An overflowing crowd of mourners attended the funeral mass
Monday of Thomas Steven Vander Woude, a Gainesville man who
spent his life serving others and serving God. Holy Trinity
Church, which has 1,200 seats, was so full that many mourners
had to listen from the church lobby or watch the Mass on a
screen in St. Anthony’s Hall.
Vander Woude passed away last Monday while saving the life of
his youngest son. Joseph, 20, who has Down syndrome, had
fallen into a septic tank outside the home. Vander Woude
jumped into the tank to push Joseph up and keep his head
above the muck. Vander Woude died in his attempt to save his
son. Joseph was hospitalized with double pneumonia, but is
expected to make a full recovery. He was in attendance at
Monday’s Mass.
Father Thomas P. Vander Woude, the oldest of Vander Woude’s
seven sons and pastor of Queen of Apostles Parish in
Alexandria, was the main celebrant. Mass was concelebrated by
Arlington Bishop Paul S. Loverde, Father Francis Peffley,
pastor of Holy Trinity; Father Jerry Wooten, parochial vicar
of Holy Trinity; Father Jack Fullen, a priest of the
Archdiocese of Baltimore in residence in the diocese, and
more than 70 other priests who are friends of the Vander
Woude family.
There was also a procession of more than 60 altar boys, most
of whom were trained by Vander Woude himself.
In his homily, Father Vander Woude thanked everyone in
attendance for all the generosity the family had received,
and spoke about how the Church can provide comfort for those
mourning his father’s death.
“Just like the Lord gave my Dad the grace to save my brother,
He also gives us the grace to deal with the results,” Father
Vander Woude said.
Father Peffley spoke about the “incredible legacy” Vander
Woude left behind with his sons and 24 grandchildren. He also
compared Vander Woude to St. Joseph, since he seemed to
always be in the background willing to do everything that
needed to be done.
Before saying the prayers of commendation, Bishop Loverde
called Vander Woude’s last act “saintly” and encouraged all
attendees to not only pray for Vander Woude, but to pray to
him for intercession.
Bishop Loverde also spoke about how faith will help Vander
Woude’s friends and family get past the tragedy.
“Faith enables us to move ahead, to hold on to each other and
to walk with hope,” Bishop Loverde said.
He added that Vander Woude should be remembered as a model of
inspiration, because he was willing to lay down his life for
another person.
“His last act of self-giving was just the crown on a whole
life of self-giving,” Bishop Loverde said.
