Brother John Baptist serves St. David’s in
areas of pastoral care and spiritual leadership, and is on call at times
of pastoral emergencies. He began his service to St. David’s in 1997.
Serving God in the area of chaplaincy is a
very important part of Brother John’s ministry; he serves on the
Princeton Hospital Committee on Religious Ministry and as Chaplain to
480 souls at Enable (an agency devoted to serving our developmentally
disabled sisters and brothers). Brother also serves as Hospice Chaplain
with the Visiting Nurses Association of Mercer County.
Brother John belongs to a worldwide Franciscan
community within the Anglican Communion. His traditional garb of a brown
and black habit symbolizes the Franciscan vows of simplicity, fidelity,
purity and obedience.
When asked, Brother John explained his
decision to pursue life as a religious in an Anglican branch of God’s
One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. A testing process that began in
1999 culminated on September 30, 2006 when he made his perpetual vows
before God and his Franciscan Community. At the offertory part of the
Mass his Rule for Life was placed on the altar, offered up to God, the
Rule a binding covenant from which only the bishop can dispense him. (See The
Tablet for December 2006, page 7.)
In the June 2007 issue of The Tablet,
page 6, Brother John reflected on the “Rule for Life,” quoted here in
part:
“A rule of life is simply a structure in which spiritual formation is
facilitated. The Latin term is regula, which does not have some of the
negative connotations of the English word rule…Religious orders and groups
commonly have a rule that must be adhered to for membership. A personal
rule is entirely your own. Many people already have a personal rule and
don’t even know it. Coming to church on Sundays and holy days is a rule.
Daily prayer is a rule. Saying grace at meals is a rule. A rule is simply
a way of bringing God into your life in a regular way.”
Brother John serves as Diocesan Spiritual
Director for the Cursillo community within the Diocese of New Jersey.
Cursillo is a movement within the Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches
that helps individuals renew the faith they received in Holy Baptism and
Confirmation. Please speak to Brother John if you have any questions
regarding Cursillo.
Helen Cushman, July 4, 2007
