Fr. James McKarns recently wrote a thought-provoking guest post on 11/5 here at Living Faith Extra! about Jesus’ relationship to truth and how we can’t have one without the other. Peruse here for other great free Catholic devotional content at this blog.
About You:
Living Faith: Describe your vocation in life.
Fr. James McKarns: I’m am a Catholic priest.
LF: Share a little about your ministry or daily work… (A day in the life looks like…?)
Fr. JM: I’m now retired and often have Masses in a senior citizen center.
LF: How long have you been writing, or when did you start?
Fr. JM: I’ve been writing since 1975.
LF: What is the most difficult part of your writing process?
Fr. JM: Making sure I am giving correct information.
LF: How many books have you written, and which is your favorite? If you haven’t written a book, name a favorite that you’ve enjoyed.
Fr. JM: I have seven books. One of my favorites is Lean Against the Wind: How to Face the Future.
LF: Where do you live today, and is that different from where you grew up?
Fr. JM: I live now in Louisville, OH. I was raised in Kensington, OH area.
LF: Three words your best friend would use to describe you.
Fr. JM: Dependable, insightful, calm.
LF: One additional thing you would want a Living Faith reader to know about you that we haven’t covered above. (A hobby, something silly or fun, an accomplishment, or an interesting fact?)
Fr. JM: I kept track of my running mileage until I ran around the world — 24,901 miles.
About Faith:
LF: When did you first know that God loved you?
Fr. JM: The Baltimore Catechism told me that God made me, and I believed therefore God loved me.
LF: Describe a prayer practice that is meaningful to you.
Fr. JM: I like to read and meditate after going to bed. Then I turn off the light, offer a prayer and go to sleep.
LF: What’s something you’ve learned from the Bible or from the Mass or the Sacraments that has always stayed with you?
Fr. JM: Celebrating the Mass reminds me Jesus offered his supreme self-sacrifice.
LF: What excites you about being a Catholic?
Fr. JM: It’s seeming to be, for the most part, logical, inspiring, enduring and fulfilling.
About the Bible:
LF: Do you have a favorite Bible verse?
Fr. JM: Genesis 45: 3-4. Joseph reveals his identity to his brothers — passage always impresses me and causes me to be a bit teary-eyed.
LF: Do you have a favorite Gospel? If so, which one? Elaborate if you wish.
Fr. JM: I like the nine Beatitudes for I have often preached them at retreats and parish missions.
LF: If you could spend a day with a person (besides Jesus) mentioned in the Bible, whom would you choose?
Fr. JM: I would love to talk to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
About Living Faith:
LF: How long have you been writing for Living Faith?
Fr. JM: For 30 years
LF: Do you ever get to meet your Living Faith readers? What do you talk about?
Fr. JM: I have talked with many parishioners who have appreciated the articles in Living Faith — usually saying something as “It was good” or “I liked that.” Often people say: “I knew that was your writing even before I looked at your name.”
LF: What is one thing you love about Living Faith?
Fr. JM: The booklet is very well-done, attractive, colorful, inviting, has good content, fine editing and a competent staff that produces the publication on a timely basis. I appreciate the opportunity to express my concepts to others which extend far beyond the local church pulpit.
*The interview was edited for clarity and conformity to style. No meaning was altered in the process.
