LAY DOMINICANS Central Province USA

John is the name mother and father gave me at my baptism. I am told that it means God Is Gracious, Merciful. I assure you that this wretched sinner was given the appropriate name. I need all of God’s gracious mercy and grace I can get.

I am the youngest of five children raised in a Catholic household. I don’t mean go to church on Sunday Catholics but a go to mass or at least communion every day of the week, grace before and thanksgiving after meals,  holy water founts in every bedroom, pictures of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Immaculate Heart of Maryand Holy Father in the house Catholics.

I remember that every afternoon my mother and grandmother prayed the rosary together in my grandparent’s bedroom. I failed to mention that my grandparents lived with us until the day they died.

I attended the parish grade school taught by the Sister of Providence and an all male Catholic high school taught by the Brothers and Priests of the Holy Cross. I enlisted in the Marine Corps after which I was worked for the same company for 39 years and retired.

 My wife Carol and I were married by my brother. I forgot to mention my brother is a priest. After four years of trying we were blessed with a daughter who we named Margaret after my mother. To our great sorrow we were not blessed with any other children. We have been married for 42 Years.