Fr. John Fontana responds to questions for a Spotlights interview
Where it all began:
Where are you from? What were your key interests when you were a young ‘un? Did you distinguish yourself in any special way as a youth? (Athlete? Science fair winner? The only family member trusted by your dog? Your grandmother’s favorite storyteller?)
I was born in Chicago, where my home for the first 3 years was in the Austin neighborhood; then Cicero, through my 6th grade; Hillside through high school. My main interests were music, sports, reading (which my mom taught me to do before kindergarten) and serving Mass at the parish church. My grades in school were very good, I had good neighborhood friends, was active in the Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, played piano, and always enjoyed hiking. I went to a Servite High School (minor seminary) for 2 years of high school, and graduated from Fenwick. I received a college scholarship through the Chicago Tribune, whose newspapers I delivered for a number of years.
How you were called to the priesthood:
Were you aware of a specific call? Did you have a prior career? (Or thought you might have?) Why the Servites? Was it a straight line, or a tortuous path?
My family was always active in the parish, and taught my brother, sister, and me the importance of the spiritual life, wherever we are. So I had an early interest in priesthood, as I did also in medicine, both oriented toward service toward others. My mom likes to tell people that my decision between priest and doctor was made when I first experienced blood! It was clear after that. I had a good model of priestly ministry in the kind associate pastor who was the head of the altar servers, and I know that he was an early positive influence on me. I wish I had a dramatic vocation or conversion story, as some do, but my vocation was rather a gradual and gentle call that was ongoing and unfolding over time. When my family moved at the end of my 6th grade, I had to pass by the high school seminary of the Servites on the way to grade school, and the young men there showed me the difference between a diocesan priest, and being a member of a religious community of brothers. I liked their camaraderie, they seemed happy, and I realized that although the Servites are a small religious community, I would have many diverse options for ministry…either as a priest or a brother. And the smaller size has always allowed us to better know one another. The Servites were also a good match, since my mother had always instilled in me a particular interest in Mary of Nazareth. The Servite community has provided me with incredible life opportunities and experiences, for which I am so deeply grateful. This includes, among other things, the chance to study theology in Rome for 3 years, and to travel to many other parts of the world.
What is it like to have your current job:
What IS your current job? Why do YOU have that job? Is there anything special about you (technique, background, attitude) that makes you a particularly good choice? What wakes you up at three in the morning? What has happened lately that caused you to whisper to yourself “wow, I’m good!”? What are you hoping to do next? What are your interests when you are not doing priest things?
Honestly, I’ve never worked harder, had more challenges, and have had to rely on God more than in the present. My title is Prior Provincial of the USA Province of Servites, or, in other words, I am the religious superior of Servites in the U.S. (mainly Portland, Southern California, Denver and Chicago), and also those in Australia and in our mission in Zululand, South Africa.
I have found leadership to be mostly about serving my brothers, as they serve others. My work includes: personnel issues, ministry assignments, care of our elders, approval of students throughout their formation (seminary) process; communication with all Servites and often spokesperson for the Servites to others; reminding my brothers about our foundational values and spirit; trying to offer hope in a challenging time of transition/aging/diminishiment in numbers; and (together with others) facing all the challenges of financial administration. I quickly admit that administration is not my gift, but I think my brothers have elected and re-elected me because they find me relational, a good listener, grounded in spirituality, and not authoritarian in style but rather collegial and collaborative (which is a truer model of leadership in the style of Servites). My ministerial background includes parish ministry, formation ministry with our younger guys, individual spiritual direction, mission preaching, and leading retreats. I was on a staff of an intensive treatment center for priests and religious women and men dealing with serious personal issues. My recent experience in leadership has included a broadening experience into such areas as legal issues, real estate and building projects, and working with Boards of our high school in CA and Shrine (The Grotto) in OR, during their transition from Servite to lay leadership. It has been a challenge to preside at more Servite funerals than at religious professions of vows in recent years, though we do have some young men in our formation programs presently. I have found my present ministry in leadership so much more challenging than the preaching, sacramental ministry, and spiritual companionship that I have also done, and which I look forward to returning to after my 3rd term is over. I especially enjoy one-on-one ministry, in which we talk about one’s growing relationship with God, greater freedom and self-acceptance, loving and accepting love, ‘being’ more than ‘doing,’ recognizing God’s presence and grace in ordinary moments, and realizing that most of us probably “pray” much more often than we realize! In the meantime, however, I’m always happy when my brothers and I are able to get past small talk or “business” talk to truly share our faith and spirit and what really matters to us. And to balance life with work, I enjoy walking and hiking, listening to music, appreciating nature, reading and spending time with good friends.
About the Servites:
What do you see as the near or distant challenges for the community? Is there anything about the Servite community which makes them more, or less, vulnerable to challenges facing the Catholic Church worldwide? Any personal advice for young (or old) men who may be considering whether or not they have sensed a call to religious life?
The Servite Order has been in existence for close to 800 years (founded in 1233), and I see us continuing into the future. However, our new vocations are coming mostly from Indonesia, India, The Philippines, Uganda, a few from South Africa, and some increasing numbers from South America. In the ‘Western’ World (North America, Europe, Australia), we continue to face a vocational impasse, despite some hints that we may be turning a corner. We are challenged by so many factors, such as: some cultural attitudes toward religion, a celibate lifestyle, church scandals, lack of family support, and a general cultural postponement of lifetime commitments. At this time, we might expect to see more international communities, which could actually provide a tremendous witness in a society dealing with issues of “us” and “them.” Community life is also one way in which young people can fulfill a deep desire to “belong” to something bigger than ourselves. It’s important to realize that the large number of priests and religious who entered in the 40s, 50s and early 60s was an exception, and not the norm. We do not expect to have large numbers going forward. But the Holy Spirit has given Servites the charism/gift of compassion, community, service, and the inspiration of Mary, Mother and Servant of God, all of which are badly needed in the Church and world. We are somewhat vulnerable because we are not vastly well-known, and were founded by a group of seven rather than a well-known charismatic individual. But when we listen to people who consider entering the Servite Order, we hear them attracted to our sense of compassion for those who are hurting (like Mary at the Foot of the Cross), our focus on living with others who share similar values and spirituality, the fact that we are not so big that we would not get to know one another well, our focus on Mary and her role in the Church, the presence of the Servite St. Peregrine (patron of the many suffering from cancer), and our variety of ministries (school, parishes, shrine/sanctuary ministry, chaplaincies, and an openness to other ministries that would make use of a person’s gifts). We continue to make efforts to better understand our present calling in the church and world, as men (and there are Servite women, too!) who take the gospel seriously and who want to provide a witness of Christ’s presence in the world, in a way that is true to our spirit of compassion, which gives witness to the essential value of relationships and community, and which provides caring, hope-filled and joyful service to others. I would be delighted to hear from anyone who may be considering, or who is open and listening to a possible call to religious life as a Servant of Mary. |