Catholic priest authors book on finding happiness on four level

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The reason many people live an unhappy life is because they are seeking the wrong sources for their happiness, says an area author.

The Rev. Oscar Lukefahr, a Catholic priest, has written a book titled "The Search for Happiness" in which he describes what the Bible says about happiness.

"God made us and wanted us to be happy." The book is a compilation of what the Bible says about happiness, he said.

Lukefahr will hold a book signing at 1 p.m. today at Barnes & Noble Booksellers in Cape Girardeau.

He also is the author of five other books about the Catholic Church. Many of his titles are used in a home study course offered by the Missouri Knights of Columbus.

This book is different from any others Lukefahr has written because it's not a technical manual or explanation of Scripture. Instead it tells some personal stories of happy people he has met and befriended during his years as a parish priest.

Getting clear

A native of Perryville, he served at St. Vincent's Seminary and St. Vincent de Paul parish in Cape Girardeau and St. Denis parish in Benton, Mo. He was also a pastor at a Denver parish in the early 1980s.

"What I like about the concept in the book is that it helps make things come clear," he said.

In the book, Lukefahr explains that there are four levels of happiness. Each level must be kept in balance with the others for a person to remain happy. The four levels are: happiness from the satisfaction of bodily appetites; happiness from achievement, success and winning; happiness from generosity and goodness; and happiness found in the knowledge of God and faith.

"You can't be expecting happiness from only one of the levels," he said.

While it's fine to enjoy a good meal, overeating can create more problems, Lukefahr said. And it's OK to achieve some success, but people don't really need to have the biggest house or car on the block.

Often people misuse one happiness to compensate for another that is lacking.

"People who are happy keep all that in perspective and enjoy their relationships and life because they know it won't be taken away forever," he said.

People achieve greater happiness when they realize that God promises more than what they have currently, he said. The book teaches that if you model your life after Jesus Christ and what the Bible teaches, you are more likely to find happiness.

"It's not easy, but it takes more courage to be happy than it does to be unhappy," Lukefahr said.

Doctor's advice

The idea for the book "The Search for Happiness" actually came from some of Lukefahr's friends, Dr. Mike and Mary Wulfers. Years ago the Cape Girardeau couple attended a Christian medical association meeting and heard a speech about the levels of happiness.

They told Lukefahr about it and he began using the concept in talks and devotional meetings he gave at area parishes. At those meetings, many people asked if he had written more about the topic so they could buy a book.

Already an author of several Catholic manuals, Lukefahr pitched the idea to his publishing company and the idea was accepted. He spent about six months writing the book, which was published by Liguori/Triumph publishing. So far the response has been positive.

Lukefahr knows the book hasn't had the hype of a bestseller, but he's been pleased with the response. "I think people enjoyed it," he said. "I illustrated the book with the stories of people that I've gotten to know in 37 years as a priest."

People who read the book can easily see how it is applicable to their lives, Lukefahr said. "Even people who are going through difficult circumstances have applied these principles. You have to work hard at this, it's not something that comes as a result of circumstances."

ljohnston@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 126