News

Book, audiobook to benefit pastor’s alma mater

Father John Antony wants Catholic education to be available to anyone

Published: October 13, 2015   

By Maryanne Meyerriecks
Fort Smith Correspondent

Maryanne Meyerriecks

Father John Antony shows Sister Maria DeAngeli, OSB, prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery, his latest book, “Oh, For Heaven’s Sake!” Sept. 4.

Maryanne Meyerriecks

Father John Antony shows Sister Maria DeAngeli, OSB, prioress of St. Scholastica Monastery, his latest book, “Oh, For Heaven’s Sake!” Sept. 4.

FORT SMITH — Father John Antony has spent his priesthood promoting Catholic education —opening an elementary school as pastor of St. Raphael Church in Springdale, writing his first book, “Oh, For the Love of God,” to support Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph schools and currently serving as administrator of Trinity Junior High School in Fort Smith.

The profits from his second book, “Oh, For Heaven’s Sake,” a collection of popular homilies, will be dedicated to the “Roses from Heaven” campaign of St. Theresa School in Little Rock.

“We will be marketing four products to kick off the campaign,” Father Antony said, “This book, an audio book, a hat and a T-shirt. It’s a fruit of the fine education I received at Catholic schools like St. Theresa’s. Writing the book and trying to raise money to give back makes sense.”

Speaking at all St. Theresa Masses Aug. 29-30, Father Antony told parishioners about the sacrifices his immigrant parents made so that he and his siblings could attend St. Theresa School, and his desire to give the immigrant children in the parish the chance to receive the same education he received. It was the gentle, humble soul of his childhood pastor, Msgr. Leo Reidmueuller, that first inspired him to become a priest, he said. A favorite teacher, Nancy Govang, read aloud to her classes and gave Father Antony a lifelong love of reading.

St. Theresa’s new principal, Kristy Dunn, has lived in the parish all her life. She attended St. Theresa and taught there 11 years before becoming principal. She said the need and desire for Catholic education are great.

“We are trying to raise $350,000 to subsidize operating expenses for the next five years,” she said. “Our school has 151 students, down from 250 in the early 1990s, but there is a trend of students receiving religious education here to transfer to St. Theresa. Our religious education program has 400 students whom we teach in four sessions — three Spanish, one English — each weekend.”

At least 50 percent of the students attending the pre-K-through-eighth-grade school receive financial aid.

During the five-year campaign, Dunn, Father Antony and other members of the campaign committee will work on strategies for sustainable, long-term funding.

“We are trying to create a long-term endowment fund, to develop a pretty robust annual appeal and reach alumni who have become successful and may be able to give back,” Father Antony said. He is returning to St. Theresa Church for a book-signing Friday, Nov. 6.

“Father John Antony knows that Catholic education formed him and is still worth investing in today. He has many gifts and talents from God. I appreciate him as a fellow Catholic who holds Catholic education near and dear to his heart,” Dunn said.

“My greatest fear and motivation is that Catholic schools will end up only at very affluent parishes,” Father Antony said, “and that will run counter to the traditional mission of Catholic schools — ministering to immigrants. How can we recreate that paradigm?”

The products will be available at different venues beginning in October, through the school office and at Father Antony’s book signing. On Sunday, Oct. 18, he will sign books at 6 p.m. at his parish, Immaculate Conception Church in Fort Smith.

If you are interested in contributing to the Roses from Heaven Campaign, contact the school office at (501) 565-3855 or e-mail .

“With everyone’s help, and the prayers of St. Theresa, our patron, we are confident we will reach our goal,” Dunn said.

Please read our Comments Policy before posting.