Three months after his ordination, Hermes was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease that causes multiple symptoms including muscle and bone pain, as well as sleep disturbances, skin sensitivity and depression. There is no cure for the condition and it can be difficult to treat the symptoms. Hermes has been in mild to severe physical pain and suffering from clinical depression for all but three months of his 25 years in service as a spiritual leader to his community.

Father Tom Hermes talks with Sheila Ealey before she does volunteer lawn work around St. Columban Catholic Church, in background. Father Tom has been the pastor at the church for two years and also fills in as principal of the Bishop Hogan Memorial School across the street. Ealey moved into town about a year ago and has been helping out at the church since the start of the school year.