Fr. John Randall, Crusader for the Holy Spirit Dies

Fr. John Randall, Crusader for the Holy Spirit Dies

Fr. John F. Randall

Rev. John Randall

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

Posted by Ed Sousa, Sr. at  www.ingodscompany2.blogspot.com

 

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