My name Jonathan Jones.  I was born in, and raised in the North Shore region of Massachusetts, USA.  I am a cradle Catholic, educated in a Catholic elementary school, and high school.  I had always felt these nudges from the Holy Spirit to enter into service to the Church, and it’s people.  I entered St. John’s Seminary, for the Archdiocese of Boston, MA.  I graduated from the college with a BA, and had completed three years of theology studies, when I felt the need to take a year’s leave.  I spent the year as a Student Minister in Yellowstone National Park, WY, and Big Bend National Park, TX. I was part of an ecumenical organization, known as A Christian Ministry in the National Parks, which recruits theological and college students to go into national parks, and provide worship services, bible studies, and other programs for park visitors and employees.  We earned our keep by working for the park concessions and hotels.  It was during that year, that I felt called to explore a vocation in the Franciscan Friars (OFM).  During my novitiate year, I decided the Lord had other plans for me, and I left.

I have since been working in the mutual fund industry, mostly customer service, and working for a consulting firm.  I am married to a wonderful woman, Peg.  I am still very much a Franciscan, as a member of the Order of Franciscan Seculars, better known as the Secular Franciscans.  And in 2012, I was ordained as a Permanent Deacon for the Archdiocese of Boston, and have been to the newly formed Beverly Catholic Collaborative, which contains three parishes which are in the City of Beverly.

This blog will contain my observations and reflections, from a Franciscan perspective, of my community, my country, my world, and my church.