Word of Life, a Lay Association, takes its vision from Scripture and the Documents of
Vatican II. It is devoted to furthering the proclamation of the Gospel through teaching
and music. (Col. 3:16-17)"The conditions of this age lends spiritual urgency to the
Church's task of bringing all to full union with Christ.... " (LG 1) The mission of
the Church is the responsibility of the whole Church, cleric and lay.
Fr. Foster and Mr. O'Connell are well known in the San Jose Diocese for their
inspirational teamwork in Liturgical Worship, Renewal, and Evangelization ministries at
Holy Family Parish. Through Word of Life they now are able to bring this dedication and
inspiration to other churches and communities through the following ministries:
Days or Evenings of Reflection for those involved in Liturgical
Ministry.
"Twilight Retreats" for the Parish (these are ideal for
Advent and Lenten devotions).
Inspirational Evenings (these are devotional evenings using prayerful
music along with scriptural texts and times for meditation).
Liturgical Music for Sunday Liturgies.
Fr. Tom Foster is a Jesuit Priest assigned to the Jesuit Retreat House
in Los Altos, California, where he is a Retreat Director. Previous to this assignment, he
was the Pastor of Holy Family Church in San Jose, California, for 11 years. As Pastor, he
was responsible for successfully developing and implementing many parish ministries within
the framework of the documents of Vatican II. Fr. Foster holds BS and MA degrees in
biology and a MDiv degree in theology.
James O'Connell is a layman working in full time evangelism and music
ministry in the San Jose and surrounding Dioceses. He spent three years as the Director of
Liturgy, Renewal and Evangelization at Holy Family Parish and over twenty years in music
ministry in this Diocese. He is a published liturgical songwriter and has released two
cassettes of Christian music. He holds a degree in Philosophy with minors in Music and
Religious Studies. He is the Founder and Director of Word of Life.
