GlenmaryChallenge_Spring2012

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

Spring 2012

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Building Community North Carolina mission makes an impact

Georgia’s Farm Workers ‘Will you celebrate Mass for us?’

Glenmary Home Missioners Founded by Father William Howard Bishop in 1939, this Catholic society of priests and brothers, along with numerous coworkers, establishes the Catholic Church in smalltown and rural America. 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, it staffs over 40 missions and ministries in Appalachia, the South and the Southwest.

Glenmary missioners serve in areas where less than three percent of the population is Catholic, a significant percentage have no church affiliation and the Father William poverty rate is almost twice the national average. Glenmary is Howard Bishop known for deeply respecting the Glenmary Founder many cultures encountered in the home missions—Appalachian, Native American, African American and Latino among others. Its missionary activity includes building Catholic communities, fostering ecumenical cooperation, evangelizing the unchurched, social outreach and working for justice.

Glenmary Challenge This 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.)

Publisher: Father Chet Artysiewicz Editor: Jean Bach Assistant Editor: Dale Hanson Art Director: Tricia Sarvak Staff Writers: Margaret Gabriel, Father John S. Rausch Planning-Review Board: Father Bob Dalton, Father Dominic Duggins, Father Gus Guppenberger, Brother Curt Kedley, Patrick McEntee, Kathy O’Brien, Father John S. Rausch

Glenmary Home Missioners P.O. Box 465618 • Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618 513-874-8900 • 800-935-0975 www.glenmary.org • info@glenmary.org © 2012, Glenmary Home Missioners. Reprint permission granted upon request.

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Defining ‘outreach’ FROM THE EDITOR / Jean Bach

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was asked recently to define “outreach” in a Glenmary context by members of a group unfamiliar with Glenmary’s ministry in the home missions.

If I’d had this issue of Glenmary Challenge on hand, my presentation would have been very short. I simply would have said: “Here. Read this.”

This issue is filled with stories about Glenmary’s diverse outreach ministries that meet both spiritual and material needs of those living in home mission counties. And I think you’ll see that the ministries are as diverse as the regions of the United States where Glenmary serves.

In South Georgia, for example, Spanishspeaking, predominantly Catholic migrant workers (page 9) come to the area to plant and harvest onions each autumn and spring. Glenmary missioners and coworkers in the region­ reach out to these workers, providing a Catholic connection and organizing ways to meet their most basic necessities.

In Bertie County, N.C., the pastoral team at the Glenmary mission (page 15) is working to make sure no one in need goes hungry. They are also helping rebuild homes lost to natural disasters and working to implement a “unique resource for spiritual needs.”

Diverse ministries meeting diJean Bach verse needs in an effort to share jbach@glenmary.org the “incredible Good News” (page 4) of our faith and of the Church. That’s outreach in a Glenmary context!

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hose who have received the last two issues of Glenmary Challenge electronically seem to be happy with the format (page 18). If you would like to be added to the electronic mailing list, please visit www.glenmarychallenge.org and click on “Receive Glenmary Challenge.”  about the cover: A migrant worker dumps a bucket of onions into a wooden bin in South Georgia. This photo, and the photo on page 9, are reprinted with permission from the May 19, 2011, issue of The Farmer-Stockman.

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THE MAGAZINE OF C ATHOLI C MISSIONERS TO RURAL AMERI C A

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Vo l u m e 7 5 / N u m b e r 1

Cover Story

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Prayer Answered in South Georgia’s Onion Fields

Father John Brown, along with other missioners and coworkers, ministers to migrant farm workers in South Georgia each autumn and spring. For Father John, the ministry reaffirms his call to missionary priesthood.

Feature Story

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Building Community in North Carolina

The Catholic Community of Bertie County not only serves area Catholics but is reaching out to the greater community in diverse ways.

Bertie County, Page 15

Departments & columns

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From the President / Father Chet Artysiewicz

As spring approaches, new signs of life are everywhere, including in our spiritual lives.

Glenmary News & Notes

Mission education in Kansas; mission trip reunion held; adoption relationship flourishes.

Adopters, Page 8

Then & Now

Glenmary missions in Eupora and Ackerman, Miss., have left an indelible mark.

Remembrance

Father Larry Goulding’s heart, body and soul were dedicated to serving Jesus in the home missions.

Indelible mark, Page 12

Partner in Mission

Richard Yedinak says he continues to be inspired by Glenmary’s ministry—even after 50 years.

Final Words / from our readers

Thanks and appreciation for Glenmary missioners and Father Larry, Page 14 for the society’s home mission ministry.

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from the president / Father Chet Artysiewicz

Signs of life abound As springtime invigorates nature, springtime spiritual events can invigorate faith lives

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t’s happening again. Signs of life are emerging all around us from the bleakness of winter’s stark landscape. As we witness this rebirth, I think we all can attest to the fact that nature is, indeed, magnificent. And with the eyes of faith, we profess how even more magnificent is the God of nature.

Glenmary parishes will be celebrating the “high holy days” of our faith this spring. During my many years in parish ministry, I had the sense that I wanted to be two people during Holy Week: one to preside at the services and another to just absorb them. (Incidentally, I never quite managed that feat!)

This time of year brings us back to the basics of life and death. Of course, for us believers, the basics are life, death and then life!

We at Glenmary like to share stories that show the signs of life and vitality in our missions. On a recent visit to our mission in Scottsville, Ky., I saw those signs firsthand. Given my past assignments, I had not visited the area in over 30 years.

I noted they still have the house that served as, well, everything, up until a new church and social hall were completed in 2008. Remembering the old and seeing the new was truly inspirational.

Over the past 73 years, Glenmary has established 112 missions, of which less than 10 have failed. Sadly, after many years and despite our best efforts, at times we have to admit the reality for a mission is death. For whatever reason, it did not grow and could not survive. As a result, that community of faith is dispersed and people have to travel farther to find a Catholic church.

It is a great sadness for Glenmary when we no longer have personnel to staff a mission and it is returned to the care of the diocese before we feel it is truly ready. Likewise, it is painful for a diocese when it is forced to close a parish (See page 12). To quote the poet Kahlil Gibran: “It is not a garment I cast off, but a heart of flesh I tear.”

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s springtime invigorates nature, the springtime spiritual events can add a bit of fertilizer to our faith lives. When adults are received into the Church at the Easter Vigil, we ministers are both thrilled and humbled by the step these candidates and catechumens are taking.

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They bring an energy and enthusiasm that are contagious. They help remind us cradle Catholics of just what a treasure our faith is. Once, during a Holy Saturday retreat for those being received into the Church, I recall one lady became withdrawn and emotional. When I asked if she was OK, she responded, “I just hope I’m worthy of all this.”

Some of the adults who enter the Church are taking a courageous step, especially when those closest to them do not support Father Chet their decisions. What an inspira- Artysiewicz tion! And then there are the faces cartysiewicz@glenmary.org of the children receiving their first Holy Communion! So often the reverence and devotion with which they receive the Lord are wonderful antidotes to our complacency regarding the sacrament.

We also find life in the funeral liturgy for a faithful believer who has gone home to the Lord. This is what our faith is all about—that life is merely changed, not ended. Christ is bigger than death. If we are baptized into his death, we are likewise baptized into his resurrection.

On page 14 you will find Father Larry Goulding’s obituary. At his wake and funeral services there were tears and laughter. But there was also an air of joy in knowing that this missioner completed the race and was now ready to receive the reward God had in store for him. If Christmas proclaims Christ as the “hope of the world,” it is Easter that provides a resounding Amen!

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hank you for all you do in enabling us to share this incredible Good News with the people we serve. In the midst of all our human deaths, Easter’s message is about life.

Nations continue to war, loved ones continue to die, schools and parishes consolidate or close. In all deaths the human heart strives to find some shred of hope.

I pray that during this Easter season the words “I am the resurrection and the life” touch you in the marrow of your being. Christ is risen—and death will never be the same! Have a  blessed Easter season.

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Glenmary

Taking the home mission challenge to Kansas

news &notes photo / brother david henley

m i ss i o n e d u c at i o n

Presentations enthuse elementary and middle school students [kansas] In late October 2011, Glenmary vocation director Brother David Henley and associate vocation director Pat McEntee traveled more than 3,000 miles by plane and car to complete a mission education journey to and through the Diocese of Salina, Kan. The purpose was simple: to share the story of Glenmary’s mission to rural America with grade school and middle school students in the diocese.

Glenmary was invited to be part of the diocese’s Mission Week program in conjunction with the celebration of World Mission Sunday on Oct. 23.

“The most important aspect of mission education is planting the seed of awareness,” says Allison Barrett, coordinator of Glenmary’s Mission Education and Ministry Office (MEMO). “It helps us spread the message that we’re all called to mission. So Glenmary is always happy to have opw w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

mission presentation: Pat McEntee, associate

vocation director, leads a mission quiz for students at St. Mary School in Ellis, Kan. He and Brother David Henley traveled through the Diocese of Salina during an October visit.

portunities like this one.”

The schools Brother David and Pat visited were in towns as small as the ones Glenmary serves.

“The big difference,” says Pat, “is that these Kansas towns actually have a fairly significant number of Catholics.”

So the students were surprised to hear that in Glenmary mission areas less than 3 percent of the people are Catholic— and that these Catholics are sometimes discriminated against because of their religion.

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The men used the same theme as the one used for World Mission Sunday, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you” (Jn 20:21), to remind the children that everyone is called to be a missioner. Some serve in the missions as priests or religious, and others as married or single persons.

“The way God calls each person is unique,” Pat says, “so I told them each of us has to strive to find his or her way.”

The 50- to 60-minute presentations covered Spring 2012

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the basics about Glenmary, mission needs, the difference between priesthood and brotherhood, and a discussion about where missionaries serve.

Brother David shared stories about his ministry in two Arkansas missions. In addition, students watched a DVD about Glenmary.

“We got students involved and kept the program very interactive,” says Brother David. “We were amazed and uplifted by their enthusiasm.”

After a brief mission quiz with prizes, students were treated to a juggling show by Brother David— and a related message.

“I reminded them that our unique talents are God’s gift to us,” Pat says, “and what we do with these talents is our gift back to God and other people.”

Before leaving for the next school, Brother David and Pat invited the children at each school to pray with them for home mission needs.

Each school was given a packet of Glenmary materials—including a DVD, prayer cards and activity sheets—providing teachers with future resources and providing students with reminders to continue searching for their vocations in life and praying for Glenmary’s home mission ministry.

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news & notes

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c a r d s t o c e l e b r at e & R e m e m b e r

Collection of Mass and memorial cards available An opportunity to celebrate significant events and remember family and friends in a special way [ohio] Glenmary’s collection of Cards to Celebrate & Remember are available to those who make memorial gifts to Glenmary— or request to have Masses offered for special intentions or deceased loved ones and friends.

The collection includes living and deceased Mass cards as well

as three special-intention cards.

“Making a memorial gift is a wonderful way to honor or remember someone,” says Father Dominic Duggins, director of Glenmary’s development office. “And in making such gifts, our partners in mission are also helping us continue our home mission ministry.”

The offering of prayers and Masses is an ancient tradition of the Catholic Church and is a way to remember someone special or commemorate a special event.

Flexible

Giving Plan

If you are interested in a giving plan that allows you to make additions or withdrawals at any time, the Glenmary Revocable Charitable Gift Agreement may be just for you!

The benefits of a Revocable Charitable Gift Agreement include: • minimum gift of $2,000

• attractive rate of return

• principal becomes a legacy gift to Glenmary upon your death For more information about the Glenmary Revocable Charitable Gift Agreement—or any planned giving option, please contact:

Susan Lambert, Planned Giving Officer 800-935-0975 • slambert@glenmary.org

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“The Mass is the Church’s greatest intercessory prayer,” Father Dominic says. “I, and all Glenmary priests, are humbled to celebrate the Masses requested by our partners in mission.”

All stipends offered help support Glenmary priests and missions.

To find out more: Have a Mass offered or make a memorial gift by calling Donor Services at 800-935-0975 or by visiting www.glenmary.org/cards.

Around the Missions  Father Dave Glockner, a senior member, is serving as development director for the West Virginia Institute for Spirituality, an ecumenical nonprofit organization based in Charleston, W.Va. The retreat center promotes spiritual life through prayer retreats and interfaith dialogue.  Father Jerry Dorn has been appointed acting director for the Glenmary students attending classes at St. Meinrad School of Theology and Seminary.  Last summer, Father Francois Pellissier participated in the ordination Mass of James Yamauchi in Dallas, Texas. He met the Yamauchi family in the late 1990s at the Air Force base in Columbus, Miss., where Father Francois frequently celebrated Mass. During the ordination Mass, Father Francois blessed the newly ordained and photo / courtesy Yamauchi family vested him in the liturgical garments, a stole and chasuble.

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photo / tricia sarvak

traveling down memory lane: Mary Striebich (left) and Susan Lambert relive memories

of the 2011 mission trip during a reunion of trip participants held in Cincinnati on Jan. 20.

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Mission trip alumni gather for reunion in Cincinnati First-time event gives past participants opportunity to share memories and learn more [ohio] Glenmary hosted its first-ever Mission Trip Reunion on Jan. 20 at Cincinnati Headquarters. Twenty-five of the people who participated in Glenmary mission trips in the last seven years enjoyed Mass, brunch and a short presentation

by Glenmary’s president, Father Chet Artysiewicz—as well as the chance to spend time with their fellow travelers.

According to Susan Lambert, Glenmary’s planned giving officer, the annual two-day trips were started in 2005 to give supporters and others the chance to experience Glenmary mission areas firsthand—and to meet and talk with missioners and lay coworkers.

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Grayson and Vanceburg and nearby Glenmary Farm, home of the group volunteer program.

The idea for the reunion came about because “we wanted to give past participants an opportunity to come together again and also to learn a little more about Glenmary,” said Susan, who leads the annual trips.

“There was a real camaraderie among people on my trip,” says Mary Sue McDuffie. “It was good to rejoin them and celebrate Glenmary.”

Norma Hanekamp says she was “glad to find other people from the trips have the same feelings I do about the good Glenmary is doing.”

Following Mass and brunch, Father Chet spoke and answered questions about his mission call Spring 2012

and experiences, Glenmary’s ministry and vocations, and the future. He also talked enthusiastically about the progress of the new missions in East Tennessee.

Thanking the group for their support and asking for their continued prayers for Glenmary’s ministry, Father Chet also extended an invitation to the May ordination of two Glenmary missioners.

“It was good to hear his insights and to feel appreciated,” says Marilyn Knor. “It was also wonderful to be with other Glenmary supporters.”

To find out more: Learn more about attending a Glenmary mission trip by contacting Susan Lambert at 800-935-0975 or slambert@glenmary.org. 

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news & notes

continued photo / courtesy OLA Church

glenmary a d o p t - a - m i ss i o n

Communities forge strong relationship Glenmary mission, Wisconsin parish give and receive [wisconsin] When members of Our Lady of the Assumption parish (OLA) in Beloit, Wis., explored “adopting” another church community, they “wanted to reach out to a U.S. Catholic community that needed help,” says Rita Bonds, an OLA parishioner. “But we also wanted to get to know the people and touch their hearts and souls.”

Glenmary’s Adopt-A-Mission Program was a perfect fit. The program pairs able parishes with struggling Glenmary missions to help support the missions through prayer, financial

aid and encouragement. OLA was matched with St. Joan of Arc mission in Plymouth, N.C., led by pastoral coordinator Sister Arcadia Rivera-Gutierrez.

In May 2011, Sister Arcadia visited OLA, where she spoke at Masses and participated in an adoption signing ceremony.

In July 2011, OLA parishioners traveled to Plymouth for a service trip. And at the start of their first workday, mission members came to join the effort.

The two faith communities continue to stay in touch and to

service: OLA volunteers work

to fulfill Sister Arcadia’s wish list during a 2011 mission trip.

remember each other in prayer.

“We have received more from our friends at St. Joan than we have given,” Rita says. “We’re sure our friendship will keep growing.”

e c u m e n i sm

Walking Together in Mission

Come Join Us!

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Celebrating unity in Christ Service inspires beauty, richness [kentucky] Father Frank Ruff has been involved in ecumenical dialog for most of his 53 years as a Glenmary missioner. But he says he continues to be amazed by the graces that occur when people from different faith traditions gather as one.

On Jan. 25, celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, over 150 people gathered at Petrie Memorial United Methodist Church in Elkton for a service sponsored by the local ministerial association. Father Frank, past pastor of St. Susan, the former Glenmary mission in Elkton, chaired the organizing committee.

During the service, choirs from four traditions—Black Baptist, Methodist, Mormon and Catholic—each sang two hymns that expressed their faith. “What beauty and richness occurred when we all came together,” Father Frank says.

At the reception following the service, “Everyone seemed genuinely relaxed with each other and glad to be there,” he says. “I’m still on cloud nine after such a wonderful experience.”

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cover story

agricultural workers: Men work to harvest the Vidalia onion crop in a South Georgia field. Work-

ers spend six weeks in the fall planting the crop and return to the area for the spring harvest. Glenmary missions­in the area minister to these workers, providing both spiritual and material assistance.

prayer answered In South Georgia’s Onion Fields

By Father John Brown

“Let us pray to our almighty Father for his harvest the onions.

For many years Glenmary mission communiholy people and say: ‘Be mindful of your ties, missioners and coworkers in this Church, O Lord.’”

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n the early evening of the last day of November 2011, seated at the kitchen table of the rectory of Holy Trinity mission in Swainsboro, Ga., I recited that prayer from Evening Prayer for the Feast of St. Andrew as I was preparing to drive to a workers’ camp near the local onion farms for Mass.

Hundreds of temporary agricultural workers come to South Georgia each November to spend about six weeks planting Vidalia onions under the H2-A visa. In March a similar-size group, using the same visa, comes for another six weeks to

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area have reached out to these migrants, seeking—in the words of the prayer—to be mindful of Jesus’ Church while they are in the area.

Glenmary missions here work with local agencies and receive donations from outside groups to help meet the needs of these workers. For many, the care packages they receive, filled with Father John food and personal items, are lifelines because workers can’t easily obtain such things when they first arrive.

The workers labor from dawn to dusk,  Spring 2012

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photos / patti tramontana

ing returned about an hour earlier from a full day of onion planting, must have been the first to take showers and have supper.

Others continued to quietly join the group as they were able. By the homily, there were some 30 worshipers.

For my homily, I reflected on the text from the day’s Gospel mass in the barracks: Father John Brown celebrates Mass in a con(Mt 4:18-22), which crete block barracks at a workers’ camp near the Glenmary mission in told the story of Jesus’ Swainsboro, Ga., during a recent visit. He takes the Mass and the sacracalling of the apostle ments to workers since the workers can’t come to the Glenmary mission.

Andrew. I told those Father John also celebrates Mass outdoors during his visits. gathered that they were not just workers planting onions but, like Andrew, they too were called to meet  seven days a week, and transportation is Jesus, the Messiah, in the consecrated breaddifficult to arrange. We do our best to help become-Jesus. They were called to tell those meet their basic material needs and, most es- in their world that they had met him. pecially, their spiritual needs.

No preacher could have asked for a more Predominantly Catholic, the workers al- attentive congregation—or a more reverent ways have the same primary request: “Please one. As we approached the consecration of celebrate Mass for us.” the Mass, caps and sweatshirt hoods came off as the workers spontaneously knelt on the put my Mass kit into my car and drove to Georgia sand, the same soil in which they had the workers’ camp, following a maze of day by day been planting thousands of Vidalia back roads through night-shrouded, al- sweet onions. ready-harvested cotton fields.

They listened as I spoke the ancient words The camp is located in a remote corner of of love: “my body given for you…my blood the county. My predecessor made sure, before moving on to his new assignment, that I knew the route to that driveway, which wends another half mile back to the workers’ housing. multitasking: In addition to being the presider, Several of the men and two of the women Father John leads the music during the Masses he greeted me in Spanish, the only language used celebrates at the onion worker camps. throughout the evening. Together we transformed a folding table into a beautiful outdoor altar, covered with a tablecloth decorated with an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Her image also graced the glass candles whose light augmented the orange glow from the streetlight under which we gathered.

Wine, water, chalice and bread were all prepared. I put on the Mass vestments while one of the men took the little altar bell and walked the whole length of the barracks, ringing and announcing in an almost street-vendor manner that Mass was about to start.

There were about 10 men and two women present as together we traced the sign of the cross to begin the Mass. These workers, hav-

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poured out for you.” Some spontaneously responded with faith, “My Lord!

My God!” As I lifted the host—our Lord and our God—high into the star-filled night, I knew that my prayer to the Lord to make me a missionary priest for his people had never been more thoroughly answered than at that very moment.

Following Mass I heard confessions, offering the front seat of my car as the confessional—and promising that I would start the car so that there would be heat to ward off the 34-degree cold outside!

An hour later I was giving absolution to the last man. He had patiently Makeshift altar: An altar, very similar to the one used waited in the cold all that time to re- for the outdoor Mass on the Feast of St. Andrew, is fashioned in the roughly framed concrete barracks that served ceive this wonderful sacrament.

When we had finished, he told me as the worship space during one of Father John’s visits to that while waiting he had spoken via the workers’ camp. cell phone to his wife in Mexico. She was thrilled that he was about to receive the sacrament of reconciliation and wons I headed home, the night was deep and dered if I could hear her confession by phone! very quiet. I had a sense that God, indeed, I told him that wasn’t possible, but that as had heard the prayer I recited earlier in my I drove back to Swainsboro, I would pray for kitchen, allowing me to be part of his anher to find a good confessor at her church in swer in caring for these, his beloved people.  Mexico.

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Bishops call for comprehensive immigration reform

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ccording to a 2011 study conducted by the University of Georgia for the Georgia Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association, Georgia farmers couldn’t fill 11,000 jobs during last year’s harvest and lost an estimated $75 million in crops that spoiled in the fields.

Recent estimates increased that amount to over $150 million.

The reason: Georgia’s anti-immigration law passed last summer. Called one of the toughest in the country, the law caused those who have traditionally filled farm labor jobs—Hispanic migrant workers—to bypass Georgia.

In response to the passage of this enforcement-only law, the Catholic bishops of the Atlanta province wrote a November 2011 letter to U.S. senators who represent the districts in the province, which includes Georgia,

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• the restoration of due process protections for immigrants.

These workers, the bishops wrote, are “working hard to serve us, while seeking a basic livelihood for themselves and their families....

“We ask you to see the faces of the children separated from their parents.

We ask you to hear the cries of the workers who daily risk serious injury laboring in the factories and fields....”

On Jan. 24, 2012, Georgia Democrats introduced a bill to repeal the state’s anti-immigration law, saying it has had a “devastating” effect on Georgia’s economy.

South Carolina and North Carolina.

The bishops urged the senators to continue working for comprehensive immigration reform on a national level and to produce a “fair and just resolution to the situation that threatens to tear apart our communities.”

The bishops, echoing the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, wrote that they support reforms that include: • reform of the legal immigration system, including a viable and workable path to citizenship; • a temporary worker program which protects the rights of all workers; • family-based immigration reform to reduce waiting times for family reunification; • policies to address the economic root causes of migration in the sending countries;

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For more information: Visit www.justiceforimmigrants.org to learn more about the Catholic Church’s position on immigration reform and migration.

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Then & NOW

Eupora and Ackerman, Miss.

Missions leave indelible stamp on two Mississippi counties

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 1992: Gene

and Mary Helen Grabbe became the first permanent resident Catholics to minister in Webster County when they were installed as the pastoral leaders of St. John Neumann Church.

The mission community purchased and remodeled a large house in the center of Eupora to serve as the church building. The Grabbes worked to identify Catholics in the county by going door to door introducing themselves and the Church. What began as a church of five families grew to over 40 active families before experiencing a decline in membership the last few years.

photos / glenmary archives

n 1992 Glenmary accepted the invitation of Bishop William Houck of the Diocese of Jackson, Miss., to staff St. John Neumann mission in Eupora, Miss.

(Webster County), with lay pastoral coordinators Gene and Mary Helen Grabbe.

Eventually, the Grabbes began outreach into neighboring Choctaw County.

St. Mark, Ackerman, was born from that outreach. Since their beginnings, both missions have struggled to grow and have struggled financially.

In 2011, the Diocese of Jackson closed St. Mark in May and made the decision in December to close St. John. As part of Glenmary’s five-year mission plan, both missions were set to be returned to the pastoral care of the diocese in 2013.

In a letter to Eupora parishioners, Bishop Joseph Latino said he based his decision to close the church on the facts that the mission had lost membership over the past year and that the proposed budget—which would require support from outside the mission for two-thirds of its income—would only “keep the doors open for Mass and Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest....” There would be no religious education, youth programs, community outreach or “any of the other essentials of a vibrant faith community.”

“I sincerely believe,” the bishop continued, “the individuals and families who are members of the mission would be better served by becoming active members of neighboring Catholic parishes.”

For the time each of these missions served those living in Webster and Choctaw counties, the members of the mission communities and the Glenmary missioners and coworkers fulfilled Father Bishop’s mandate: “Adopt all the people of your mission area as your own. Christ died for every one of them. They are yours because you are his ambassadors....we must strive to be ‘all things to all people.’”

 1999: The Grabbes’ responsibilities also included

outreach into neighboring Choctaw County, which had no Catholic Church presence. Eventually a run-down storefront was rented in downtown Ackerman where the Catholic Community of Choctaw County could gather for Mass and worship services. The building had an ideal location, but one room leaked terribly and 85 percent of the building had no electricity!

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 2002: Following Gene and Mary Helen Grabbe’s re-

tirement, Sister Alies Thérèse arrived in northeast Mississippi to lead St. John and the Catholic Community of Choctaw County, which would later be officially named St. Mark. African Americans, Anglos and Hispanics made up the Catholic congregation, a fact that didn’t go unnoticed in the larger Ackerman community. This Catholic community was the only integrated congregation in the county—and served as a model of racial inclusion.

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2003: Members of St. John worked to renovate a burned-out house next door to the Eupora church to create Nativity House Catholic Community Center.

Parishioners opened the center to the entire county to be used for senior citizen and children’s activities, as well as meeting space for the ministerial association and for groups working to bring jobs to the impoverished area.

 2009: Father Bob Dalton (front, left) served as the  2004: When the Ackerman mission needed

a baptismal font, Sister Alies invited young people from the mission to transform a galvanized washtub into a sacramental that could speak of being “washed” in the waters of baptism. The baptismal font was used for all the baptisms that took place in the mission.

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sacramental minister for the Eupora and Ackerman missions. Here, in front of the building that served as the mission’s final home, he gathers with some of the members of St. Mark. Bishop Latino celebrated the closing Masses at St. Mark in May 2011 and St. John Neumann in February 2012.

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Father Larry Goulding 1930–2011

Seeker of truth, lover of life A remembrance / Father Steve Pawelk

His heart, body and soul were dedicated to promoting Christ in the rural areas

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1962, the same year the Second Vatican Council opened. The Council filled him with hope and motivated his strong belief in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist and in the people as the Body of Christ.

His search for truth moved him beyond theology and led to his earning a master’s degree in psychology. In his spare time, he enjoyed being a ham radio operator and an amateur carpenter and electrician. His mail was filled with magazines, including everything from Popular Mechanics to father larry Astronomy to Smithsonian. His goulding: His bookshelf was filled with volumes ministry was dedicated to science, psychology, building. construction, and theology.

For some, such a deep search for truth might make them very serious and somber. But not so with Father Larry—he loved life! He was a joy to be with and could entertain with the best of them. One of his greatest pleasures was hosting dinners of steak and baked potatoes—and laughing and arguing with his friends, fellow priests and coworkers!

Later in his life, he took up piano and joined a choir. He often said that music is beauty, “and where there is beauty, there is God, and where there is God, there is truth.” He also adopted a Yorkshire terrier named Clemey. After Jesus and his mother, Clemey may have been Father Larry’s greatest love. photos / glenmary archives

anging on Father Larry Goulding’s wall was a portrait of him painted by a former parishioner. The portrait is of a red-headed priest wearing a pair of bib overalls, the straps of which cover his cleric shirt. In one hand there is a hammer, in the other a Bible.

On his Irish face is a huge smile.

Father Larry felt this portrait summed up his identity: a priest who loved to build. His ministry in over 50 years as a Glenmary Home Missioner was that of building—communities of faith, porches, houses. And he helped many men preparing for priesthood and brotherhood build a solid ministry foundation while in formation.

On three different occasions I was honored to live with Father Larry, who died after a long illness on Nov. 12, 2011. Many thought of him as a witty Chicago Irishman who could make an entire room laugh with his unique humor.

I also knew him as a deeply spiritual man seeking the truth—questioning and exploring every aspect of religion, science, astronomy and the arts to discover more about himself, others and the world around him. What people did for work fascinated him. How things worked intrigued him. There was no limit to his curiosity and desire to get to the “bottom of it,” no matter what “it” was! He not only wanted to find the truth but to share that truth with others.

After serving in the Marines during the Korean War, Father Larry entered the seminary to lead others to Christ. He was ordained in

ministry: A young Father Larry meets with mem-

bers of a Newman Club in Dahlonega, Ga.

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he thing that stands out in Father Larry’s life is that he was a missioner. His heart, body and soul were dedicated to promoting Christ in the rural areas of the United States.

To his dying day he was concerned about the home missions. In our last conversation a little more than a week before he died, he offered me encouragement and advice concerning my work as pastor of two new missions in Tennessee. He shared creative ideas with me, focusing especially on ways to reach out to other local ministers.

I have no doubt the Lord greeted Father Larry on Nov. 12 by simply saying: “Well done, my good and faithful servant.”  DONATE NOW

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feature story

Building Community Since 2004, the young Bertie County mission in eastern North Carolina has been building up its Catholic community as it reaches out and builds relationships with its neighbors in the county.

Story and Photos by Dale Hanson

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hen Father Mike Langell (now deceased) and Brother Virgil Siefker called together The Catholic Community of Bertie County (N.C.) in 2004, the small, diverse community numbered about 30. They soon began renting the Methodist church in Windsor for Mass on Sundays.

Almost eight years later, the mission community of about 80 still celebrates Sunday Mass in the Methodist church. But new pastor Father Mike Kerin says the financially challenged Windsor mission has grown in many other ways.

“The Episcopal and Methodist congregations have been here over 200 years, and we’ve been here less than eight,” he says.

“But our Catholic faith community has developed beyond its years. It has also made many friends and has had a big impact on the larger community.”

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he Windsor pastoral team includes Father Mike, Brother Virg, Brother Curt Kedley and novice Jason Muhlenkamp, who’s preparing for brotherhood. (Jason’s mission placement will end in March. He will conclude his w w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

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Dynamic community: The Catholic Community of Bertie County’s Sunday liturgies are “phenomenal,” according to Father Mike Kerin, the mission’s pastor. “We are blessed with talented musicians and singers, who provide vibrant music.” The music group also performs at various local venues and events.

novitiate studies in Cincinnati.)

Father Mike also serves as bilingual sacramental minister for Glenmary’s growing Ply­mouth mission in neighboring Washington County, where Sister Arcadia Rivera-Gutierrez is pastoral coordinator.

The English-speaking Windsor parishioners are of Filipino,

Anglo, African American and Hawaiian descent. The majority are Filipino immigrants who came to the area starting in 2003, when many were recruited to teach in Windsor schools.

“Our mission has a strong sense of community,” says Father Mike. “And our lay leadership is definitely one of our 

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 strengths.” Parish members

rounding community.

Father Mike is impressed by how well the Glenmary brothers are known and respected in the area. “They really know the community and local leaders….

We know many people through our ministries, and that helps the Church be better known.” For instance, he’s a part-time hospital chaplain.

Parishioners frequently invite non-Catholic acquaintances to Mass because they’re proud of their faith community and want to share what they have with others. The Filipino teachers are quiet evangelizers, too, says Brother Virg, through their work with students and parents.

But the mission’s watershed outreach effort has been its leading role in helping establish the Good Samaritan Food Pantry in 2009. This unprecedented ecumenical and interracial effort in the county is now supported by 15 area churches. Brother Curt is a key leader at the pantry. He, Brother Virg and Jason volunteer many hours, and mission members also volunteer regularly.

“Folks of different faiths and races come together there as a united front,” says Brother Curt.

The mission community has eanwhile, the Bertie also consistently helped after County parishioners area floods and tornadoes. The and pastoral team most recent example: Brother stay visible, active Virg is helping construct new and ready to reach out to the sur- homes for people whose houses were destroyed by an April 2011 torBertie County Facts nado.

Another focus is Population, 2010 21,282 ministering to inLand Area in Square Miles 699.27 mates at the state Persons Affiliated With a prison in WindReligious Congregation 9,151 sor. Jason, Father Catholic 0.8% Mike and Brother Mainline Protestant 14% Virg are all part of this ecumenical efEvangelical 85% fort. The goal, says High School Graduates 72% Jason, is “to help Per Capita Income $17,614 the men recognize Persons Below Poverty Level 23% Christ’s presence Data derived from Religious Congregations and Membership 2000, in their lives.” the Diocese of Raleigh and the U.S. Census Bureau.

Brother Curt’s gather each weekend at a different family’s home for a prayer service, singing, a potluck and social time.

According to Father Mike, parents say the prayer services are one more way they’re passing on religious values to their children. This effort reinforces the religious education program— led by the mission’s professional teachers with assistance from Jason.

For the future, Father Mike is planning a “unique resource for spiritual needs” called the Christian Spirituality Institute— which will include presentations on topics such as Christian prayer and forgiveness. Its first audience would be parishioners; he hopes it evolves into an ecumenical effort for the larger community.

But one of the mission’s major challenges and concerns is not having its own church building and Catholic space, he says. “The parishioners have been raising funds, but we have a long way to go. We need to keep building up our church community so that it’s strong enough to support a church building in the future.”

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mission team: Brother Curt Kedley, Brother Virgil Siefker and Father Mike Kerin (from left) and novice Jason Muhlenkamp (not pictured) take part in a wide range of ministries in Bertie County. “It’s great to be part of the pastoral team,” Father Mike says. “We all have different gifts, but we’re working for the same goals.” Sunday Masses have always been held at the United Methodist church.

“environmental ministries” have been attempts to evangelize and help revitalize the economically struggling Windsor community.

His efforts include building stone walls around 50 trees on Main Street, periodically volunteering as first mate on a Cashie River tour boat and serving on a civic improvement committee.

Beyond all these endeavors, the men are involved in ministries to the neglected and forgotten—affirming their value and bringing them joy. For example, Brother Curt works part-time at a nursing facility, befriending residents as he works, while Jason visits local nursing homes. Brother Virg, Jason and Brother Curt also deliver Meals on Wheels.

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embers of the Windsor mission continue to witness to their faith, build community and build up the kingdom of God, says Father Mike. “I’m looking forward to walking with  them…into the future.”

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Partner in mission / by Margaret Gabriel

Celebrating 50 years of support Boost-A-Month Club member still inspired by Glenmary’s mission and ministry

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n 1948 Richard Yedinak was honeymooning with his bride, Theresa, in North Carolina. When the newlyweds inquired where they could attend Sunday Mass, they were told there were no Catholic churches in the area, but that Mass would be held for a few Catholics in the home of a forest ranger.

The Michigan couple had no idea that there were places in the United States in which a local Catholic community could be contained in a small living room!

About 10 years later, memories of their experience in North Carolina came flooding back to Rich and Theresa when they heard a Glenmary Home Missioner give a talk at their parish in Grand Haven, Mich.

“I heard that the situation hadn’t changed much over the years,” Rich says. “I thought having a Catholic influence would be important in rural areas where they didn’t get much information. And back then, Catholics weren’t looked on very highly.”

He made the choice to become actively involved in spreading the Gospel message in rural areas of the United States by financially supporting Glenmary’s mission and ministry.

Today, 50 years later, he continues to act on that decision made decades ago. He usually donates through Glenmary’s Boost-A-Month Club (BAM).

He is still inspired by Glenmary’s ministry of spreading the Catholic faith in areas with little or no Catholic presence and by missioners’ outreach to low-income people in its mission areas. Rich also enjoys keeping up with the latest news from the home missions through BAM newsbecome a letters and through Glenmary Challenge. ‘bam-er’ today Widowed in 1999 For more information on and now living in New becoming a monthly donor Hampshire, Rich atand joining Glenmary’s tends daily Mass and Boost-A-Month Club, serves as a Euchariscontact Donor Services tic minister and as an at 800-935-0975 or visit acolyte at funeral litwww.glenmary.org/BAM. urgies for his parish.

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local food pantry. “I have to keep busy,” he says.

“Otherwise I’d fold up by the wayside!”

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lenmary planned giving officer Susan Lambert says she is always impressed with the loyalty and dedication of folks like Rich and their long-term generosity. Such loyalty enables Glenmary’s leadership to make far-reaching plans because they know the ‘Glenmary is income needed to support those devoted to future plans will be available. spreading the Boost-A-Month donors, she says, become like members of Gospel and we the family. “The commitment need to support of BAM donors, whatever their the home mislevel of giving, is something we can really count on. And when I sions however meet someone like Rich, I know we can.’ he’s in for the long haul. His dedication to Glenmary, and to the missions in general, really impresses me.”

And, Susan adds, it is not unusual to find that people who have had difficulty locating churches to attend while they’re traveling—especially through the South and Appalachia— can relate to Glenmary’s mission of providing a Catholic presence in such areas.

“I’ve had people tell me that they couldn’t find a Catholic church in Georgia when traveling to or from Florida on Interstate 75,” Susan says. “But oftentimes they’ll find a Glenmary church and get a really good picture of what we’re doing.”

Susan believes the BAM newsletter is a valuable way to keep people up to date on Glenmary and the activity in the missions. With more information, supporters feel more closely tied to Glenmary’s work. “And in the 38 years I’ve worked at Glenmary,” Susan says, “I’ve seen that ‘BAM-ers,’ as they’re affectionately called, are more likely to mention Glenmary in their wills.

And what a benefit that is!”

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ich, now retired, links his dedication to Glenmary to his enjoyment in helping the missions. “Glenmary is devoted to spreading the Gospel, and we need to support the home missions however we can,” he says.  Spring 2012

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final words / from our readers

Notes of thanks and appreciation Father Larry remembered, online magazine critiqued, Glenmary’s impact praised stunning cover

the cover photo of your Winter 2011 Glenmary Challenge was so stunning, one might think it was from an issue of National Geographic.

Johanna Pagani Pelham Manor, N.Y. building in heaven

father larry goulding was the very personification of the “good and loyal servant.” He was one of the finest, humblest men I have ‘…I think the online known. [See version of Glenmary story on page 14.]

Challenge is very It’s a comnice! It’s quite read- fort to know I have such a able.’ friend in heaven, where I hope again to hammer a few nails next to him as we help build a wing on God’s house.

Robert Caummisar Grayson, Ky. online version is nice

i just want to let you know that I think the online version of Glenmary Challenge is very nice! It is quite readable. I’ve never liked online newsletters and journals very much, but the Glenmary Challenge is great! I enjoyed reading it.

Candy Kincaid Lebanon, Ind. tremendous impact

after reading jean denton’s article “Passion for the Faith,” (Winter 2011), I had to take a moment and write.

As someone who attended 18

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high school in Honaker, Va., and attended church in Lebanon, Va., I had to let all of you know how touched I was by the article about Father [Rollie] Hautz.

I had no idea he built the church in Lebanon—a church where my family found love and fellowship through fellow parishioners and Glenmary Fathers Bob Dalton and John Rausch.

I had a very difficult transition when I moved to Honaker.

After going to Catholic school my entire life, I [first] experienced prejudice from Honaker residents, including one of my teachers, for being Catholic.

I don’t know what I would have done without the Catholic communities in Lebanon and St. Paul. I developed close friendships through my religious education classes and I am still close to some of the other students who attended.

Glenmary missioners had a tremendous impact on me and I will be forever grateful to the community for everything they did for me.

I remain committed to the Appalachian Mountain community and will do everything possible to help.

Pattie DeLoatche Arlington, Va. life dedicated to christ

thank you for your great article in Glenmary Challenge (“Steward of the Church, Glenmary,” Winter 2011) about my uncle, Father Larry Goulding.

His life and his death were true examples of a life dedicated to Christ.

His funeral was a sad time for

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me, but I became a witness to the truth that Glenmary Trace [the road to Glenmary Headquarters] is truly a path to God’s love and fellowship.

Emmet O’Connell Ft. Bragg, Calif. looking down on us

i was very sorry to hear about Father Larry Goulding’s death.

[See story on page 14.] We had a rosary service at St. Christopher Church in Claxton, Ga., for him on Wednesday, Nov. 16.

Afterward we sat and reminisced about Father Larry. What I remember was his love of getting involved in what was going on in the parish, no matter what it was.

Every year we had a Halloween party for members of the parish’s religious education classes and any adults who wanted to participate. He was right in there with us, dressing up in costume. [One year,] the kids wanted to host a haunted house and Father Larry helped them build anything they needed.

There are so many other times that he was here for all of us at St. Christopher—too many to mention in this space. Needless to say we will miss Father Larry but we know he is in heaven looking down on us. May he rest in peace.

Linda Aliffi Claxton, Ga. Readers’ Views welcome! Send comments to: Editor, Glenmary Challenge, P.O. Box 465618, Cincinnati, OH 45246. Fax: 513874-1690, E-mail: challenge@ glenmary.org. Please include a postal address.

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O n line Co nte nts

latest news Brother Virg joins in N.C. rebuilding effort Two days a week, Brother Virgil Siefker helps build new homes to replace ones destroyed by a 2011 tornado. He is also quietly witnessing as a Catholic member of the crew. glenmary.org/rebuild

Rebuilding effort

Departments Ways to Give

Use the Planned Giving gift calculator to see the benefits of a gift based on your goals. glenmary.org/calculator

Vocations

Ambrose Wanyonyi, preparing for priesthood, reflects on his first months in the United States. glenmary.org/reflects

Ambrose Wanyonyi

Missions

Search through Glenmary’s former mission locations and learn about our current missions. glenmary.org/missions

News and Publications

Begin following the blogging Glenmarians: Brother David Henley, Fathers Steve Pawelk and Charlie Hughes and Deacon Aaron Wessman. glenmary.org/blogs

Deacon Aaron

Feature Story Ecumenical Effort Is Response to the Times

A new effort in Glenmary’s ecumenical outreach will involve the use of the Internet and social media to bring together Catholics and evangelicals. glenmary.org/ecumenical-effort

Ecumenical outreach

Ministry Opportunities

Bilingual pastoral coordinator/administrator for Glenmary’s mission in Plymouth, N.C.; director of Catholic-evangelical relations. glenmary.org/job-ops Home Mission Prayer Cards for Youth

Age-appropriate prayer cards (grades 1-4 and grades 5-8) can be viewed—and ordered—online. glenmary.org/mission-ed w w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

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NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. Postage PAID Glenmary Home Missioners

photo / dale hanson

Glenmary G l i m p s e / North Carolina mission trip

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ary Beth Gawne (left) and local volunteer Eleanor Bond pack meat for food boxes at the Good Shepherd Food Pantry in Bertie County, N.C., prior to a November 2011 food distribution. The ecumenical food pantry was begun by The Catholic Community of Bertie County (see story on page 15) and serves over 425 families each month.

Mary Beth and four other Glenmary employees from Cincinnati participated in a November trip to the mission county to learn about the area and the ministry efforts of Glenmarians in both Bertie and Washington counties. While there, they volunteered at the food pantry, met mission members and immersed themselves in the local culture.

Catholic Missioners to Rural America

Glenmary Home Missioners P.O. Box 465618 �Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618�