Interview With Author Fr. John Bullock, LC
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a Catholic priest in the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ. I was ordained in 2002 and have worked in youth work, campus ministry, and adult ministry with our lay Movement, Regnum Christi. Since ordained, I have lived 10 years in California, 9 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and now one in Houston – my hometown.
I have only written 2 small books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is ‘A Cyclist’s Spirituality: Spiritual Lessons Learned from Riding a Bike.’
When younger I aspired to be a professional cyclist, and while that didn’t get very far, the passion for riding, road riding, remained. For the last several years I’ve begun riding again.
This book is a union of my two loves: Jesus Christ and cycling. I actually believe there are many parallels between cycling and the spiritual life. This book is a short reflection on that connection.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
As a priest I often have to preach – much more than write. However, I do write out my homilies – although I don’t read them while preaching. I’ve been told I write as I speak. I guess I see the two as very connected. Writing is preaching that remains.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I am a big fan of Pope Benedict XVI, C. S. Lewis, G. K. Chesterton, Peter Kreeft – principally their work in apologetics. I love contemplating the reasonableness of the Catholic faith.
I also enjoy reading conversion stories – seeing the experience of faith from the author’s perspective such as Jennifer Fulwiler’s
‘Something Other than God’ and Holly Ordway’s ‘Not God’s Type.’
However, I have begun reading, or listening to, many classical authors in the last few years. I’m most impressed with Dostoyevsky’s ‘Crime and Punishment.’ However, I’ve also appreciated works like – Dumas’ ‘The Count of Monte Cristo,’ Melville’s irony in ‘Moby Dick,’ and Hemmingway’s ‘For Whom the Bell Tolls.’
I love the poetry of St. Cardinal John Henry Newman.
I enjoy James Patterson novels, like the Michael Bennett series, for a fun romp.
What are you working on now?
I’m actually giving a series of talks on St. Paul, which I hope to convert into a small book. The talks are covering his conversion, discipleship, ministry, and personal transformation.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m not particularly good at it, and to some degree pretty new at the process.
One of my books, ‘A Heart Like Jesus’ is on the ‘RC Spirituality’ website. My most recent book, ‘A Cyclist’s Spirituality’ is simply self-published on Amazon.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Let your message resonate with the human soul. The timeless values of truth, goodness, justice, and love will speak to all people – regardless of their experience or religious persuasion.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Find your voice. Write.
What are you reading now?
I’m reading ‘Kristin Lavransdatter’ by Sigrid Undset.
I’m listening to St. Augustine’s ‘City of God,’ and ‘The Fall of Crazy House’ by Patterson and Charbonnet.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I hope to finish the St. Paul book by the Fall of 2023.
Someday I would like to try my hand at fiction.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible. The Summa Theologica by Aquinas. The Collected Works of G. K. Chesterton. The Collected works of Dostoyevsky.
Author Websites and Profiles
Fr. John Bullock, LC Amazon Profile