Memorial Letter from the Metropolitan Dear Brethren, It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of the Very Reverend John Vornholt, Dean Emeritus of the Archdiocese of the Southwest and my adviser. He was not only a true priest who saw, believed, and understood the real mission of the clergy, he was a devoted family man and kind gentleman with his own unique humor. This you can see in his periodic writings known as "Papa Doc's Ponderings." Dean Vornholt was, earlier in the history of the Archdiocese, Dean of the St. George Theological Seminary. In more recent times, he helped us greatly in our period of great renewal. Indeed, I credit a large portion of our success to his advice and support. Though retired, he recently told me that if his health were better, he was again motivated to start a new parish. It was a great compliment to the wonderful things happening in the Archdiocese, and I hope he truly understood that those wonderful things were thanks in large part to him. It is quite sad that he was too sick to start that parish. Dean Vornholt's illness was no secret to his family and friends, and to those of us who worked closely with him in the church. Yet, he kept on, doing what he could to help our revival and growth. On the academic front, our seminary launched a new academic journal, with him as Editor-in-Chief. The list of his good work even in his last years is impressive. Many prayers and masses were said for his recovery. Yet, we do not seek ever to bend the outcome to our will, but rather yield to the will of God. The Almighty Father chose to call home his ever-faithful servant and devoted priest. We now pray for the repose of his soul. He will be sorely missed, but we look forward to a heavenly reunion. Requiescat in Pace, +Rutherford Johnson     The Very Reverend John Mark Vornholt, Dean Emeritus, serves as an Adviser to the Metropolitan. A graduate of the Universities of Tennessee and Oklahoma, he holds an M.Div. from St. George's School of Theology (1988) and a D.Min. from the Graduate Theological Foundation at Notre Dame (1991). He read for Holy Orders under the Venerable H. Edwin Caudill (later the Rt. Rev. Bishop of the Southwest), and was ordained to the priesthood in the Diocese of the Southwest in 1988. His parochial assignments included the Church of the Nativity, St. Alban's, and St. Gabriel's. He also served as the Anglican Chaplain at Christian Brothers University and the Director of Pastoral Care at the Ozark Guidance Center. He was later elevated to the rank of Dean by Bishop Caudill. In secular life, Dean Vornholt has served on the faculty at various academic institutions. He also served as Academic Dean for St. George's School of Theology. His instructional specialities were church history, liturgics, and homiletics. At Christian Brothers University, he was Assistant Professor of Communication Arts. Dean Vornholt is now retired, but retains the position of Dean Emeritus.