On the eve of All Saints Day, Bishop William Joensen and Jeanne Thill welcome Deacon Tom Bradley, a retired Army colonel, permanent deacon, and Catholic author. He talks about his new historical novel, Dancing Without Applause: The Land Remembers, a story of German and Irish Catholic families on the early 20th-century Iowa prairie. The conversation covers faith, addiction, family prejudice, forgiveness, and the everyday saints who never get applause. 30 years of Army leadership, from infantry to logistics 20 years as a permanent deacon in the Diocese of Des Moines An Iowa farm novel about prejudice, faith, and the Paschal mystery How a spiritual director “listens” to his characters Where to get Dancing Without Applause
On the eve of All Saints Day, Bishop William Joensen and co-host Jeanne Thill sit down with Deacon Tom Bradley. He is a permanent deacon assisting at All Saints Parish in Des Moines and the author of Dancing Without Applause: The Land Remembers.
Soldier to shepherd. Deacon Bradley grew up in small-town northwest Iowa, in Rockwell City, Fort Dodge, and Pomeroy. He graduated from the University of Iowa and served 30 years as an Army officer. That included 18 years in the infantry, assignments at Fort Benning and in Germany and Korea, and senior logistics planning. He shares how he and his wife built their family through adoption. Before retiring, he spent seven years working with people facing alcohol and substance abuse. He celebrated 20 years as a deacon this fall, and he helped form the diocese’s emergency pastoral response team.
The first book. Marching Without Applause tells the forgotten story of the first Black Army officers trained at Fort Des Moines during World War I. He made a promise to write it 30 years ago.
The new novel. Dancing Without Applause follows Lawrence and Irene. She comes from a strict German Catholic family, and he comes from an Irish Catholic one. Their marriage causes a family rift, and they live through World War I, the Depression, and World War II on an Iowa farm. The book deals with addiction, poverty, and deep-rooted prejudice. Through all of it, the couple clings to the Church, and a hero priest has a cameo role. Deacon Bradley explains:
Faith themes. Bishop Joensen and Deacon Bradley talk about how the novel takes up the Paschal mystery, a dark night of the soul, and reconciliation. Deacon Bradley also describes how his training as a spiritual director helped him listen to his characters.
Get the books: Learn more and order at TomBradleyBooks.com
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