13/11/2025
ECHOES OF THE PAST: FATHER JOE’S JOURNEY THROUGH FLOODED MEMORIES
The chipped paint on the parish hall door felt rough beneath Father Joe’s calloused hand. Funny, he thought, how a single touch could unlock a flood of memories, each one tinged with the bitterness of a past life.
He wasn't always Father Joe. Once, he was just Joe or Joey – the kid who hid behind library shelves and doors, the one who couldn’t spell or read to save his life, the constant target of snide remarks, shoves and constant daily beatings.
School was a minefield. His grades were abysmal, a testament to a mind that wandered during classes, fixated on the intricate hand written graffiti on the classroom walls. The bullies, led by a sneering brute named Steve, delighted in tormenting him. They’d trip him in the hallway, push him hard against a wall, steal his pocket money and treats, and whisper and shouted insults that burrowed deep under his skin. Joey learned to be invisible, to shrink into himself, hoping to avoid their notice. He knew that one day the bullies will be seen off. That was his focus, that was his daily wish.
He drifted through life like a ghost until, at 16, he impulsively enlisted. The army was brutal, unforgiving, but it offered something he craved: structure and a purpose. The discipline was harsh, but it honed him, chiseling away at the self-doubt that had plagued him for so long. It was there, during a mandatory self-defence course with memories as an orange belt in judo as a young kid, that he discovered karate.
The dojo became his sanctuary. The rigorous full contact karate training, the precise movements, the unwavering focus – it was a revelation. He excelled. The physical strength he developed translated into mental fortitude.
The fear that had once consumed him began to dissipate, replaced by a quiet confidence. Years passed, filled with gruelling workouts, disciplined living and focus, and a meteoric rise through the ranks. National titles turned into international recognition. He was a force to be reckoned with.
And then he met Sandra whilst a doorman in a nightclub. A kind, intelligent, and extremely attractive young woman who saw beyond the hardened exterior and recognised the lost boy beneath. Her love was a balm to his wounded soul, a constant reminder that he was worthy of affection and happiness with a stunning woman which Joey thought was not possible to achieve.
But even with his newfound strength and love, something was missing. One day, he revisited his Catholic faith and he prayed in church, alone, with nobody around. As he stumbled through the Lord's Prayer, a sense of profound peace settled over him. It was a moment of clarity, a calling he couldn't ignore.
After leaving the past behind and with Sandra deep in his thoughts, who supported him fully, he joined the seminary. It wasn't easy. The academic and theology rigour was a challenge, and still is, but he persevered, driven by a newfound faith and a desire to help others find the same peace he had discovered, but most importantly walking alongside people that need help and direction alongside helping others, no matter what and most importantly, not sitting in judgement over others.
Now, as Father Joe, he stood before his flock, a testament to resilience and redemption. He knew his past was a tapestry woven with pain and hardship, but it had also given him a unique understanding of suffering and a deep compassion for those who struggled.
He is still very much active within karate and also a respected chief executive, part time, of a national sports governing body, a daily reminder of the strength he had found, but his battles were now fought with compassion and forgiveness.
The bullies were long gone, their power rendered insignificant by a life dedicated to service. He was still strong, still capable of defending himself, but now, with God by his side and Sandra's love as his anchor, he fought for a different kind of victory – the victory of the human spirit over adversity.
www.revjoeellis.church
