Glenmary Challenge Autumn 2020

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

G L E N M A R Y. O R G AUTUMN 2020

Ready to Serve

A TWO-WAY MOUNTAIN ROAD

Volunteer spirit changes lives

CONFRONTING RACISM

Responding with love to a broken world

The New Normal

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

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

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

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

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

It seems we will continue dealing with COVID-19 for some time. In many ways we’ve entered a state of a “new normal.”

We wear masks anywhere we interact with others to protect them and ourselves. We’re still washing our hands like crazy. We’re limiting trips out. Ministry in the missions is still limited but Glenmarians’ ever-creative approach has led our priests, brothers and volunteers to continue serving in meaningful ways. They have found a way to keep going.

Like Glenmary missioners, we too must keep going. How can we do this? We can consider the disruption to our daily lives as a sacrifice and offer it up to God. We can pray, not just for an end to the pandemic that we all hope for, but also for the strength to endure it. And we can find ways to support the sometimes-heroic efforts of our missioners.

Think about the apostles after Jesus’ death on the cross. Initially they hid, locking themselves in an upper room. But when the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon them, they went forth and proclaimed the gospel. God is with us now as he was with those early Christians.

Now the apostles didn’t have a pandemic to deal with, true enough. We need to go forth into this world while maintaining social distance. But the point remains that we aren’t excused from living the gospel, even in pandemic times. Perhaps our witness is needed now more than ever.

As missioners and parishioners all work to find their “new normal” let us remember to pray for and support each other. We’re apart in many ways, but we remain united in Christ.

GLENMARY HOME MISSIONERS P.O. Box 465618 · Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618 513-874-8900 · 800-935-0975 · challenge@glenmary.org © 2020, Glenmary Home Missioners.

Reprint permission granted upon request.

ON THE COVER: Newly ordained Deacon Samuel Mungai is all smiles and suited for ministry in Appalachia and the Deep South. Today he sports a new cowboy hat to match his love of country ministry—and music. (Photo by John Feister)

VOLUME 83

NUMBER 3

Ready to Serve

Three men profess Final Oath to Glenmary and are ordained to the diaconate. It’s a sign of the times at Holy Family mission parish.

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CONFRONTING RACISM

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A TWO - WAY MOUNTAIN ROAD

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WISE MISSIONER

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BY JOHN FEISTER

Glenmary priests, brothers and lay staff work for racial equality in the missions and beyond—as they have for decades.

Whether it’s for a family whose home is fixed, or the volunteers doing the fixing, the relationships created can change lives.

60 years a Glenmarian, Father Dennis Holly has worked for ecumenism. Scripture and liturgy’s common ground is his key.

Publisher: Father Dan Dorsey Editor: John Stegeman Asst. Editor: John Feister Art Director: Cassie Magnotta

Planning-Review Board: Br. Craig Digmann, Fr. Dave Glockner, Br. David Henley, Lucy Putnam, Fr. Don Tranel, Fr. Aaron Wessman

photo by pixabay

A Lesson From the Weeds FROM THE PRESIDENT / Father Dan Dorsey “A flower is small, like the small, isolated groups that we minister to…so small a flower is easily overlooked on the roadside. You hardly see it as you pass by. But pick it and examine it, it becomes a thing of beauty…”

—Father William Howard Bishop, Glenmary Founder

Is it a weed or a flower?

Your response might depend on your perspective.

If you are a gardener like me you may see a weed, but if you are like Father Bishop you may see a thing of beauty.

So what constitutes a weed? Isn’t it simply a plant that doesn’t belong in a defined space?

Have you ever driven past a field covered with blooming dandelions and been moved by how lovely they are? And then a few hours later you are home, ridding your garden of the very plant you earlier admired!

I have spent many an hour pondering this conundrum of weeds. My conclusion? You may not like them, but you sure do have to admire them.

Sometimes even plants that you do want may be4

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come weedy. If you plant a species of mint in your garden, it will spread like wildfire and become a weed for you. Japanese maple, a splendid specimen tree, seeds prolifically. If you don’t want the tree coming up all over your yard, you might consider the seedlings weeds.

Then there are those plants which most of us would agree are weeds (e.g. crabgrass) and yet even crabgrass possesses many attributes that you cannot help but admire. Little water—no problem! Just a small crack in the pavement—no problem! Excessive and prolonged heat—no problem!

Weeds have much to teach us.

Glenmary’s mission ministry has much in common with weeds! We are called to go and grow in the most inhospitable of situations. For this we need to be tenacious! We are impelled to leave the 99 and go after the lost one. Like Father Bishop, we search out beauty that often goes unnoticed and overlooked.

Just a few weeks ago Brother Craig Digmann settled in Hartsville (Trousdale County), Tenn., in the Nashville Diocese and became the first Catholic ministe-

glenmary news & notes First Communions continue

sac rament s / Innovation keeps day special

After delaying First Communion for more than three months, a group of

young men and women at St. Teresa of Kolkata in Union County, Tenn., were finally able to celebrate.

The 17 communicants were just the second group to receive their First

Communion in the newly constructed church. The building was dedicated on Feb. 2 of last year by Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville.

In the Diocese of Knoxville, public Mass was suspended because of the

coronavirus on March 20. Masses resumed May 30 with restrictions. St. Teresa of Kolkata staff took a bevy of precautions to make sure this year’s First Communion Mass was safe and special for all involved.

The parish moved the date to a Saturday liturgy to avoid Sunday crowds.

Also, the number of people each communicant could bring to the Mass was limited, and rows of chairs were spaced farther apart than usual. Masks

were worn by all in attendance and social distancing practiced. For the distribution of the Precious Blood, each child was given their own small metal chalice, which they got to keep as a gift.

“I wanted it to be special and memorable and no pandemic was going

to stop us from sharing the Body of Christ with these kiddos,” said Father Neil Pezzulo, pastor. “We made the best of a difficult situation and each person was able to celebrate.”

photo by st. teresa of kolkata facebook page

rial presence in that county. Brother Craig’s charge is to establish a House of Hospitality for our many men in formation and to scout out possible ministerial opportunities for them in the future. Nearby is the largest prison in the state. Imagine the missionary ministry that can take place in this facility!

Sometime after the first of the year, Father Don Tranel will move to Carthage (Smith County), Tenn., which is also in the Nashville Diocese. Like Brother Craig, his will be the first Catholic ministerial presence in that county. Slowly but surely Father Don will gather folks for worship with an eye to one day (10 years from now?) building a church. Until then, the gatherings will be held in such places as homes and storefronts.

Some may look at these two counties and wonder why would we send a brother and a priest to such remote areas. We in Glenmary gaze upon them and see people who are often overlooked and excluded, and who are beautiful. Father Bishop said it best when in 1936 he observed, “these people are God’s creatures and our brethren and fellow citizens… they are hungering for the truths of the Gospel and they have a claim upon us.”

Indeed, where others see weeds, Glenmary sees flowers.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Is it a weed or a flower? Ministry to rural Appalachia sometimes involves looking at beauty in a new way. RIGHT: Seventeen youths in Union County, Tenn., received their First Communion amid the pandemic.

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House expanding

formation / More space needed Glenmary’s robust formation pro-

gram has necessitated the expansion of its House of Studies campus

located near St. Meinrad Seminary in St. Meinrad, Ind.

Five students currently reside in the

house, but Post-Novitiate Director Fa-

ther Bruce Brylinski said an additional eight students are expected in 2021. To

photo by john feister

accommodate the need a new modu-

Record novice class for Glenmary

lar home unit will be constructed behind the current house, in-between the

chapel and garage. It will serve as the new dining room and kitchen for Fa-

ther Bruce and the students. The build-

ing will also have a TV room and two additional units for guests.

Glenmary’s House of Studies is

home to students who are post-no-

f or m at ion / 5 men make up largest group in 11 years

vitiate and undergoing education to-

The Glenmary Home Missioners have five men discerning with the society

erhood. Glenmary students currently

as novices this year, the most since 2009.

The novices—Joseph Maundu, Thomas Nguyen, Fredrick Ochieng’, Cavine

Okello and Cyrus Samba—are among 11 men in formation for Glenmary.

For the novices, this year is a time for each to discern more deeply their

call to the Glenmary way of life. They are granted time for prayer, study of

Glenmary history, and spend time serving in a mission. At the end of this

ward missionary priesthood or broth-

living in the house attend St. Meinrad Seminary, Brescia University and Vincennes University.

Father Bruce said construction

should be complete by Dec. 8.

year, the men seek to have greater clarity to their call as missioners. The conclusion of the novitiate year normally leads to First Oath.

into the challenges of the novitiate year,” said Glenmary co-Novitiate Direc-

tor Father Steve Pawelk. “Each of them brings a unique history, spirituality and personal gifts as potential Glenmary missioners. I am impressed with their care for each other and the deep enthusiasm they bring.”

In August the men left the novitiate house for the mission placement

portion of their year.

ABOVE: Father Steve Pawelk, far right, and Father Tom Kirkendoll lead Glenmary’s novices. RIGHT: Construction is underway on an additional housing unit at the House of Studies in St. Meinrad., Ind.

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photo by father bruce brylinski

“These five men have demonstrated a sense of sincerity and joy to enter

ar o und t he m i ssions • St. Michael the Archangel in Unicoi County, Tenn., partnered with St. Mary’s food pantry and Second Harvest to distribute food to more than 121 families in need.

photo by john feister

• Glenmary Brother Craig Digmann began a new ministry in Trousdale County, Tenn. on Sept. 7. It will combine a creative missionary approach and provide a place for students to stay during mission experiences. Trousdale County has never had a Catholic ministry presence.

Walls are up at St. John Paul II

m i s s ion g r ow t h / Church slated for completion by Easter It had all of the looks of an Amish barnraising but this September 4 event was a “church raising.” It was the result of weeks of planning and construc-

tion by Glenmary Brother Joe Steen and his crew. The new building for St. John Paul II parish in Rutledge, Tenn., is a mostly volunteer construction effort (with exceptions for concrete pouring, roofing cranes, etc.).

Labor comes from parishioners, friends and folks from the Glenmary

• Father François Pellisier has been unable to visit Catholics at Valdosta Prison in Georgia since the outbreak of COVID-19. In the meantime, he is working to digitally connect incarcerated Catholics to the universal Church by livestreaming the ordination Mass of new Diocese of Savannah Bishop Stephen Parkes at the prison.

• St. John Paul II Catholic Church in Rutledge, Tenn., has hired Clarisa Chavarria as a pastoral associate. She will assist in serving the local Catholic minority, fostering cooperation with other local churches, evangelization, social outreach and social justice.

• St. Teresa of Kolkata, in Maynardville, Tenn., has opened a computer lab which will be available three days a week to all area high school students.

derway for some months. Brother Joe and friends assembled the walls and

had them all in place when the volunteers arrived early Saturday morning.

One wall at a time, the volunteers lined up, and on Brother Joe’s call, lifted the wall into place.

Some of the pros in the crowd then set to lining things up just right with

sledgehammers and muscle power, then screwed braces into place (pastor Father Neil Pezzulo was on the brace crew). The braces will hold things in place until the roof construction is complete in October. After the church is “under roof,” windows will be installed and interior construction will begin.

ABOVE: Parishioners raise walls for the new St. John Paul II church. Brother Joe Steen (back) called the shots. RIGHT: Father Neil Pezzulo made a study hall in St. Teresa’s narthex, with good wireless access, in solidarity with the local community.

Autumn 2020 GLENMARY CHALLENGE

photo by st. teresa of kolkata facebook page

volunteer program at nearby Joppa Mountain. Construction has been un-

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photo by clay banks

This commonly used phrase echoes a statement made by Pope Paul VI, “If you want peace, work for justice.”

Confronting Racism

Glenmary priests, brothers and lay staff work for equality in the missions and beyond. story by john stegeman

photo by true citizen

If anything defined the summer of 2020 besides the coronavirus, it was the cry for racial justice. It is a cry that has long been answered by Glenmary missioners.

A well-known Glenmary photograph shows a young Father Chet Artysiewicz standing alone in protest of the Ku Klux Klan. The image has inspired many Glenmarians since.

“The witness of Father Chet standing up to the KKK is inspiring to me,” said Brother Jason Muhlenkamp.

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“We’re on the forefront of social justice. We don’t take that lightly.”

After the infamous killing of George Floyd, Glenmary reaffirmed its commitment to racial justice by rereleasing its Decree on Racism, first issued in 2015.

“We, as a community, grieve the death of George Floyd, and deplore the actions that led to his death,” read part of an accompanying statement. “We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in peaceful protest of this tragic event, and many others like it, and recognize the sin of racism that still exists in our society, and in us as individuals.”

The full decree can be read at Glenmary.org/ racial-justice.

LEFT: Glenmary Father Chet Artysiewicz protests the Ku Klux Klan in Waynesboro, Ga., in 1987. Glenmary missioners stand up for the rights of all people within their mission territories.

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Martin County, N.C. Father John Brown is pastor of Glenmary’s Holy Trinity mission in Williamston, N.C. Like Blakely, Ga., the city has an African American majority. After the Floyd killing, activists in the city held several protests, and Father John made a point to attend one, even addressing the crowd. In addition to speaking at the rally, Father John spoke about racism from the pulpit.

“I remember the emotions of preaching (about race) in church and being nervous about it, then being gratified by the congregation having a positive reaction,” he said.

Father John is involved with Martin County Community Unity, which has held discussions on race relations, and he attended a meeting with local ministers.

At the meeting, two ministers with primarily Black congregations shared that they instruct young people in their church how to behave to survive an encounter with police. That view was echoed by Black parishioners at Holy Trinity.

“There are four African-Americans in our church and I checked in with them,” Father John said. “All of them had the reaction that this could have happened to their child. I thought, ‘Wow.’ That really shocked me.”

Father John sees a path forward in continued interaction between people of different races.

“In a lot of places people live together and work together but there’s very little inviting each other over for birthdays and such,” he said. “We mix but we don’t get to know each other. We need each other. We’re all part of the body of Christ.”

Corporate Commitment In addition to reissuing its Decree on Racism, Glenmary continues to work for racial justice with its Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation Commission headed by Tom Navin.

Tom serves on the Archdiocese of Cincinnati Anti-Racism Task Force, which hosted its meetings at Glenmary headquarters before the pandemic. The task force put on a program about White Privilege before the pandemic and has continued to host events digitally via Zoom.

Tom said continuing to educate oneself about issues of race is crucial, and he lauded Glenmary’s commitment to racial justice.

“I think our position on racism is very much like our position on serving in the missions,” he said. “Everybody is equal, everybody gets served.”

BELOW: Brother Jason Muhlenkamp, second from right, ministers in diverse Early County, Ga. Part of his ministry includes breaking down barriers that separate people.

photo by brother jason muhlenkamp

photo by clay banks

Early County, Ga. Brother Jason ministers in the now-diverse Early County, Ga., where Blakely is the county seat. The county, amidst southeast Georgia’s peanut and cotton crops, was the site of the second-most lynchings in state history, behind Atlanta’s Fulton County.

Father Mike Kerin and Brother Jason are members of the Early County Area Ministerial Fellowship. In July the fellowship adopted a statement, authored by Father Mike, standing against prejudice and encouraging “the people of Early County to build a world based on love instead of hatred or fear.”

Brother Jason has participated in panels, workshops, and informal conversations designed to foster the difficult conversations about race in rural America.

“We try to break down barriers to understanding but it’s hard to talk about race here,” he said. “If you have a relationship built beforehand those conversations are a lot easier to start. I try to educate myself and listen.

I try not to get caught in debates, but to make debates into dialogue.”

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Ready to Serve

Three men profess Final Oaths to Glenmary and are ordained to the diaconate. It’s a sign of the times at Holy Family mission parish. story+ photos by john feister

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“Come, grow with us!” Those could be the words of welcome at Final Oaths liturgy and Ordination Mass this past June at Glenmary’s Holy Family Catholic Church in Lafayette, Tenn. Normally a crowded, joyous event, this time it was limited by pandemic restrictions. But it was joyous nonetheless. Three men who have been in training for years were welcomed to promise a lifelong commitment to their fellow Glenmarians. The next day they were ordained to the diaconate, a year ahead

“When my brother told me about there being no Catholic Mass where he was, that kind of moved my heart.”

José Carlos, during his Final Oath ceremony, receives from Father Dan a home-made wooden cross. The simple cross helps the Glenmarians witness in areas where there are few Catholics.

—Deacon José Carlos

of priestly ordination. The three are Samuel Mungai and Kenneth Wandera, both of Kenya, and José Carlos Miguel Lopez, the first Glenmarian of Hispanic origin.

“I’m making history in Glenmary!” says José Carlos, beaming. From a small town himself, in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, he is drawn to Glenmary’s small town ministry. The same could be said of Kenneth, who’s from a small town in western Kenya. Samuel is from Nakuru, the fourth largest city in Kenya.

For José Carlos, it was hearing of his own brother’s experience as an agricultural worker in rural Alabama that brought him to Glenmary. “When my brother told me about there being no Catholic Mass where he was, that kind of moved my heart,” he explains. When Glenmary Father Vic Subb came to visit Chiapas, José Carlos saw a way forward. “I said, well, if I’m a Glenmarian I can serve these small towns where people perhaps don’t speak any English.” Much like our German, Irish or Italian priests and brothers of yesteryear, his heart is moved by so many immigrants in need.

So Friday night, June 26, José Carlos, Samuel and Kenneth stood before Glenmary President Father Dan Dorsey in front of the altar at Holy Family, with Brother Larry Johnson as official witness. The three younger men have been in formation for years; now they take their oaths, before God and the Church: “I...do solemnly promise and swear before God to dedicate myself for my whole life to the missionary apostolate in the

The men removed COVID-19 masks to pledge Final Oath. Here Kenneth swears to dedicate his “whole life for the missionary apostolate,” witnessed by Brother Larry Johnson (back).

After his Ordination, Samuel symbolically receives the Book of Gospels from Bishop J. Mark Spalding, who declares, “Receive the Gospel of Christ, whose herald you have become!”

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The Litany of the Saints is chanted by all as the three-to-be-ordained lie prostrate, dying to themselves and offering all for the service of the Church.

rural areas and small towns of the United States….” It is an awesome moment.

‘I’ve Never Been So Nervous!’

The next day is filled with joy of a different kind. The dream of sacramental ministry is what drives all three of these Glenmarians. Early in the morning you can hear a hum of activity around Holy Family. Into the night, down in the picnic shelter, parishioner Salvador Rodriguez and friends have been simmering a large pot of ribs for homemade barbecue. Soon-to-be-deacon Kenneth has been preparing goat meat, too, a Kenyan custom. Now, even as dawn yields to morning, Father Vic is arriving, then, one after the next, those to be ordained and those joining the celebration.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, each of the men has been allowed to invite six friends, and, of Glenmarians,

only those assigned to this mission are permitted to attend. Some of the 18 friends are parishioners; some are from out of town.

There are bustling, if quieter, preparations afoot, as Brother Larry tunes his guitar, and Holy Family’s Associate Pastor Father Charles Aketch reviews with the three to-be-ordained who will sit where and do what.

“The night before ordination I actually did not sleep at all!” Samuel says, after the ceremony. “I’ve never been so nervous. It was dawning on me, This is a very big commitment.” Actually he had slept a little, because he remembers dreaming about being late for ordination, he admits with a laugh.

The three men, in crisp clerical suits, stand, talking with Father Dan, who is no doubt calming them down a bit in his own light way. Then Bishop J. Mark Spalding arrives, and, before you know it, the three are at liturgy, lying prostrate as a sign of dying to themselves, listening to Father Dan announce their readiness, then kneeling before the bishop as he confers Holy Orders.

“I felt, Wow! Thank God!” says Deacon Samuel, after the liturgy. You can almost see on all three the weight lifted from their shoulders, and perhaps a beaming smile behind their COVID masks. Deacon Kenneth remembers, “I was wondering, Am I ready for this?” But now he can only say, “It was a moment of grace. Afterwards I felt a great peacefulness.”

Newly ordained Deacon José Carlos teamed up with Father Vic just after the Ordination Mass to give After Mass, Deacon José Carlos is joined by Father Vic Subb in blessing a family who has become close friends of the deacon over his years of preparation for this ordination day.

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a blessing to a family who had asked (Deacon José Carlos’s six guests). His new job had started right away!

In the small reception, Bishop Spalding answers a few questions before stepping into the barbecue line.

“Glenmary’s core is to reach to the margins and to bring Christ to others,” he says, a key emphasis of Pope Francis. For those reasons he is happy to drive up the road a bit from his See in Nashville. “I’m happy to have them here, and I want them to prosper ever more in the Lord.”

He brags a bit about the qualities of Fathers Vic and Charles, and adds, “I hope that we’ll have other ordinations and celebrations for Glenmary here in the future.

Glenmary's core is to reach the margins and bring Christ to others. I'm happy to have them here.

My arms are wide open and welcome.”

A few weeks later, Deacon Kenneth still will be glowing, but he’s busy, too. “I have a marriage case I’m working on, and a homily coming up. Tomorrow I will lead a Holy Hour via Facebook, and I have an online Bible study for parishioners coming up, and I’m leading a rosary on Wednesdays....” He looks forward to the day when he will preside at Eucharist.

Samuel, sporting his cowboy hat, is headed to the eastern North Carolina missions, where Father John Brown awaits. (He’s been a country music fan since childhood—Dolly Parton and Carrie Underwood are big in Kenya.) Ecumenism is on Deacon Samuel’s mind—he has already started building inroads into the local African-American churches. “I’ll be so joyful if I can find other churches where I can have Bible study….”

Deacon José Carlos will serve locals and a booming immigrant community, just as he dreamed he would when he came to Glenmary. He looks forward to the day when he will serve as an avenue of grace through the Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation. “To know that that person is experiencing the mercy of God, through me, is one of my dreams of becoming a priest.”

Each of these men, now committed to Glenmary and soon to become priests, will be fulfilling dreams for a lot of people.

“For me, liturgy and sacramental life are my number one reasons to be a priest. I want to pick up the baton and run with it!”

—Deacon Kenneth Wandera

“When you see the mercy of God, it is a miracle.

I’m looking forward to hearing my first Confession.”

—Deacon José Carlos Miguel Lopez

“At first, I was kind of nervous about something like burial, or even marriage. It shows how important these new roles are!”

—Deacon Samuel Mungai

photo by john feister

Maria Pangori (left) and Maggie Sheehan are two volunteer mountain managers who assist Volunteer Director Joe Grosek in bringing school groups to Appalachia for helping and learning.

A Two-way Mountain Road Whether it’s for a family whose home is fixed, or the volunteers doing the fixing, the new relationships can change lives. story by john feister

photo by john feister

Volunteers have been part of the Glenmary family for decades. Since the 1970s there have been thousands, no exaggeration—close to 20,000. Their help is welcome, but there is a cultural exchange, too. “Local people are so welcoming and you learn so much from them,” says Glenmary Group Volunteer Program Director Joe Grosek. “Oftentimes when you serve, you get more than what you give.”

That has been the heart of Glenmary’s program since the beginning. A volunteer might come to share richness in health and talents with people in poverty, and then find richness in the people they serve. Joe sees the Holy Spirit moving through them all. “I find Christ so much in those we serve and the volunteers!” he insists.

Joe’s been leading Glenmary’s mission volunteer program for 17 years,

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The Glenmary Volunteer Program has a 40+ year history with thousands of volunteers from all over. Once in eastern Ky., these days it’s in eastern Tenn., atop Joppa Mountain. From here volunteers serve local families.

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doesn’t hesitate: “It’s the people! The ones I’ve been able to meet, who have invited me into their homes and have taught me about life here. I’m just so grateful. I feel that I have strong relationships, and I laugh, and I have so much fun!” Has she helped the local people? “I don’t know,” she modestly suggests. “Well, on the construction projects, for sure, because there’s something physical. Maybe it was a ramp, a porch or a roof.” She downplays her local impact, though. “I think people see me simply as a friend.”

The volunteers she supervises are a different story.

“I think the high school and college students can see themselves in me. Through me they can see themselves doing something similar.” She is leading by example.

“Volunteering, for me, is how we meet God in a real way, in the person in front of us.” She echoes a saying from Mother Teresa that motivates her: “‘Do small

photo by glenmary volunteer program

photo by glenmary volunteer program

first in eastern Kentucky’s Lewis County. There, along lower Kinniconick Creek, was the program that put Glenmary on the volunteer map. Thousands traveled the winding road to The Farm from high schools and colleges from as far east as Massachusetts, as far west as California, beginning in 1972. These days Glenmary’s volunteer program is based in east Tennessee, on Joppa Mountain, in Grainger County. It moved there in 2013 to stay close to Glenmary’s expanding mission area.

In these pandemic days, the program has slowed a bit, but even now there are small groups of students who come to serve. Groups are beginning to return to the mountain with COVID precautions in place. The key has been friendship with the local community: “I love being with people,” says Joe. “It’s a part of Glenmary’s charism, finding Christ in others.”

Maggie Sheehan is one of several volunteer “mountain managers,” who live at the Joppa Mountain volunteer house, for perhaps a year, and direct studentvolunteer groups who typically come for a week’s stay.

She is here for a second term before heading on to her next adventure (she went to Ecuador in-between, she’s heading to an urban project next). “In this last year-anda-half that I’ve been a volunteer I’ve learned so much about myself through the relationships that I’ve built,” she observes. But she found something deeper, too: “I don’t know…. I found God,” she says, searching for words. “That’s why I'm here, and why I’m doing this.”

If you ask her what stands out in her experience, she

Accessible ramps can make the difference between living at home or heading to a care facility. Glenmary’s volunteers have built ramps throughout Grainger and Union Counties.

What a difference a ramp makes! Bob Macarte, in rural Grainger County, is now able to get his wheelchair in and out of his home independently, thanks to the volunteers’ work.

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photo by glenmary volunteer program

Mountain Manager Maggie Sheehan, of Cincinnati, Ohio, joins the volunteers at work, here installing insulation under a home receiving an add-on from Glenmary volunteers.

things with great love.’ I love that quote.”

Donna Turchi, who helps Joe operate the volunteer program at Joppa Mountain, has seen the impact both on the community and on volunteers over her six years working for Glenmary. She divides her work

“‘I ’ve learned so much about myself,’ Maggie says. But she found something deeper, too: ‘I found God…. That’s why I’m here, and why I’m doing this.’”

photo by john feister

time between the Glenmary program and Kingswood, a nearby children’s home. “People in the community are impressed with how many volunteers come down to Tennessee, how hard they work, how involved they get,”

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Donna says. That includes the long-term volunteers like Maggie as well as the groups who come to spend a week, she adds. “It’s brought a lot of awareness about Catholics and who we are to our local community,” a cause clearly close to the heart of this no-nonsense Texan.

“It’s my hope that what they do here they take home,” she says, speaking of the short-term volunteers. “There are food pantries in everyone’s community, there are children’s homes, nursing homes, people in need.”

Joe knows that encountering rural poverty firsthand is a teachable moment for young people, who often come from sheltered suburban environments. At the same time, his volunteers provide a new experience for many of the local families Glenmary serves. It’s in those new experiences, both volunteers and families, learn a little more and really share themselves. There are surprises, too.

“I'm always surprised about all the different kinds of surprises,” says Joe with a chuckle. “When I started this, I never thought I'd be called to bury somebody because they couldn’t afford otherwise! Even down here right now in Grainger County, I never thought that we would be volunteering to help build a new church.”

At the end of the day, that type of high-energy activity opens a way for volunteers to stop and consider what they’re doing with their lives. They talk and pray together about that in the evenings. It all reminds Joe of the biblical passage where Elijah looked for God in earthquakes and storms. “Yet for Elijah it was in the quiet things. I think that’s true in our ministry, too.”

Mountain Manager Mary Jo Kremer, OSF (left), came to Cincinnati with Glenmary staffer Donna Turchi last fall to pick up donations for those in need in Grainger County, Tenn.

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Wise Missioner

INTERVIEWS ON GLENMARY SPIRITUALITY

FATHER DENNIS HOLLY : SHARING LITURGY

Father Dennis Holly celebrates his 60th anniversary as a Glenmarian this year. One of a new generation of priests, formed during the Second Vatican Council, he moved from relying on manuals that offered all of the “right” understandings of Church practice to a growing engagement with the world beyond.

He found there, in dialogue, that many Christians wanted to learn more about Catholicism.

Q: How did Vatican II change Glenmary’s approach to mission?

A: Glenmary's founder, Father Bishop, had a vision of making converts and seeing the Church grow.

But his thinking evolved, along with the Church. By my time we were studying the need to uplift all of God’s people, Catholic or not, to insert gospel values into decisions made by communities.

On the other hand, I wouldn’t miss a chance if I thought somebody was interested in becom-

ing Catholic! But that’s not the exclusive goal. There were other, long-range things, just gaining acceptance for the Church in a community, so that if someone becomes interested they wouldn’t have to deal with a lot of negative social pressure not to become Catholic.

If the Catholic Church becomes a part of the mainstream, that’s a very different experience for the community. That would require being present at a lot of community activity and meetings, looking for opportunities to talk with people about whatever was of interest to them.

Q: Interest in the Catholic Church’s tradition of liturgy was a bit of a surprise, wasn’t it?

A: I had the opportunity to go for graduate studies at Scarritt College in Nashville, a Methodist college.

After I was in class I realized that a lot of the doctrine classes were stuff that I had been through, and in a much deeper way. So I went to them, and they said, We wondered if you would join the teaching team—specifically to show how in the Catholic Church these doctrines are celebrated liturgically. It pushed me to study in that area. It was an exciting time.

I made a slide program for school about how liturgy shapes us. One teacher would call me annually and say, you’re going to be in town next couple of weeks. I’d like to have you come and show your audiovisual to our class.

Q: So ecumenism became an important part of your pastoral ministry?

A: My next assignment was to Fayetteville, Tenn., The Catholic church owned property and I lived in a rented house, but we had made arrangements with Presbyterians to use their church building for Mass.

And we developed a very good joint religious education program with the Presbyterians from preschool through adult. That was probably about as intense an experience of ecumenism as anybody in Glenmary ever had!

Q: From hearing your homilies at daily Mass before the pandemic, it seems that ecumenism and the encounter with scripture are two things that drive you.

A: Yes, especially scripture in the context of liturgy. I think that’s the main way that the Catholic Church tries to interpret scripture: celebrating the scriptures, liturgically.

—John Feister

Autumn 2020 GLENMARY CHALLENGE

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letters to the editor REMEMBERING FATHER JOHN I was so extremely saddened to read in the Summer issue of the Glenmary Challenge magazine that Father John Rausch passed away recently. He was truly one of the best priests I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.

When I participated in a "Women in Service to Appalachia" program back in July of 2008, besides performing various types of service to help those in need, we had the opportunity to visit parts of the community where we served. On one such outing, we met Father Rausch, who took us to the area where mountaintop removal was occurring. We also saw, with our own eyes, the devastating results of this destruction of natural habitat and land that resulted in orange-colored and polluted streams.

You could tell he was so very passionate about this and I had always watched and waited for news ever since then to see if he was successful

in helping to end the ruin.

He will always be remembered for his passion about the environment.

The Appalachian people have truly lost, not only a wonderful priest, but a great man who wanted only to save and preserve a beautiful part of the land we were blessed with.

God bless you Father Rausch!

Sherry Thaler · Cleveland, OH PLEASANTLY SURPRISED I wish to take this opportunity to thank the Glenmary Home Missioners for the gifts they have long bestowed on Hancock County, Tenn. I became aware of Glenmary through my friendship with Father John Otterbacher, a Glenmary priest who chose Hancock County as his home upon retirement. Our association and friendship continued until his passing.

For a time, Hancock County was left without a Glenmary presence, so I was

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pleasantly surprised to be approached

by Brother Craig Digmann, who informed me that he was locating to Hancock County to begin a ministry here.

He kept in touch and after his relocation was complete, he shared with me his vision for ministry. To say that I was skeptical would be an understatement.

Having lived here for many years, I was well aware of the feelings about and misconceptions people hold about Catholics and the Catholic faith in this community. I am proud to report to all that my skepticism was misplaced.

Brother Craig, in his understated way, was not only able to assimilate into the community, but to gain the friendship and respect of many Hancock Countians of all faiths.

His ministry has done wonderful work, helping to dispel falsehoods and misunderstandings about Catholicism. His greeter program at the high school resulted in every student knowing him and appreciating his dedication and kind words. His jail outreach gives those forgotten by other faith leaders hope for a future and a path to redemption.

Most importantly his presence at services in all 64 churches of various denominations throughout the area has encouraged members of those churches to attend Mass at a Catholic church, showing them that faith and hope are universal to all denominations.

My skepticism was replaced with awe in his ability to channel the spirit of Christ to make changes in places and lives.

Ron Pareti · Sneedville, Tenn.

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Luke Carey, Planned Giving Officer lcarey@glenmary.org 800-935-0975

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GLENMARY CHALLENGE

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

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

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Smith leading ecumenical effort After coming into communion with the Catholic Church, Nathan Smith found a perfect fit leading Glenmary’s office for Catholic-Evangelical relations.

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Find out where Glenmary has been, and where we are today with an interactive map of missions complete with links and Mass times.

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New statue of Mary in North Carolina Father John Brown was nervous how the mostly Protestant community near his mission would react to a Mary statue, but the results have been ‘beautiful.’

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Keep up with the latest from the home missions by downloading the Glenmary app, available on the App Store and Google Play.

glenmary.org/app Let us pray for you Glenmarians pray for our supporters daily. Leave a prayer request online and missioners will pray for you in Our Lady of the Fields Chapel.

glenmary.org/prayer Make a gift to the missions Brother Virgil feeds the hungry Food insecure children in Bertie County, N.C. are served by a “backpack” program run by a Glenmary brother.

You can make a secure online donation anytime at Glenmary’s website.

Your gift will help missioners spread the Catholic faith.

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

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—Father Wm. Howard Bishop, Glenmary Founder

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