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| Fr. John F. Randall |
Rev. John Randall Visit Guest Book
RANDALL, THE REVEREND JOHN F. 82, Pastor Emeritus of St. Charles Borromeo Church, Providence, died on Wednesday, June 15, 2011. Born in Newport, a son of the late Robert A. and Marie (Niland) Randall, he attended St. Mary and St. Augustin Schools and De LaSalle Academy in Newport. In preparation for the priesthood, he studied at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick and at the Grand Seminaire in St. Brieuc, France. He was ordained a priest on May 30, 1953 at the Cathedral of SS. Peter and Paul in Providence by the Most Reverend Russell J. McVinney. He began his ministry as a chaplain at Mt. St. Rita Novitiate in Cumberland and teacher at St. Raphael's Academy in Pawtucket. Two years later he became an assistant pastor at St. Joseph Church, Pawtucket and continued to teach at St. Raphael's Academy. In September 1958, he became a teacher at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick. After a summer assignment as assistant pastor at Sacred Heart Church in East Providence, he was sent to the University of Louvain in Belgium for post graduate studies in Sacred Scripture. After his return from Louvain in 1962, Father Randall was appointed professor at Our Lady of Providence Seminary in Warwick and later spiritual director in 1963. Then in 1971, he was transferred as assistant pastor to St. Patrick Church in Providence. In 1976, he became full time staff person in a Program for Renewal in the Spirit and in 1978, pastor of St. Charles Borromeo Church in Providence and continued his work for Renewal in the Spirit until his retirement in 2001 as Pastor Emeritus. In addition to his parish and teaching work, Father Randall served also as Diocesan Consultor (1966); Synodal Examiner (1967); member of the Commission on Project Clergy Renewal (1970); member of the Committee of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal in the United States; directed the Spirit and the Word program on Radio and TV. Father Randall is survived by a brother, the Reverend Robert J. Randall, and three sisters: Sr. Mary Randall, SSJ, of Providence, Mrs. Theresa Zimmerly of Elyria, OH, and Mrs. Joan Soares of Newport; also a number of nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held at the Stapleton-Barry-Holdredge Funeral Home, 684 Park Avenue, Cranston on Friday, from 3:00-6:00pm at which time his body will be transferred to St. Charles Church for viewing until 7:30pm when there will be a parish Mass in celebration of his life. A concelebrated Mass of Christian burial will be offered for the repose of his soul at St. Charles Church, Providence on Saturday, at 10:00am. Burial will be at St. Columba Cemetery, Middletown, RI. In lieu of flowers, donations, as an alternative to flowers, may be made to St. Charles Borromeo Church, 178 Dexter St. Providence, RI 02907.
COMMENTS:---Fr. Randall was a tireless worker for the Lord and crusader for the Holy Spirit, he held his Charismatic meeting every Thursday evening at St. Charles Borromeo Church, in Providence, R.I. He said after he experienced the Holy Spirit, every time he followed one of God's plans, it worked.
His powerful LIFE IN THE SPIRIT SEMINARS were also available to anyone who wished to attend.
He ministered right up until the end and was renowned for his gentle, kind spirit and generosity towards all.
Father pray for us that we can be as good a servant of Christ as you were, and hear the same words from Christ:
"Well done my good and faithful servant"!!!
( We will miss you! )
Father Randall was a prolific writer and the author of:
In God's Providence - The Birth of a Catholic Charismatic Parish
The Book of Revelation: What Does It Really Say?
Wisdom Instructs Her Children: The Power of the Spirit and the Word
Mary, Barrier or Bridge?
Pope John Paul Scriptural Rosary (20 decades)
Spiritual Warfare, The Twenty-First Decade
His Lastest Book--No Spirit, No Church
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10 comments:
Some of us saw Fr. Randall on Saturday at PGL's Pentecost Day,
St. Phillip's Church in Greenville, R.I. He looked so good and spoke
so beautifully. He was on fire with the Holy Spirit.
We were moved by his message.
His desire to die
with his "boots on" like Blessed John Paul II and Blessed
Mother Teresa was fulfilled.
Now we have another saint in heaven interceding for us.
Fr. Randall, pray for us.
May you receive a special blessing from the Lord today!
Barbara
One of Fr. Randall's lesser know minstries was with Courage. People who swtruggled were drawn to Fr. Randalls' ministry from all over Rhode Island and Masachuseets. He was very compassionate and participated in local conferences and retreats, with family members in the Encourage minstry. Fr Randal gave hope for chaste and holy living for those who felt they were on the margins of society and the Church. He taught us to listen to the Holy Spirit and grow closer to the Eucharistic Lord through adoration, devotion to Our Blessed Lady and a love for Holy Mother Church. Fr John, pray for us!
Dear Ed, I was very sad when i saw the post on Father Randall Passing , but he is now with Our Dear Lord in Heaven. God Bless him and im sure he will be Greatly Missed by all. Peace St.Raphael
One of the last times I saw Father Randall was while he was rehabing at the nursing home. It was my 17th wedding anniversary. Father Randall had many visitors that day one being Bishop Tobin. I knew that Father Randall had a very long and tiring day so I told him I wouldn't stay long. He signaled me to enter his room with that gentle warm smile. I brought my daughter Grace with me and I will never forget how Father Randall's face lit up when he saw her. He was so filled with love for all people especially the little ones. I wanted to thank Father Randall for helping me save my marriage many years before. His council was precious to me. Every little pearl of wisdom he gave me I applied to try and heal the hurts I had caused in my marriage. And little by little I was able to forgive myself for causing my family so much pain. The greatest gift he gave me was the gift of confession and forgiveness. Father Randall was instrumental In the conversion of my husband to catholicism. My husband became so close to Father Randall. He was a friend that everyone in the world should be blessed enough to have. He enriched my life. And through "The Jesus Club" enriched and taught my children to love Daddy God! And through the "Youth explosion" helped to enkindle the fire for the holy spirit again In my teenage son. I feel like I could go on and on for hours with what Father taught me, but I would like to keep some precious memories to myself. I cry today because I will miss him dearly, but I rejoice because of the lessons he taught me about death and dying and where I know he is. I envision when Father Randall was brought to paradise that he was greeted by Jesus with arms outstretched as Jesus enfolds Father Randall into his arms Jesus Proclaims.........
WELL DONE MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!!!!!!!
Father Randall Continue to watch over your flock from heaven and continue to help us all live our faith through the workings of the holy spirit.......... I love you........ Your friend Maria
God bless him for his lifetime of faithful service. May he rest in peace...
FROM IRELAND
It is not often one comes across a real saint in these times. My Name is Brendan Walsh and I had the great honor and blessing of being a friend of Fr Randall for some years. He invited me several times to minister as a lay evangelist at his community Church gatherings in Providence – they were some of the most precious times I experienced in ministry.
His joy and humility struck me to the core as did his deep concern for all people. I was even more astonished by his dedication and determination to serve the marginalised. I remember also his great dedication to the care of his elderly father, His smile and kindness was infectious. He loved God so much and opened his heart to the fullness of the power of the Holy Spirit.
Today while I am sad I am also glad that Fr John has finally come into the embrace of Jesus and Mary. Providence has a humble saint to intercede for them in heaven. I miss him though we have not met for some years – his humour and smile shone through his gentle presence.
From Ireland I send my deepest sympathy to the community - I still remember so many of you. I pray that what Fr Randall begun in Providence will continue to grow and his people will be comforted during these coming days and months.
In Jesus
Brendan Walsh
Father Randall, a dear family friend and spiritual director, was a vital instrument in the Father's plan for my parent's ministry. I pray he throws down from heaven his mantel of love for the Holy Spirit and His Spouse, our Mother Mary...and that I capture and clothe myself in that mantel Fr. Randall so courageously wore.
L.Turbitt
Fr Randall was a dear friend to me. I first met with him as we shared ministry together in providence. I remember walking away feeling I had been blessed with joy and serenity. I had the good fortune of returning to his Church on other occasions where we shared meals together and spoke of hopeful thing to come.
Ministering around the world I have held Fr Randall up as an example of Priesthood. His commitment calm, resolve, his willingness to embrace all and the image of Christ. His love for the poor and the borken served to show the wounded Jesus who lived Joyfully through him. His work has just begun.
When I think of I remember reciting an Irish poem written by Joseph Mary Plunkett,to Fr Randall during a meal which he loved and was anxious to share with his Father who was then alive. In His loving memory I include it as a tribute to the eyes of his soul.
1. I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.
2. I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice—and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.
3. All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
We will meet again’
My deepest sympathy and heartfelt thanks for your beautiful priestly life.
Brendan Walsh
Ireland
Fr Randall was a dear friend to me. I first met with him as we shared ministry together in providence. I remember leaving feeling I had been blessed with joy and serenity. I had the good fortune of returning to his Church on other occasions where we shared ministry and meals together and spoke of hopeful thing to come.
Ministering around the world I have held Fr Randall up as an example of Priesthood. His commitment calm, resolve, his willingness to embrace all and the image of Christ. His courage, love for the poor and the broken served to show the wounded Jesus who lived Joyfully through him. His work has just begun.
When I think of I remember reciting an Irish poem written by Joseph Mary Plunkett,to Fr Randall during a meal which he loved and was anxious to share with his Father who was then alive. In His loving memory I include it as a tribute to the eyes of his soul.
1. I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.
2. I see his face in every flower;
The thunder and the singing of the birds
Are but his voice—and carven by his power
Rocks are his written words.
3. All pathways by his feet are worn,
His strong heart stirs the ever-beating sea,
His crown of thorns is twined with every thorn,
His cross is every tree.
We will meet again’
My deepest sympathy to all members of your family and heartfelt thanks for your beautiful priestly life.
Brendan Walsh
Ireland
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