Sohm celebrates 50th anniversary of ordination into priesthood
by Krista Lewin
klewin@newsprogress.com
Father John Sohm described the priesthood as a vocation that has opened up many vistas and has allowed him to be a witness to how the grace of God works in people.
Sohm, who will celebrate the 50th anniversary of his ordination into the priesthood, said he is blessed to serve as a priest. He currently serves at St. Columcille in Sullivan and helps at St. Isidore in Bethany by administering mass and sacraments.
"I am grateful to the Lord to have reached a milestone of 50 years as a priest," said Sohm. "I hope to continue as long as it is His providence for me to do so."
Sohm was born in Quincy but his family relocated to Decatur when he was 11. Sohm wanted to enter the priesthood after graduating from St. Theresa . His family, who were devout catholics, were pleased and supportive of his decision.
"In those days, when a son or daughter became a priest or a nun, it was considered to be a great blessing on the family," said Sohm.
He attended seminary for one year at Diocesan Latin School located between Jacksonville and Springfield and attended seven years at St. Mary's of the Lake Seminary in Mundelein.
Sohm's spiritual journey has taken him to several churches throughout Illinois. His first assignment was St. Joseph's Church in Granite City followed by St. Agnes Church in Springfield, St. Raymond in Raymond, St. Patrick in Alton, Immaculate Conception Church in Shelbyville, Holy Family Church in Mt. Sterling, Sacred Heart Church in Dalton City and St. Isidore in Bethany. He has also served as a part-time hospital chaplain in several of the parishes and served as the chaplain at the state prison in Mt. Sterling.
Serving as a priest has its benefits and challenges that no other job can offer.
"I try to bring the Lord into people's lives during important times and sometimes it is in matters of life and death," said Sohm. "You sense the love of the Catholic people who've always had close ties with a parish priest. You become attached to a particular parish family. When reassigned, you have to start over but people are the same at each parish. They are welcoming. Their acceptance soon makes you feel part of that new parish family."
Sohm has also gotten the opportunity to travel to Rome twice and twice to the Middle East to visit the Holy Land.
While visiting Rome in 1978, he was fortunate to hear Pope Paul the VI speak. The pope died just two months later.
In 1982, he returned to Rome again and traveled to St. Peter's Square where Pope John Paul II spoke before an audience gathered there.
"Those two trips to Rome as well as the two pilgrimages to the Holy Land were certainly highlights for a priest spiritually and theologically," Sohm said.
In recent years, the Catholic church has seen its share of controversies including the pedophile scandal involving some priests. These accounts can stir with parishioners' faith and emotions and prompt others to stereotype the church. Sohm cautions that people shouldn't use these cases to judge the entire church.
"During his April visit to the U.S., Pope Benedict repeatedly expressed the church's shame and repentance for the horrendous and enduring suffering caused by the clergy pedophiles," said Sohm. "As is true in most other groups, the conduct of a few, whether it is good or bad, enhances or damages the reputation of many."
Sohm continued, "Consequently, Catholic priests are praying and striving to restore the good name of the church."
Pastor Paul McGhghy of Faith Lutheran Church serves with Sohm on the local Ministerial Association.
"I consider Father Sohm a dear friend and Christian brother in Christ," McGhghy said. "He is a very intelligent and articulate man, and he is also very kind, understanding and compassionate. He has a real servant's heart for ministry."
McGhghy, who is celebrating a milestone of his own this year with 30 years in the ministry, 23 of those at Faith Lutheran, respects Sohm for for his spiritual strength even during one of the darker chapters of his life.
"I admire his tremendous faith in lieu of when he was diagnosed with cancer and had to be treated in Chicago," said McGhghy. "He was taken near death's door. By the grace of God, everything took effect. His health was restored, and he returned to the ministry."
McGhghy added, "It is a testament to our gracious savior and work of the holy spirit in giving Father Sohm the faith as well the strength and determination to continue in full time ministry."
Through McGhghy's "blessed assurance," he said he and Sohm have discussed religion and it has always been civil and void of any raucous debates. And if two pull-no-punches spiritual thinkers like Sohm and McGhghy can agree, there's hope that maybe someday Catholics and Lutherans can mend their differences and unite.
"We have a congenial, respectful, relationship," said McGhghy. "We are both here to build the kingdom."
Moultrie Countians not attending St. Columcille or St. Isidore may already know Sohm through his work in the Ministerial Association or have seen him riding his bike around Sullivan.
"The bike riding is an extension of a 40-year-old hobby of jogging," said Sohm. "And in these days riding a bike is financially advantageous."
Sohm has served at St. Columcille since 1993 and is pleased to call Moultrie County his home.
"Since our bishop does not transfer elderly priests unless the priest requests it, I am delighted to finish my life and pastoral service at St. Columcille Parish where I have always been welcomed," said Sohm. "I am very thankful to the good people of the parish."