Through tears, hugs and prayers, St. Francis Xavier parishioners bid their farewells last August to Father Jack, not only their priest, but one who had become a very dear friend, as he prepared to ship out to Iraq. Franciscan Father Jack (John) W. Hoak served as parochial vicar at that parish for several years.
He now serves as a U.S. Navy chaplain stationed near Baghdad. Offered an assignment in upstate New York, he chose instead to volunteer to serve in Iraq with his brothers and sisters who are fighting to ensure a country free of terrorism. But Father Jack never left the hearts or the feelings of St. Francis parishioners.
"Dear Father Jack" emails and letters began shortly after he left. But, at times, the communications left many of his former parishioners with an uneasy feeling about his safety.
Recently, Father Jack sent a message that was printed in a local newspaper, graphically describing the dangers he sees. He reported an instance of a soldier's love for his fellow man that he said exemplified "the caliber of the warriors sent to stamp out insurgent agents of terror and fear."
He wrote that a marine gave his life in choosing to push an Iraqi aside, out of the way of a rocket-propelled grenade's explosion, during a joint patrol through Fallujah. The marine was killed, the Iraqi sustained minor injuries and blast wounds. Father Jack said that the injured Iraqi cried unceasingly afterwards, not understanding why the marine chose to save his life instead of his own.
Whether it was through "deeply motivating moral principles" or through a "gut reaction and training" didn't matter, wrote Father Jack. What mattered, he added, was the meaning of the marine's action: "He showed the depth of his love by making sure his Iraqi brother in arms was pushed to safety…for this truly was an act of Gospel dimension."
A class of eighth grade religious education students at the parish has been talking about their "Father Jack." They miss him very much and have been praying for his safety. They read Father Jack's article in the local newspaper with interest and were moved by it. They wished to get a message to Father Jack: they wanted him to know that they haven't forgotten him, and they think of him often, admiring his bravery.
They each sent a "Dear Father Jack" letter. Brief quotes follow:
Corinne Sullivan said, "I really connected with the article that you wrote. I think it is really brave that you are in Iraq and praying for the other men who need you very much…I pray for you and all the other soldiers in Iraq who are risking their lives for our country."
Mary-Catherine McCarthy wrote: "We love our new priests, but Christmas won't be the same without you and your beautiful decorations. You were always in my and my family's prayers."
Wrote Lauren Perrino: "Stay safe!! I hope you come back soon!!!"
The students recalled Father Jack's message: "Life is a precious gift which God gives to us — the marine in the story in a God-like response, by giving his life back to God, gave life to another of God's children, who went from being a stranger to him to a comrade in arms and perhaps and even as a friend or a brother."
All of the students said they took to heart in a special way Father Jack's words about the "meritorious and exemplarily conduct of a dedicated peacekeeper who selflessly lays down his life because there is not greater love than this."
[Editor's note: Did you know that 300,000 Catholics serve in the main branches of the US Armed Forces, while another 375,000 serve in the Reserves and Coast Guard? Most of these are young adults ages 18-23. Only 307 Catholic chaplains are available to serve them and their families. To find out how you can help Catholic military families and the chaplains who serve them, go here: www.catholicmil.org.]
