There are so many people who are wounded by material problems, by scandals, also in the Church…. People wounded by the world’s illusions…. We priests must be there, close to these people. Mercy first means treating the wounds. – Pope Francis
I wanted to take a step back from the furious activity of our Capital Campaign and construction efforts to reflect on the man whose vision has made this all a reality. Father John J. Ludden, our Pastor, has been here at Saint John for 8 ½ years now, which is nearly half of his total years as a priest. We will be celebrating his 20th Anniversary of Ordination on May 21, at the 11 AM Mass and with a simple picnic reception afterward (https://stjohntheevangelist.weshareonline.org/FJ20Years for the free RSVP to the reception). Over the past 6 years, I have gotten to know Father John as a priest. And for 3 ½ years, I have learned what an extraordinary man he is as his General Manager, both in his pastoral support for our Parish Family as well as his missionary spirit. I wanted to ask him just a few questions that I know all of you have asked yourself so you too can get a feel for how and why he chose this vocation.
When did you know you wanted to be a priest?
When I was in grade school. I remember turning to Dad in church and saying to him “I think God wants me to be a priest”, and he responded, “In God’s time, John.”
What do you know now that you would tell that boy when he was considering this vocation?
Take your time listening to what God wants from you. Allow God to be your Friend. As scripture says “A faithful friend is a sturdy shelter.”
When was your missionary spark ignited?
I have always been passionate about the mission of the church, particularly among the poor throughout the world. I was always intrigued by the missionaries that would come to the parish to share their stories of their work abroad. I considered at one time joining the SMA (Society of the Missions for Africa). However, after some discernment, I felt God pulling me toward the local church. I have always been involved in missionary endeavors since my teen-age years. Very early on in my priesthood, Bishop Nevins saw that missionary spirit and appointed me Mission Director for the Diocese and also Director for the Holy Father’s Pontifical Mission Societies. Since that time, I have traveled all over the world setting up mission projects in which priests, religious, and laypeople are enabled to bring the Gospel alive.
What has changed the most for you in the past 20 years as a priest?
The urgency of the Gospel has changed as the world has changed so rapidly in this past 20 years. The challenge for the Church is dealing with contemporary issues. The pastoral challenge is to respond effectively to the spiritual consequences of these rapid changes. The Church has to become a greater listener and the priest has to be the ears.