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The Truth About Tommy

Julian Martin talks to 19 magazine’s favourite friar

Brother Tommy Lyden is the new chaplaincy assistant here at the University of York. At 25, he has come a long way since leaving school when he was 16 to become a hairdresser. He joined the Carmelites four years ago and arrived at York just prior to the start of this academic year. Christis finds out how he has been getting on.

So Tommy, how did you come to be sent to York?

Well I was studying for 3 years doing theology and philosophy, and I’m taking a year out in the middle. I’m just up here for a year, working with the three chaplains, Graham, John, and Tony, and then I’ll go back to London for another three years to study.

Why York? Why was the decision made to send you to a university?

Well, there’s plenty of work around, there’s plenty to do, and also the community’s quite a good community. It’s a good location as well up in York; quite far out of London. So there’s a lot of perks to coming up. I’m not just working in the university; I’m also working in the local school as well.

What were your first impressions when you arrived here at York?

I thought it was a cool place, aye, nice, a lot quieter than down south. It’s a nice campus, quite relaxed. I was quite surprised how many different nationalities were here.

Was it different from what you were expecting in any way?

Yeah, it was a bit more friendly I suppose. I’ve never been to university as such; I always had this impression of students being a bit arrogant, and trendy, and sort of out on a limb. So I was quite surprised that people aren’t actually, there are actually normal people here as well.

What was your impression of the Christian community here at York, in the university that is?

Aye, it seems to be thriving, I mean there seems to be lots going on in the different societies. There seems to be good communication between those societies, and different ways of getting together and talking about stuff. Not just officially, but on a social level as well.

The three chaplains have signed a covenant to work together; do you find it difficult having to relate to the different Christian denominations at York?

I suppose I don’t find it any more difficult than anybody else, in the sense that I suppose we’re all brought up with our own belief system. It’s just a case of at times being surprised that someone has a different way of looking at things and trying to question it and look at it and learn from the other belief systems of different Christians, different denominations. I suppose it’s as difficult as learning is; changing your way of thinking about people.

What does a typical day for you involve, being a chaplaincy assistant?

Well, I’ve also got the life in the community at More House, so usually I’m up for Morning Prayer at quarter past eight, then after that breakfast. Then I’ve got to be over at the office before half past nine, and just sort of cut about the office and do this and that. There’s usually some sort of admin to be getting on with. Then in the afternoon there’s maybe some shopping to do or something more about More House to be involved in.

Do you enjoy getting involved in the Christian societies here?

Yes, it’s good. I don’t know what else to say really.

Do you find it’s helpful for your faith to be involved with what the different societies are doing, with worship and that sort of thing?

Yes, it certainly broadens my way of looking at things, and different people have different ways of practising their faith, different ways of expressing their faith. It also surprised me: one of the big conversions that I had was discovering that not all Methodists are teetotallers.

You like to have the odd pint or cigarette now and then, how do you reconcile that with your faith?

I don’t have to reconcile it with my faith.

You don’t think it’s an issue then?

Not really, no.

You’ve taken a vow of chastity; do you find that hard to stick to, being surrounded by so many nubile women?

Er, I don’t know what nubile means so I’ll just move on to the next question.

What is your favourite fish?

The carp. [Plenty in the university lake - Ed.]

What have been your best and worst experiences at York?

One of the best experiences was going on the Ilkley retreat with CASSOC; that was one of my best experiences. Erm, worst experience … Erm … Trying to walk through campus on a cold freezing morning.

What is your future in the Catholic church? Where do you see yourself going?

I’m not really sure where I’ll be going, hopefully into ministry of some description, somewhere. Maybe in a parish, or in a school, or I can see myself doing retreat work, working with folk coming to get away from it all for a few days, doing talks and maybe spiritual direction, that sort of thing

Thank you very much, that’s it.

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Last modified: 25th November 2005