Our Memories
The following are a variety of personal recollections of Fr. John Harvey, shared here in the hope of keeping the memory of this humble and holy priest alive for years to come. If Fr. Harvey has positively impacted your life and you would like to share your experiences of him on this page, please submit your reflections here.
Answered prayer
Fr. John Harvey is my favourite "go to" person for interceding on my behalf with Jesus, Mary and Joseph.
Burning Charity
If am alive 17 years later in 2023, it is SOLELY due to the burning charity of this priest who loved his neighbour thousands of miles away in South Asia…
True to his calling
In 1984 I noticed an article on Courage in the National Catholic Register which I picked up at a local Church. I wrote to them and they put me in touch with Fr. Harvey.
Still watching out for us
We had spoken to Fr. Harvey on the phone when we first called the Courage office in New York and he picked up our call. He was an answer to prayer for help in our situation…
A Great Gift
I could not imagine my life without this great gift which God gave us through His humble servant Father Harvey.
Loving and fearless
He never seemed to employ "tough love," but rather his simple, personal and profound love for each one galvanized them toward their own true good.
A Special Intercessor
His humility, his zeal for proclaiming the Truths of the Catholic Church, and his kind smile left a lasting impression on me.
He never gave up!
Father was very dedicated and so faithful to the apostolate. He was determined to make sure the Church and world knew about Courage and EnCourage. HE NEVER GAVE UP!
Plain-spoken and compassionate
He imitated Christ in his dealings with me and with others like me in the same compassionate way that Christ dealt with the adulterous woman.
Someone who really cares
I had the opportunity to speak with him alone for about 20 minutes. It wasn’t long into into our conversation that I said to myself: “Here is someone who really cares.“
Second-Class Relics
I remember once he accompanied a small group of us to a Brooklyn Cyclones baseball game and he took time to explain the game to one of our friends who didn’t really understand baseball. He really enjoyed doing that.
A loving Uncle
Uncle John was my mom, Margaret Smith's, brother. There was never a time in my life when he wasn't present. Some of my earliest memories are of Uncle John leading the whole family in the rosary after family dinners…
Good and faithful servant
Fr John and my Mother, Barbara Harkins Lilly were first cousins. Father's Mother, Margaret Harkins Harvey, and my Grandfather, John Harkins, were brother and sister and both born in Ireland, along with their sister, Mary…
Back from another trip
It is 2:00 in the morning and there is a foot of snow outside. Philadelphia International Airport is practically empty except for passengers getting off a plane from Atlanta…
My spiritual Father
Father heard my Confession and gave me very sound advice. It was one of the most compelling Confessions I have ever had. The man was so gentle and understanding…
A priest of empathy and hope
My acquaintance with Father Harvey comes from him being a weekend assistant at St. Francis of Assisi Parish located in my area, Springfield, PA., his speaking at Days of Recollection given by the Philadelphia Courage Chapter, and his writings…
“In a hurry” to spread the word
In the 90’s I was asked to be a Courage chaplain and I attended the National Conference in Washington D.C. I happened to sit next to Father Harvey, not knowing who he was...
This Saint spent a night in our home
…He came down the steps the next morning with his hat and coat on. I was caught off-guard because he looked like my Grandfather Quandt with his slight build and that hat!
A humble servant of God
At the time of Father Harvey’s 2003 visit, Brian Smith the founder of the Emmanuel Covenant Community was dying. I was thrilled that Father Harvey, who had met Brian at the Canberra Conference in 1998 , was willing to visit him at home and provide comfort and a blessing.