Glenmary Challenge - Spring 2024

YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN

Fr. José Carlos on Reconciliation

COMING AND GOING

Fr. Vic’s Mission Journey

ALL IN A Dayʼs Work

GLENMARY

HOME MISSIONERS

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 US 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 US 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 US diocesan clergy, and to anyone who requests it. (To begin receiving issues, use the contact information below.)

GLENMARY HOME MISSIONERS

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

513-874-8900 · 800-935-0975 · challenge@glenmary.org

© 2024,

From the Editor

Ioften think of Glenmary as “a bright spot in the Catholic Church.” Unlike at Glenmary, so much of what we hear elsewhere these days is difficult. In much of the country, there are fewer priests, parishes are closing and consolidating, interest in the Church among the young is spotty at best. And we’ve a pretty bad hangover from decades of scandal.

Yet here is Glenmary, building new churches for growing parishes, opening new mission territory, filled with the positive energy of volunteers, growing rapidly with recruits to seminary, brotherhood, and lay ministry.

In this issue, you’ll read about some of that positive energy. Assistant Editor Theresa Nguyen-Gillen takes us to Appalachian East Tennessee to see up close some of the developments in Unicoi County, at St. Michael the Archangel Church, under the leadership of Glenmary priest Father Kenn Wandera and his staff.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of our volunteer program at Joppa Mountain, a winding hour’s travel north from St. Michael. You may remember from a previous issue that Glenmary has hosted over 20,000 volunteers in Appalachia over the past five decades, starting in Eastern Kentucky. Deacon Dave Brencic, a leader of Chicago's deacons, describes the impact the program had on his deacon volunteers during a recent week .

You’ll also hear from Father José Carlos Miguel López on a more Lenten theme: the beauty of bringing the Sacrament of Reconciliation to our mission counties. And Father Vic Subb muses on the comings and goings of missioners. Enjoy!

John Feister

Glenmary Home Missioners. Reprint permission granted upon request.

GOODBYE AND HELLO

By Father Vic Subb

Even when we know it’s time to move on, it’s hard for a missioner to say goodbye to the people he has served for years.

YOUR SINS ARE FORGIVEN

By Father José Carlos Miguel López

A missioner reflects on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the reunion of God and faithful.

TO JOPPA MOUNTAIN, WITH LOVE

By Deacon Dave Brencic

Ten years ago, Glenmary moved The Farm volunteer program from Kentucky to Tennessee. A week there is still unforgettable.

Publisher: Father Dan Dorsey

Editor: John Feister

Assistant Editors: Laney Blevins, Omar Cabrera, Theresa Nguyen-Gillen

Design: E + R Design Studio

ALL IN A Day’s Work

Experience a day at St. Michael the Archangel in East Tennessee, where they’re busy living the Catholic faith to the fullest.

BY THERESA NGUYEN-GILLEN PAGE 6

Planning-Review Board: Brother David Henley, Chris Phelps, Lucy Putnam, Father Vic Subb, Father Richard Toboso, Father Aaron Wessman

Father Kenn Wandera is pastor of St. Michael the Archangel mission parish. Photo illustration by E + R Design Studio from Theresa Nguyen-Gillen photo.

Friends, Family, and Faith

from the president

Father Dan Dorsey

One of the blessings of growing older is gaining a perspective on your own life and others’ lives. For me, that perspective has achieved a clarity that I would label as the three pillars of my life: friends, family, and faith.

A number of my friends have come from my ministerial assignments: Morehead, Kentucky, and Monticello, Arkansas, come to mind, among others.

In our small mission churches you really get to know your fellow parishioners. As a Catholic in the counties we serve, you’re in the minority, whether because you’re from somewhere else or because you’re Catholic—or both. Friendships follow from such a shared experience. There is an intimacy, a unique fellowship that develops.

I love making new friends. What better place to be than a Glenmary parish? The theme song from the 1980s TV show “Cheers” comes to mind: “Sometimes you wanna go/ Where everybody knows your name/And they're always glad you came/You wanna be where you can see (ah-ah)/ Our troubles are all the same (ah-ah)/You wanna be where everybody knows your name.”

become a kind of family. These are people you know who will love you, support you, and be there during good times and bad, sharing your pain and joy. You find your niche, and you know that you belong. This is best exemplified in mission parish potluck dinners. What describes family better than sitting down and sharing a meal? Better yet, what describes a mission parish better than sitting down and sharing a meal among people from many different backgrounds and cultures?

At Glenmary, we know that it’s not about size or quantity; it’s always about quality.

After all, the Eucharist is, in one sense, truly a family meal. And the family of the Church is broad, even in our small towns these days. One time on an Epiphany Sunday in a tiny mission I was serving in Arkansas, I counted 10 different cultures at Mass!

Finally, the pillar that is both the foundation and the glue of your life and mine is faith, isn’t it? We are given the gift of faith in Jesus Christ, a faith in something, someone, who is much bigger than I am, yet who is close to my heart. The faith you and I have both defines us and has transformed our lives. For me, that is the beauty and light of our tiny Glenmary missions. At Glenmary, we know that it’s not about size or quantity; it’s always about quality.

My second pillar, family, is probably one of the greatest gifts a person can have. Very often, the people in our missions are far away from their home or country of origin. The gathering faith community provides that anchor that each of us longs for.

Many of the friends I was talking about earlier have

Jesus taught us that the one sheep is worth going after. Small is beautiful. That, my friends, is where faith leads us: to accept that which is bigger than me, and at the same time to see value in the smallest of things.

Friends and family built on faith—who could ask for anything more from God?

Joppa Mountain photo by Cassie Magnotta

GLENMARY NEWS & NOTES

community / National news

Glenmary

Priests Face Immigration Obstacles

Changes in US policy will cause an interruption of ministry for Glenmarians.

“IT’S FRUSTRATING” can sum up the current situation for religious workers on visas in the United States. In April 2023, the State Department changed its policies on the process of approving requests for permanent residency. This change was in response to a backlog; applications from 2019 are just now being reviewed, creating a timing glitch that causes visas to expire.

For Glenmary, it means that priests who are currently on temporary religious worker visas will not be able to gain perma-

nent residency in the near future. Those whose visas are expiring will either have to reapply for a student visa or leave the United States for one year and reapply for a religious worker visa.

One Glenmarian this will affect is Father Kenn Wandera, who was made pastor at St. Michael the Archangel in Unicoi County, Tennessee, last year. “I’ve been in the United States for almost 10 years,” he says. Coming from Kenya, he had a student visa while a seminarian. He is now on a religious

worker visa that is expiring at the end of the year.

The Glenmary Executive Council and Vocations Department are working to figure out a solution so that Father Kenn’s ministry is not interrupted. They are joining efforts of the Catholic Immigration League Network (CLINIC) and the US bishops’ conference, whose websites have more information.

“It’s what we were ordained for— to serve the people of God,” says Father Kenn. “You don’t think there should be any obstacles to that.”

Father Kenn and the St. Michael youth ministry helped organize an Advent retreat for their parish.

Photo by Brother Corey Soignier

Glenmary holds first retreat ever in México

FOR THE FIRST TIME IN ITS HISTORY, Glenmary recently held a retreat in México. A total of 13 young men attended the gathering, led by Brother David Henley and Father Charles Aketch, along with Father José Ángel Loredo Mata, a priest from México and longtime friend of Glenmary.

These youngsters “had interest in knowing more about religious life and wanted to learn more about Glenmary and the mission ministry that we do,” says Brother David, Glenmary's director of vocations. “Some of the older guys who are in their 20s have an interest and want to continue a process of discernment with us.”

The retreat took place near San Luis Potosí, about five hours north of the capital, México City, from January 2 to 5.

This retreat was one of several activities that the Vocations Team did in recent months to help young men discern a possible religious life with our community. Glenmary also participated at the National Catholic Youth Conference (NCYC) in November 2023, and at SEEK, a college students conference that gathered over 19,000 people last January 2024 in St. Louis, Missouri.

The Vocations Team also plans to have two one-day retreats in April, one in Williamston, North Carolina, and the other one in Blakely, Georgia. “We just keep praying for vocations and keep walking with the guys,” Brother David says.

Evangelization Effort Develops Program, Adds Staff

GLENMARY’S DIRECTOR OF EVANGELIZATION, Lawain McNeil, has been growing Glenmary’s outreach efforts. Part of his work has been developing the Surrender Initiative, an evangelization ministry focused on the Mass. Worshipers are invited to gather and intentionally pray for those who have ceased practicing their faith. Recent events included Masses at St. Isidore's Catholic Church at Kansas State University and at St. Thomas More Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Prior to the Surrender Initiative Mass in Kansas, Lawain gave a talk called, “Elisabeth Leseur: The Model of Evangelization.”

Lawain also has assisted the Archdiocese of Cincinnati and National Catholic Alpha in an evangelization training program called Build the Fire. That’s a two-day immersive, experiential workshop to help introduce our parish evangelists to different ways of doing the work of evangelization.

The department recently welcomed Linda Crisostomo as our new lay evangelizer for Martin County, North Carolina.

vocations / International outreach

Father Charles Aketch, Brother David Henley, and Father José Carlos Miguel held the retreat in México.

Photo by Br. David Henley

RIGHT: Lawain McNeil is spearheading an evangelization effort for Glenmary, developing programs and hiring lay evangelists.

Photo by John Feister

ministry / Adaptation

Sisters from Kenya Join Missions in Georgia

SINGING AT CHURCH CHOIR, visiting nursing homes, and helping the poor: These are some of the works that two Kenyan sisters are doing in the Glenmary missions in Southwest Georgia.

Sisters Ancilla Abonyo and Imelda Ngwitu came from Kenya in December 2023 to serve in Early and Randolph counties. “The community here is just amazing. They are very welcoming people, loving, caring, and very kind to us,” Sister Imelda says.

Sister Ancilla agrees: “I feel accepted in the new ministry because of the overwhelming support I have

around the missions

YOUTHFUL WITNESS

In a Catholic witness to the community, a group of Blakely Georgia’s Holy Family parishioners, including young children, visit a local nursing home monthly. Children sing, read Bible stories, and give cards to the residents.

GLENMARY BROTHER RECOGNIZED

Brother Jason Muhlenkamp was named a 2024 Unsung Hero for going “above and beyond to provide goodwill” in Early County, Georgia, and neighboring communities. The award was given by the Freedom Council of Southwest Georgia, Inc., a nonprofit that focuses on economic, political, and social equal rights and opportunities for all.

received from Glenmay leadership, Glenmary members in Blakely, and parishioners of St. Luke and Holy Family Parish.”

In addition to the two parishes, in Georgia Glenmary participates in C-Hope Ministries, an organization that provides transitional housing, case management, prayer, a food pantry, and basic job opportunities to people in need. The two sisters are working for that organization too.

The two sisters are also building a communal prayer group at one of the parishes, especially the rosary after Mass, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament once a week, explains Sister Ancilla.

FATHER V.J. INSTALLED

Father Vijaya Katta was installed as pastor of Glenmary’s Holy Trinity mission parish on January 10, in Williamston, North Carolina. Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama of the Diocese of Raleigh performed the installation.

EUCHARISTIC REVIVAL A GLENMARY NATURAL

Glenmary joined in a day of adoration on the first Friday of Lent this year, part of the national Eucharistic renewal program.There is ongoing regular adoration scheduled at parishes in Unicoi, Grainger, and Macon counties in Tennessee, and in Martin County, North Carolina. Brother Corey Soignier has been filming one-minute videos about Glenmarians’ devotion to the Eucharist for our social media. Glenmary also is working with Hundredfold Video to produce a longer video about the need for a Eucharistic presence. Glenmarians will be participating in the national Eucharistic pilgrimage (routes through Tennessee, Ohio, and Indiana), then Congress (Indianapolis), in the coming months.

Photo by John Feister

ABOVE: Sister Ancilla (Left on left photo) and Sister Imelda accompany parish kids during a visit to a nursing home.

Photos courtesy of Dorann Cobb/Holy Family

ALL IN A Day’s Work

Experience a day at St. Michael the Archangel in East Tennessee, where they’re busy living the Catholic faith to the fullest.

by theresa nguyen-gillen

Wednesdays at St. Michael the Archangel begin with Mass.

On this particular Wednesday in mid-January, there’s a crowd. Usually there are three to four people attending daily Mass, says Glenmary Father Kenn Wandera, pastor. But on this morning, there are 12.

The crowd could be explained because it’s the first 50-degree day in East Tennessee after a month of snow and cold. Or, it could be because of Father Kenn’s focus on the Eucharist that began this year.

Starting on the first Friday in January, Father Kenn introduced weekly Eucharistic adoration at the church. “It’s a few more opportunities of prayer for the people of God,” says Father Kenn. It coincides with the year of the Eucharistic Revival, occurring nationally, that aims to renew the faithful in the belief of the Eucharist as the source and summit of our Catholic faith.

The way we celebrate the Eucharist is what sets us apart as Catholics, says Father Kenn. “I want people to be comfortable with silence,” he says, and for people to develop a relationship with Jesus in the Eucharist, as Scripture says, “to know that ‘I am God.’”

ABOVE: (Top photo) The pre-kindergarten class opens their time together in prayer. (Bottom photo) Lorena Reynoso is the director of religious education and longtime parishioner of St. Michael.

Photos by Theresa Nguyen-Gillen

He ends the hour of adoration with a short reflection on the Eucharist.

He plans to keep weekly adoration going throughout the year. During Lent, the Holy Hour will be accompanied by Stations of the Cross and fish fries by the Knights of Columbus—“the best fish fries in East Tennessee.”

The way we celebrate the Eucharist is what sets us apart as Catholics.

Sharing in the community

After daily Mass, Father Kenn takes two baskets of donated food and drops them off at Care & Share. This ecumenical ministry offers food, clothing and household goods, and financial assistance to Unicoi County residents. It’s run by Ben Booher, a minister at First Christian Church and member of the Unicoi County Ministerial Association with Father Kenn and Glenmarian Father Tom Charters, associate pastor. “There are a lot of poor in the county. There are

also a lot of generous people,” says Ben. “We exist at that intersection to bridge the gap.”

Food, clothing, and household items are collected through donations, and anyone can come to shop for items they need at no cost. St. Michael has a big presence at Care & Share through volunteers, food donations, and financial support, says Ben.

While they care for the basic needs of individuals, the ultimate goal of Care & Share is to give people a strong community of faith and belonging to the greater community.

Everyone who walks through the doors, whether volunteer or shopper, knows Father Kenn and greets him warmly with a “Father!” They catch up on their personal lives, and Father Kenn asks after people in the community he hasn’t seen in a while.

“It’s the best way to reach the people of God outside of the church,” says Father Kenn, who spent a lot of time at Care & Share while he was a seminarian. “It’s a ministry of presence.”

Investing in the people

After lunch, Father Kenn meets with someone interested in becoming Catholic. She has never attended

Father Kenn talks with religious education catechists before classes begin.

Mass at St. Michael before, but she found Father Kenn’s email online and messaged him to talk. “That’s why Glenmary was started!” he says excitedly.

There are currently two people in RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults). Although it’s a relatively small number, it’s one reason why the parish has grown from 37 people when it was founded in 2011 to the 300 parishioners who attend today.

As Father Kenn is walking his inquirer out, choir members come in and begin setting up for their weekly rehearsal. Liturgical ministries are strong at St. Michael, and Father Kenn encourages parishioners to take a leading role.

from classroom to classroom making sure everyone has what they need for the night. Most of the catechists are wearing their teal-colored St. Michael tshirts, so parents know who to talk to if they have questions.

The parish has grown from 37 people when it was founded in 2011 to the 300 parishioners who attend today.

“I want to spend my time in the confessional or preparing for Mass,” he says. Empowering parishioners to take charge of the lector schedule, finding eucharistic ministers, and other aspects of ministry allow him the opportunity to do just that.

Passing on the faith

Fifteen minutes before the Faith Formation Ministry classes begin, children are already scampering into the religious education building.

Although this is Lorena Reynoso’s first year as the director of religious education, she has attended St. Michael’s since the beginning as a parishioner; she’s not new to the program. She directs traffic and goes

The third, fourth, and fifth graders are together in one classroom. Tonight, they are learning about the story of Abraham. After singing a few songs together, Juliana Palsa, the catechist and volunteer church music director, asks the class what ideas they have for their service project.

One student suggests writing cards to the children’s hospital in nearby Johnson City. Another student volunteers collecting clothes for the homeless. A third student proposes taking up a collection for St. Jude’s. With everyone’s eyes closed, the class votes by raising hands. A majority of the class chooses to take up a collection for St. Jude’s.

When classes end, children are all around the property talking and laughing with friends as their parents come to pick them up.

It’s been a busy day at St. Michael’s. As the only Catholic church in the county, it has experienced the fullness of our faith on this Wednesday: Mass-goers, food donations, prospective Catholics, dedicated volunteers, joyful children.

Just as Father Kenn says, that’s the reason why Glenmary was started.

Glenmary Father Tom Charters answers questions such as "What do you feel when you pray?" and "Do you play football?" from middle schoolers.

Goodbye and Hello

Even when we know it’s time to move on, it’s hard for a missioner to say goodbye to the people he has served for years.

by father vic subb

Every Glenmary Home Missioner spends much time saying goodbyes and hellos. My various assignments during 40 years of mission life have been great, challenging, and sources of much joy. Each mission assignment seems better than the last. My challenge, though, is saying goodbye. When I hear I will be moving, often my reaction is, “Oh no!” In my heart, I know it is time to move on, but why does it always seem so hard? As departure time gets closer, the thoughts of moving get heavier. What do I do first? The list of people to say goodbye to supersedes packing. I can pack late at night; saying goodbye is what is important.

Saying goodbye

My last goodbye from Tennessee brought a humble sense of gratitude. I was pastor for nine and a half years at Holy Family parish in Macon County. The parishioners were family. Several dinners led to speeches of thanks for my ministry. I had made mistakes, but in my heart I had always tried my best. From the smallest to the oldest, these words of thanks would live on in my heart—words like, “Thank you for baptizing my children,” “When I needed help, you were there,” “The trip to the beach was the best,” and “I remember when you sat with us at the hospital.”

At my last Mass, a tear filled my eye as I shared my last homily as their pastor. I remember the love of Jesus always being a light for us, and we are called to be light for others. The goodbye celebrations were filled with stories, laughter, and songs. When all left, I was not alone. I was with God. I slept with warm memories in my head.

Morning comes all too soon. I pack the car and as I drive away I ask, Who will take Communion to Mike? Will the Smith family join the Church? Will Bill get the food he needs? I respond, Yes, the new ministry team will continue but not with me

Hello to a new journey

The endless road continues, a new parish, new people. I am a little anxious. Will they like me? Will I like them? From experience, when one leaves, he/she goes from being the very best to a new assignment that is very slow at first. People will not know me. Will they like my homilies? New relationships will take a while. I need to pray, and be patient: O Lord, help me.

I remember the love of Jesus always being a light for us, and we are called to be light for others.

The first Sunday comes, and there are many smiles. I can’t remember their names. My joke did not go over well. I guess I did not tell them to laugh. The Eucharist is celebrated with great gratitude. The Mass ends. I feel relieved. What now?

I am close to the door when a 10-year-old comes up to me. “My parents want you to join us for lunch today. Can you come?” he asks.

Yes, surely I can come. My life in my new home begins. Relationships of love begin to shine. I say to myself, Thank the Lord!

Father Vic Subb waves goodbye as he goes off to serve a new mission.

Photo by John Feister

YOUR SINS ARE

Forgiven

A missioner reflects on the Sacrament of Reconciliation, the reunion of God and faithful.

BY FATHER JOSÉ CARLOS MIGUEL LÓPEZ

On many occasions, especially when I share vocational talks, one of the questions that often stands out is: “Father, what do you like the most about your priestly ministry?” It is a little difficult for me to answer since there are several things that I not only like, but that I love to do as a priest. However, if I have to choose one, I would choose the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

“Father, what is so special about the Sacrament of Reconciliation?” If I hear the first question, this question will almost certainly come right away. I can't express feelings in letters, because more than feelings, it is divine grace that manifests itself in an intangible way.

Despite my weaknesses and failures, he has chosen me to be that agent who helps those with broken and repentant hearts to return to the Father's house. It is important to remember that the priest is not the one who forgives, the priest acts In Persona Christi Capitis, that is, participating in the priesthood of Christ. Christ Jesus in his infinite mercy is the one who forgives. God himself is the one who comes out to meet those who decide to return to the Father's house.

“Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.” What a beautiful phrase that Jesus tells us after we know that we have been forgiven by his infinite mercy, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation.

God welcomes us

In the Gospel of Mark, chapter 2, while Jesus was preaching in Capernaum, many people gathered to hear him. There was a paralyzed man who, due to his condition, could not go to see Jesus. The evangelist narrates that some men helped him, they made the encounter possible, they opened the roof above Jesus. After they had broken through, they let down the mat on which the paralytic was lying so Jesus could heal this man's soul.

“Get up, your sins are forgiven.” In order for the paralyzed man to be able to hear these words, it was necessary for these men to bring him to meet Jesus. Ministerial priests are these men whom God uses to bring the sick to him, those who want that re-

Father José Carlos, above, weak as he is, he says, is called to help the brokenhearted reunite with God.

Photos by John Feister

union with God. To witness the repentance of a son/ daughter of God is to feel the love, mercy, tenderness, and compassion of God who always waits to embrace us, to welcome us.

In the United States, there are many towns far from the cities where Catholics miss the great opportunity to receive this grace of God's forgiveness through the priest, simply due to the fact of not having a Catholic Church in their county of residence. God and Glenmary have given me the opportunity to be that agent who somehow makes possible the reunion between God and the faithful in these rural areas.

A loving Father

I am blessed by God to belong to Glenmary. Though we Glenmarians are limited, especially in vocations, we try to attend to the needs of God's children in counties where we serve. As a missionary community, we try to ensure that our parishioners have an experience of God not as a distant God, but as a God who always walks with them, in good times and in bad times.

Often when I hear someone's confession, I try to present a God who, while demanding repentance and conversion, also shows us the most tender and loving side of him. Jesus does not care what we did yesterday; he cares about our repentance and conversion in the present moment.

The parable of the prodigal son from the Gospel of Luke presents to us a God who does not ask reasons, but who simply forgives. “While he was still far away, his father saw him and felt compassion for him. He ran to meet him and received him with hugs and kisses. …Quickly bring the best garment and dress him, put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet” (Lk 15:20–22).

This is the God in whom we must believe and have faith. God is full of joy; he celebrates when the disobedient son realizes his errors and returns to the place from which he should never have left. The Sacrament of Reconciliation is that hug and kisses of the father telling us how much he loves us. That is why, after having confessed our sinfulness, the feelings we experience are hope, love, trust, relief.

Born again

On one occasion, a person asked me if I had time to listen to his confession. My answer was the same as always: There is always time for confession, to reconcile with

God; the perfect time is right now. At the beginning of the confession, he told me that he did not remember how to make a good confession since more than 30 years had passed without attending to this sacrament. I guided him so that he could make his confession.

At the end of the sacrament, he told me something that many of us have perhaps experienced after reconciling with God: “Father, I don't know why I let so many years pass to do this, I feel as if I had been born again.”

Removing the stain of sin is to be born again. Sin is a bondage of Satan to make us his slaves; Jesus frees us from those bonds through this sacrament of forgiveness. The perfect time for confession is today, right now. Let's not let so much time pass, let’s allow ourselves to be free by Jesus, who in his infinite love and mercy welcomes us with a heavenly feast.

May the Holy Spirit give us courage to attend to the Sacrament of Reconciliation! Let us hear the words of healing, “Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.”

Our parishioners have an experience of God who always walks with them.

“Go in peace, your sins are forgiven.” Those words affirm God’s infinite mercy to the whole Church.

Making Do in the Missions

mission work always calls for creativity. we asked a few missioners for confessional examples.

ON THE FARM

Father Steve Pawelk recalls once bringing two chairs out into a farm field, another time making a confessional in a trailer, and once in a barn. Once he went to a sawmill workers’ trailer park. “There were only two vans and two who had permission to drive them. So it was hard to get to church.”

So Father Steve went to them one Holy Week, but the gate was locked. “I called them, and they came out to the gate. One of them lifted me over the gate with my alb and stole. Then I was escorted to the kitchen of one of the trailers where they set up a small table with two chairs and candles for me to hear their confessions. Everyone was instructed to go into the other trailer until Confessions were over. That night, every one of the 20 men confessed, except for the man who had the key to the gate, who never got back in time!”

IN THE CAR

Father Aaron Wessman remembers an occasion in East Tennessee, in Maynardville, soon after Glenmary arrived. “I think it was my first year as a priest,” he says. There was a wedding at the local Elks Club since there was no church at the time. “I remember a huge elk head mounted in there, where the wedding was going to be. The wedding party showed up about an hour early and many of them wanted to go to Confession. We needed privacy, but you can’t really use the bathroom, right? The best option was my car, a Honda Civic, which is a pretty standard Glenmary car.” He turned the rearview mirror around for privacy. “We would do the Confession, they would leave by the other door, and another would come in. I would say it was one of my most memorable experiences hearing confessions because it was very early on.”

IN BACK OF CHURCH

Here's a story about Father John Brown: “The church in Williamston, North Carolina, is too small for a confessional. He used a closet in the back of the church, cleaning everything out to make room. Things slowly found their way back in—the parish needed a closet! So he cleaned everything out again. It’s part of the quality of the missions we’re in—they’re just small.”

Other less dramatic stories abound. Office Confessions, a curtain thrown over an area in the storage room, toddlers coming and going during Confession…. One of the priests I talked with even (confidentially) recounted being invited to a Protestant minister’s house to hear a nonsacramental confession and pray with the minister. “That’s a big deal,” he says. “to be welcomed into the community that deeply.”

—John Feister

Father Tom Kirkendoll hears a Confession near the solar panels on a sunny day, during Glenmary's Festival of Mercy. Making the sacrament accessible is the goal.

Fr. John Brown cleans out a closet to make room for confession.

The confessional at St. Michael the Archangel in Erwin, Tennessee.

Glenmary Photos

To Joppa Mountain, With Love

Ten years ago Glenmary moved The Farm volunteer program from Kentucky to Tennessee. A week there is still unforgettable.

BY DEACON DAVE BRENCIC

It was a perfect way to end a mission trip. Listening to Matthew’s Gospel at Mass before we departed for home put the week of volunteering into perspective. That’s why our group of Hope’s on the Way volunteers had driven more than 500 miles to the Appalachian Mountains northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee: out of love for God and our neighbor, with a deep sense of service.

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” —Matthew 22:39

The mission trip was organized through the Glenmary Group Volunteer Program based at Joppa Mountain, in Grainger County, Tennessee, not far from two Glenmary parishes. Schools send groups, but others come too. Our group, Hope’s on the Way, has sponsored

The love of Glenmary volunteers produces a beautiful greenhouse, the fruit of a week of service.

The greenhouse parts lay unused for six years before the Glenmary volunteers arrived, an answer to prayer.

Photos courtesy of Hope's on the Way

a number of mission trips: to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina, to Alabama, and to Washington, Illinois. This was our first time working with Glenmary.

After a 10-and-a-half-hour drive from Chicago, we arrived at the Glenmary volunteer house on twisting Joppa Mountain Road. Phil and Maddie, two Mountain Managers who help lead the volunteer program, greeted us. After settling in and brief introductions, our group was introduced to the mission of Glenmary and the local project where we would work.

We are Deacons Joe Winblad, Al Lopez, and me, along with laymen John Herrmann, Gary Willman, and Rich Rybski. Anthony Tepe, from Indianapolis, who came on his own, joined us.

During the orientation, we learned that in the nearly 10 years the Glenmarians have been in this part of Tennessee, they have been able to foster a rapport with the residents, most of whom are not Catholic.

“During the last 10 years, we have developed a reputation among the people. If you need help, go to the Catholics,” Phil said. “It’s a nice reputation to have.”

At dinner later in the week, Glenmary’s Assistant Volunteer Director Donna Turchi echoes Phil’s words. She said the Glenmarians focus on helping people. “I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus,” she says.

Off the grid

The project assigned to our group of volunteers was erecting a 24x36-foot greenhouse for a widow and her disabled daughter, who live about 45 minutes from the volunteer center, in neighboring Union County.

Vivian Anne and Ambria live off the grid. Solar panels provide their electricity. They collect rainwater and have a composting toilet. The greenhouse kit had been donated by a friend six years ago.

During that time, the mother and daughter prayed and tried to keep the faith that one day someone would come and help them install it. At times, serious health and financial problems pushed them to the limit.

One day, a frustrated Vivian Anne said she poured out her heart to her pastor.

“I get to be the hands and feet of Jesus.”

Glenmary volunteers work together to build a greenhouse for a woman and her daughter living off the grid. It was a project impossible to do without help, and they had none.

“He told me that bad things happen to good people all the time, but that’s why God sends good people to help,” Vivian Anne said. “Y’all are the answer to my prayers, and we can’t thank you enough.”

The project, which we hoped to finish off in a day and a half, stretched to three full days working in temperatures that reached the low to mid 90s, with high humidity.

As the heavy plastic cover over the supports was secured and the last screws were drilled, our group of volunteers gathered together for a final prayer and blessing.

Vivian Anne and Ambria watched as our group walked around the perimeter of the new greenhouse and sprinkled holy water using a new paintbrush. As we silently gathered around them, Vivian Anne and Ambria blessed us with a prayer and song of thanksgiving. All of us were moved to tears.

The last day of our mission trip, our group split into two teams. Deacon Joe led a group, which worked with Glenmary Brother Joe Steen, a carpenter from our Chicago hometown, to build a sign for nearby St. John Paul II mission parish, down Joppa Mountain, in Rutledge.

Another group trimmed tree limbs overhanging the home of an elderly woman. Once the overgrowth was removed, tarps were placed over the roof to keep rain from leaking into her bedrooms. At the closing Mass, Glenmary Father Neil Pezzulo, pastor of St. Teresa of Kolkata Catholic Church (Union County) and St. John Paul II, asked what was the highlight of the week for us.

We all shared our experiences. For me, it was seeing firsthand the poverty of rural America and meeting faith-filled people, like Vivian Anne and Ambria.

The week with the Glenmarians gave our group an opportunity to get “our hands dirty,” to go out into the community and truly serve the people.

It was a chance to love God with our whole heart, soul, and mind, and cherish the opportunity to love and serve neighbors like Vivian Anne and Ambria.

Editor’s note: Glenmary is celebrating the 10th anniversary of relocating its volunteer program, “The Farm,” to Grainger County, Tennessee, atop Joppa Mountain. Since 1972, over 20,000 volunteers have served in the program, first located near Holy Redeemer parish in Lewis County, Kentucky.

Mission: Accomplished

Our winter Challenge told the story of volunteers returning to the mountains to help Kentucky Housing Alliance build a house (left), after a flood displaced the Combs family. On the right is the final product, with a very happy family on the front porch.

autumn 2023

christmas 2023

kentucky housing alliance delivers

Photo left: John Feister; right, KHA

golden volunteers

I enjoyed the recent Glenmary magazine, especially the article about the golden volunteers. Brought back great memories.

I entered into my 50th anniversary at Industrial Opportunities Inc. [IOI], [in Andrews, North Carolina, which Glenmary helped to start]. IOI will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in March and we plan to celebrate all year long with different fun activities.

Looking back to my first Glenmary volunteer experience in 1970 in Vanceburg [Kentucky] was very instrumental in my journey to North Carolina and beginning at IOI as a volunteer in October of 1974.

This group of volunteers has been an incredible experience to be a part of.

Tom O’Brien | Andrews, NC

ulaanbaator

I was delighted to read in the Challenge Winter 2023 issue about the far reaches of missionary work by Glenmary. I am music director/organist at Our Lady of the Lake Church in Mount Arlington, New Jersey (Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey). And I so enjoy reading your magazine and the work that the Glenmary priests and Brothers do for rural America.

I did recognize and it certainly sparked a smile of delight to read Father Dorsey's words and the outreach of Pope Francis' visit to Mongolia this past year. While spending two weeks back in 2006 traveling on a fly-fishing excursion and vacation in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia was slowly advancing its economy, moving into a new, more modern way of livelihood for their people.

I had done my research and found that there was even a Catholic church, built in the shape of a yurt/tent, where we could attend Mass. Our Buddhist tour guide, who spoke very little English, had asked if she could attend Mass with us in order to learn more about our religion and the customs of America. We felt so at home yet delighted to see how far reaching our Catholic faith had come at that Mass. Thank you, Father Dorsey. You ignited so many fond memories from our UB trip.

Joyce Zakierski Simmons | Sparta, NJ

formation house

I just want to thank you for the Great Work you do on behalf of the poor in the missions you and your fellow Glenmarians serve. I received today the Winter Glenmary Challenge. When I read about the needs of the Formation House and much needed renovation

at the house, I said to myself, I have to send them some money—at least something. As the old saying goes, “Something is better than nothing.”

I think the characteristic I respect and admire the most about Glenmary is the deep commitment Glenmary has to the poor. Glenmary does a truly Christ-like ministry in all the work you do in Mission Land USA.

Peter McGrover | Cincinnati, OH

jesus, take the wheel

It’s good to have a real “been there, done that” guy as editor. I loved your From the Editor [Autumn ‘23] with the Father Pat O’Donnel driving story—I hope those guardian angels got overtime! I was the last volunteer Father Pat brought in. I guess that’s why I never left, 44 years later!

Jan Kreher | Vanceburg, KY

we want letters to the editor !

Send to: Editor, Glenmary Challenge, PO 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.

WE ARE MINISTERING TO OVERLOOKED AND FORGOTTEN PEOPLE.

OUR QUEST FOR THE NEGLECTED AND FORGOTTEN TAKES US OUT BEYOND THE BOUNDARIES OF WHERE THE CHURCH IS AT PRESENT ESTABLISHED AND OBLIGES US TO ENTER NEW LANDS WHERE THE CHURCH IS UNKNOWN.

Father William Howard Bishop

Glenmary Founder

From atop the hill at Glenmary headquarters one unusual January morning this year, as a moist weather system arrived from the west, there was a beautiful sunrise in one direction, and an amazing rainbow in the other. Our statue of Father Bishop was between them. His words above seem to fit that moment. (Photo by John Feister/E + R Design)

Father Vijaya Katta celebrates the Sinulog festival with Filipino parishioners in North Carolina.

Photo courtesy of Johcel Artigas Hughes.