Daily Office

CHAPLAIN

Brother John O.S.F. is a retired Episcopal priest with more than 40 years experience working in a wide variety of parishes, schools, colleges, and other institutions. He hails from the English Lake District in the U.K. and he served in Manchester, before coming to the United States in 1986. On this side of the Atlantic, he has worked in Texas, California, South Dakota, Virginia, Maryland, and now Wisconsin.  His academic work has centered on the relationships between religions (particularly fundamentalist religions) and politics—and his pastoral ministry has come to focus on those seeking to disentangle themselves from previous experiences of unhealthy religion (often called deconstruction) and, should they wish to do so, explore more positive Christian spiritualities, (often called reconstruction).  He is always willing to sit down, listen, and share in conversation—no matter the reason. Br. John’s thinking is heavily influenced by contemporary mystics such as Thomas Merton, Henri Nouwen, Matthew Fox, Thomas Keating, and Richard Rohr, among others—and by a whole host of spiritual teachers from earlier generations including, of course, Saint Francis of Assisi.  Br. John is a widower who recently became a step-great grandfather, and he can usually be found in the company of his beloved Beagle, Luna.

Gentle Reader, allow me to introduce myself. I am Brother Charles-Paul Sowinski, osf, who tries to follow, as best as he can, Jesus the Christ in the mentorship of Saint Francis of Assisi. I was born in Chicago as a second-generation Polish and Russian American who celebrates both Eastern Orthodoxy (Byzantine Rite) and Western Christianity (Roman/Anglican Rite).

Although my undergrad work in liturgy and psychology, with a BS in philosophy (get the irony?), was in a Roman Catholic Franciscan seminary (OFM), my being read in both sides of Christianity and my interest in Judaism and Buddhism was a bit of a spot. So, I made a move to a new neighborhood in the Anglican Communion, in the Episcopal tradition within the Order of Saint Francis (yes, I still believe in transubstantiation… sorry). I am a life-professed friar and a deacon. I have been a caregiver and am currently a care receiver concerning my stroke rehabilitation. My main learning experience in this is that, whether it is given or not, of the mind, body, or soul, we are all in the same situation, needing the love of God and the Ear of the Heart from those who love us to get through this.

Let us turn our dis-abilities into re-abilities together. As a Pastoral Care trainer of the Community of Hope International, walk with me, talk with me, laugh with me, as I have H.O.P.E.—Helping Others in Peace and Equally. No matter your situation, faith tradition, or none of the above, you are loved. Therefore, most of my time will be at St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Pastoral Care, but will be around campus at times.

A special note to caregivers: Sometimes as care-receivers, we get lost in our moments of our situation and we forget to say to those who care for us: THANK YOU and graciously accept special blessings from the Blessed Divine One to you for who you are and what you do in this life of ours.