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Thursday, October 12, 2000 the Diocese The Southern Cross, Page 7 An exclusive interview with John Michael Talbot John Michael Talbot O n October 4, the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi, Father Douglas K. Clark, editor of The Southern Cross, spoke with John Michael Talbot, the best-selling Catholic recording artist in the coun try, in anticipation of his upcoming concert at Saint James Church, Savannah, November 6. Southern Cross: You’ve been to Savannah before, for a concert at Sacred Heart Church. What do you recall from that visit. Talbot: I recall a small church and a most gracious congregation that was a joy to pray with. I recall it as a lovely concert. Southern Cross: What does the title of your latest CD, Simple Heart, mean? What is the recording about? Talbot: It contains psalms from the Office of Readings, a prayer of Saint Teresa of Avila, another of Charles de Foucauld and a famous prayer to Holy Spirit. The Office of Readings takes us to the darkest place in our walk of faith and shines God’s light on them. The Office is prayed as a vigil in the middle of the night. It offers a stark confrontation of light and darkness. People today feel overwhelmed by the forces of mod em society. Like the Office of Readings, Simple Heart is intended to shine a light of hope into situation world would call hopeless. I just returned from a retreat with Father Frank Pavone, of Priests for Life. Many pro-life people have resigned themselves to the lack of sympathy on the part of the American people for the pro-life movement. But the word we re ceived on this retreat was a word of hope, of going deeper into the “Gos pel of Life,” to bring the good news to those who are our enemies, to respect the lives of all, even of abor tionists. Southern Cross: Are you still a Third Order Franciscan? Talbot: I’m no longer active in the Third Order, which I joined 18 years ago. My own community, the Brothers and Sisters of Charity, takes precedence. We have about 37 members in Arkansas and another 500 nationwide. The life and example of Saint Francis had a powerful influence on me. I was brought up a Methodist. My brother Terry and I formed a band, Mason Proffit, that achieved some success. But it all seemed so empty. I went on a spiritual journey, exploring everything from Native American religion, through Bud dhism, to Biblical Christianity. I saw in Saint Francis and those like him an affirmation by the Church that a simple life, committed to prayer and evangelism and work with the poor, are possible within the Catholic faith. These values are not supported in as overt and intentional manner by other Christian communities. I came to the Catholic Church through the example of Saint Francis. The support of the Church to this radical living of the Gospel is attrac tive to me. There’s always a boat for those who want to go out to sea. At first, I was sort of a hermit, but then a community grew up around me. In Little Rock, with the support of Bishop Andrew J. McDonald, the community gained canonical status and has grown ever since. Southern Cross: What can those who attend your concert at Saint James expect to hear? Talbot: The concert will not be just me; my older brother and Barry McGuire will be with me. My brother Terry was in Mason Proffit with me. Barry McGuire was in New Christie Minstrels and sang “Eve of Destruction.” McGuire was involved in the grass roots of the Jesus move ment. They open for me. Neither is Catholic, but both find warm responses from Catholic audiences. They’re up-tempo and funny, but can be serious. After the light opening, I come on, and get very deeply into prayer. It’s a very balanced evening. Light-hearted experience of the joys of our faith, plus deep meditation. Southern Cross: Are you going to sing many songs from Simple Heart in Savannah? Talbot: Yes, I plan to sing “God Alone” (the prayer of Saint Teresa), “Simple Heart” and “Breathe on Me” (the prayer to the Holy Spirit), and perhaps “Abandon Myself’ (the prayer of Charles de Foucauld). I vary the program according to the audience’s reactions. Saint James Parish, Savannah, will present John Michael Talbot in concert on November 6 at 7:00 p.m. Cost is $ 15.00 per person. For more information, call Jeanie Bandy at 912-355-1523. Local Franciscans celebrate “Transitus” of Saint Francis The story of the passing of Saint Francis of Assisi was retold recently with the celebration of the Transitus, at Saint Boniface Church in Springfield. Father Herbert Wellmeier, pastor of Saint Anne Parish, Richmond Hill, read the words of Saint Francis during the narration of the last hours of the saint as he approached “Sister Death.” Left: Three Missionary Franciscans of the Immaculate Conception, Sister Elizabeth Mannion, Sister Noreen Dennehy and Sister Georgette Cunniff, renewed their vows at the conclusion of the ceremony. Right: Brother Robert Sokolowski, SM, Mary O’Brien and Sister Pat Brown, SSMN, join in the ceremony. Franciscans world wide traditionally celebrate the Transitus, concluding with the final prayer of Saint Francis, who died on October 3, 1226, as he was being carried over the Umbrian hills to his “little chapel” of the Portiuncula, below Assisi. Photos by Jonas N. Jordan