Francis Etheredge, The Catholic Weekly, “Lord, do you mean me?” (March 10, 2022). Click here to read the article.

Revd Prebendary Nigel Rawlinson
MA, MB BChir, FRCS, FFAEM, Cert Pall Med, Dip Th
University Chaplain and team leader, University of Bath
Associate Minister, Bath Abbey
Assistant Area Dean, Bath
Diocese of Bath and Wells

 

As I prepared to write this endorsement, I heard the good news that Francis’s Son Tom has been accepted to train as a priest in the Roman Catholic Church. How timely. This news is, in itself, an endorsement for this book. What more could I say?

 

We are all on a journey of faith. To follow Jesus demands lifelong learning.  This needs humility, and an openness to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Francis writes in a deeply personal way, including the time-line of his own return to faith, aged 40. He talks about the importance of his parents’ prayers for him as part of that return. I can only imagine his prayers for his children.

 

This is a book that describe the dynamic relationship between God and his people – a God who acts decisively and calls us to respond. Alongside scripture and faith writings there are reflections on contemporary events. The focus moves from Jesus, through scripture to looking at authentic faith today – from viewpoints that are personal, as a parent, in science, philosophy and theology. 

 

I am the Anglican University Chaplain at The University of Bath. I work non-denominationally and seek to have a ministry of “presence” – loitering with intent, outside the church building, where the chaos of the world meets the grace of God.  I find, there, people with more faith than they realise.  Tom helped lead a weekly session of Lectio Divina in the University Chaplaincy. This was always a blessed time.

 

Two other pictures come to mind. First – the guidance on the path. I work in the Sports Training Village on campus with elite athletes. I’m inspired by their dedication.  I noticed recently that the steps had freshly painted white lines, to help us avoid falling.  It made me reflect on the importance of life’s landing lights – within which we flourish. Much of this book is about these landing lights.

 

Second – the testimony of others.  We are all journeying. When we reflect, with humility, we are open to learn from each other.  We might experience a “better way to land the plane”, and so see the Holy Spirit’s guidance. 

 

This book is steeped in the Roman Catholic tradition, but it has much wisdom for all Christians. I believe that the foundation stones for Christian Renewal are:

 

• A continual seeking for Chistian unity
• A practice of compassion
• A habit of regular prayer

 

Finally, the “glow” of hope…  overflowing. Paul writes:  May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit(Romans 15: 13).  Tom had this overflowing “glow”, and I was strengthened.

“Lord, Do You Mean Me? A father-Catechist! can be considered classical. The prayers are drawn from the deep spirituality of the author. The book can be used as an aid for personal prayer and reflection. I hereby give my endorsement. Congratulations Francis Etheredge.” —Most Rev. Rogelio Martinez Jr., SCF. D.D., Archbishop of San Jose de Monte, Vatican in Exile, Our Lady of Fatima Parish Church, City of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan

“Francis’ book is a reflection on his vocation as father and how his life experiences, both personal and familial, influence his teaching. Just as God uses the various successes and struggles in each of our lives to teach us valuable lessons, fathers can do the same in imitation of Him, using their daily lessons to teach their children virtue. The author wonderfully and uniquely weaves together personal stories from his life with divine truths while incorporating prayer and poetry, very similarly to how God uniquely weaves the threads of truth, beauty, and goodness throughout each of our own lives. Reading this book provided me with a new perspective on how I might approach my own vocations as both mother and catechist and will likely leave you with more ideas and insight about the person you are and the roles you perform in your daily life and how they can all be ordered to serve & glorify God.” —Jen Arnold, https://catholicheartablaze.com/

“Francis continues his remarkable literary ministry in a way that continues to inspire others to a deeper prayer life, rooted in a love for the Holy Family. His written prayers are very creative and contextually vivid, covering many areas of pain and suffering. Francis shares movingly about his own health challenges in the context of his going to the Holy Land. Congratulations, Francis!” —Dr. Ed Hird, Anglican Priest in Canada

“As a catechist, I know that Francis Etheredge’s book is one that is sorely needed. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that parents are the first teachers of the faith, and this volume will help any parent with the task. This book combines the truths of the faith with fatherly love, care, and wisdom. Francis Etheredge has done a great service with the writing of Lord, Do You Mean Me? A father-Catechist!, and it is one I will recommend for years to come.” —William Hemsworth, M.Div., Columnist at Patheos.com and host of The Bible Catholic Show

“This intriguing book is the result of a gift, the gift of faith. As Francis Etheredge explains, he was given that gift after some years of being just intellectually curious about the Catholic Church in which he grew up. He writes that because of that gift, “I understood my life in the light of a call to conversion which God alone made possible.” The book is his effort to share that gift with others, especially his children. Readers, no matter their own faith commitment or lack of it, will understand more fully how faith can shape life in generative and generous ways. — Bill Tammeus, journalist, whose books include Love, Loss and Endurance: A 9/11 Story of Resilience and Hope in an Age of Anxiety.

“Reading the Collection of Articles, Prayers, and Experiences from the great father-Catechist Francis Etheredge has given me a lot of Joy. The title A father-Catechist shows the author’s interest in a renewal of catechesis in the Church. In my priestly ministry, I have accompanied the members of the Neocatechumenal Way. I am thrilled by their love for the Church, catechesis and the vie for a solid Christian formation. Francis Etheredge, through this book, gives us drops of wisdom from what he has learned and lived in the Church. In it, he challenges every Christian to make an in-depth return to the beautiful deposit of our catholic faith since Jesus Christ. Like a father, Francis takes up the vocation of helping us discover the truth in our faith. The first paragraph that struck me was this: My parents found it very difficult to pray with us and, in the end, abandoned it; however, they still prayed for their seven children and, I am certain, returning to the Catholic Faith at forty was a direct result of their prayers and the prayers of many other people. (Chapter two) In my case, my parents and godparents always invited us to pray and be very active in Church. Reading through this book, I understand the vocation of the parent as a teacher of the catholic faith. I recommend this book to all who want to understand, live and teach the catholic faithfully. I endorse this book as a vademecum for all.” — Very Reverend Father Jude Thaddeus Langeh, cmf, Major Superior of Claretian Missionaries in Cameroon [to download the letter with the seal, click here]

“When I read Francis’s book I thought of a painting by Caravaggio. It is ‘The Calling of St. Matthew.’ It celebrates the moment Jesus calls Matthew to follow him. We see the surprise in Matthew’s face as if to say ‘who me?’ Francis has the call to be a father and pray for different situations in our world. In reading, I feel again the call of God to engage in helping heal the hurts of our world. ‘Who me?’… ‘Yes.'” — John O’Brien, ofm, author of The Crucible of Doubt

“A wonderful, highly original work, not only for fathers, but also for all those looking for new ways to evangelize!” — Dr. Ronda Chervin, Emerita Professor of Philosophy, Catholic writer, speaker and media presenter.