Fr. Josef in Venezuela
The sound of rocks pelting the side of the school building echoed through the night, sending shivers down the spines of the young men huddled inside. Fr. Josef Hare, LC consoled them. He had only been a priest for 15 months at this time and hardly slept that night wondering what it was. The answer came the next morning when a frantic husband, on hearing of Fr. Josef’s arrival to the small village, sought him out to plead for help, “Please can you bless our house?”
The story bubbled out of the man that there was something infesting his house. When it began affecting his wife in strange ways, they visited a far-away exorcist. This exorcist told them to seek help from the local priest to have their house blessed, hoping that would be enough to bring peace to the home, the woman and the surrounding area.
Having agreed, he later sat at their kitchen table listening to the woman talk about the strange things that happen to her when she is around spiritual objects. Suddenly the woman let out a strangled growl and collapsed on the table before him. Eyes wide, instinct prompted Fr. Josef to pray, “Our Father, who art in Heaven…” Family members grabbed rosaries and began praying along with him. The groaning began again and Fr. Josef, carefully guarding the Holy Water, began sprinkling the home, the woman and her family. As the prayers persisted, the house and the woman settled in peace, and the sound of stones at the nearby school stopped
+++
Having heard this story, I cannot wait to see what Fr. Josef has in store for the Triduum he will be preaching. While new to the Tri-State community, Fr. Josef is no stranger to the region, having entered seminary in Cheshire, Connecticut when he was 17. Here are some more stories from my conversation with Fr. Josef Hare:
Early Years
Born in San Diego, California, Fr. Josef was raised in a Catholic family, not overly strict, yet a lived faith based on strong principles with an open and steadfast manner. He remembers a formative moment from childhood when his mother read the Gospel of the Passion aloud on Good Friday being moved to tears. Seeing how much this meant to her inspired him to read the Scriptures himself.
Fr. Josef moved with his parents and six younger siblings to the region of Portland, Oregon when he was 11. His faith was further strengthened when he became friends with members of the various non-Catholic faiths. Their beliefs led him to question, “Why am I Catholic?” This search eventually led him to Catholic apologetics. Listening to conversion story cassette tapes, including Scott Hahn, on marathon drives with his family deepened his conviction and ultimately opened his heart to the priesthood.
Meeting the Legion
When he showed interest in the priesthood, his mom found out about a vocation party that three priests were invited to visit. The only one who came, driving 6 hours, was the Legionary priest whose enthusiasm, youth, and view of Christ as a “friend” made a big impact. Later, he received a call from another Legionary priest in California who had talked to his lifelong friend, Nicholas Sheehy, who was coincidentally also discerning the priesthood. “We had known each other since we were 3 months old! He is also now a Legionary. It is funny to think how we did our first communion together before we moved, then we went to seminary together, we first professed the same year, and we received our ministries together!”
Priestly Ministry
Following his ordination, Fr. Josef was sent to Venezuela, where he served for 6 years doing a wide variety of things including work with the Territorial Secretary, ECYD, the Men’s Section, and director of the school. After his time in Venezuela, he was assigned to Bogotá, Colombia, for five years, assisting as a territorial counselor for three different territorial directors, providing him with a varied and enriching pastoral experience.
“I love helping people encounter Christ and discover their purpose in Him. Eucharist and Confession are especially important moments to me.”
Hobbies and Interests
Beyond his priestly duties, Fr. Josef enjoys the outdoors, particularly running and hiking. He has a deep appreciation for art and enjoys drawing and painting. His curiosity extends beyond theology, as he enjoys learning about a wide array of topics, from history to current events to science. Having a “voracious appetite for useless facts,” he enjoys trivia and random knowledge that he finds fascinating.
Having spent many years enjoying the warm climates, he enjoys experiencing the seasons again, despite the cold winters, and is excited to reconnect with the Northeast. As Fr. Josef settles into the community, he looks forward to continuing his ministry in the Tri-State area as a Chaplain of Lumen as well as helping out in all of the other ways we will find for him. Most notably, our upcoming ladies’ Triduum, so be sure to sign up! Click here for more info (Insert triduum info again)
Fr. Josef says, “I see my personal mission as a priest in bringing people into a relationship with Christ and an experience of the Father’s mercy in their day-to-day life beyond the extraordinary. I want to help people discover Christ in the ordinary.”
Don’t wait for something extraordinary to bring you to God. There is a power in our ordinary prayer.
Every Our Father counts.
