How It All Began
Journey of the Soul Ministry actually began in 2011, though Fr. Tom and Barbara didn’t know it at the time. The two had worked together at St. James Parish in Stratford, CT, a vibrant, engaged community of faith, with Father Tom as Pastor and Barbara as Director of Music and Liturgy and a facilitator in a program called “Journey of Discipleship,” which she helped design. Another aspect of parish life that the two worked on together was funerals - almost one hundred every year. Fr. Tom and Barbara had a synergy that somehow empowered grieving families to begin to view the death of a loved one in a transformative, hopeful way. And, through the years Fr. Tom had developed a reputation for his uncanny ability to help people deal with suffering and loss.
In 2011, while discussing his pastoral ministry with two dear friends - Fr. Carl Arico, a Founding Member of Contemplative Outreach with Fr. Thomas Keating, and Fr. Tom Boland of Holy Spirit Parish in Louisville, KY - the two challenged him: “Tom, you know so much about helping people who are suffering. It’s your gift and charism. You owe the world a book.” Fr. Lynch, who never considered himself a writer, asked Barbara (who had published scores of books) to collaborate with him. Throughout the next seven years the two worked on their critically acclaimed book, “After the Diagnosis…A Guide for Living” and subtitled, “The Transformative Power of Love During Sickness Dying and Death.” It was published in 2018. Kirkus called it … “An expansive, richly sympathetic book about the last and least-understood phase of life.”
In the aftermath of the book something became clearer than ever - the best time to “do the work” necessary for transformation is in what Fr. Tom calls “the green times,” learning to “die to self,” to let go of the EGO, to free oneself from the prison of self-absorption before being challenged with the really big stuff of life. Chapters 11-22 in “After the Diagnosis” walk readers through the concepts, dispositions, and practices that can transform the naïve, grade-school faith that most of us carry into adulthood toward a mature, seasoned faith big enough to address the complexity of modern lives. But many see the title and feel, I’m not a patient or a caregiver so this book isn’t for me right now. In response, Fr. Tom and Barbara began Journey of the Soul Ministry, with the goal of helping people at any point along the journey of life, to deal with suffering and loss, and also to find deeper meaning and joy in every aspect of living and loving.
Meet the Co-founders of Journey of the Soul Ministry
Fr. Tom Lynch
Fr. Tom Lynch, a jovial Irishman with a mischievous smile, a twinkle in his eye, and a down-to-earth nature, often surprises people by the way he can suddenly see into the depths of the hearts of those he ministers to. Co-founder Barbara Mariconda describes him as something of a Shaman, a man uniquely at home in the spirit world. An activist at heart, Fr. Tom stood with the Berrigan Brothers in the 60’s, and as a seminarian was tear-gassed, beaten, and harassed at many an anti-war protest or sit-in. A proponent of non-violence, Fr. Tom counts (along with Jesus Christ!) Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King as his heroes. Father Tom served as pastor of St. James Parish in Stratford, CT for thirty-one years. Under his leadership this vital, engaged community of faith was named one of the top 100 Excellent Catholic Parishes in the U.S. Committed to issues of social justice and living the radical demands of the gospel, St. James had earned a reputation for bringing discipleship to life. At St. James Fr. Tom has walked compassionately with hundreds of parishioners, family members, and friends to the threshold between this world and the next. Fr. Tom has served as Family Life Representative for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and served as a Dean within the Diocese of Bridgeport. An experienced family and marriage counselor, he brings together a deep understanding of the spiritual and emotional components that empower the open, honest, and loving conversations loved ones need to have as they walk together. Known as a provocative straight-shooter, Tom has the unique ability to “be real” with people, helping them to understand that “it’s really all about relationships, about getting out of our own way, about vulnerability, forgiveness, healing, and letting ourselves be loved by our God.”
Barbara Mariconda
Barbara Mariconda is a life-long educator with expertise in instructional design. She is also the award-winning author of dozens of books for adults, young adults, and children. Her literary accomplishments include an Edgar Allan Poe Mystery Writers of America nominated middle-grade novel, a National Best Books and Children’s Choice finalist, a Moonbeam Award Gold Medal winner, and her tween novel “The Voyage of Lucy P. Simmons” was praised by Kirkus Reviews for its "dramatic and visually stunning prose.” She has also authored a multitude of professional books for teachers and a companion book to “After the Diagnosis…A Guide for Living” titled “Prayers for the Journey.” Her “Lucy P. Simmons” trilogy (HarperCollins) and her young adult novel “Bird with the Heart of a Mountain” (Skyscape Books) delve into themes of family, love, and loss, forgiveness and healing, exploring the edges and undercurrents of life that can be sensed and experienced, but never grasped. These are recurrent themes that run through Barbara's work and serve as a driving force in her life. An accomplished pianist and singer, Barbara served as director of Music and Liturgy at St. James Parish in Stratford, CT for over fifteen years where she was a recipient of the St. Augustine Medal of Service Award for leading the community closer to God through song. She holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Music and a Master of Arts Degree in Communications. A dynamic and vibrant speaker, Barbara has presented to scores of audiences across the U.S. and Canada.
