“Belonging?” Psychologists and Theologians alike say that we all desire and need to belong to something and someone. It’s why we have communities and places where men and women come together for a common interest or task, whether in personal relationships, or at work or just in life in general. Jesus takes belonging to a whole new level. In the end, Christ belongs to God, and we belong to Christ. So, his logic goes that we belong to each other (1 Corinthians 3:22). But “belonging” doesn’t just happen. It’s easy for St. Paul to say that we belong to each other, but we all have boundaries and limits about where, how or to whom we actually want to “belong.” Many feel that “belonging” has been threatened by the pandemic and by parish reorganizations. Many of us used to “feel” belonging to our town or our parish or our country, but even our families are threatened by limited contact, by children who have moved away or by disagreements that keep us from talking or spending time with certain relatives because of political opinions. The Gospel in Christ Jesus has some thoughts about belonging. The Mission is a chance to allow the Lord to speak to us – and for us to “pull ourselves together.” Jesus wants us to know that “You are not alone,” and He shows us the way for peace in finding something – and someone – to belong to. For through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3: 26-29)

Fr. John offers workshops and retreats on Franciscan topics, mission formation for Franciscan Health Systems and retreats for  Religious Men and Women and clergy in the English-speaking world. He has preached parish missions & parish retreats throughout the United States. 

 Ordained a priest friar in 1981, he holds a BA in Counseling Psych (1975), an MA in Liturgical Theology (1980), an MA in Franciscan Studies from St. Bonaventure Univ. (1986), and an STL from Rome's Pontifical Antonianum University in Spirituality. After teaching in the Religious Studies department at Borromeo Seminary of the Diocese of Cleveland for eight years, he was asked to take on various posts of education and administration for his Province of Capuchins. John served as Vice Rector and Prefect of Studies at the Collegio San Lorenzo, the International House for Capuchin Franciscan friars from over 30 countries who are studying at Rome's Universities (2004-2010); he also served as Liturgical Director there. A regular contributor to both Weekday and Sunday Homily Helps for Franciscan Media (formerly St. Anthony Messenger Press) for over 30 years, John is now in his eighth year as a full-time Minister of the Word.

   An avid musician who plays keyboards and has animated Liturgies for both National and International Franciscan gatherings, he is a staff member of the Franciscan Pilgrimages Program, offering Franciscan communities, Franciscan health care systems and educational institutions an experience of the places from which the charism of Sts. Francis and Clare of Assisi emerged and thrived.