16-24) together with my family. We had fun walking together to Church.
6. What is your favorite bible passage?
2 Corinthians 4:7 “We have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.” It is a living reminder to myself that I am his servant.
7. Where is the one place you have never been but always wanted to visit?
Being a member of a Marian congregation, I would like to visit the site of the apparition of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico.
8. What book are you reading now?
I am reading “An Easter People: Our Christian Vocation to be Messengers of Hope” by Bishop Luis Antonio G. Tagle. I am a member of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Our Lady of La Salette in the “Mother of Hope Province” in the Philippines and the book gives an insight into how the Easter event becomes a great season of hope in a world where hopelessness seems to abound.