03/19/2008

Getting to know
Reverend Thomas J.Protack
By Janet Stoer

  
Father Protack

Father Protack, age 37, was installed as the founding pastor of Saint John Neumann Parish on October 7, 2007.  For three years prior to that Father served as the associate pastor of St Lukes, St. Andrew and St. John Neumann in Ocean City until he was appointed Administrator in November 2005.  On October 1, 2006 Bishop Michael Saltarelli appointed Father Protack fifth pastor of St. Lukes, St. Andrew and St. John Neumann Parish. 

Father Protack is very active in many groups around the area, serving as Chaplain to the House of Representatives for the State of Delaware and spiritual counsel to the Delaware Governor's Office. He also serves as a Police Chaplain for the Delaware Marine Police and Game Wardens, currently holding the rank of "Major."  In addition, he serves as Associate Chaplain to the Delaware Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge and most recently was appointed as Associate State Chaplain for the Maryland Knights of Columbus.

Father Protack knew from the second grade on he wanted to be a priest and went directly into the seminary from high school.  He was ordained by Bishop Michael A. Saltarelli on October 26, 1996 at St. Peter's Cathedral and since then has served in various parishes around the area.  In the twelve years he has been a priest, he states he has never had one day of regret and has had great opportunities to be of service.

Born and raised in the Sussex County area of Delaware his love of the water comes from childhood. He worked summers and weekends throughout his school age years at the family's marina "Massy's Landing," located on the Indian River at Rehoboth Bay. He got his first boat at the age of ten and loved to go crabbing with his grandfather. Father continues to carry on that tradition and often on his day off he is crabbing with his dad, nieces and nephews on Hooper's Island.  He fishes regularly with family and friends and participates in the White Marlin Open. 

The "Golfing Priest" as he is also known, took up the sport after becoming a priest. "What I love about the game is that for four hours I get to be outside and think about nothing but that little white ball."  As an associate pastor he was able to play more then his present schedule allows and had a handicap of twelve.  Now he is only able to golf on Fridays (his only day off) with his dad and two friends.  Due to the inability to get out more, he now holds a handicap of eighteen.  Father hopes in the summer when his schedule is lighter and the days are longer he will be able to play more and lower it somewhat.  For the past three years Father Protack has run the Catholic Beach Golf Open, which has grown from 144 players on one course to 208 players on both of Ocean City's Newport Bay and Seaside courses.  More than $60,000 has been raised, with all proceeds going to his parish's youth ministry program. 

Ocean, an approximately seven year old well behaved black lab is Father Protack's constant companion.  Father adopted her from the Worcester County animal shelter about five years ago and she accompanies him to the church office every day.  They have not been able to participate in the shelter's walk in Ocean City due to Father's schedule, but he participates in many other fund raisers for the shelter. 

Father Protack greatly enjoys this area and loves participating in community events, concerts and fundraisers.  "People ask me all the time what I shall do if I have to leave," said Father Protack.  "Ocean City is such a great place.  But no matter what parish I end up in, I know there will always be a good golf course, a restaurant and hopefully some water nearby."  When asked about the restaurant, he said he loves to eat, favorites being seafood and Italian food, but never cooks. In Father Protack's rare free time, when not fishing or golfing, he likes to read biographies of world leaders.

Anyone interested in knowing more about St. John Neumann Parish or its various programs can visit the web site at www.stjohneumannrcc.com.

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