Thomas R. Caffrey

I was born in 1956 in Orange, New Jersey, a middle child in a family of eight children to Joseph and Janice Caffrey, and grew up in the nearby village of South Orange in a century-old Victorian house. The experiences of that village, that neighborhood, that house and that family were fertile environments out of which a rich imagination could grow--and it has.

The first writing experience of passion and joy came in the late 1980s, when I wrote my first poem, and the experience motivated continued writing. The "pen"ultimate experience came in 2000, when I earned First Place in a national arts contest sponsored by C-SPAN, for my poem about John Adams. That experience and subsequent ones thrilled me, and validated (for me and others) my abilities. The poem and laudatory comments were read into the Congressional Record, and I received invitations from the Congress, White House and Adams National Historic Park. During my visit to the Adams' historic site, I learned they had entered the poem into their scholarship archives. I continued to write poems, but knew that I eventually wanted to write books.

During high school I enjoyed literature and writing, but sensed no "call" to engage professionally with either interests. At that time in my life I had little clarity about anything, except my Catholic faith. So, after one uninspiring year of college, I left to do some searching for my purpose, and the right mission to fulfill it. 4 1/2 years of retail and construction jobs later I returned to school; but although my faith was still my passion, I could not imagine how I could make a living at it and afford a family. So I concentrated on health education, culminating in a M.S. degree from East Stroudsburg University, PA. After that I worked for years in a hospital, directing a rehabilitation program aimed mostly at people with heart disease. After that stint I began my own educational and training program for people with chronic pain and work-related injuries. Currently I run an ergonomics business, one aimed at preventing injury or re-injury in the workplace.

Were the reader to visit my library, they might be startled to find hundreds of books related to faith, philosophy and literature but only a handful pertaining to my current profession. The reason lies in my passion for those areas, and my significant activity in my local churches. I've held several positions in various men's ministries for faith-formation, including leadership positions. The motivation for this work is to become a better person. I know my mistakes and poor judgments. In my book I make clear my serious falls from grace, and the effort to learn from them. I strive to keep improving, so that one day I could actually be called "virtuous."

The book describes the challenges boys and men have been facing during the past fifty years, and how we as a culture can and should respond. It recommends reclaiming some of the themes and practices of traditions related to the formation of virtuous manhood, including those from the Classical period and cultures of various indigenous peoples.

In January 2015 I added to the intensity and informing of my book-writing experience, by beginning my second graduate school experience in search of a Master of Arts in theology, from Georgian Court University. I have great gratitude and joy for these blessings. I've recently begun a radio program with my friend Dan Duddy (www.danduddy.com). All the above comprise my new enterprise, Faith Pilgrims, LLC

Currently I am part of our (St Mary's) parish programs of That Man Is You!, and Bagel and Bible, two faith-formation and leadership programs for Catholic men that are held in both Barnegat, NJ and Manahawkin, NJ churches.

My children, Kevin and Maureen, are grown and out of the house. Kevin has traveled to more than 75 countries, spending 2 years in China working as a teacher and doing charity teaching in Colombia, South America and Myanmar. Maureen graduated from Fashion Institute of Technology, New York, and for the past year and a half has been part of a small but growing group that has built a custom mens apparel brand. I live along the southern Jersey Shore.

God bless us, and help us.