My High School Religion Teacher

Yesterday, I had the privilege of reuniting with one of my high school religion teachers, the great Fr. Mark Link, S.J.

Fr. Mark is one of the most prolific Catholic writers around, having sold millions of books including These Stones Will Shout, The Seventh Trumpet, The Still Point of the Turning World, You, Vision 2000, Challenge, Path Through Scripture, and Path Through Catholicism, just to name a few (over 60 titles in all).

During my years as a student at St. Ignatius College Prep (1973-77), Fr. Mark was one of my religion teachers. We were one of the first groups of students to use his book, These Stones Will Shout which is about the Old Testament. I was very taken by this Jesuit priest who had such a passion for Scripture (kind of a “new” idea in the early 70’s). I have no doubt that the seeds of my vocation as a teacher and a catechist were sown right there in Fr. Mark’s class.

Yesterday, I had the pleasure and privilege of sharing this with him. I also gave him a copy of my book, God’s Library: A Catholic Introduction to the World’s Greatest Book and read to him from the Acknowledgment page: 

Special thanks to the Scripture professors at whose feet I was privileged to sit: Fr. Mark Link, S.J…

Check out Fr. Mark’s web site www.staygreat.com which he put together with the help of students at Rockhurst high school in Kansas City. He recently turned 80…I hope I’m that “with it” when I’m that age!

Thanks, Fr. Mark…keep on writing!

About Joe Paprocki 2742 Articles
Joe Paprocki, DMin, is National Consultant for Faith Formation at Loyola Press, where, in addition to his traveling/speaking responsibilities, he works on the development team for faith formation curriculum resources including Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts and God’s Gift: Reconciliation and Eucharist. Joe has more than 35 years of experience in ministry and has presented keynotes, presentations, and workshops in more than 100 dioceses in North America. Joe is a frequent presenter at national conferences including the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, the Mid-Atlantic Congress, and the National Conference for Catechetical Leadership. He is the author of numerous books, including the best seller The Catechist’s Toolbox, A Church on the Move, Under the Influence of Jesus, and Called to Be Catholic—a bilingual, foundational supplemental program that helps young people know their faith and grow in their relationship with God. Joe is also the series editor for the Effective Catechetical Leader and blogs about his experiences in faith formation at www.catechistsjourney.com.

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