For the twelfth Issue of The Hawk Eye, we sat down with Father Josh to ask him a few questions, 73 Questions Father Josh style. Here are the highlights:

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What is your full name?

My full name is Joshua Patrick Critchley.

 

Do you have any nicknames?

Well, Josh and when I was in highschool people would say my last name Critchley. People would call me Critch! It was cool, I loved it, but you know ever since I became a priest I don’t really go by Critch anymore. (Jokingly)

 

When is your birthday?

My birthday is April 3rd, 1994. I'm 29 years old! Fun fact: I was born on Easter Sunday.

 

Happy early birthday!

 

Do you have a favourite colour?

Blue.

 

What’s your favourite movie?

Favourite movie? Oh gosh. Well, you know, I’m probably going to have to say Lord of the Rings. Especially the last one, Return of the King, the extended version is pretty awesome.

 

Or movie you feel displays Catholic values effectively?

Yeah, I mean I- there’s so many of them! Probably one of my favourites, it's an older movie, a black and white film: The Reluctant Saint. It's about St. Joseph of Cupertino, who, you know, is one of the Franciscan saints. He was a Franciscan himself. Lived in the 1600s in Italy and he’s actually a patron saint of students. He's actually famous for levitating! He would, uh, levitate a bit off the ground sometimes when he was celebrating mass. So, it's a really funny movie, it's definitely a beautiful religious movie. The whole thing is on Youtube for free, so if anyone wants to check it out.

 

On Mondays and Fridays you come visit our school as a part of Monday Eucristic adoration and Friday morning mass. Could you tell us a bit more about those celebrations and what they mean to catholics?

Yeah, so, I mean, I’ll start with Friday. The mass is basically everything for us as Catholics. The celebration of the Eucharist. The Eucharist being not only a piece of bread but rather the living presence of God among us. I’d argue it's so critical especially in Catholic Schools to have Jesus present in the Eucharist. I, myself, went to a Catholic highschool, we had a Chapel as well. The Eucharist was always kept in the Tabernacle and you know, looking back it absolutely makes a difference. The Eucharist makes a difference. It unites us to God, it helps us grow in holiness. The Eucharist gives us the grace to get through our days, to get through challenging moments in our lives.

And then Adoration on Mondays is kind of an extension of mass. It reminds us of the Eucharist. We expose the Eucharist, put it in a fancy holder called a monstrance. We are just adoring the presence of the Lord, reminding ourselves of the fact that just because mass has ended, Jesus’ presence with us never ends. It goes on forever, so we come to the Eucharist in adoration.

 

When did you become a priest and what inspired you to that calling?

Okay, so, I officially became a Priest, I was ordained on June 22nd, 2022. So, I’m coming up on two years ordained in just a couple months. What I always tell people called me to this life, I’d say more specifically to franciscan life, because I’m not just a Priest I’m also a franciscan. I’m a franciscan brother. So, I’m what’s called a religious priest, I’m a member of what’s called a religious order within the Catholic church. So, I felt called to the franciscans, I’ve been thinking about it ever since I was in grade 9 myself. I was in university, I was 19 at the time, and as a part of Spring Break, there was a trip that was planned. So you would just stay on campus for part of this Break, just going around various areas in the community. I was at a school in Rhode Island, in the U.S, that's where I’m from originally. We went around to various places and did various things. Really simple things, we helped out at the Rhode Island food bank, we helped hand out water at one of the mile markers for a half marathon, we did a beach cleanup, all kinds of different things. It was great, it reminded me of the importance of service. Of giving myself to others because university can be a very selfish time, and it was for me. Those first couple months, you’re thinking so much about yourself. ‘What about me? My personal development? My career development?’ But it reminded me, you know, I can’t forget other people, ever. Around that same time, this was when I was home, I remember watching on TV the election of Pope Francis. This was 2013, mid-March, Unjust remember being so transfixed to the screen at my parents house. I found myself asking ‘Why? Why did I care so much? Why did this mean so much to me?’. This is all the way on the other side of the world, ‘who cares?’. I was so struck by Pope Francis, by the history, by the reasoning behind everything that was happening. It just fostered again in my heart the importance of the church. The institutional church, as Catholics we believe that Christ actively in some way wills to exist. It reminded me of the beauty of the church so I always say those two aspects, service for others, to our brothers and sisters and a love for the church were fostered in my heart. These lead me to pursue a vocation as a franciscan brother and as a Priest.

 

What is the meaning of Lent to you?

So, we’re in the season of Lent, the last week. Holy week is its own separate thing, liturgically. Lent for me fundamentally is a time of preparation, we’re preparing ourselves for Easter. So Easter for us Catholics is the celebration of celebrations. It is where our faith is. Anyone can believe that Jesus dies on the cross, we have pretty good historical records of that and Jesus is just a guy! We all die. It doesn’t take faith to believe that Jesus died, because we all die. It’s very much in the realm of our own human experience, but to believe that this man rose, physically. That’s the key, physically, from the dead on the third day after dying a death on the cross. It’s amazing. There’s no way to rationalize it, there’s no real way to even begin to understand it. It truly is the gift of faith from the Holy Spirit that you have to have. Resurrection for us as Christians, is the celebration of celebrations. It is everything. We really need to prepare well for that great celebration, for that holiest of days. So, Lent focuses especially on fasting, praying, on almsgiving, giving to the poor to help prepare us. TO help reinvigorate our faith so that we can share in the resurrection of Christ when it comes liturgically each year. That’s what it is, liturgically we commemorate these things. It’s not the physical day that Jesus rose from the dead, we remember the fact that ‘Jesus rose to set me, personally, free. That calls me to a lot of preparation so that I can celebrate Easter, what it is, what it means, as best as I possible can.’ So have these five or so weeks of Lent to prepare us, in a really, really intentional way, each and every year. So, that’s what I’d argue Lent is. At least, for me.

 

Do you have any advice for those who are finding it difficult to keep up with their fast and abstinence during Lent? 

Hmm. Yeah, um, I would say we tend to be very- like New Years resolutions, we tend to be completely unrealistic with what we do for Lent. I remember stories of Friars where one year for Lent they decided to give up coffee! By the first week the guys that lived with the other franciscans were like ‘You need to have a cup of coffee!’ because they were driving them so crazy! We’re completely unrealistic with Lent, the purpose- it’s not so much what we give up, but it's how am I preparing? What in my life is taking me away from God? Trying to do practical things to try to remember the presence of God in my life. I always try to argue that the smaller something is, the more likely you are to actually succeed. So instead of doing something extraordinary, like coffee- for example- last year, I loved the peanut butter cookies from Fortinos. They’re so good, I love them! But I gave those up for Lent, so little things like that if you’re going to give something up. I would also say it’s also things you can add, good habits. If you’re not big on prayer, maybe you can try to pray a bit more. Like, five minutes before bed or fasting from other things that aren’t just food. From gossiping, anything the list is endless. We tend to think of Lent as a New Years resolution and then we do so much, such unrealistic expectations. Then when we ‘fail’ at them, we go ‘That’s it. It’s done.’. There’s no motivation to get back on the horse, to try again. It’s important to be practical during Lent and if you find that you’ve bit off more than you can chew, it’s not- you can always start over! You can always do something else. 

 

It’s one of those things I feel is very unique to the individual.

For sure! It’s also important to pray, you know, ask God ‘What should I do for Lent?’ because God is always apart of the conversation. I’d say that’s probably the number one thing- if you’re going to assume that you’re going to ‘fail’ at Lent, it’s because you don't check in with God and ask Him what you should do. The point of Lent is to grow in holiness, if you don’t actually check in with God, who is the source of holiness, how are you going to grow in holiness yourself?

 

I feel like people like to make a show of it. They’d rather tell other people.

 

Oh yeah! That’s why the first reading, Ash Wednesday, when it starts, we always say ‘This is the fast that I find pleasing’, you’re helping the widow and the orphan, you’re releasing these prisoners. It's not about what we are physically doing. It's not about going about with a gloomy face, as Jesus says, the hypocrites do. It is literally doing those things that are of service to other people. This is the fasting that God wants from us. We start Lent off with that idea, of not being hypocrites or not talking about what we’re doing. Not going around miserable because we gave up peanut butter cookies! We’re missing the point if we do that, absolutely. 

 

What do you believe is the most fascinating or interesting aspect of Catholicism or the Christian faith? 

Well, I think- I think for a lot of Christians and I’m thinking of our PRotestant brothers and sisters who absolutely are Christians, they share the one baptism with us. But one of the big differences that is in the Catholic and also the Orthodox churches that is really unique is that our religion is not just spiritual, God is not just this disembodied thing that we follow, but it’s how physical our religion is. How physical God is. The sacraments, they are physical, they can only happen in person, for me to anoint someone. I had an anointing just yesterday, I went to this dying man's house, his wife was there. You have to physically touch the person's forehead, their palms, you make the sign of the cross, you lay hands on the person's head. WHen I was ordained the laying on of hands by the BIshop, and only a BIshop, is what ordained you, that physical touch. COnfirmation, you need oil, physically touch the person's forehead. Baptism, you need water, water needs to be physically poured on the person, Eucharist, physical bread and wine. Our life as Crhsotans is so physical and it’s such a  reminder of how good creation is. Creation is not bad, our bodies are not bad, they're good, they’re holy, so I just find the Catholic perspective, the Catholic worldview so complete, so holistic. It’s both spiritual and physical creation, bodily health that our religion serves and looks after. The coolest aspect that I get to experience and see, the physicalness of our Catholic faith. I’m so blessed that I get to see it everyday as a Priest .

 

What is the theme song of your life and why?

Oh gosh!

 

*Laughs* Everyone always gets stumped on this question!

 

Um, oh gosh. I confess, this might be a strange answer, but friends in high school would always joke with me about the song- I’m blanking on the name. But the song White and Nerdy (by Weird Al Yankovic). You know that song?

 

I think I’ve heard of it.

 

Yeah, it’s, maybe- I’m probably dating myself. But I’d say that’s probably a fairly accurate one for me. White and nerdy. I’m a big reader, I love fantasy. I’ve always been on the quieter side, so yeah probably very nerdy.

 

Do you have a favourite book?

My favourite book, okay, um! My favourite book. Again, I think- I’m probably gonna answer a series. I’d say the Lord of the Rings is probably one that I’ve returned to over and over again. Spiritually, I mean, obviously, The Bible *Laughs*. The source of wisdom and honestly great stories. So many beautiful people that we are represented with. Yeah, that’s it.

 

Those are good books! *Laughs*

 

If you could describe yourself in five words, what would they be? 

Um, like any five words? *pauses* Okay, um, growing in holiness every day. *Numbering words on fingers*

 

Oh! That’s an interesting one! Usually we get like- patient, kind, but that was unique. I like that!

 

What was your first job?

My first job? My first official job, the summer of grade 12 for me, right before I went to university. I was a lodge attendant at a place called Lakeridge. It was kind of like a- ritzy condos that were just up the street from my house. I’m from a very, kind of uh- it is, I guess you could call it the suburbs but really veering more towards the country. Very hilly, very mountainous, and a lot of steep hills by my house. So, ten minutes away up one of these massive, massive hills, was Lakerridgwe. It was on Lake Burr Pond, where a lot of the wealthy New yorkers. So, Connecticut, where I’m from, borders New York state. A lot of the wealthy people from New York would have condos as a summer house, so they would come up on the weekends or during the summer. It was kind of like an all inclusive community kind of thing with lodges and pools, all that kind of stuff. So I was a lodge attendant, recording who came to the lodge. If they wanted to kayak or something I would unlock the kayak for them. It was an incredibly boring job, there were some days where no one came to the pool. It was not exciting. That was my first job. *Laughs*.

 

What is your dream vacation?

Okay, so I found out this was a thing a couple years ago, I found out they have boating- boat cruises that go on some river in European cities and what you do is you’re on the boat at night, you have all your meals there. And during the day you bike- you bicycle, 20 miles, 25 miles, whatever it is and you meet up with the boat again at a particular spot. I would love that, that would be an absolute dream vacation for me.

 

What was your high school experience like?

I was talking about that a little bit, I went to a Catholic high school, I loved it. I had a great time in high school, it was a time of a lot of growth, A time where I was able to grow in faith, I was with some really great people. It was a very small school, there were 80 people in my highschool class that I graduated with. So it was small but it was great. High schools are great. I’ve said this in homilies here, it really reminded me or just taught me the importance of the Catholic faith. The difference that faith makes in education. Catholic schools are no public schools, we can talk about GOd here, we can talk about our faith here. That really does make a difference because it's not, we're not just minds, we're not just intellects being formed in schools. But also our spirits and souls are also being formed, are being taught, the holistic person is being formed, and are being educated. This is why I’m such a firm believer in faith, in the importance of  talking about God, talking about Jesus, learning about our faith. It sets us up for success because we haven't just focused on the mind or the body but also on the soul, on trying to encourage students and teachers to be the wholeness of who God is calling them to be. It absolutely makes a difference I’m convinced, so Catholic school for me was great, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

Any advice you would give to people who are interested in practicing the Catholic faith? 

It’s almost the most basic rule for almost anything in life, but especially prayed, especially church. Just show up. 99 percent of prayer, of our relationship with God, of church is just showing up. You just show up. Even if you don’t feel like you’re praying or if you think God isn’t there, or if you’re at mass and you think the Priest is just doing all these funny things. You’re there. You are there. You’re showing up. I always think the expression ‘Fake it ‘til you make it’ is absolutely true when it comes to the church. With prayer, ‘Okay, I’m sitting here and it’s quiet, I don’t know what to do, I don’t know if anything is happening.’ but you’re there. Don’t be afraid to show up, that’s the number one thing.

 

Or those who are considering priesthood?

If there’s anyone thinking about priesthood or religious life, anyone who's out there. Which, by the way I’m convinced, you know Mr. Battilana and I talk, I’m convinced in a school of over a thousand kids, you’re telling me there is not a single person here thinking about priesthood or religious life? I don’t believe you. I’m convinced there’s someone there, so whoever those people, young men, young women, might be, I would just say, pray, ask God to help you with your decision. Do not be afraid. This life, religious life and priesthood, people think it’s such an intimidating thing, people think that you somehow stop being a human being, you don’t. You’re very human as a brother, sister, a priest, you’re very human. You will make tons of mistakes but if you pursue this, if this is what God is calling you to, I promise it will lead you to more happiness than you can possibly imagine. I am- even on a bad day, I am thoroughly happy, I love being a franciscan, I love being a Priest. I love the conviction that I’m doing my best everyday to do what God calls me to do. If God is calling you to this it is a life that will be better than you can possibly imagine, by opening yourself to the will of God in your life. 

 

Do you have any holiday mass in particular that is your favourite to lead?

Okay, so, a particular celebration? I mean- this is a tricky one. A special mass. I don’t know, it’s hard to single out one. The feast of St. Francis of Assisi is really special. St. Francis the founder of the franciscans in the 1200s in Italy. We remember his death everyday, we have a mass on the actual feast day itself which is in the beginning of October. THe evening before we always have a special celebration called the Transitus, the transition, the passing of Francis from death to life. It’s not a mass, we read from the life of Francis, the story of his passing. We always have bread, not Eucharist, but blessed bread that we break, that we eat together. It’s a beautiful story, a reminder talking about the death of this holy man and his birth in eternal life, into Heaven. That’s probably a very special celebration for Francisicains. It's a beautiful one to lead, I’ve led it before. It’s not quite as rigidly structured as the masses, so you can definitely be creative, there’s many different accounts of the life of Francis, you can be creative, you can do different things every year with the Transitus celebration. 

 

Do you have a favourite holiday?

Hm. One that always- hm. I mean Christmas is always a special one. But also being American, the Fourth of July is also pretty cool. I have lots of memories of going to fireworks and all these things, red, white, and blue everything. Hot dogs and picnics. Fourth of July is pretty cool, seeing the fireworks. I Remember one time it was really cool, I was living in Wisconsin at the time, it was really flat so you could look across- I was at the end of the driveway at this retreat centre, where we were at the time, we were kind of in the middle of all these different towns. We saw three or four different fireworks displays going off all around, it was really cool. Typical American answer I know! Here in Canada I kind of dig in a little bit into the American thing. *Laughs*

 

What made you decide to move from America to Canada?

I’m a franciscan, so the Franciscan order is global. There’s 1200, 1300 something franciscans in my order in the world. That’s a lot of Friars. Our headquarters is in Rome, so because there's so many friars you can’t possibly have one structure for all those guys. We’re broken up into smaller more regional groupings called provinces. So my province, of the Franciscan order, is based out of New York City. We have houses, churches, and whatnot in the United States, northeast in the US. Houses here in Canada, in the Toronto area. We also have missions in Central America. As A franciscan in my province, I’m most likely to be moved around within my own province, so the head of my province, a provincial. My Provincial, after I was ordained, assigned me up here to Canada. It wasn’t so much that I chose, I was assigned to St. Peter's Parish. For the record, I am very happy! I love St. Peter’s it’s a great parish, a big parish. There's always so much going on, I’m never bored.

 

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

I’m a fan of cookies ‘n cream. Especially when it’s you know- like legit kind of homemade ice cream and they put actual pieces of Oreo in it. They’re so big you can see some of the letters, like you see the ‘O’ or the ‘R’, you know it’s real.

 

Authentic.

 

Authentic! So legitimate cookies ‘n cream ice cream is probably my favourite.