Author Archives: Deacon Jonathan Jones

Hello once again! Yes, I know I promised to be more regular with my postings. There have been some personal issues that required attention, but it is not quite time yet to discuss. But other than that…

I was able to rise early enough to watch the funeral Mass for Pope Francis. It was amazing to see the crowds of people, both clergy, religious and lay who came to pray for the repose of his soul. The new camera technology has added what we are able to see and experience. One sight that thrilled my heart was seeing so many vested deacons with the rest of the clergy. As I am typing this, I suddenly realized that some of them, maybe all of them, were transitional deacons, on their way to priestly ordination. Which is fine, but I really hope that some of them were my brothers in the permanent diaconate.

I have lived through many papacies, each one unique in their own way. I was a youngster when Pope John XXIII opened the Second Vatican Council. I am 71 years old now, as I witness the passing of Pope Francis. I have witnessed, joyfully, changes in the liturgical life of the Church. I witnessed debates among clergy and laity on how best to implement Vatican II, how involved should the laity be. ( A lot!). I have seen some of these debates done respectfully; others, not so much.

Because of the way my health is right now, and the changes in where we are living; I have not been as active as a deacon as I would like to be. We shall see what the future holds. Looking forward to seeing the white smoke!

Pax et Bonum to all!!

The Passing of Pope Francis.

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The Vatican

I have a bad habit of waking up very early in the morning; 5:00 AM, early in the morning! I usually cannot fall back asleep, so I looked at my IPhone, and saw the bulletins, announcing the passing of Pope Francis, head of the Catholic Church. Now, I am a skeptic of such “news” that comes over the Web. So I turned on the TV, and sadly saw that it was true.

It was a bit of a shock, because earlier there were scenes of a weakened Pope Francis waving to the crowds. There was hope that he would have survived this bout of illness. It was not to be.

Pope Francis, in my mind, and it will be my hope; will be remembered as a unique and holy father of the Church. He will definitely be missed.

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and may perpetual light shine upon him! Through the mercy of God, may he rest in peace.

“Jesus Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed!!”

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Easter Sunday; a time of joy, of families gathering; a time of bunnies, eggs, and chocolates. A time for snazzy suits, and pretty dresses!

There is a risk of losing sight of the real reason why we celebrate this day! We must remember, that on this day, after experiencing suffering and death, Jesus rose from the dead and brought new life to all humanity!

“The Lord is risen! He is risen indeed!!” Alleluia!

Starting Off On A Journey; …Again!

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I am trying to write this “posting” on a kitchen table, located in a small house, in Orleans MA; which is located on Cape Cod. Long story, but eventually my wife and I will be in residence at a place in Hyannis; also located on the Cape. Long story short, we were offered an arrangement we could not refuse.

I know I have not actually written anything recently for this blog. What is out there are some old postings, and postings by other authors I have shared. But nothing recently, nothing helpful, nothing created towards achieving the goals I had hoped to achieve with this blog.

A long time ago, I learned about the world of blogging, and I was excited about it. I am former Catholic seminarian, but still very involved with the Church, I saw blogging as a means to help evangelize, to spread the Good News about Jesus Christ. I read everything about blogging, how to get a blog started, writing techniques, etc. I established this blog and started out on my blogging journey.

To be honest, this journey has not been as successful as I had hoped. And to say that I was disappointed with the results would be an understatement.. As time went on, I found it was getting harder to pound those keys.

There is something within me though, that does not wish to give up the ghost. At least not yet. So I am going to have another go at. Where this will lead me on my journey of blogging; of evangelizing; of faith; I haven’t a clue. But, I’m off!

John Allen’s conspicuous absence explained

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ROME – Regular readers of Crux, or regular consumers of my weekly video or podcast, will have noticed my rather conspicuous absence these past three …

John Allen’s conspicuous absence explained

Sad day! John Allen has always been one of my favorite columnists; both at National Catholic Reporter and Crux. I pray for his healing and recovery.

“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord.”

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“Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord. Praise and exalt him above all forever….. All you winds, bless the Lord. Fire and heat, bless the Lord. Cold and chill, bless the Lord. Dew and rain, bless the Lord. Frost and chill, bless the Lord. Ice and snow, bless the Lord.”

(Daniel 3)

Homily for 30th Sunday In Ordinary Time

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“Jesus said to him in reply ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ The blind man replied to him, ‘Master, I want to see.’ “

In today’s Gospel of Mark, we see the encounter Jesus had with Bartimaeus, a blind man. Bartimaeus must have known something of who Jesus was, and the power of healing he seemed to possess. Bartimaeus decided to take a risk and began calling out loudly to Jesus, begging for help. Some in the crowd thought of him as a nuisance.

Jesus did not think so, he had Batimaeus brought over to him. When this was done, Jesus did not lay his hands on him, as some of the people would have expected. Instead, Jesus told Bartimaeus that he could leave, “..your faith has saved you.” His sight was restored to him.

Now most of us do not have to deal with blindness; at least, not physical blindness. But what about social blindness, spiritual blindness? Where and when have we turned a “blind eye” to others in need, to others who are in suffering; to our own personal suffering?

It is moments such these, that we need to open ourselves to the Presence of Christ, to enter into prayer, to pray that our eyes, our minds, our hearts, our souls; be opened to the needs of others. And to our own need for healing.


So, I invite all of us, to, at the best of our ability, be present to our Savior in the Eucharist. And let ourselves be transformed, our eyes opened, and our journey with Christ renewed.

Saint Peter’s Church, Plymouth MA.

Saint John’s Seminary, School of Theology, Boston, MA

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A looong time ago, I felt I had a calling to the Catholic priesthood. I spent four years in the Boston Archdiocesan College Seminary, then three years in their School of Theology. I finally came to the conclusion that was being called to another life path. Still, I never have regretted my time in the seminary.

The college seminary no longer exists, but the original seminary still stands and is training and forming men for the priesthood. The seminary is celebrating its 140th year of being in existence.