Something about Homer gripped Father John radically. Homer was poor, black and uneducated. He was convicted of robbery by force and, though the victim lived, Homer got the death penalty. The system that denied him education and a means for a livelihood was swift to execute him.

“Homer’s plight touched something within me,” wrote Father John. “I do know that my ministry turned at that point to a deep involvement with the poor.”

Ordained in 1957, Father John spent nearly 45 years walking with people till he died of a heart attack on Feb. 12, 2002. He served in parish ministry from the plains of Georgia to the Appalachian mountains of Kentucky and Virginia. He faithfully visited prisoners, supported housing for the poor and backed programs for handicapped kids. He also served three years as Glenmary’s director of vocations.

Yet, walking through his personal struggles of ministry, Father John discovered a sense of awe and humility at the wonders of creation. An avid outdoorsman, he frequently hiked and camped in mountains and deserts, spending time appreciating the grandeur displayed around him.

“I don’t think you can look up to the heavens frequently without being changed,” he journaled. “In the face of real power you become less arrogant. Who am I to want to be the center of creation—to have everything revolve around me?”

Father John suffered from the disease of alcoholism, but he found sobriety for the last 13 years of his life through Alcoholics Anonymous. In those recovering years Father John devoted himself to directing Appalachian Services—his ministry to prisoners, alcoholics and couples attending Marriage Encounter. His retreats wove a spirituality of surrender and wonderment with the poignant story of his own struggle for sobriety.

“Nature doesn’t treat every creature the same,” he preached. “Some plants, animals and humans have more of a struggle. Others seem to have a freedom of energy and power. But nature’s creatures always surrender to whatever comes. For my part, I need only to surrender to be one with Jesus and all of his creation.”

To outsiders Father John appeared gregarious and fun loving, even bearing in good humor the nickname, “The Great One.” He enjoyed golf and rooted for the Red Sox. Yet his ability to relate with people allowed him to express himself and frequently write friends: “I love you.” That ability grew from his depth of spirituality.

“I am looking forward to meeting you, Jesus....Oh, how good it will be...to see you. One whom I have loved my whole life. What a great grace and privilege to love you. The greatest gift in the whole world. Surpassing all possessions, all power, all pleasures. Eye has not seen nor ear heard the joy of knowing and loving you.” Father John wrote this last journal entry and he died three days later.