Glenmary Challenge Summer 2013

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

Summer 2013

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When Will the Church Arrive?

Praying, waiting continues

The Changing Face of

Religious Brotherhood Diverse, God-given gifts being used to serve others

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 missions and ministries throughout Appalachia and the South.

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 Jack Henn Brother Curt Kedley, Patrick McEntee, Kathy O’Brien

Glenmary Home Missioners P.O. Box 465618 • Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618 513-874-8900 • 800-935-0975 www.glenmary.org • info@glenmary.org © 2013, Glenmary Home Missioners. Reprint permission granted upon request.

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Gossip and the Good News FROM THE EDITOR / Jean Bach

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ossiping is usually not encouraged. But as you will read on page 7, Catholics in an East Tennessee deanery not only were told on a Saturday in April that it’s good to gossip, but they were also trained in how to do it!

The “Acts 2: Gossiping the Gospel” training day was sponsored by Glenmary’s Commission on Evangelization to help participants deepen their own faith and learn how to talk about their faith and the Good News with their friends, neighbors and coworkers­—the majority of whom are not Catholic. During the day, workshop attendees were given new tools for evangelizing.

During the Year of Faith, which began in October 2012, a special emphasis has been on drawing inspiration from the apostles’ and the early Church’s evangelization efforts. The workshop was based on that inspiration. Today’s New Evangelization calls all Catholics to deepen their faith and respond to their baptismal call to “go forth and proclaim the Gospel.”

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t’s hard to measure the effectiveness of evangelization efforts. But the following story that was shared during the workshop shows the impact such efforts can have on people’s lives.

A member of an East TennesJean Bach see Glenmary mission said he was jbach@glenmary.org talking with someone he hired to cut firewood. In their conversation, the parishioner mentioned the new Catholic church in the county. The woodcutter said he was Catholic but hadn’t been to church for some time­. The parishioner invited him to attend a weekend Mass. He not only attended, but he and his wife also returned to the sacraments and are now active members of the mission.

It’s amazing what a little gossip can do!  about the cover: Since joining Glenmary Brother Levis Kuwa (left) has spent much of his time in the labs and classrooms of the University of Cincinnati pursuing a nursing degree, assisted by instructors like Dr. David Hauber.

In today’s Church, the ministry opportunities for all brothers are diverse and numerous.

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

Summer 2013

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Vo l u m e 7 6 / N u m b e r 2

Cover Story

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The Changing Face of Religious Brotherhood

The ministry options for brothers are broad and diverse. National leaders and Glenmary hope an effort to raise awareness of religious brotherhood will help spread this message and encourage those discerning their vocation to think about brotherhood.

Feature Story

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When Will the Church Arrive?

Catholics living in the home missions continue to wonder when the Church will come to their counties.

It’s a question Glenmarians don’t easily forget.

Mission need, Page 15

Departments & columns

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From the President / Father Chet Artysiewicz

Pope Francis brings gifts to the papacy that resonate strongly with Glenmary, other religious communities.

Glenmary News & Notes

“Come & See” Glenmary missions; Catholics learn to “gossip the Gospel”; new volunteer site opens.

‘Gossiping,’ Page 7

Then & Now

Claxton, Ga., mission’s return to the Diocese of Savannah for continued pastoral care marks end of an era.

Missioner in Action

A social justice thread runs through Father Tim Murphy’s many ministries in Mississippi.

South Georgia, Page 12

Partner in Mission

Lorenzo Ajú moved from Guatemala to answer a call to serve with Glenmary in the home missions.

Final Words / from our readers

Readers share thoughts about working with Glenmary, Coworker, Page 17 Mission Plan 2010 and Father George Mathis.

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from the president / Father Chet Artysiewicz

Celebrating Pope Francis Using his gifts, the new Bishop of Rome will ‘lead us in ways we cannot even imagine’

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hat dramatic changes we have seen in recent months: the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis, the first successor of Peter from Latin America and from the Society of Jesus.

Seemingly, TV commentators were fumbling through papers as they tried to secure some information on Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio, who was not deemed a front-runner in their “papal sweepstakes.” It reminded me of a book I once read titled Surprised by the Spirit.

We are now a few months post-conclave. It is certain that Pope Francis approaches his new ministry with a perspective that is uniquely his own. His experience of life and Church will necessarily differ from that of someone from Asia, Africa or Europe. Whatever his background, each Bishop of Rome relies on the assessments of his brother bishops around the world to convey the specific needs and issues of their locales.

pastors possess the same gifts but each has something to offer. If a pastor has instilled a deeper love for Scripture in his parishioners, they shouldn’t leave that love behind just because his successor raises their consciousness about the poor or the importance of daily prayer or the need to be good stewards of the earth.

It is all spiritual nourishment!

I suspect that we all have been nurtured by a variety of people in our faith journeys. Should it be any different with the spiritual Father Chet leader of our Church?

Artysiewicz Certainly Pope Francis’ imme- cartysiewicz@glenmary.org diate predecessors exhibited vastly different personalities and gifts.

Pope John Paul II made more than 100 formal visits around the world. Who can measure their impact, especially in countries under oppressive regimes or whose existence didn’t register in importance in the eyes of the world? Pope Benedict, on the other hand, is an intellectual and scholar, shy by nature unlike his gregarious predecessor.

But his wisdom is universally respected—especially by Pope John Paul—and will be part of the legacy he bequeaths to the Church.

And now, this latest transition has given us a member of a religious community who hails from Argentina. It’s time for a new beginning.

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fter the white smoke had wafted from the Vatican chimney, some spoke of “hope” and “change.” Perhaps they were looking for a different personality or style, or maybe they were hoping for easier rules. (Human nature seldom asks for harder ones!)

In analyzing my own excitement, I likened the events to a transition in a parish. No two a pope of the people: Pope Francis greets peo-

F CNS photo / Paul Haring

ple after celebrating Mass at St. Anne parish within the Vatican March 17. The new pope greeted every person leaving the small church and then walked over to meet people waiting around St. Anne’s Gate.

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rom the outset Pope Francis has manifested a simple lifestyle and a deep concern for the poor of the world. And I think his choosing the name of the beloved saint of Assisi was not done lightly.

These qualities resonate strongly with Glenmary and other religious communities. I am excited about the gifts Pope Francis will bring to the Church, and I pray we remain open to how he invites us to walk more closely with God. I have a sense he will lead us in ways we cannot even imagine—and once again we will be “surprised by the Spirit.”

Thank you to the Society of Jesus for Pope Francis. And thank you, loyal supporters of Glenmary, for helping us continue our efforts in the mission regions of the United States.  DONATE NOW

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Glenmary

vocations

Potential discerners invited to ‘Come & See’

news &notes

Mission trips offer opportunity for vocation discernment [ohio] “Jesus turned and saw them following him and said to them, ‘What are you looking for?’ They said to him, ‘Rabbi...where are you staying?’ He said to them, ‘Come, and you will see.’”

Jn 1:38-39 This summer, Glenmary’s Vocation Office is hosting two opportunities for men considering a missionary vocation to “Come & See” the home missions firsthand.

In June and July, Brother David Henley will lead Come & See trips to Glenmary mission areas within driving distance of Cincinnati.

These trips provide opportunities for personal and group prayer, and for participants to meet Glenmary priests and brothers and to spend time with other men in discernment.

“We don’t buy homes sight unseen, and very few of us would agree to an arranged marriage without knowing our spouse ahead of time,” he says. w w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

meet glenmary: Participants in a past Come & See mission trip join together for Mass with formation director Father Jerry Dorn presiding. Each year Glenmary’s Vocation Office hosts a number of trips for those exploring a missionary vocation. Trips are scheduled for June 14-17 and July 12-15.

someone takes part in a mission trip but is not ready to make the commitment, “he doesn’t have to sign on the dotted line at the end of the weekend! Participants are encouraged to return home and reflect on the experience.

“We want to give men the opportunity to see our home mission ministry in action,” he says.

“We hope that experience will open their hearts and minds to a possible vocation as a Glenmary priest or brother.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Brother David Henley at 800935-0975 or dhenley@ glenmary.org. For online registration and travel details, visit www.glenmary.org/comeandsee.

“So why would some- joy of missionary life.” one make a commitHe says the trips are ment to join a religious called “Come & See,” community without first not “Come & Buy.” So if learning about it and meeting some of the members?”

Men ages 18-46 are in- d o n o r s e r v ic e s vited to attend the June 14-17 and July 12-15 trips so they can begin to get to Send greetings using Glenmary’s collection know Glenmary.

“In answering a call [ohio] Three redesigned to a Church vocation, special intention cards the person must have a have been added to Glendesire to serve,” Brother mary’s Cards to Celebrate David says. “Through & Remember. The colour Come & See mission lection includes special trips, participants get the intentions cards (Happy opportunity to see first- Occasion, Sympathy, Dif- FOR MORE INFORMAhand the joy our priests ficult Time), all-occasion TION: Call 800-935-0975 and brothers find in their memorial cards, and tra- or visit www.glenmary. org/cards. ministry—and the overall ditional Mass cards.

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Redesigned cards now available

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glenmary

news & notes

continued

p a r t n e r s i n m issi o n

Glenmary donors host event

Around the Missions

Gratitude and education shared at April gathering [illinois] Glenmary supporters in the Naperville, Ill., area joined Mike Prym and Fathers Dominic Duggins and Don Tranel of Glenmary’s Development Office on April 21 at the home of donors Bob and JeanMarie Seidl.

Such gathervisit: Father Dominic talks ings are held in various parts of with Robert the country to and Veronica thank donors for Erxleben.

supporting Glenmary and to introduce others in attendance to the society’s home mission ministry.

According to Mike Prym, assistant development director, the day included Mass, a presentation by Father Dominic and brunch.

“I’m grateful for the Seidls’ generosity in hosting this event,” Mike says. “It was good to personally thank our donors for their support. And we were very happy to share Glenmary’s mission with new friends.”

A Simple Plan That Helps You & Glenmary!

A Glenmary gift annuity contributes to your financial future and helps the home missions.

Securing your future through a gift annuity means: A partially tax-free income • • A charitable deduction • Partnering with Glenmary to serve the spiritual and material needs of rural America.

How Do You Rate?

The following table shows figures based on a one-life annuity of $5,000. Rates are based on the Gift Annuity Rates recommended by the American Council on Gift Annuities.

For more information contact

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

All information is strictly confidential. This information is not legal advice. A future donor should seek the guidance of a qualified estate and/or tax professional to understand the consequences of a gift.

Glenmary gift annuities are not issued in Alabama or Hawaii.

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Age

Rate

Annual Income

50 60 70 80 90

3.7% 4.4% 5.1% 6.8% 9.0%

$185 $220 $255 $340 $450

Summer 2013

 Brother Curt Kedley has been nominated to the North Carolina Community Action Hall of Fame by the Choanoke Area Development Association (CADA).

Brother Curt currently ministers in Bertie County, N.C., home to the Catholic Community of Bertie County. He was nominated because of his service to the CADA board for the past four years.

CADA is a four-county community action agency whose mission is to help low-income citizens achieve self-sufficiency and a better quality of life.  At the 2013 Glenmary General Assembly, Father Dominic Duggins, Father Mike Kerin and Brother David Henley will be honored for their years since professing First Oath. Father Dominic will celebrate 50 years; Father Mike, 30 years; and Brother David, 10 years.  In June, Glenmary will return the Georgia missions of Claxton, Pembroke and Sandhill to the Diocese of Savannah for continued pastoral care. And Sister Janet Fischer, FSPA, who has served most recently as the pastoral associate at the Claxton mission, will complete over 30 years working with Glenmary.  Father Mike Kerin, pastor of the Catholic Community of Bertie County (North Carolina), has been elected to the executive board of the United States Catholic Mission Association to serve as an at-large member for a three-year term.

Country Raffle Online You can now enter Glenmary’s Country Raffle with a couple of clicks of your mouse! Visit www.glenmary.org/raffle and click on the link to the secure entry form. Complete and submit the online form and we’ll take care of the rest! Your tickets will be entered in the drawing that will be held in Cincinnati on Sunday, Sept. 1, 2013.

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photo / kathy o’brien

today’s apostles: Catholics in the Five Rivers Deanery of the Diocese of Knoxville, including members of St. Michael the Archangel mission, gathered on April 6 for a workshop, coordinated by Glenmary’s Commission on Evangelization. c o m m issi o n o n e v a n g e li z a t i o n

Tennessee Catholics encouraged to ‘gossip the Gospel’ Workshop helps participants explore evangelization opportunities in their mission region [tennessee] On Saturday, April 6, Catholics in the Five Rivers Deanery of the Diocese of Knoxville attended a workshop to learn how to gossip—gossip the Gospel, that is.

Glenmary’s Commission on Evangelization (COE) presented “Acts 2: Gossiping the Gospel” at St. Michael the Archangel mission in Erwin. The 21 participants came from parishes in the deanery as well as from St. Michael.

The workshop’s purpose was twofold: to help Catholics living in highly Protestant areas become more comfortable with evangelization and to help participants become familiar with Glenmary and the COE. “We developed the workshop based on the Acts of the Apostles,” says Liz Dudas, chair of the COE and workshop facilitator. “The phrase ‘Acts 2’ refers to w w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

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those living in our missions who are continuing the work of the apostles by spreading the Gospel of Jesus.”

Evaluations of the day were positive. One participant “learned more about Glenmary’s work.” Another said the day provided a “new perspective on how I can become a better gossiper of the Gospel.”

Kathy O’Brien, pastoral associate at St. Michael, opened the day by giving a keynote address that focused on the importance of evangelization in a mission area.

Glenmary pastoral coordinator Susan Sweet and Brother Craig Digmann also made a presentation that explored evangelization and service opportunities in mission areas. Examples included outreach at local nursing homes and organizations that serve those in need.

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Mission pastor Father Tom Charters, with members of the Erwin mission, spoke about developing a “gossiping” Catholic community and shared insights on how they started the new mission community and attracted new members.

To close the workshop, participants reflected and wrote about times in their lives when they felt God’s presence.

“Oftentimes, Catholics in our mission areas are asked if they are ‘saved’ or have ‘accepted Jesus in their lives,’” Liz says. “For Catholics, those are unfamiliar terms and difficult questions to answer.”

The faith stories created at the workshop provided participants with ready answers when they are asked to share their stories of faith.

Liz’s final comment to the group: “We are all missionaries.

Go forth and gossip the Gospel.” 

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m issi o n i m m e r si o n

Volunteer program to launch in East Tennessee Glenmary’s Group Volunteer Program to expand service opportunities in new mission area [ten nessee] Beginning in January 2014, Glenmary’s successful volunteer program at the Glenmary Farm, which has served Lewis County, Ky., for over 40 years, will expand to Grainger County, Tenn.

According to Joe Grosek, director of the volunteer program, nine acres of property have been purchased in Grainger County as a site for the program.

An existing house and a trailer currently on the property can accommodate 12 volunteers and two staff persons. Plans call for eventually building an environmentally friendly living quarters/dormitory on the property for additional housing.

The Tennessee program will be patterned after the existing Kentucky program. High school, college and adult volunteers will spend service hours working in Grainger County and nearby Union County. Participants will be immersed into the local culture and will actively take part

in mission outreach efforts. The volunteers will also have time set aside for community building and prayer—and will have the opportunity to experience living in a simple, non-technologybased environment.

“We will be hosting a few small groups this summer to help us develop the service opportunities in both counties,” Joe says.

The summer volunteers will work at a day camp for local migrant workers’ children, perform home repairs throughout the area, and “tackle anything else that comes up as this new program establishes itself,” he says.

Grainger and Union counties are also home to two of Glenmary’s newest missions, Blessed John Paul II (Rutledge) and Blessed Teresa of Calcutta (Maynardville).

Joe and his family moved to Grainger County in May. With that move, Glenmary’s volun-

follow

the leader in home mission ministry Glenmary Home Missioners

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teer office, previously located in Kentucky, is now headquartered in Tennessee.

Joe will direct both programs and travel between the two sites as needed. He will rely on the yearlong volunteers at each site to handle day-to-day activities.

To launch the Tennessee program, Joe says he will start small, hosting one group a month from January through March 2014 and increasing to two groups a month in April.

“The Glenmary Farm and the Glenmary mission in Vanceburg, Ky., have served Lewis County for over four decades,” Joe says. “During that time, over 20,000 people have participated in the volunteer program. For many, their experiences have been life-changing.

“We hope to create a program in Tennessee that has the same impact on the volunteers who serve the people in this area.”

There is much work to do in the two counties, where the Catholic Church had never been present prior to Glenmary’s arrival in 2011. The poverty rates in the two counties average about 20 percent, with the unemployment rates averaging 10 percent.

“I’m very happy Glenmary’s new mission immersion program will introduce the local culture and people of this beautiful area to future volunteers,” Joe says.

“We’re looking forward to setting down roots in Grainger County.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Those interested in volunteering in Kentucky or Tennessee should contact Joe Grosek at jgrosek@glenmary.org.

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cover story

glenmary brotherhood: Throughout Glenmary’s history, brothers have played a vital role in the society’s ministry efforts. Brothers like Larry Jochim and Vince Wilmes (left) used their building skills in Glenmary’s early years to construct mission churches, rectories and church halls. That building tradition continues within Glenmary today through a number of brothers who are involved in housing and home repair ministries. Since Brother David Henley (right)—who speaks Spanish—joined Glenmary 10 years ago, he has used his language and pastoral ministry gifts to serve immigrants living in mission areas.

The Changing Face of Religious

brotherhood

In the Church and within Glenmary, the ministry possibilities today are ‘limitless’

By Jean Bach

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he face of religious brotherhood has changed in the past four decades. Prior to Vatican II, some brothers served as educators, and others as builders and cooks to care for the domestic needs of their respective communities.

Today, the ministry opportunities for brothers to serve the Church, the people of God, and their communities are continually expanding and include professions in evangelization, education, health care, social work, trades and the arts.

But the face of brotherhood isn’t the only thing that has changed—the number of brothers serving in the United States today is just over 4,500 compared to more than 12,000 in 1965.

Those decreasing numbers have led national religious conferences to join forces. Leaders and representatives of the Religious Brothers Conference (RBC), Conference of Major Superiors of Men (CMSM), Religious Formation Conference (RFC) and

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National Religious Vocation Conference (NRVC) met in November 2012 to brainstorm ways to enhance and promote the vocation to brotherhood and to find ways to reverse the downward trend.

Glenmary Brother Jack Henn—who attended the November meeting and currently serves as second vice president of Glenmary—will be charged with similar tasks when he assumes the presidency of the RBC in July. According to the conference’s mission statement, the national organization of religious brothers works to “promote an awareness of, and the calling of, brothers in the Church and society.”

While he acknowledges that participants in that November meeting, of what has become known as the “Brothers Think Tank,” are facing an “uphill battle,” but adds that he’s encouraged by their efforts.

“This is the first time that all the major conferences in the United States are gathering as one body to address the issue of declining numbers of brothers  Summer 2013

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But defin- tions to serve the home mising a brother’s sions,” he says. “Some candidates ministry is dif- tell me they want to live in community and serve the poor, but ficult.

B r o t h e r not as priests. Brotherhood is a Jack, who has way they can answer their vocabeen a Glen- tional call and serve the people mary brother of God in the home missions.”

Brother David is in a unique for 37 years, c a n’ t c o u n t position. He is a brother servthe number of ing as vocation director for a times he has religious community of priests been asked—by and brothers. Typically a priest Catholics and serves in such a position.

He’s “a wonderful witness of non-Catholics alike—to define brotherhood,” Brother Jack says. his vocation “Brother David brings visibility and ministry. to brotherhood and Glenmary He says those brotherhood at the many events positive trend: Brothers Virgil Siefker, Jack Henn, Craig Digmann and Levis Kuwa (from left) enjoy Brother questions are he attends. I think when men Levis’ 2012 Oath renewal ceremony. In the past 10 years, asked of most meet him and hear him speak about missionary priesthood or brothers. four brothers have joined Glenmary, including Brother his life as a brother, it attracts “ D e f i n i n g Craig and Brother Levis. This positive trend is one that them to the possibilities of servthis ministry Brother Jack, who will assume the presidency of the Reing with Glenmary.” in a one-sizeligious Brothers Conference in July, hopes will continue fits-all way is within Glenmary and on a national level. hen Father William not possible,” Howard Bishop foundsays Brother ed Glenmary in 1939, Jack. “That’s  and to find ways to promote the beauty of brotherhood. It’s a he intentionally created brotherhood as a vocation.” Fu- vocation that allows men to use a mixed society of priests and ture meetings will also include their diverse God-given gifts brothers. Priests were charged representatives from major reli- and talents and to create min- with serving the sacramental gious orders that include broth- istries based on those gifts and and missionary needs found in talents. The opportunities are mission counties while brothers ers in their membership. performed the manual labor.

One of the challenges faced limitless.”

But Glenmary brotherhood by those promoting brotherhat’s the message Brother has evolved through the decades. hood is that brothers are not alDavid Henley shares with Early Glenmary brothers were ways in the public eye. “Brothers those who intypically are not self-promoters quire about and aren’t usually highly visible in their ministries,” Brother Jack a missionary vocation to Glen- outreach: Brother Craig Digmann says says.

“In order for people—includ- mary priesthood or God has blessed him “with a gentle personing men discerning a vocation— brotherhood. As the ality.” He uses this gift to build relationships to better understand broth- society’s vocation in his outreach efforts like volunteering at the erhood, the work of brothers director, he finds Boys and Girls Club in Houston, Miss. needs to go from invisible to vis- inquirers don’t ask ible. That’s what I hope we can nearly as many begin to accomplish through the questions about missionary priestRBC and the Think Tank.”

Catholic religious brothers hood as they do are professed members of reli- about brotherhood.

“I tell men ingious orders who dedicate their lives to serving others, living in terested in serving community and using their gifts with us that within and talents to further the vari- Glenmary there are many ministry opous charisms of their orders.

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‘For people to understand the vocation, the work of brothers needs to go from invisible to visible’ skilled in carpentry, building, plumbing and other trades.

That talented labor force eventually led to the formation of the Brothers’ Building Crew, whose members were responsible for constructing numerous mission worship spaces, rectories and parish centers.

Changes in the Catholic Church in the 1960s allowed brothers and those pursuing brotherhood to take a broader range of academic and theology classes and to focus on other areas of study.

“Glenmary fully embraced this evolution,” Brother David says, “and our brothers expanded their ministries by beginning to serve the missions as nurses, social workers, accountants and office workers.”

Today, that evolution continues. For example, Brother Levis Kuwa, a temporarily professed member, will one day serve the missions as a registered nurse.

He is currently pursuing his degree at the University of Cincinnati.

“People living in our mission counties have a lack of resources available to them,” he says, “including medical resources.” In the past, Glenmary brothers with nursing backgrounds have opened free clinics, provided home health care and worked in nursing homes.

“I hope my presence will mean those living in mission areas will have immediate medical attention and won’t have to travel over 100 miles round-trip to reach the nearest medical professional,” says Brother Levis.

“I’m not sure how I will serve or where my ministry will lead me, but I know there is a desperate need in our missions, and I hope my skills can alleviate that need in some way. I want to make a positive difference in people’s lives.” w w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

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n the past decade, four broth“Being a Glenmary brother ers have joined the society is the answer to the call I felt and two priests have been or- as a young man to dedicate my dained. Ten men are currently life to serving others,” Brother in formation and it’s expected Jack says. “I have been able to that several new men will join the use my gifts in ways that I nevformation program this fall. er dreamed of to help both the “This is a very exciting time Glenmary community and those in Glenmary,” Brother David we serve.” says. “I’m grateful that we have Brother David has been able been and continue to be blessed by the Spirit’s guidance both in our work and in the hearts of those who are discerning a vocation to Glenmary.”

Brother Jack hopes the positive trend that has started in Glenmary will eventually show in Glenmary brothers: Glenmarians­—both priests the national and brothers—bring a wide variety of backgrounds to numbers as their ministries. The Glenmary brothers (above) have well. To that spent their years as missioners providing valuable end, members services, inside or outside the religious community, as of the Think they have proclaimed the Gospel in the home missions.

Ta n k w i l l continue developing and implementing a public relations to live his vocational call “with plan to bring more awareness to men who share the same ideals and values, as we serve the misthe vocation.

As president of the RBC, sions of the United States.

“Twenty years ago, I didn’t Brother Jack hopes to encourage members to become self- know that I was blessed with a promoters so others might see gift for learning languages and and appreciate the beauty of that I would use that gift to betbrotherhood—and might want ter serve the Spanish-speaking to share in that beauty by dedi- Catholics and all those in our cating their lives to the vocation. mission counties.

“I couldn’t foresee that I’d oth Brother Jack and Broth- direct Glenmary’s vocation proer David readily share the gram. But I have been given the spiritual and ministerial opportunities to do both. My life beauty they have found as as a Glenmary brother continGlenmary brothers with those ues to be more rewarding than I ever could have imagined.”  they meet.

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Then & NOW

From Statesboro to Claxton 19 missions established in southeast Georgia counties in seven decades

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hen Glenmary arrived in southeast Georgia in the mid-1940s, there wasn’t one established Catholic Church community in the 130 miles between Augusta and Savannah.

Missioners established St. Matthew in Statesboro, and from that base mission, new missions were established, including St. Christopher in Claxton in 1954.

This summer, St. Christopher—and its satellite missions at Pembroke and Sandhill—will be returned to the care of the Diocese of Savannah, and Glenmary’s era in southeast Georgia will end.

Glenmary, true to its missionary nature, has moved on to southwest Georgia to minister in Early and Randolph counties, areas without an effective Catholic Church presence.

Where there were no Catholic churches over 70 years ago, there stand today 19 former Glenmary missions that, according to Father Michael Smith of the Diocese of Savannah, “gather each Sunday, most often with Masses in both English and Spanish, to be nourished by the Word of God and Bread of Life. Now a Catholic salt and leaven is present, alive and growing....”

 1954: Priests from the mission in Statesboro, Ga.,

began visiting Catholics in nearby Claxton and celebrating Mass in the local American Legion hall. Claxton and the Claxton Bakery are nationally known for fruit cake production. Masses were later held at the Tos Theater, owned by fruit cake baker Savino Tos.

 1959: St. Christopher Church was dedicated on

June 14 by Bishop Gerald O’Hara of the Diocese of Savannah. The following year, St. Christopher became a base mission from which missions in Lyons and Glennville grew.

 1960: Father George

Mathis (back, right) became the first pastor of St. Christopher. In his five years there, he integrated the mission community, making it the first such parish in the Diocese of Savannah. A mission was also established in Pembroke in nearby Bryan County. Father George welcomed all people to the missions, no matter their color or denomination.

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 1976: Mission pastors Fathers Richard Steincamp,

James Wilmes and Bill Smith (above) continued to build on Father George’s outreach efforts during their time in Claxton. The community continued to grow and serve those living in the county.

 2004: Father Brian LaBurt celebrates

Mass for the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

For more than two decades, the number of Spanish-speaking Catholics has increased dramatically in the Claxton area. As a result, Our Lady of Guadalupe mission in Sandhill was established as the first Catholic church in Long County. The mission began as a satellite of the mission in Glennville, and later as a mission out of Claxton.

 2011: Since becoming a senior member in 2002,

Father Ed Gorny has served the Claxton and Pembroke missions “however I’m needed,” including leading Scripture study classes.

See More Online Visit www.glenmary.org/summerthenandnow to view slide shows featuring images of three additional missions that are being returned to the pastoral care of their respective dioceses. Those missions include: Holy Cross (Pembroke) and Our Lady of Guadalupe (Sandhill) to the Diocese of Savannah, Ga.; and St. Francis of Assisi (Aberdeen) to the Diocese of Jackson, Miss.

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 2013: Sister Janet Fischer has ministered

as a pastoral associate in Glenmary missions—including Claxton—for over 30 years.

Among other things, she has prepared many young people for the sacraments, including those in the confirmation class above.

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missioner in action / by Margaret Gabriel

Action on behalf of justice Missioner’s ministry rooted in Glenmary hallmarks: outreach and service

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photo / courtesy St. Luke Mission

ather Tim Murphy wears many hats as a Glenmary missioner: pastor of St. Christopher mission in Pontotoc, Miss.; co-convener of the Glenmary Commission on Justice; director of Camp Glenmary; prison chaplain; sacramental minister. All of these diverse roles, are rooted in the ministry of outreach and service, which he calls “real hallmarks of Glenmary.”

Father Tim, who has served missions in northeast Mississippi since 1994, sees his ministry in Pontotoc as a continuation of the work of Glenmary pastors who came before him. Father Wil Steinbacher helped establish an atmosphere of hospitality and welcome in the mid-1980s.

And in the 1990s, the mission began outreach to members of the local Hispanic community under the guidance of Father Steve Pawelk and Brother Joe Steen.

“I see myself as the third generation of Glenmary here in Pontotoc, and I’m building on what came before me,” Father Tim says. “My challenge is to find ways to meet the needs of the people today.” One way he has met that challenge is hiring Walter Fircowycz as the mission’s pastoral associate “to do for the immigrant community what was done for Anglos in the past.”

Father Tim laughs as he describes the traffic jam in the St. Christopher parking lot on Sunday mornings. “It looks like downtown Las Vegas!” as those who attended the 8 a.m. English Mass leave and mississippi pastor: Father those attending Tim Murphy, pastor of Glenthe 9:15 Spanmary’s mission in Pontotoc, ish Mass arrive.

Miss., baptizes one of the newest “The people members of St. Luke mission in interact as they Bruce. Father Tim serves St. Luke pass, and evenas sacramental minister. tually, friend14

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ship will grow as they connect with each other,” he says.

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onnections are also made among the youth who attend Camp Glenmary near Amory, Miss., each June. The program, directed by Father Tim for more than a decade, serves underprivileged and Catholic youth in northeast Mississippi.

During two weeks of the month, Camp Friendship welcomes children who are in the foster-care system and those from low-income families. The remaining two weeks are devoted to Catholic Camp, which gives Catholic children the opportunity to join with their Catholic peers and experience the uniqueness of not being in the minority, a rarity in a region of few Catholics.

Just as Father Tim says his ministry at the mission is a continuation of work started by Father Wil, Father Steve and Brother Joe, he cites the work of Father Larry Goulding and lay coworkers when talking about Camp Glenmary.

“It’s a privilege to build on their work. They reflect Glenmary’s missionary efforts in rural areas where the Catholic population is small.

It’s important to be people of service, meeting unmet needs as witnesses of the Gospel. That’s the reason the camp has been successful.”

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thread of social justice runs through all of Father Tim’s ministries, as well as in his role as co-convener of Glenmary’s Commission on Justice (COJ). It was his initial connection with the COJ that led him to join Glenmary in 1992.

The commission’s work is based on the principles of Catholic social teaching. Father Tim describes its mission as fostering action on behalf of justice, which he says is transformational and an essential in the life of the Church.

Father Tim’s commitment to the Gospel and fidelity to justice is further illustrated through his affirmation of prisoners’ worth and dignity in his prison chaplaincy.

“Action on behalf of social justice is important,” he says. “It’s important to know it, to believe it and to do it. It’s important to move to places of justice and help people connect to a  more just world.”

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feature story

catholic population: Members of Glenmary’s Mission Planning Committee use, among other information, data and maps to determine where future missions might be established. The map above shows the percentage of Catholics in county populations. The green hues covering the South and Appalachia indicate less than 5 percent Catholic.

When?

Catholics living in counties without a Catholic Church presence continue to wonder when the Church will come to their counties.

The answer for some arrives with Glenmary; others must pray and wait.

By Father Vic Subb and Brother David Henley

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wo Glenmarians, serving as members of Glenmary’s Mission Planning Committee, visited a county in the South in 2010 with no Catholic church. The site visit was part of the committee members’ work of identifying new mission areas that Glenmary could possibly serve over the next 10 years.

They met with the county administrator, who assured them there were no Catholics in his county and that their services were not needed.

As they left the county building, a woman ran after them. She told them that she was, indeed, Catholic. But she explained that she was scared w w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

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to speak up during the initial meeting for fear of losing her job. She occasionally attended Mass in a nearby county and wasn’t sure if there were any other Catholics living in the county besides her and her family.

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nfortunately, her story is not unique among Catholics living in home mission areas not yet being served by Glenmary. Life for these folks often means not being able to share with coworkers and friends that they are Catholic because they are fearful.

And for some, it means being unable to go  Summer 2013

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Everyone was excited. There were Catholics in Bledsoe County!  to Mass or receive the sacraments since the

nearest church is many miles away in another county—whether for lack of transportation, or physical limitations, or other obstacles.

Those who practice their faith are committed and able to travel the long distance to attend weekly Mass. But because of the distance, they are not able to fully participate in the faith community or become involved in parish ministries.

They are real heroes as they work hard to keep and live their faith. But even they admit that the lack of support and community makes maintaining their faith difficult.

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he ambition of Glenmary and the dream of every Glenmarian is to establish a Catholic presence in every county of the United States.

In 1939, Father William Howard Bishop, Glenmary’s founder, wrote that the “conversion of America to the Church of Jesus Christ is, consciously or unconsciously, the cherished wish of every fervent Catholic in these United States.”

Today, there are over 300 counties in the southern United States without a Catholic congregation or a resident Catholic minister. The majority of these counties are located in the rural areas already being served by Glenmary priests, brothers and lay coworkers.

Since Glenmary’s founding, missioners have sought out the forgotten areas of the United States and have worked to establish a Catholic Church presence. The Mission Planning Committee continues that search today. In addition to on-site visits, they use statistical data and other relevant information to determine the mission need in counties and to make recommendations.

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ne county that fits Glenmary’s mission criteria is Bledsoe County, located in the Diocese of Knoxville. The county doesn’t have a Catholic church, 21 percent of the county’s population of 12,792 live below poverty level, and 77 percent of the populaGlenmary Mission Criteria tion claim no religious af• Little or no Catholic presence in the county. filiation.

In 2011, • High percentage of the county’s Father Vic population are unchurched (claiming no religious affiliation).

Subb and Father Mike • High percentage of the county’s popKerin of ulation live below the poverty level. the Mission 16

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Planning Committee visited the county to get a firsthand feel for the needs in the area and to meet the people.

The missioners organized a meeting to introduce themselves to local Catholics and discuss the possibility of establishing a church in the county. They put notices in local newspapers and in bulletins of Catholic churches in surrounding counties, inviting interested Catholics to attend.

The meeting was held at the Methodist church in the county seat of Pikeville. Father Vic and Father Mike didn’t know how many—if any—people would attend. They were astounded to have more than 30 people participate.

Everyone was excited. There were Catholics in Bledsoe County! Over and over the priests heard residents say to each other, “I didn’t think there were any other Catholics in our county.”

People listened eagerly as the priests explained Glenmary’s mission of establishing a Catholic presence in counties where the Church is not effectively present. The most common question the missioners heard was, “Do you think that we may have our own Catholic church here someday?”

One woman said she wished her grandson could go to church. “We need to get him baptized,” she said.

But with no church, where would this happen?

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n the past two years, Glenmary has accepted invitations from two dioceses to staff five new mission counties in Tennessee and Georgia.

That’s good news for those living in Grainger, Union, Unicoi and Clay counties in Tennessee and Early and Randolph counties in Georgia.

But for Catholics in Bledsoe County, the news is not good. They still don’t have a Catholic church. Although this county, and many like it, fits Glenmary’s mission criteria, there are not yet enough financial resources or personnel (priests, brothers, lay coworkers) to staff every county in need.

Today, Father Vic continues to reflect on that question asked at the informational meeting over a year ago: “Do you think that we may have our own Catholic church here someday?”

He, and all Glenmarians, continue to heed Father Bishop’s call to “go into the forgotten and neglected places, the no-priest land, the no-Catholic land of America, to accept as bases of operation the little borderline parishes that nobody wants and from them to build up little outposts and parishes where now no hope of them exists.”

And one day, we Glenmarians pray, Bledsoe County will be one of those places.  DONATE NOW

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Partner in mission / by Dale Hanson

‘Accepted, loved and respected’ Coworker calls move from Guatemala to serve the home missions a blessing

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former teacher and a human development coordinator in rural Guatemala, Lorenzo, 52, came to the United States because he felt a strong calling to Glenmary, even though he had a good job. His brother Luis, who served for years as a Glenmary multicultural worker, told Lorenzo about his own ministry in U.S. rural areas.

“I thought I’d love the work,” says Lorenzo, “so I gave him my resume. In 2005, Glenmary offered him a job. He, his wife, and his three sons and daughter were not eager to leave their home and friends, he says. But his calling led them to make the move. “I know it was God’s plan, and it has been a blessing for us all.”

The family first settled in Eupora, where he served the small, diverse mission and county as a multicultural worker while also completing his pastoral studies degree.

“In my last job in Guatemala, we worked on specific, concrete projects. But in my new ministry, I learned a major challenge was motivating people in their faith.” w w w. g l e n m a r y. o r g

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Glenmary returned the Eupora mission to the care of the Diocese of Jackson in 2012, and Lorenzo moved on to become the Hispanic minister serving the Houston mission with outreach to Vardaman. (The diocese eventually closed the Eupora mission.)

After moving, he was later asked to make preparations for the funeral of a former Eupora parishioner. “At the funeral Mass in Houston, I saw the familiar faces from Eupora, and it struck me that even though the mission was closed, the strong Catholic faith and spirit of community lived on in those people I knew and cared about.”

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n his role as Hispanic minister in Houston and Vardaman, Lorenzo posed a challenge to the Hispanic mission members. “I told them that this is our church and we are all members of the Body of Christ, so all of us need to do whatever we can for this community.” He says there has been a noticeable increase in their participation since then.

Now as pastoral coordinator, he’s ultimately responsible for leading the entire mission—which means serving the spiritual and material needs of all people in this impoverished area. He’s confident that parishioners will continue contributing their talents and assume leadership roles to help meet the needs.

“I am asking all the members of the mission to take on more responsibility,” says Lorenzo.

“We all need Ajú family: Lorenzo and his to be God’s in- wife Nicolasa pose with chilstruments in dren Magda and José, college s h a r i n g t h e students, and Luis, a high G o o d N e w s school student. Missing from with the people the photo is college graduate around us.”  Lorenzo, Jr. photo / jovanni hernandez

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orenzo Ajú was welcomed as the new pastoral coordinator at Glenmary’s Houston, Miss., mission on April 1. In fact, since Lorenzo came from his native Guatemala eight years ago, he has spent his whole pastoral ministry career with Glenmary. Previously, he served as a multicultural worker at the Eupora, Miss., mission, then as a Hispanic minister in Hous‘We all need to ton and nearby Vardaman.

Glenmary senior member be God’s instru- Father Bob Dalton believes he knows why Lorenzo has made ments in sharan impact on the people in Glening the Good mary’s mission areas.

News with the “What I see is a very caring, loving, thoughtful person,” says people around Father Bob, who serves as a sacus.’ ramental minister in Houston and Vardaman. “All those qualities go a long way in pastoral ministry. Lorenzo is well accepted, loved and respected by the people he serves.” From Father Bob’s perspective, he’s always very prepared and professional.

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final words / from our readers

Ministry, missioners remembered Past issues spark readers’ memories of mission experiences and a Glenmary priest grace and remembrance

i was moved by Father Dan Dorsey’s fine feature, “Responding to the Signs of the Times,” in the Winter 2012 issue. It explained the establishment of a Mission Planning Committee that envisioned Mission Plan 2010.

My mental door of memories opened. Grace flooded my spirit as I reflected on my mission as a Dubuque (Iowa) diocesan priest permitted to serve with Glenmary for two years in Mt. Pleasant, Texas, at St. Michael mission.

What a fruitful and exciting time it was working with the Glenmary missioners and the Glenmary sisters who were living in Mt. Vernon and serving the whole area. After a year, I moved to Pittsburg (Texas) where we opened the first-ever Catholic chapel in the area.

My priesthood has never been so richly blessed in such a short time as when I was working with Glenmary. Thanks, Father Dan Dorsey, for opening this grace of ‘I would like to remembrance for me. express my gratiBless this tude to Glenmary new vision of for their generous Mission Plan 2 0 1 0 . Ma y service to the rural our vision be South.’ on Jesus, who leads us all into a new future, a new year of grace with memories to live into new realities.

Father Lloyd Paul Ouderkirk Hazel Green, Wis. 18

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new territory: A priest from the Archdiocese of Dubuque,

Iowa, remembers being part of the mission team that opened the “first-ever Catholic chapel” in Pittsburg, Texas. The chapel later became Holy Cross Catholic Church. inspiring priest

i was saddened to read of the death of Father George Mathis (“Missioner, Craftsman, Artist,” Winter 2012). I became acquainted with Father George while doing some public relations work in about 1969.

Whether our work was at all helpful to Glenmary, only God can say but it was my personal introduction to your society.

Thus it was the beginning of what has ever since been my admiration of your missionary endeavors and extreme admiration for Father George, who was one of the most inspiring priests I’ve ever known.

Bill Cahill Wheaton, Ill. grateful appreciation

i appreciated Father Chet Artysiewicz’s column in the Winter 2012 Glenmary Challenge (“A Savior Born for Us All”). I was

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privileged to minister in Amory, Miss., for 26 years, much of that with Glenmary. It was a challenging and Spirit-filled experience sharing life and faith in the rural South.

I have great gratitude to all the Glenmary missioners whom I have known throughout the years. And I would like to express my gratitude to Glenmary for their generous service to the rural South.

Sister Marie Gilligan Convent Station, N.J. Readers’ Views welcome! Send comments to: Editor, Glenmary Challenge, P.O. Box 465618, Cincinnati, OH 45246 at challenge@ glenmary.org.

Comments are printed at the discretion of the editor and may be edited for clarity and space.

Please include a postal address.

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w w w.glenmary.org t h e w e b s i t 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

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Read the latest news from the Glenmary Farm in Joe Grosek’s Vanceburg View. glenmary.org/vanceburgview

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Feature Story Anna’s Easter Story

Anna says entering the Catholic Church this past Easter at Glenmary’s mission in Bruce, Miss., was the best decision she’s ever made. glenmary.org/anna

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Three newly redesigned cards have been added to the Cards to Celebrate & Remember collection. View them and remember someone special today! glenmary.org/cards Electronic Glenmary Challenge

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Glenmary G l i m p s e / Vocation retreat

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n March, Brother David Henley (left), Glenmary’s vocation director, and Father Dominic Duggins (right), the director of the Development Office, traveled to Kenya to host a vocation retreat for men interested in applying to Glenmary’s formation program. Two students, Richard Toboso (center) and Charles Aketch, were accepted into the program and, upon receiving visas, will travel to the United States to begin formation. While in Kenya, Brother David and Father Dominic also had an opportunity to travel to local villages to visit with students’ families.

Catholic Missioners to Rural America

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