Glenmary Challenge Spring 2018

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F C AT H O L I C M I S S I O N E R S T O R U R A L A M E R I C A

assembly required motivated by the love of christ

In memory of Father Kreimer

G L E N M A R Y. O R G

Four Tennessee missions build permanent churches

oh, for the good ol’ days!

Priests & campers remember roughin’ it

a voice for appalachia

Glenmary brings Catholic view to UN

S p r i n g 2 0 1 8 G L E N M A R YS C L EG N G2 E PHRAILN

0 1 81

Spring Renewal

FROM THE EDITOR / John Stegeman We are a Catholic society of priests and brothers who, along with numerous coworkers, establish the Catholic Church in small-town and rural America. Founded in 1939 by Father William Howard Bishop, Glenmary is the only religious community devoted exclusively to serving the spiritually and materially poor in the rural U.S. home missions. Today, supported entirely through freewill offerings, we staff missions and ministries throughout Appalachia and the South.

Glenmary missioners serve in areas where frequently less than one percent of the population is Catholic, a significant percentage have no church affiliation, and the poverty rate is often twice the national average.

Glenmary is known for respecting the many cultures encountered in the home missions. Our missionary activity includes building Catholic communities, fostering ecumenical cooperation, evangelizing the unchurched, social outreach and working for justice.

GLENMARY CHALLENGE Our quarterly magazine has three goals: to educate Catholics about the U.S. home missions, to motivate young men to consider Glenmary priesthood or brotherhood, and to invite all Catholics to respond to their baptismal call to be missionary by partnering with Glenmary as financial contributors, prayer partners, professional coworkers and/or volunteers.

Glenmary Challenge is sent to all donors, to U.S. diocesan clergy and to anyone who requests it. (To begin receiving issues, use the contact information below.)

Having a basement office gives you a different perspective on the changing seasons. My office is mostly underground, but I have a window that puts me eye level with the grass outside.

As spring nears, I can see life creeping back into the landscape faster than my colleagues upstairs. The grass is a little greener now and some dandelions are poking through. Little things like that remind me of the renewal spring brings.

Speaking of renewal, you’ve noticed by now that the magazine looks a little different. This is the Challenge’s first design update in 15 years. We didn't wish to reinvent the wheel, but we examined our history and looked at the best practices of today's leading magazines. We hope you like it.

One thing I love about working with Glenmary is that things are always moving toward renewal. Take the cover story for example.

In this day and age you’re more likely to read about declines in Mass attendance than you are about new church construction, but lo and behold, two of our missions are well into the construction process, with two more right behind.

What a wonderful example of renewal that Glenmary can work alongside the people of its missions to build thriving strongholds of faith.

Though the appearance of the Challenge is always evolving, the substance of the Challenge has not, and will not, change. When Glenmary founder Father William Howard Bishop (pictured at left) designed the first issue of this magazine in 1938, his goal was to renew the face of America. It’s our great privilege to honor his vision. Thus, we present to you Volume 81, issue No. 1 of the Glenmary Challenge.

GLENMARY HOME MISSIONERS P.O. Box 465618 · Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618 513-874-8900 · 800-935-0975 · challenge@glenmary.org © 2018, Glenmary Home Missioners.

Reprint permission granted upon request.

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ON THE COVER: From left to right, Deacon Larry Rossini, Diocese of Knoxville Bishop Richard Stika, and Glenmary Father Steve Pawelk break ground on St. Teresa of Kolkata's new church in Union County, Tenn., during the fall of 2017.

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four glenmary missions are on the path to new church construction

assembly required COVER STORY / Molly Williamson

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how the love of christ

motivated a missioner

Father Dan Dorsey remembers the late Father Richard Kreimer and the connection between intimacy with God and the Eucharist.

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how a

glenmary

life

in

saved

sunfish ,

ky

Theresa met Glenmary as a young child living in our Sunfish, Ky. mission, and is still partnering with our work today!

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christian holds

living

many

camp

memories

Priests and campers remember the summers of roughin’ it with Glenmary in Buck Creek, North Carolina in the 60’s.

Publisher: Father Chet Artysiewicz Editor: John Stegeman Asst. Editor: Molly Williamson Art Director: Cassie Magnotta Staff Writer: Father John Rausch

Planning-Review Board: Brother Craig Digmann, John Feister, Father Dave Glockner, Brother David Henley, Frank Lesko, Father Neil Pezzulo, Lucy Putnam, Father Don Tranel

Donor Advisory Board: Theodore Capossela, Jill Collet, Joseph DeAngelo, Richard Delio, Ivan Doseff, William Goslee, Ken Mahle, Terry Schneeman, Albert Vondra

God can transform sorrow into joy FROM THE PRESIDENT / Father Chet Artysiewicz As I compose this column, it is 12 degrees outside, the landscape is covered with snow and the trees are barren. But my personal experience tells me that with time and patience, transformation will occur. The snow will melt, the temperature will warm and the trees will bear leaves.

It is much like the journey from Good Friday to Easter Sunday: with time and patience – and faith – sorrow will be transformed into joy.

There are many images that reveal the annual climatic transition: flowers, green grass, fresh leaves. Add to these traditional symbols of Easter: new life as chicks emerge from their “tombs”, prolific life represented by bunnies or even special Easter attire that connotes a 4

GLENMARY CHALLENGE glenmary.org

fresh beginning. I have a special recollection of a newlife symbol: Mount St. Helens.

You may recall the incredible explosion that took place May 18, 1980 in Washington state. It was a 24 megaton blast that killed 57 people and demolished 230 square miles around the mountain. The height of the mountain was reduced from 9,600 to 8,300’ in a matter of seconds. One report indicated that 14 miles of the Toutle River was buried in debris 150 feet deep. Another account stated that the timber that was destroyed would have been enough to build 300,000 2-bedroom homes. Ash blasted out of the mountain at 650 miles per hour and went as far as Minnesota. All the statistics associated with the event are staggering.

And yet, as I visited 16 years later, there they were: little green sprigs of life all around. From total devasta-

tion and loss, there it was: new life coming forth phoenix-like. I can only imagine the continued renewal that has taken place over the past 20+ years.

To be clear, the loss of a single loved one is plenty enough to break a heart. The tallies from war are grim but the abstractness becomes crystal clear when a memorial star is affixed to our home or a neighbor’s.

And then there are those gigantic tragedies—tsunamis or Haitian earthquakes or genocidal events that destroy hundreds of thousands of lives. That’s why we need the rebirth seen at Mount St. Helens, to buoy us in our grief, to put a comma after death instead of a period. In everyday parlance, Easter nails it: He is risen!

The Resurrection is God’s response to the sorrow of death and loss. Whether our pain emanates from a devastated landscape or human heart, God comforts us with the promise that there is much more in store for us than the passing joys of this world. If the God of nature can bring forth life from volcanic devastation, how much more can God do for us.

For me the new life generated on the terrain of that cataclysmic event speaks of the hope of Easter. May that hope touch your heart as we commemorate the core of our Faith.

Thank you for all you do to support our Glenmary ministry.

happy easter!

glenmary news & notes Glenmary speaks to United Nations

in f luenc e / Glenmary brings Catholic perspective to discussion When the 56th session of the United Nation’s Commission for Social Development met early in 2018, it had 17 ambitious goals. To name a few, it would like to end poverty and world hunger, while promoting good health and well-being, as well as quality education—and all this by 2030.

Glenmary Father John S. Rausch was a panelist at a side event at the U.N.

organized by the Congregations of St. Joseph to offer Catholic input to the commission. Father John represented Appalachia and the rural South of the United States, where poverty is often overlooked by outsiders.

“As a person of faith,” Father John said, “I recognize that Jesus associ-

ated with the downtrodden and those excluded in society. I am committed

to a preferential option for the poor. As an economist, I know there exist enough material goods for everyone to live a decent life.”

Glenmary Father John S. Rausch holds up an map of Appalachia during a side event at the United Nations.

Given the relative prosperity of the United States, many forget this region remains impoverished.

Photo by Franciscians Intl.

Br. Christian Seno, OFM

Father John shared that poverty in Appalachia doesn’t mean starvation, but

“a lack of options, shorter lifespans and psychological feelings of inferiority."

Lastly, panelists were asked for their advice in eradicating poverty.

“Eliminating poverty is so daunting,” he said. “It’s like we’re in a leaky ca-

noe in a swift current with toothbrushes for paddles. Headed over the falls, we raise our hands in prayer, and then spot a low hanging branch that we grab for safety. The branch bends and we find ourselves on shore. We burst

OPPOSITE: Sun shines on Mount St. Helens in Skamania County, Washington. Photo by Jaser Cervantes.

out laughing knowing we escaped disaster and God is smiling on us. My advice in your work for justice, is catch the next low hanging branch, and do it with a smile. Laughter is key to development work.”

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Home Missioners. The 2018 Easter cards feature a quote often utilized by This card represents a donation to Glenmary Home Missioners. Our work would not be possible without the generosity of our donors.

Pope St. John Paul II who summed up what it means to be a Catholic: “We Glenmary Home Missioners is a Catholic society of priests and brothers who, along with co-workers and the support of our donors, serve as the hands and feet of Jesus Christ to the rural poor in Appalachia and the American South. Glenmary serves communities where frequently less than one percent of the population is Catholic, a significant percentage have no church affiliation at all and the poverty rate is almost twice the national average.

are an Easter people, and hallelujah is our song!”

All who send and receive the cards will be remembered in Glenmary’s

annual Easter novena. Cards, in packs of five, are free upon request, alHOME MISSIONERS

though a donation of $5 will help cover printing and mailing costs.

GLENMAR Y

• Father Mike Kerin, pastor of Glenmary’s Holy Family mission in Blakely, Ga., and Glenmary’s director of vocations Brother David Henley led a Come and See retreat for four men in Kenya in January. Glenmary’s formation program includes several candidates from Kenya and Uganda.

Celebrate the hope of Easter with special greeting cards from Glenmary WE APPRECIATE & THANK YOU!

• Sixteen teenagers from St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church in Erwin, Tenn., attended the March for Life in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 19.

The active youth group attended the march for the second straight year.

d onor serv ic e s / Send Resurrection hope to friends & family!

USA

• Men in formation Charles Aketch and Richard Toboso are scheduled to profess their final oaths, becoming full members of the Glenmary Home Missioners Friday, May 25.

Order Glenmary Easter cards!

MADE IN THE

ar o un d t h e mis s ion s

“These cards have the optimistic feeling that comes with Christian hope,”

said Father Don Tranel, Glenmary’s development director. “We are happy to

make them available to those wishing to spread the good news that Jesus Christ has risen from the dead. For more information, contact Donor Services at 800-935-0975 or email donorservices@glenmary.org

we are an easter people and

Hallelujah is our song! p ope s ai n t joh n paul i i

• Notable historian Christopher J. Kauffman, author of “Mission to Rural America, The Story of W. Howard Bishop, Founder of Glenmary,” died Jan. 30. He was 81.

Thank you for your support!

part n e r s i n mis s ion

The Glenmary Missions and Minis-

tries Endowment offers invaluable support to our work. As the endowment grows, earnings provide reli-

able funding for years to come. Glenmary profoundly appreciates and thanks all who have contributed. † = Indicates Deceased

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GLENMARY CHALLENGE

Named Endowments The Constance “Connie” Cohen Memorial Endowment The Lawrence & Florence Dalton Family Endowment John Paul Frerer Memorial Endowment The Hingst Family Endowment The Edward Hughes Memorial Endowment Robert J. & Anne D. Huot Memorial Endowment Fund The Florence Jones Memorial Endowment Fund The John and Mary Kay Soucy Family Endowment General Listing † Ruth Berssenbruegge † Dee Biesiada Father John T. Brown

glenmary.org

† Jerry Chartrand Thomas & Gail Clark Anonymous Father Robert A. Dalton † Cathy Davitt The Derry Family Anonymous William Fichtner Dorothy Fisher Liria Frerer † John Gruber Anonymous Mary Jane Hack Ronald & Kathleen Hingst † Father Charles M. Hughes Robert Huot Dan & Karen Hurley Wesley & Kathy Jones Col. Robert H. Kies, Ret. Robert Knueven

William & Janet Kwasny Ron Lachey Mauricha Marcussen † Francis A. Massarella Monica McCoy David & Jodi Mott † Father James B. Murray Mary Nicolay † Henry J. Nunlist Father Leonard G. Obloy Anonymous Louis & Marta Planera Matthew Polakowski Ray & Maureen Polakowski † Joseph Racas Thomas & Amanda Rozycki Bishop Edward J. Slattery John † & Mary Soucy Judy Sullivan Lorraine Vancamp

Safer for Catholics

Former mission honors Glenmary

Glenmary’s Commission on Ecumenism works to improve relations between Catholics and non-Catholics in mission areas. Of particular concern is Catholic-Evangelical relations.

The commission meets in person once a year, usually without outsider input, but this year tried something new. Thirteen people from a variety of religious congregations attended the meeting, which took the form of a three-day retreat in Nashville in mid-January.

“This year, we decided that it would be best to bring in several Evangelical leaders to share prayer, fellowship and talk with us about what it means to pursue better Catholic-Evangelical relations,” said Frank Lesko, Glenmary’s Director of Catholic-Evangelical Relations. “Our members were joined

by Lutheran, Southern Baptist, Church of Christ...and others.”

One recommendation from the retreat was that Glenmary continue its association with the Southern Baptists Convention.

Ecumenical ministry is a crucial part of Catholic evangelizing, especially in Glenmary mission territory.

“We are witnessing to the Catholic faith to a lot of people who are unsure about us,” Frank said.

“Some Evangelicals aren’t sure if we are truly Christian and they have heard bad things about us...When our missioners build these relationships, they are creating a safer place for our Catholics.”

A thriving parish in Pontotoc, Miss. dedicated a new parish facility on Gaud-

ecumenism / Working together

l e gac y / Glenmary served St. Christopher parish from 1960s - 2015 ete Sunday, and they named it Glenmary Hall.

A crowd of 250-plus at St. Christopher’s Parish gathered to dedicate

the new multipurpose parish hall. Dedication activities were centered on a bilingual Mass led by Diocese of Jackson Bishop Joseph Kopacz.

“The Mass is always a prayer of thanksgiving,” the bishop said. “We

give thanks a little more so because of the dedication of this building.”

Glenmary Fathers Robert Dalton (left) and Gerald Peterson (right) concelebrated Mass with Diocese of Jackson Bishop Joseph Kopacz before the dedication at St. Christopher’s Parish in Pontotoc, Miss.

Story + Photo

By Mike Talbert

The building was named Glenmary Hall in honor of Glenmary Home

Missioners, which helped found and build the parish over a 50-year period from 1965 to 2015. The church grew from a storefront mission to one of the larger Christian congregations in Pontotoc County.

Liz Dudas of the Department of Pastoral Ministers and Services repre-

sented Glenmary for the dedication. Dudas has long been active in North Mississippi mission activities.

Joining as concelebrants of the dedication Mass were Glenmary priests

Father Gerry Peterson (known in the community as Father Pete), and former Glenmary President Father Robert Dalton. Father Pete served the Pototoc

parish after taking senior membership in 2001, while Father Robert serves the nearby community of Houston, Miss.

In recognition of many efforts, Danna Johnson, Coordinator of the His-

panic Ministry at St. Christopher, revealed bilingual plaques that will be a permanent part of the hall’s entryway. The plaques will demonstrate that building Glenmary Hall was a community effort.

Spring 2018

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Four Glenmary missions are on the path to new church construction

COVER STORY / Molly Williamson

establishing a mission is a lot like putting to-

gether a puzzle. You need the right pieces, a willingness to stick to the plan and attention to detail. One part of the puzzle is the church itself. Four of Glenmary's Tennessee missions are putting the pieces together to build new houses of worship.

Unicoi County, Tenn.

Glenmary Father Tom Charters and his building committee at St. Michael the Archangel mission have a vision. Lying in piles around their 13.5-acre lot in Erwin, Tenn., are wood, vinyl siding, steel beams and other building materials. But all they see are possibilities for a permanent church and a way to unify their congregation and community.

“The three words that describe this project are ‘some assembly required,’" Father Tom said. “We have all the parts. We just need to put them together.”

And his congregation is chomping at the bit. Since Glenmary founded the mission six years ago, Father Tom and the people of St. Michael the Archangel have been working toward a permanent structure. Originally a congregation of 37 people who gathered at an Elk’s Club, St. Michael the Archangel now has more than 300 members, all of whom meet in a ranch home in Erwin.

Father Tom lives on the house’s main floor. Reli8

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

glenmary.org

gious education classes take place in the living room, the church secretary works in his dining room and the parishioners often park on the front lawn. Downstairs, the basement and garage serve as a worship space, crafting area and church hall, where parishioners eat lunch after Sunday Mass.

The parishioners have been fundraising for a new church for two years. They have sold tacos and tamales, made crafts to sell at local festivals, hosted fish fries, and sought funding from friends.

“We have one lady who is in her 80s,” Father Tom said. “Every time someone asks her how the church is going, she tells them it would be a lot better if they would contribute, and then sticks her hand out. She has collected $5,000 that way.”

This spring will be the realization of a dream. In January, the construction crew began building the new home of St. Michael the Archangel. The new structure is a 50foot by 100-foot metal building with a metal-pitched roof and metal siding, said Steve Miles, chair of the St. Michael the Archangel building committee. It will have space for bathrooms, a reception area, offices, a religious education room, and a kitchen.

It is a far cry from the building committee’s initial design. Slowly, they chipped away at the details, removing the frills to make it more affordable.

“But it means we will finally be rooted in our own

place,” Father Tom said. “We will finally have a place that says ‘St. Michael the Archangel,’ and it will not just be in a rented building.”

So far, the land for the new church has been graded and the builders created a gravel driveway and parking lot, and framed the foundation. But those minor preparations cost $90,000, depleting much of what the church had saved.

“What helped us was the Diocese (of Knoxville) having a home campaign to build a new cathedral and establish new ministries,” Father Tom said. “The diocese gave us a goal for how much the parish needed to contribute to the home campaign. The diocese said it would give us 75 cents for every dollar we contributed to the home campaign, and after we reach our goal, it would give us $1 for every dollar we contribute.

The church met its goal, and continued to grow. Estimating that the congregation would continue to give at its current rate, the church could not afford more than a $500,000 building.

“We did not want to extend ourselves beyond what we could afford,” Steve said. “We met with the builder three times. We told him the size of our church and where we are going as far as growth.”

Though basic, the new church has all of the essentials as well as some room to grow, Father Tom said.

Church construction is expected to be complete by April 1, but it is only the first phase of the mission’s building, Father Tom said. The building committee has identified spots for the congregation to eventually build a more traditional church building and rectory. Soon, it plans to create a garden with flowers and an area for meditation outside the new building.

Union County, Tenn.

Erwin is not the only mission preparing to construct a new church in 2018. St. Teresa of Kolkata in Maynardville, Tenn., St. John Paul II in Rutledge, Tenn., and Holy Family in Lafayette, Tenn., are working on plans for their new buildings.

“In the last 25 years, I do not recall at any time that we had four building projects at one time,” Glenmary president Father Chet Artysiewicz said. “This is a tremendous sign of hope and a great step for these missions.”

In September 2017, St. Teresa of Kolkata broke ground on a new church with a festival and fanfare. Established in 2011, St. Teresa has grown rapidly. It started as a “bring your own chair” mission, celebrating Mass in a carport.

St. Teresa celebrates Mass in a storefront church that is packed during weekday and Sunday Masses. On Wednesdays, the congregation flips the room, bringing in wall dividers to create tiny classrooms. Pastor Father Steve Pawelk’s office is usually packed full of donations, and often, people.

The congregation has long outgrown the space, but securing funding and approval for the church has been difficult. Already, the parish has raised nearly $500,000 of the $800,000 price. Glenmary is loaning the church $100,000. Catholic subcontractors are helping with much of the construction at reduced costs.

Originally scheduled to begin construction in January 2018, the Maynardville church is awaiting bids and OPPOSITE: Construction under way in Unicoi County, Tenn., for St. Michael the Archangel's permanent church. BELOW: The cold did not stop parishioners from celebrating at the Dec. 15, 2017 groundbreaking for St. Michael's. Photo by Emily Booker.

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Mass in the basement on Sunday morning at St. Michael the Archangel mission.

The parish outgrew the church almost as soon as it moved it.

dealing with unfavorable weather.

“These delays are frustrating, but we know that everything is in the Lord’s hands,” Father Steve said. “We had an overdesign that caused us to make the church smaller. We removed the offices and classroom space and will be using a modular unit for the offices and classrooms temporarily, but we wanted to make the focus on the worship space. That is the most important thing.”

While the congregation is excited, the move is bittersweet, Father Steve said. The storefront is where most parishioners met. It provided a unique environment, and they don’t want to lose the warmth and closeness they feel when they enter the small church.

But the new church tells the community that St. Teresa of Kolkata is here to stay.

“A lady at the Dollar General told me that once we build a church, she is coming, but she doesn’t go to storefronts,” Father Steve said. “The permanent church tells the community that we are not going anywhere.

God is here, and you are welcome.”

At the groundbreaking in September, Diocese of Knoxville Bishop Richard Stika praised the parish for moving forward with the new church.

“In the Old Testament, it talks about when Moses approached God in the burning bush,” Bishop Stika said.

“We don’t have a burning bush, but we have a burning faith, I think, in all of your hearts. There are cultures coming together, neighbors coming together, blessed

by God.”

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Grainger County, Tenn.

In nearby Rutledge, Tenn., St. John Paul II is following a path similar to Erwin's. Under the supervision of Brother Joe Steen, an ad hoc group of parishioners are designing Rutledge’s new church. They are exploring a cheaper, smaller structure than Maynardville’s, a building that can largely be constructed by parishioners.

“This will largely be a self-build, which is the only way we could have built,” said Father Steve, who is also the pastor of St. John Paul II. “Of all the Glenmary churches in Tennessee, Rutledge is the poorest. Everyone working on the church is volunteering or working at cost, and we have received donations from other churches and communities. We are very grateful for their support.”

Though they already have the land for the church, they are determining the best place to situate the new building. A local company will do the excavating at reduced cost, cutting the price down to $200,000 or less.

With a wooden exterior, the building will be a small church with a pavilion attached. Inside will be a kitchen, office and open space that doubles as a church and hall.

“It will be a temporary church that down the line can become a hall or something else once we build a more traditional church,” Brother Joe said.

The Rutledge church plans are reminiscent of Glenmary’s Brothers Building Crew, a group of religious brothers who built churches, halls, rectories and other structures in Glenmary missions, Father Chet said.

“Eventually, parishes may build a more traditionallooking church with cathedral ceilings, but right now, we want to build something that is functional and affordable for the missions,” Father Chet said.

Though the Rutledge parish is hoping to break ground and begin construction in the spring, its schedule is limited, contingent on volunteers’ hours.

Macon County, Tenn.

In Lafayette, Tenn., Holy Family mission already has a semi-permanent church home. In its tight quarters, Holy Family holds religious education classes, Mass and religious celebrations, hosts church dinners and packs boxes of food for community members. The pews serve as more than just worship seating. They are tables, a gathering space and classrooms.

“The church has been there for 35 years, but we simply outgrew it,” said Father Vic Subb, pastor of Holy Family. “It is too small and needs so many repairs. The new building will bring tremendous life and joy to the parish.”

For more than 10 years, the congregation has raised funds for a new church. So far, it has more than $500,000 in cash and another $500,000 in three-year pledges made during the church’s capital campaign.

“The capital campaign exceeded our expectations,” Father Vic said. “People have been so generous, saving and selling items to help fund the new church.”

Holy Family needs $1.5 million for the new church, which will have an attached hall and classroom space.

Mission leadership has spoken with the Diocese of Nashville about a loan to fund the rest of the project.

Holy Family is now awaiting bids from contractors.

They should be able to accept bids before Easter and hopefully will begin construction this spring or summer.

Building in Other Ways The new buildings are only a single step in a mission’s development, Father Chet said. It is a moment of joy, but it is not the fulfillment of a church’s mission.

“A church is a gathering of people,” Father Chet said. “We want to build a church that is a body of Christ. All of these parishes were churches before they had a building. They were functioning as faith communities and bringing a Catholic presence, social justice, and education to their areas even before they RIGHT: From top to bottom, the current buildings where our mission churches worship: Erwin (ranch house), Maynardville and Rutledge (storefronts), Lafayette (small church).

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started construction.”

For some Glenmary communities, a new building is not possible or even necessary.

St. Joan of Arc in Washington County, N.C., Divine Savior in Clay County, Tenn., and the Georgia missions of St. Luke and Holy Family have permanent homes. Holy Spirit in Bertie County, N.C. rents time in a local Methodist church.

In many of these places, missioners are still more focused on gaining acceptance and establishing a Catholic presence through their outreach and interactions with

people in their communities.

“We are doing a wide variety of evangelization and social outreach programs, with faith and hope that in God’s time it will bear fruit,” said Father Mike Kerin, pastor at Holy Family (Ga.) and sacramental minister at St. Luke. “Much of our growth is not in increased numbers in the pews — at least not yet. It is in the ‘pre-evangelization,’ where we try to convince the community that Catholics actually are Christians.

“That is still a major hurdle,” Father Mike said. “Plus, we are experiencing the same dynamic as the entire country—many people are not going to church. The fact that we can actually keep fairly stable numbers is 12

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itself a positive sign.”

The Georgia missions are active in local ministerial associations, where they have built strong relationships with area churches and ministers. At this year’s Early County Revival, Glenmary preached the final night, which showed how Glenmary is gaining acceptance in a largely Baptist area.

Also, Glenmary is working with local churches and organizations to tackle community problems, including homelessness and poverty. Glenmary participates in a backpack program, which provides school supplies to needy children.

Brother Jason Muhlenkamp works with the poor, providing assistance to those needing help with bills.

He also developed an afterschool-tutoring program.

“Rapid growth in most of the missions is much more difficult,” Father Mike said. “We are still trying to break down anti-Catholic stereotypes to build bridges of understanding. It requires patience while the seeds grow, unseen, under the soil,” he added.

In Bertie County, N.C., Father Aaron Wessman shepherds a small flock. New families are not moving into the area, because Windsor, where his Holy Spirit mission is located, is one of the poorest areas in the state. The economy is severely struggling.

“Despite the challenges, we brainstormed several creative ways we could seek to evangelize and will work to implement them over the next few months,” said the energetic Father Aaron.

Glenmary has always known that its mission was a difficult one. In 1936, Glenmary founder Father William Howard Bishop wrote about the challenge his fledgling society would face.

“It is a mammoth undertaking,” he wrote. “Generations will be required to accomplish it.”

Whether a mission grows with exponential speed, or slow steady faith, all are committed to continuing Father Bishop's mission.

To support Glenmary, call 800-935-0975 or visit www.glenmary.org/ways-to-give.

Teens from St. Teresa of Kolkata run a booth at the annual Heritage Festival to raise money for their church. The parishioners have saved for several years to afford a permanent church.

Photo courtesy St. Teresa of Kolkata's Facebook page.

Love of Christ motivated missioner

Father Richard knew Eucharist was food for journey of life, thereafter

remembering father richard kreimer, 1938-2017 / father dan dorsey The joyful anticipation of Christmas took on a somber mood within Glenmary with the death of one of our own late last year.

Father Richard Kreimer, a Glenmarian for 60 years, passed away Dec. 15, just days after his 80th birthday.

The circulation of this magazine likely outstrips the number of people who received a Christmas card from Father Richard, but even so, I imagine many of you were on his list.

After you had learned of his death, how many of you went back, re-read the card and thought about him? I know I did.

Death certainly changes our perspective on another person. When we went back to his card, perhaps we took to heart what he had written to us. And perhaps, we changed our perspective on the Advent season too.

If you didn’t know Father Richard, here’s a brief story for your own perspective.

In 1973 a six-year-old girl named Lara came across a hard-working Glenmary brother (Father Richard began his Glenmary life as Brother Roger). When she said hello, he responded, “Hi, I’m the one who does all the work around here.”

So well known was his reputation that she responded, “Oh, you must be Brother Roger!”

His love of the Eucharist was well known, and we can see this in the Gospel he chose for his funeral.

“I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.” (John 6:51) As his funeral took place during Advent, I thought a beautiful analogy and a way to understand the words of Jesus was in the context of pregnancy. Just as Jesus did with the Blessed Virgin, a child inside its mother’s womb literally lives, thrives and grows by feeding off of its mother. That is why we have found prenatal care is so important. There is an intimacy – on all levels – between mother and child that goes beyond our ability to explain.

This is the same intimacy that we are invited to in our relationship with Jesus, and as Catholics we are privileged to partake in during the Eucharist – to be one in the most intimate way possible with Jesus who is our Lord and Savior.

My fellow Glenmarian, Father Don Tranel, begins each Eucharist by saying, “this is the most important thing we will do today.”

Father Richard knew this intimacy with the Lord. Whether there were setbacks, discouragements, hurts, joys or sorrows, the Eucharist was

food for the journey.

I still have Father Richard’s Christmas card, even though the season has passed.

“May the Lord God bless and keep you now and in the year to come,” he wrote. “Have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.”

It was a simple enough message for a Christmas card, but it’s one I’m sure to re-read again and again.

oh! for the good ol’ days!

Missioners, campers remember roughin’ it at Buck Creek FEATURE STORY / Molly Williamson Camp – a time for communing with nature and getting back to basics. Some people love it and some people hate it. The people at Glenmary Home Missioners are no different.

For many years, Glenmary operated a Christian Living Camp in Buck Creek, N.C. The weeklong program gave youth a taste of religious life and seminarians hands-on experience ministering.

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Father Les Schmidt, a farm boy from Ohio, loved the camp. Father Bob Dalton hated it. And Dennis Cropper, a former camper from Cincinnati, still remembers the camp fondly.

“We had a ball,” said Cropper, who attended the Christian Living Camp in 1960 and 1961. “Father Bob Dalton was our counselor, and he put up with all of our shenanigans in the tent.”

That was probably because Father Bob was so happy to be outdoors. One year as a seminarian, he had to work inside in the Buck Creek kitchen.

“It was the worst summer of my life,” Father Bob said. He later served two years as a counselor, but even then, weather didn't cooperate.

“It rained every day,” Father Bob said. “It didn’t rain all day, but it rained every day.”

Glenmary started the camp in 1958, after it bought the 475-acre property in 1957 for its new priests.

Pope Pius XII issued a directive mandating that priests-in-training complete a pastoral year, teaching them how to minister in “productive and life-giving ways,” Father Dennis Holly said.

During the school year, Glenmary priests lived and prayed on the rustic compound named the Pius XII Pastoral Center. Half of the week, the new priests would take classes and reflect on ministry at the center. The other half, they served in a nearby parish.

Formerly a tourist attraction, the sprawling Buck Creek property had an old lodge, which needed massive repairs. It became a training ground for the Brothers Building Crew.

They renovated the lodge and built an A-frame chapel on the property.

Brother Bob Hoffman built a swimming pool on the property, which later caved in and had to be rebuilt.

“After the first season, the pool was drained for the winter so that ice on the surface of the water would not, as it expanded, crack the walls,” Father Dennis said. “However, no one thought about ground water around the pool putting pressure on the walls from the outside. It caused the wall to cave in. After that, they would not drain the pool in the winter, but would float pine logs on the surface that could give way to absorb the expansion of the ice.”

Surrounded by acres of national forest, the lodge was remote – 10 miles from the nearest electric line and 17 miles from the nearest phone line. The lodge was not equipped for year-round use, and the pipes regularly froze.

“I remember one night coming back from the parish, it was snowing,” said Father Dennis, whose pastoral

year was 1964-65 and who worked at the camp in 1961 and 1963. “I did an inadequate job of shaking the snow off my shoes as I entered the lodge. The next morning, when I was getting dressed, I noticed that there was still snow on my shoes. There was not enough heat to melt it during the night.”

In the summer, the seminarians ran the camp, giving them a chance to bond outside the classroom, Father Dennis said. Week after week, a new crop of 50 boys would arrive. They were all handpicked by their schools or parishes to attend, because they were identified as prospects for religious life.

For Cropper, the Christian Living Camp was a time to get away. He remembers having Mass every day, competing in athletic contests, swimming in the ice-cold, spring-fed pool and taking trips to the reservoir managed by the Tennessee Valley Authority.

Father Les became the unofficial story teller. Every night, around the campfire, Father Les would tell a story LEFT: Campers at Christian Living Camp in Buck Creek, N.C. BELOW: Campers draw water from the well in the early 60's.

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and then encourage the rest of the group to share.

“I would always lead off with a saint’s story and talk about the way he or she was called,” Father Les said. “It showed that every person’s story was different, just as all people are different. There are as many ways to be called as there are people. Throughout my time at Buck Creek, I tried to be present and encourage the men to follow

that path (to a vocation).”

Cropper did not need much encouragement. He considered becoming a priest early in life, but felt it was too big a commitment to make in eighth grade. But he enjoyed Mass and was fascinated by Glenmary.

“I remember as a teen being impressed with the map of counties in America that did not have a priest or a 16

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Catholic Church,” he said. “I felt there had to be something we could do.”

He began serving the community and supporting Glenmary. His grandmother suggested he join Glenmary’s Boost-a-Month Club, where he would send $1 each month to Glenmary.

“That dollar a month established a pattern for me,” Cropper said. “Eight years ago, my family decided that instead of giving each other Christmas gifts, we should all support a charity. We each put the names of three charities in a hat and a history of why the charities were important to us. I wrote on mine that I had been supporting Glenmary since I was 13 years old, and I believe in helping No Priest Land. My son got my charity and had no idea that I had been giving to Glenmary for so many years. He realized that it was important that our family continue to support Glenmary forever.”

Like Cropper, many Glenmarians have fond memories and colorful stories of their adventures at camp.

Father Bob remembers venturing off by himself one day and stumbling on a working — and illegal — moonshine still.

“I just walked right through, because I knew that if I made a fuss, I would be in real trouble,” Father Bob said. “I did not know until some years later that the still belonged to a man who worked for us!”

He also remembers hearing a rattlesnake at the base of a hill he was climbing, but everyone who worked at Buck Creek encountered rattlesnakes, Father Dennis said. Staff had to carry a snake bite kit on all of their hikes.

Brother Bob got lost in the woods. Even Father Larry Goulding, a former Marine, got lost in the woods.

Brother Pete McQuade fractured his leg, which Brother Bob splinted with two boards and the wire he was using to build the chapel. As they set Brother Pete in the back of the caretaker’s wagon, his board-splint stuck too far out, so Brother Bob cut the excess off with a hand saw.

The camp closed in 1967, and Glenmary sold the property in 1968, but the camp still holds a special place with many who attended. As the sign on the dirt road leading to the camp said, “Oh! For the good old days!”

TOP: The main lodge at Christian Living Camp. BELOW: Campers pose in front of their tent in 1960. Campers’ photo courtesy of Dennis Cropper.

How Glenmary Saved a Life

Sunfish mission created life-long connection

partner in mission / molly williamson In one small Kentucky community, Glenmary opened up a world of possibilities for the children it served. In fact, Theresa (Hayes) Weyer would say Glenmary saved her life.

As a young girl, Theresa lived in Sunfish, Ky., site of Glenmary’s first mission. This small part of western Kentucky was far removed from most of the world. Cars were rare. Most of the people farmed, and many of them were related. Almost no one was Catholic.

It was difficult for Theresa. The children in Sunfish did not understand Catholicism and would make fun of her and Catholics.

“Once, when Father Raphael Sourd was preaching, a boy threw a rock at him,” Theresa said. “He kept on preaching and later said it was the first blood shed for Jesus in Sunfish.”

Even Theresa’s uncle was prejudiced against Catholics and was even more wary after he visited the church. While Father Clem Borchers was blessing the congregation with holy water, the head of the aspergillum flew off and hit the wall above her uncle’s head. He ran straight out of the church!

But, when Glenmary arrived in 1942, it brought access to more books and education.

“Glenmary showed us there was a different kind of life than we were leading,” Theresa said. “They gave us the idea we could have more.”

Shortly after arriving, Father Clem helped build a school.

During construction, he set up a trailer where he explained to locals what Catholics believed and helped dispel rumors that Catholics practiced witchcraft.

Before Glenmary, residents only had Mass once a month, when a priest came in from Leitchfield, Ky. Father Clem also began making sick calls. He would ride his horse because the roads were too rough for a car. One day, his car came in handy.

Theresa’s appendix burst, and she needed to go to the hospital in Louisville more than 90 miles away.

“Father Clem lent my brother his car so he could drive me to the hospital,” Theresa said. “I truly believe that had it not been for Glenmary, I would have died.”

Theresa never forgot the impact Glenmary had on her life. When she got older and more established, she began donating to Glenmary. She wanted to help continue Glenmary’s work in rural America.

“One day, I only had a 50-cent piece to put in the collection basket,” Theresa said. “Then, a missionary priest did an appeal, and I did not have anything to give for the second collection. I promised God that if Spring 2018

I ever had money, I would give him some. I knew what Glenmary does with its money. I knew my gift would not be wasted.”

Remembering her uncle, she knows that Glenmary’s efforts and God’s grace can accomplish anything.

“My uncle was one of the most prejudiced men you would ever meet,” Theresa said. “He did not trust priests or like Catholics. But Father Clem told me that he baptized Uncle Jim before he died. That shows you what Glenmary can do!”

A version of this story first appeared in Glenmary's Planning Ahead newsletter.

TOP: Mass celebrated in Sunfish according to the liturgical norms of the time.

BOTTOM: Theresa as a child and today.

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letters to the editor cover to cover reader

This (Winter 2017) issue was great, starting with Father Chet Artysiewicz’s short recall of hitchhikers (Windshields and rearview mirrors).

I learned the value of the American Chestnut (who knew?). The story “Casting a Wide Net“ really spoke to my soul. How blessed the Church is to have Julian Crespo Moncada. And blessings to Father Aaron Wessman for stepping up to show that our universal Church does care.

Then, I was happy to read about Sister Darlene Presley of the Glenmary Sisters. Thanks for putting this article in. We need constant reminders that Catholic women make significant impacts other than the traditional roles of nurse or teacher.

Kudos to Molly Williamson for all her great writing in this issue, including the piece on Genaro Juarez (Mission inspires involvement).

In the future I would like more pieces on volunteers. Stories that really get into it. I have read countless articles about all the good that was done but

I would like to see how the volunteer work impacted volunteers personally.

Keep up the good work! I look forward to the next issue!

Barbara Collier · Tulsa, Okla. sharing the challenge

As always, I thoroughly enjoyed reading the Winter 2017 issue of Glenmary Challenge.

Father Chet Artysiewicz’s column (Windshields and rearview mirrors) was especially inspiring, and the “looking back/looking ahead” theme was certainly not out of place for the Christmas season. His words were, indeed, full of the hope and promise of the true meaning of Christmas, and I intend to share copies of the article with family and friends who are currently going through some rough times in their lives.

Thank you Father Chet for the beautiful article, and may God bless you and all Glenmarians.

Rita A. Madak · Pittsburgh, Pa.

Your Legacy Matters!

Gifts to Glenmary in the form of bequests from wills and trusts are invaluable to the work that we do. A bequest for the home missions is a gift from one generation to the next, ensuring we will be able to continue providing care and a Catholic presence to people in our missions for years to come.

If you have remembered Glenmary in your will or trust, please let us know so we can have the pleasure of thanking you now.

For more information, contact: Susan Lambert, Planned Giving Officer slambert@glenmary.org 800-935-0975

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glenmary challenge brings christmas spirit

I usually write my Christmas letter at Thanksgiving. What a wonderful American holiday we have, and it is so meaningful and important for us to give thanks to God. This year, I just could not get into the Christmas spirit until I read the Glenmary Challenge magazine. I joined Glenmary when I was 18 years old.

You might say I grew up with Glenmary, and it is such a good fit for me!

How marvelous that God would call me to the priesthood in this religious community! Where would I be without Jesus? This year I celebrate nearly 82 years of Catholic life. I want to say thanks to God, to Glenmary, and to all of you who are a part of my life.

The real meaning of Christmas becomes more personal to me each and every year, and the Glenmary Challenge always inspires me. I hope that it does the same for all of you.

Father David Glockner · Vanceburg, Ky. happy for helpers

I enjoyed your article regarding help sent to Naples, Fla., to assist in the cleanup due to Hurricane Irma damage (Glenmary mission youth called to help, Winter 2017).

Your youth group from St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Mission was most welcome! Thank you Unicoi County, Tenn., for your help and God Bless you!

John E. Kroll · Naples, Fla.

we want your feedback !

Send to: Editor, Glenmary Challenge, P.O. Box 465618, Cincinnati, OH 45246.

Email: challenge@glenmary.org. Comments are printed at the discretion of the editor and may be edited for clarity and space. Please include a postal addess with your letter.

T H E W E B S I T E O F C AT H O L I C MISSIONERS TO RURAL AMERICA

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Billy Graham, Fellow Missioner Rev. Graham spent his life as a missionary, preaching the gospel as he knew it. We honor the bridges he built between Catholics and Evangelicals.

glenmary.org/graham Come and See If Glenmary stirs your heart, come and see the missions, meet the missioners, and see if this is where God is calling you to make a difference!

Waste not, want not!

Brother Craig Digmann creates new candles out of old. The Glenmarians are known for being skilled craftsmen and reverent of the Holy!

glenmary.org/come-and-see

glenmary.org/candles

Follow us on Facebook!

Learn more about our missions and get to know our priests, brothers, and coworkers. One thing's for sure, life at Glenmary is never boring!

facebook.com/glenmary.org Update on seminarians Glenmary has 15 men in formation to become priests or brothers. Please pray for them and read Brother David's blog for the latest in Vocations news!

davidhenley.blogspot.com

Volunteer on Joppa Mountain!

Do you shop on Amazon?

All you have to do is designate that your charity of choice is Glenmary, and Amazon will donate a portion of each purchase made to us.

Long-term volunteers needed at Glenmary's Volunteer Site in rural Tennessee. We live with purpose and simplicity, caring for God's people and His creation!

glenmary.org/long-term-volunteer

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Glenmary's on the run!

Glenmary’s faithful service causes others to take note. Check out a monthly roundup by visiting our website and searching for “in the news.”

We’re competing in the 4-Person Relay in Cincinnati’s Flying Pig Marathon! Sign up to support us!

glenmary.org/flyingpig

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is god calling you? encounter the heart of god

in the heart of rural america as a priest or brother

Are you searching for meaning in your life? Are

Glenmarians serve the poor and neglected on

something in your heart that is moving you to

and the rural South. Contact us to find out

you willing to let Jesus lead you? Do you feel try and make a difference in the world? You may

have a vocation as a Glenmary priest or brother.

the margins of American society - Appalachia

if God is calling you to a deeper relationship

with Him as a Glenmary Home Missioner.

glenmary.org/vocations

c at h o l i c m i s s i o n e r s t o r u r a l a m e r i c a

P.O. Box 465618 ¡ Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618

NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage PAID Glenmary Home Missioners