Fr. John Mulreany, SJ

My ministerial work during theology studies has been a great source of confirmation for my priestly vocation. My first two years in Boston, I did prison ministry with Father George Williams, SJ, at medium security men’s prison in Concord, MA. On Friday evenings, another Jesuit and I would moderate a faith-sharing group with the prisoners.  It was deeply moving to hear them find hope in their faith sharing, despite their incarceration. On Saturday afternoons, two other Jesuit scholastics and I directed groups of prisoners in the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. It was the first time many of the men prayed with Scripture. In both the Friday night and Saturday groups, the men began to see that God loved them, no matter what their sins. This experience in prison ministry was heartbreaking and consoling at the same time: heartbreaking, because of the brokenness of the men; consoling, because God was with them in their brokenness. Furthermore, the experience demonstrated for me that prayer with Scripture is a sine qua non of evangelization.

Since ordination as a Deacon, I have worked in wonderful parish called Our Lady of Grace in Chelsea, MA. The parish reflects the rich ethnic and racial diversity that is the Church in the United States. As a Deacon, I preach at one of the masses every weekend, receiving constructive feedback from the people of God. It has been eye opening to learn how people are engaged in different ministries at the parish. Preparing for the weekly Sunday liturgy has afforded me a deeper appreciation for how the liturgical seasons shape us as the people of God. As I stood in the back of the church on Holy Thursday moments before the liturgy started, I realized that there was nowhere else I would rather be.  Therefore, I look forward to my ordination to the priesthood with great hope and joy.