POEM WRITTEN BY FATHER JOSEPH'S SISTER, SISTER MARY AGNES IN 2009 OF A TIME MANY YEARS AGO

J.M. + J.T.

By Sr. Mary Agnes of the Immaculate Heart of Mary

In honor of her brother Fr. Joseph Peek

“Who’s that behind the mask?”

Oft that evening they would ask.

As “nurse” I accompanied him one fall

To a Naval ROTC ball.

‘Twas All Hallows’ Eve

And from his I ne’er took leave.

Though the mask fully covered his head,

The eyes declared this “old salt” far from dead.

My brother date played well his part

And fooled all sailors from the start,

Yet as the gala night wore on

His true identity was demanded upon.

Years later his features are again disguised

But the light still dances from his eyes.

“Who’s that behind the mask?”

A man who has ever kept on task.

An alter-Christus who is true to his name,

That other priests might be the same,

Suffers as He did from foot to head

And lights the way in this valley of the dead.

The mask has fallen for we see

No longer Joe but Christ in he

Raised up to draw all men to You,

“This is My Body” repeated anew.