Saint Joan of Arc and the Last Boy Scout.
(Quebec City, February 26, 2004)
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Saint Joan of Arc and the Last Boy Scout.
(Quebec City, February 26, 2004)
A U.S. Marine is never surrounded. It's just that sometimes he has the
privilege of being able to attack in any direction he wants.
(U.S.M.C. proverb)
Hello!
My name is Stefan Jetchick. I'm a US citizen (I was born in 1964 in Pennsylvania, USA, the same year as the first flight of my favorite aircraft, the XC-142). I also obtained my Canadian citizenship when I was a teenager (my Dad is an American, but my Mom is French-Canadian). I currently live in Quebec City, Canada.
Here is my favorite picture of myself. It was taken in the wintertime (I love snow and cold weather!), in front of a statue made by an American and donated to the City of Quebec (which nicely symbolizes my dual citizenship), and with a pose that sums up my heart's desire: to be a good boy and to defend the Catholic religion against all its enemies, internal and external (hence the quote at the top of this page!).
The two Polish Cardinals, Stefan Wyszynski and Karol Wojtyla, in 1974.
My Dad wanted my first name to be "Stefan" in honor of Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski, because he had stood up to the Communists. My family name is actually spelled "Dzieczyk" in Poland, but unfortunately I can't speak any Polish. You can listen to the correct pronounciation of my family name with an MP3 file (Thanks to Marek Waszkiewicz, Paul Evans' Polish buddy for this). I sign my e-mails "SJJ" for "Stefan John Jetchick", but also to remind myself of my personal motto (in French): "JJJ" as in "J'existe, J'adore Jésus-Eucharistie!" (I exist, I adore Jesus-Eucharist).
I currently earn a living as a freelance English-French conference interpreter. Before, I was a C++ programmer, where I worked among others for Hypertherm Plasma Cutting, Inc., (Hanover, NH, USA), CDI (at the Lockheed-Martin plant in Owego, NYS, USA), Berclain, now SSA Global (Quebec City, CAN) and Cybectec (Quebec City, CAN). Many more years ago I taught Philosophy briefly at the Cégep de Sainte-Foy, after having obtained a BA. in Philosophy at Laval University, and tried for a bit less than a year to become an infantry officer in the Canadian Army, after almost joining US Marines.
"Sweat dries. Blood clots. Bones heal.
Suck it up. Be a Christian!"
I was raised a Catholic, but I consider that I actually converted to the Catholic Faith when I was 18 years old. Soon after, I had the impression that I was called to the Priesthood. I made a few attempts, mostly the Dominicans (in Ottawa, CAN), the Quebec Seminary (through the Laval University Faculty of Theology) and the Legionaries of Christ.
The outcome of those unsuccessful attempts probably shaped the rest of my life. You could say my naive opinions about myself and the Catholic Church were shattered. I had run up against two huge obstacles: the corruption of some religious leaders inside the Catholic Church (see among others FAQ #7), and my own shortcomings. I've been trying to overcome these obstacles ever since, hoping that someday I'll be able to become a Brother or a Priest.
Over a year ago, while my fortieth birthday loomed, I figured I had ruined my life: no wife and kids, no Priesthood, no career, nothing. So I decided that, since I didn't have anything to lose anymore, I might as well say out loud what I considered to be the Truth!
And I've been having fun ever since! :-)
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True; all my elegances are within.
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My son, when you come to serve the LORD, prepare yourself for trials.
Be sincere of heart and steadfast, undisturbed in time of adversity.
Cling to him, forsake him not; thus will your future be great.
Accept whatever befalls you, in crushing misfortune be patient;
For in fire gold is tested, and worthy men in the crucible of humiliation.
[Si 2:1-5]
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