An Interview with Father James Martin Nobles, OP

An Interview with Father James Martin Nobles, O.P.

A native of Mississippi and Louisiana (he claims both!) Father James Martin Nobles, OP joined the Dominican Community at St. Peter Church in Memphis last summer. He became a part of our SAA-SDS community immediately by celebrating our Back-to-School Mass with faculty and staff in August. As we observe Catholic Schools Week from January 31-February 4, we celebrate Fr. James Martin’s impact on our campus and his vocation story.

Though he recently referred to himself as “the school’s mascot,” he is really a cheerleader.  From greeting the Upper School girls when they arrive in the morning to applauding our Early Childhood Center students at their Christmas program, his smile and his energy bring encouragement to everyone around him.

In a recent conversation with him, we learned a bit more about what his Dominican Life and the SAA-SDS connection mean to him. We even threw a few student-submitted questions his way! Please take a minute to get to know more about Fr. James Martin.

Q: What is it like to be a part of the Dominican community?

Dominicans have a great capacity for education and learning-but are approachable and charismatic-particularly in approaching the Bible. The members of the Dominican Community I live with here in Memphis are a mix of all different ages and different backgrounds and come from different parts of the country. And yet, when we sit down at the table together at night, we are all the same.

Q: What about your partnership with our school brings you joy?

At first when I was told I was coming to Memphis and would be a part of the St. Agnes-St. Dominic community, I was a bit terrified of working in the “all-girls” environment in the Upper School! It has really been the best surprise of coming here to Memphis, how much I love what I am doing! It is a blessing to be here, where the Dominican tradition is already established. The Dominican identity and charism have shined here for 170 years-and now I get to be a part of that history.

Q: Tell us a little bit about the Seminar on Sacred Scripture you are teaching with Dean Valdez. What is the best part about being able to teach the girls-and connect with them that way outside of Mass?

It is wonderful to be able to dialogue with the girls. That’s not something I am able to do in a Mass. I am working with seniors, and it is incredible to see the product of an SAA education. It has also been a privilege to work alongside Dean Valdez in teaching the class. She is a master teacher with a real love and compassion for the girls.

Q: What do you believe is the role of education in growing closer to God?

The job of a Dominican is to contemplate and have others learn from the fruits of that contemplation. We seek knowledge to share it with others and to be able to preach the Gospel effectively.

Q: What is one thing you really want students to know?

Take it one day at a time! God’s grace can only work today. Do not worry about what is yet to come.

Q & A With the Kids

Our SAA 4^th grade students submitted questions they wanted to ask Fr. James Martin. Here is what he had to say!

 Q: How old were you when you decided to become a priest?

I was called at a very young age. I remember having a prayer experience with my mother sometime around kindergarten.

Q: How do you know what to say for all of the homilies and stuff?

I think “the gift of gab” is truly a gift of the Holy Spirit! I love that God uses my voice to speak to others.

Q: Do you ever get nervous before you have to speak in front of people?

I hope so! If not, I am taking the privilege of speaking in public for granted.

Q: What’s your favorite thing about being a priest?

The joy of praying for and with other people. To be able to pray the Eucharistic Prayer, with God using my voice to lead people to (bring about) the Eucharist is a gift.

Q: How many rosaries do you have?

I have a lot of rosaries! I have 3-4 habit rosaries and probably about 10 personal rosaries.

Q: What is your favorite kind of animal?

I am fascinated by social animals-those that congregate and interact with each other-like monkeys, seals, penguins.

Q: What is your favorite color?

My favorite color was blue, but since I have become a priest, I really like gold!

Q: Do you have any pets? Have you ever had any pets?

We are not allowed to have pets in the order. When I was younger, I had a lot of different animals-dogs, cats, chickens, birds, and rabbits.

 Q: Where did you live when you were 10 years old/in fourth grade?

I lived in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in the Sherwood Forest neighborhood.

Q: What is your favorite thing to do when you are not too busy?

I love to cook, and I love to laugh. I enjoy doing things that are spontaneous (unscheduled) like getting out and going out on a hike.

Q: What is your favorite food to cook? Have you ever cooked tiramisu?

My favorite thing to cook is anything with a complicated recipe-lots of steps and ingredients. I have cooked tiramisu before. The key is to have a really good espresso!

Q: How many countries have you been to?

Outside of the US I have been to six countries: Canada, Mexico, Nicaragua, Honduras, Guatemala, and Vietnam.

Q: What was your favorite subject in school?

Definitely math!