Tommy Cannatello – Born 1960 – Brooklyn, New York
As a young child, Tommy was a gifted creative artist. His training as an artist began in High School in 1974 and continued at The Art Student League in 1977. Tommy attended and graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 1982 with a BFA in Advertising. During these four years, he also taught an adult education class in Calligraphy. From 1982 until his relocation to San Diego, CA in 1985, Tommy was a free-lance Commercial Artist at various well-known Ad Agencies in New York City.
Five months after his marriage to Vicky in 1986, Tommy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It has affected his vision, the control of his hands, use of his legs and he has been in a wheelchair for the past 19 years. Last year, Tommy was hospitalized for almost three months with infected bed sores. Although he suffers with muscle contractions, and sometimes weakened vocal cords, Tommy is strengthened by his faith in God. In spite of these circumstances, he is determined to “Never Give Up” and to walk again. Not only that, but his concern for others, causes him to look beyond his own condition and reach out to the needs of others. His wife Vicky has always been right by his side and he calls her “an incredible woman!”
Tommy is Founder of Oasis of Life Fellowship where he and his wife pastor in their home in Chula Vista, CA. Tommy, Vicky and their 22 year old son Tommy, reside in Chula Vista.
Pastors are more than conquerors in MS battle
By DIANE HOSKINS
It takes more than multiple sclerosis to keep a good man down…this is evidenced by Tommy Cannatello, pastor at Oasis of Life Fellowship in Chula Vista.
“I was 26 years old when I was diagnosed with MS in 1986,” says Cannatello. “I was newly married and I had just re-dedicated my life to the Lord and become a youth leader with my wife, Vicky. The initial symptoms were partial loss of vision and dizziness when I walked. Within a few short years, my condition worsened and I was confined to a wheelchair, with my wife as my caretaker. Even though life was incredibly hard, we were determined to focus on God and His promises in the midst of our trials, and in 1993, we founded Oasis of Life Fellowship.”
Tommy and Vicky share the role of pastor, and the love between the congregation and their pastors was evident at a recent Sunday morning service. The congregation has plenty of warm smiles and greetings for everyone. “We are like a big family,” says the head usher, Ben Rodriguez. “Pastors Tommy and Vicky are strong, godly people and I love the way they teach us God’s Word through their example. It doesn’t matter that our pastor is in a wheelchair…whatever Pastor Tommy can’t do…we can do for him!”
Vicky leads worship with joy and exuberance, and the excitement is contagious as the voices swell like an angelic choir to fill the church. The message on “Persistent Faith” is filled with examples from Pastors Tommy and Vicky’s life as they encourage and exhort people with scriptures showing that whatever limitations people are confronted with, they can be overcome with the Word of God.
“A lot of things come against us in this life,” says Pastor Tommy. “Things don’t happen the way they’re ‘supposed’ to and you’re tempted to ask, ‘Why Lord?’ Don’t concentrate on the things you don’t know…focus on the things you do know! I do know that God is great…that greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. I do know that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and I do know that this, too, shall pass!”
During Vicky’s turn to teach, she reminds the congregation that even though we view ourselves as weak, God sees us as mighty men and women of God. “Don’t be a whiner…be a warrior! It is God who strengthens you!” Following the service, the couple shared some final thoughts. “Through our years together, I have become a stronger believer,” says Vicky. “My faith has soared, because of my trust in the Lord. He is everything to me. I have learned compassion, patience, love…and that you can have peace in the midst of an affliction.”
“My wife and I know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,” adds Pastor Tommy. “We are not going to give up…we are fighters and more than conquerors…in Christ we have the victory!”
For more information, contact Oasis of Life Fellowship at (619) 482-4716
HELP THE CANNATELLOS
Join Quintana McConnin & Sarte in helping the Cannatellos.
If you would like to contribute to the Cannatello’s cause, please let us know how by submitting the information in the form below.
The Cannatellos
Tommy Cannatello – Born 1960 – Brooklyn, New York
As a young child, Tommy was a gifted creative artist. His training as an artist began in High School in 1974 and continued at The Art Student League in 1977. Tommy attended and graduated from the School of Visual Arts in 1982 with a BFA in Advertising. During these four years, he also taught an adult education class in Calligraphy. From 1982 until his relocation to San Diego, CA in 1985, Tommy was a free-lance Commercial Artist at various well-known Ad Agencies in New York City.
Five months after his marriage to Vicky in 1986, Tommy was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. It has affected his vision, the control of his hands, use of his legs and he has been in a wheelchair for the past 19 years. Last year, Tommy was hospitalized for almost three months with infected bed sores. Although he suffers with muscle contractions, and sometimes weakened vocal cords, Tommy is strengthened by his faith in God. In spite of these circumstances, he is determined to “Never Give Up” and to walk again. Not only that, but his concern for others, causes him to look beyond his own condition and reach out to the needs of others. His wife Vicky has always been right by his side and he calls her “an incredible woman!”
Tommy is Founder of Oasis of Life Fellowship where he and his wife pastor in their home in Chula Vista, CA. Tommy, Vicky and their 22 year old son Tommy, reside in Chula Vista.
Pastors are more than conquerors in MS battle
By DIANE HOSKINS
It takes more than multiple sclerosis to keep a good man down…this is evidenced by Tommy Cannatello, pastor at Oasis of Life Fellowship in Chula Vista.
“I was 26 years old when I was diagnosed with MS in 1986,” says Cannatello. “I was newly married and I had just re-dedicated my life to the Lord and become a youth leader with my wife, Vicky. The initial symptoms were partial loss of vision and dizziness when I walked. Within a few short years, my condition worsened and I was confined to a wheelchair, with my wife as my caretaker. Even though life was incredibly hard, we were determined to focus on God and His promises in the midst of our trials, and in 1993, we founded Oasis of Life Fellowship.”
Tommy and Vicky share the role of pastor, and the love between the congregation and their pastors was evident at a recent Sunday morning service. The congregation has plenty of warm smiles and greetings for everyone. “We are like a big family,” says the head usher, Ben Rodriguez. “Pastors Tommy and Vicky are strong, godly people and I love the way they teach us God’s Word through their example. It doesn’t matter that our pastor is in a wheelchair…whatever Pastor Tommy can’t do…we can do for him!”
Vicky leads worship with joy and exuberance, and the excitement is contagious as the voices swell like an angelic choir to fill the church. The message on “Persistent Faith” is filled with examples from Pastors Tommy and Vicky’s life as they encourage and exhort people with scriptures showing that whatever limitations people are confronted with, they can be overcome with the Word of God.
“A lot of things come against us in this life,” says Pastor Tommy. “Things don’t happen the way they’re ‘supposed’ to and you’re tempted to ask, ‘Why Lord?’ Don’t concentrate on the things you don’t know…focus on the things you do know! I do know that God is great…that greater is He that is in me, than he that is in the world. I do know that no weapon formed against me shall prosper, and I do know that this, too, shall pass!”
During Vicky’s turn to teach, she reminds the congregation that even though we view ourselves as weak, God sees us as mighty men and women of God. “Don’t be a whiner…be a warrior! It is God who strengthens you!” Following the service, the couple shared some final thoughts. “Through our years together, I have become a stronger believer,” says Vicky. “My faith has soared, because of my trust in the Lord. He is everything to me. I have learned compassion, patience, love…and that you can have peace in the midst of an affliction.”
“My wife and I know that we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us,” adds Pastor Tommy. “We are not going to give up…we are fighters and more than conquerors…in Christ we have the victory!”
For more information, contact Oasis of Life Fellowship at (619) 482-4716
HELP THE CANNATELLOS
Join Quintana McConnin & Sarte in helping the Cannatellos.
If you would like to contribute to the Cannatello’s cause, please let us know how by submitting the information in the form below.