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When Father Al came to our school, I had already been teaching for about 15 years. My back story was typical. I could not come to grips with human sexuality, so I tinkered with the notion of becoming a nun. When that failed, I did what every other failure does: I became a teacher. I had my moments where I could be funny, down-to-earth, and caring. However, I had a dark side, too. (I later learned through Father Al this personal evil was caused by Lucifer himself.) As the years wore on, this black corruption ate at my soul, much as the One Ring tried to devour each of its successive owners in J.R.R. Tolkien’s monumental Lord of the Rings Trilogy. I liked to yell a lot and had an alarming propensity for sticking my finger into the sternum of a child as I gave him or her a verbal dressing down. I would dwell on the most trivial matters, like who was not wearing a belt, and blow it up to hysterical proportions, fraught with my patented red-faced screaming and chest pumping. Like some overstuffed baboon that didn’t get her way, I would scream, spittle flying, until the children sheepishly retreated. Perhaps my greatest offense was my knack for having a multitude of informal teacher "conferences" in the hallway with my peers. I would chat and laugh about all sorts of unrelated topics for 10 or 15 minutes at a time, all the while with my hands in my pants for no good reason. Then, I would storm back in and feign rage over the number of children who were talking in my absence. It was entrapment. I should have realized that 12 year old kids like to talk and laugh and there's nothing wrong with that. I stood by idly as many of my students were bullied. In fact, I thrived on identifying the weakest students, whom I would single out for particular verbal and psychic abuse. The child bullies saw me do this and must have thought picking on the feeble was acceptable. In this way, I engendered a sickening cycle of abuse that is not at all what a Christian should do, especially when she is entrusted with the care of innocent children. My cynical, violent, abusive, haphazard, and morally bankrupt methods of teaching were, at their core, the antithesis of how a teacher should interact with her students. I broke the trust of the parents of these children, many of whom probably never knew the truth. After all, this was the 1970s and 1980s, when stuff like this wasn’t talked about and when kids didn’t have cell phones that could easily record one of my many tantrums, essentially ending my career with a YouTube video that would earn 4 million hits. Father Al taught me to realize that it was MY fault when I left the room and the kids talked. He spoke to me at great length about my bizarre statements I would make to my students – threatening them, or insinuating that they were a “grave disappointment” because I held them to an adult standard instead of realizing they were just children. He also told me that it was my responsibility to keep order in the classroom. He worked with me to realize that, in the overall scheme of things, a classroom of 25 kids chatting while their teacher is out in the hallway is pretty inconsequential. He advised me to get a grip on things and to not punish these children for my own dashed dreams and unrealized hopes. He told me that screaming at a kid at stun volume for something stupid, when I knew full well the kid could not, or would not, defend himself was a form of classroom terrorism that is actually viewed as a war crime in some progressive European states, punishable by imprisonment or being broken upon the wheel. He told me I was pathetic, that I was an adult who could only function in the world of children. Instead of using my wisdom and experience to mentor and inspire the kids, my petty jealousy and unresolved intimacy issues forced me to be a big, fat bully. Sadly, I didn't listen to Father Al, and I continued my reign of emotionally retarded terror for another 25 years, until I retired. I know that I helped to scar and damage the fragile minds of vulnerable children for almost two generations. The untold casualties of my misguided and inappropriately histrionic tactics must number in the thousands. At this time, I ask Father Al to intercede for me to Christ Jesus to pray for my forgiveness. Amen.

J. Breitner     
OH, USA     
 

I was raised Catholic, but became an idolator while living in the West Country, UK in the early 1970s. I had no clue that my evil ways were causing all kinds of problems in my life -- psilocybin addiction, tardive dyskinesia, and rampant polytheism. Luckily, a friend brought me to a Mass of Healing at St. Lawrence in 1984. Father Al presided over this special ceremony. I was very skeptical until Father Al used a special sauce to anoint my head. Immediately, the Holy Spirit descended on me from above, almost knocking me into an older gentleman wearing a leisure suit who was both singing and doing the readings. As I tried to regain my senses, Father Al, Father Rick, and the aforementioned sage (whom I later learned was named Leland Schneider) tried to help me to my feet. Father Al was also overtaken by the Spirit, and he began to speak in tongues. He said, " "A Elbereth Gilthoniel!" Even though it was a foreign language, I understood immediately what it meant: I had to change my ways immediately. With the ongoing help of Father Al, I was slowly able to piece together the shattered remnants of my life. I enrolled at Cincinnati Bible College and became a very successful Foosball player. When Fr. Al passed, I made a promise to continue preaching his message to disenfranchised youth. I visit nearly 400 Foosball tables per year, most of them in poverty-stricken areas, preaching the Gospel as explained to me by Father Al. I used to think atheistic idiots like Richard Dawkins, "Darwin's Bulldog", were worthy of my discipleship. But thanks to Saint Alvin Lauer, "Jesus' Bulldog", I now know better...thanks Fr. Al...

Radagast the Nünlist     
Minas Morgul, KY     
 

I was raised Catholic, but became an idolator while living in the West Country, UK in the early 1970s. I had no clue that my evil ways were causing all kinds of problems in my life -- psilocybin addiction, tardive dyskinesia, and rampant polytheism. Luckily, a friend brought me to a Mass of Healing at St. Lawrence in 1984. Father Al presided over this special ceremony. I was very skeptical until Father Al used a special sauce to anoint my head. Immediately, the Holy Spirit descended on me from above, almost knocking me into an older gentleman wearing a leisure suit who was both singing and doing the readings. As I tried to regain my senses, Father Al, Father Rick, and the aforementioned ea sage (whom I later learned was named Leland Schneider) tried to help me to my feet. Father Al was also overtaken by the Spirit, and he began to speak in tongues. He said, " "A Elbereth Gilthoniel!" Even though it was a foreign language, I understood immediately what it meant: I had to change my ways immediately. With the ongoing help of Father Al, I was slowly able to piece together the shattered remnants of my life. I enrolled at Cincinnati Bible College and became a very successful Foosball player. When Fr. Al passed, I made a promise to continue preaching his message to disenfranchised youth. I visit nearly 400 Foosball tables per year, most of them in poverty-stricken areas, preaching the Gospel as explained to me by Father Al. I used to think atheistic idiots like Richard Dawkins, "Darwin's Bulldog", were worthy of my discipleship. But thanks to Saint Alvin Lauer, "Jesus' Bulldog", I now know better...thanks Fr. Al...

Radagast the Nünlist     
Minas Morgul, KY     
 

I had a classmate whom I persecuted for many years, both in grade school and high school. This student was very shy and unassuming, but highly intelligent, perhaps the smartest kid in the school. He didn't seem to fit in -- he had long hair, and ill-fitting clothes and an awkward demeanor. I was intelligent, too, but used my brains to consistently bash this guys in ways both egregious and sophomoric. Sadly, when I was a junior at Elder, this young man took his own life. At our Senior Retreat the following year, I had the gall to give a tearful testimony on how much he had meant to me, and how devastated I had become since his death. Some of my classmates knew the real story, those who weren't afraid to see my hypocrisy. But most of the others were fooled, though, and believed my lies. It's taken me years to accept this, but the truth is that my constant haranguing of this troubled kid, at least in some small way, contributed to his decision to end his own life. I wish Father Al was still alive so he could hear my confession. I will pray to him and all the Saints for forgiveness...

R. Bono     
Ohio, USA     
 

I was a terrible sinner in grade school. I wasn't very bright, so I tried to compensate by picking on many of the smaller Urban Appalachian children that went to St. Lawrence. When I was in about the 6th grade, something terrible happened. Puberty struck, and I started to look like a male doppelgänger of my mother, who worked in the school cafeteria. Some of the kids, even the ones I picked on, laughed at me due to this cosmic irony. I only lashed out more, becoming an even bigger bully to the weak and disenfranchised in my class. When Father Lauer came to our school as a priest, he could tell I was an evildoer. He stopped me one day on the playground as I mercilessly pummeled Jimmy Weiler and Kitty Catron to within mere inches of their lives. He dragged me into Church. When I confessed to my sins, the penance he gave me was huge. It took me from September 14, 1984 to March 17, 1985 to complete. It was: 1,543,756 Our Fathers, 816,412 Hail Marys, and 545,711 Glory Bees. But it worked. By the time I made it to high school I was much calmer. I grew a fine moustache, started a menial job, and began my slow lemming-march to the grave. But due to Fr. Al's guidance, input, and influence, I know my spot in Heaven is assured. Altiora, Father Al...

Jeffrey Roll     
Cinti., OH     
 

I just recently came across Father Al about a month ago. I am not of the catholic faith. But I must say that this wonderfull person certainly was used to inspire people to become true to the faith, and closer to God and Jesus. I just love his talks. I feel so inspired. I was sad to learn that he had passed away 9 years ago. Look forward to meeting him in the Millennium. Marilyn.M. England .

m. middleton     
england     
 

I just recently came across Father Al about a month ago. I am not of the catholic faith. But I must say that this wonderfull person certainly was used to inspire people to become true to the faith, and closer to God and Jesus. I just love his talks. I feel so inspired. I was sad to learn that he had passed away 9 years ago. Look forward to meeting him in the Millennium. Marilyn.M. England .

m. middleton     
 

Fr. Al's passion, coviction and love of God struck me right from the first time I heard him speak. As an Evangelical Protestant, I welcome the wonderful work and service Fr. Al did for all Christians. His passion for Jesus shone out like a beacon. God bless you Fr. Al - you will receive your reward in Heaven. Galatians 2:20!!

Iain     
Cheshire, UK     
 

Fr. Al baptized my middle daughter, and she is a spiritual giant at the age of 10. Father Al had more influence on my life than any other human being has ever had. I am so grateful to God for him. I miss him terribly, but I am thankful that I can listen to his teachings anytime...especially his Bible Studies. He was the most gifted Bible teacher ~ he can make the muddiest waters clear as a bell when he explains the Bible! I highly recommend you listen to his teachings. Most of them are now available on this website...click on the MP3 and Audio Catalog tab at the top of the screen, then click on Bible, and there they are to play or download...or you can order them on cassettes, all for a free-will offering. Your life will never be the same after you listen to his Bible teachings!

Nancy Kenny     
Lebanon, OH     
 

Father Al truly is a Saint. Many years ago at a retreat in our local parish in Fl. that Father Al conducted. I was so moved by him I can truly say that my life was changed from that time on. I don't remember what he said but the way he said it set me on a route that led me closer to God than I ever thought possible. I started by reading One Bread One Body in the print edition that seemed to be always available at our church. After I obtained a computer about ten years ago I have been a daily online reader of OBOB since then. A year after Father Al passed, my wife and I stopped in at the discipleship retreat center in Peebles Oh. We were traveling in our motor home and spent the night on the premises. There was a family retreat camp out that weekend that impressed me with more Holiness and Spirituality than I have ever felt in any Church anywhere, and I have been to hundreds of Basilicas, Cathedrals and Parish churches in the USA and Europe. Including Saint Peters in Rome. Father Al's Spirit was alive in the family's that attended that outing. It was there that I heard of Ave Maria University that one of the children present was going to attend. I became a founding member of Ave Maria University because of that meeting. To me Ave Maria is the "Only True" Catholic university left in the USA. I am sure that Father Al would agree with me. God works in strange ways.

Fred Hengel     
Florida, USA     
 

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