Summer 2020 Glenmary Challenge by Glenmary Communications

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 SUMMER 2020

What Comes After Pandemic? covid-19 in the missions

Staying connected in isolation

‘i will always go’

Father Charles’ 1st Year as Priest

Look for Helpers

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.)

By the time this magazine reaches you, I don’t know what our situation will be. As I write it, most states are still on lockdown with stay-athome orders. Many are furloughed or unemployed. The lucky are working from home, and essential personnel are trying to stay safe at their workplaces. Our leaders are talking about beginning to open things up, but no one knows how that will go. From any perspective it’s a difficult time, and one that can lend itself to despair. But to paraphrase the late Mr. Fred Rogers of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, we can find hope if we “look for the helpers.” When I look for the helpers, among others, I see Glenmary Home Missioners. From Brother Levis Kuwa serving on the front line as a nurse, to Father Richard Toboso making social distancing adoration possible, Glenmarians are helping. Even in the midst of a pandemic, Glenmarians are bringing food to the hungry and meeting the spiritual needs of the people we serve from a safe social distance. Our mission churches are closed for Mass but in many ways the work of our missioner priests and brothers has increased. I’m reminded of an illustration I saw on social media. It shows a vacant church and displays the text, “the church isn’t empty, the church has been deployed.” Glenmary is the Church deployed and we are making a difference. No one knows what the future holds or how long we will be facing this pandemic, but Glenmarians are responding the only way they know how—by being the helpers.

COVER: Father Dan Dorsey, Glenmary president, donning a COVID-19 mask at Glenmary’s headquarters garden, hears from his men in the missions how Glenmary is rising to the challenge of mission during the pandemic. (Photo by John Feister)

VOLUME 83

NUMBER 2

What Comes After Pandemic? A Look to Glenmary’s Future PA G E 6

b y fat h e r d a n d o r s e y

cover story by john feister

wise missioner

covid - 19 in the missions

‘i

remembering two great missioners

Brother Curt Kedley, senior and active, tells what he’s learned from a life of intentional simple-living. Prayer is a key.

From streaming Masses to drive-thru food pantries, to socially distant home-visits, Glenmarians are creatively up to the task.

will always go ’

At the close of his first year as priest, Father Charles Aketch looks back on what he has learned and what feeds his spirit.

We lost Fathers John Rauch and Rollie Hautz to death this year, each at the end of incredible lives. Two friends celebrate them.

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

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

Virus affects oaths

glenmary news & notes

formation / Ceremony changes

Because of the coronavirus pandemic, Glenmary leadership has made

several changes to plans for men in formation as it pertains to oath renewals and ordination.

Students José Carlos Miguel Lo-

pez, Samuel Mungai, and Kenneth Wandera were scheduled to profess

Final Oaths May 23 with a public Mass

photo by john feister

in Cincinnati, Ohio. Instead, the men

Fr. Don heads back to missions

will renew their Temporary Oaths at

their respective mission locations. A new Final Oath Mass and ceremony are tentatively scheduled for June

26 in Lafayette, Tenn. The following day in Lafayette, the three men are

tentatively scheduled to be ordained to the diaconate. Both events are ex-

pected to be closed to the public,

ass ig n m e n t s / Will open new mission in Nashville diocese

and all dates are subject to change.

Glenmary Home Missioners will establish a new mission in the Diocese of

Solarz, Erick Orandi and Willy Kyagu-

Father Don has spent the past eight years successfully managing Glen-

oaths May 22 in Cincinnati, but will

Students Josiah Kimani, Matthew

Nashville in January of 2021, and Father Don Tranel will be its pastor.

lanyi were scheduled to renew their

mary’s development department, raising money to support the mission ef-

instead renew in their respective mis-

“The counties I will be moving to have no Catholic church, no rectory,

Glenmary has 15 men in formation.

fort. Prior to that assignment, he was a mission pastor.

sion locations on the same date.

no community,” Father Don said. “This is what Glenmary does best in terms

of sharing the precious gift of our faith with the poor and neglected counties of our nation that have no Catholic presence.

“I remain humbled on a daily basis by the generosity of our Glenmary

supporters,” he added. “The vision I shared with our staff from day one was

to promote loyalty and enhance relationships with our donor base. I know and they choose us.”

Keep an eye out for the Autumn edition of Glenmary Challenge when

we’ll reveal more about Glenmary’s newest mission.

ABOVE: Father Don Tranel is returning to the missions after a successful run as director of development. RIGHT: Matt Solarz, left, Kenn Wandera, center, and Sam Mungai are among the students whose oaths are affected by the pandemic.

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

glenmary.org

photo by john feister

that our donors receive tons of requests from other worthy organizations

Join our prayer

spirituality / Make a request All throughout our missions in rural

Appalachia and the Deep South, our priests and brothers are praying daily

for our nation and for your intentions, as well.

While the general intentions of

our supporters are remembered dur-

ing Masses in Our Lady of the Fields photo by cassie magnotta

Chapel, you have the opportunity to

present specific intentions by submitting a prayer request at Glenmary.

org/prayer, or by downloading the Glenmary app, available for Apple and Android users.

Submitted requests are placed

in a chest in the chapel where they are prayed for during Masses and a

special daily holy hour devoted to

Toppa Joppa running strong

asking God to end the coronavirus

volun t e e r s / Work goes on with skeleton staff

pandemic.

The Glenmary Group Volunteer Program in Grainger County, Tenn.,

impossible without the people who

hasn’t had a short-term volunteer since mid-March when the coronavirus

shut things down, but the work of helping the surrounding community continues.

Director Joe Grosek, staffer Donna Turchi and mountain managers Sis-

ter Mary Jo Kremer and Michael Canonico are the only people at the site, which typically hosts weeklong service-retreats for volunteers from around

"We know our mission work is

support and pray for us,” said Glen-

mary Second-Vice-President Father

Aaron Wessman. “This gives us an opportunity to give back by praying for their needs.”

the country.

“We have done a ton of food pantry work at Union County Food Pantry

in Hinds Creek, and even helping out Father Neil Pezzulo with a couple of

handouts he has done,” Joe said. “We have visited a lot of migrant workers

who are not working. We have completed a few construction projects in

the community as well. We worked on finishing a porch for a woman and photo by josh applegate

did a major roof repair for another woman this week.”

The mountain managers have also completed small projects at the site

to make things ready when short-term volunteers are able to return.

ABOVE: The team at Toppa Joppa is serving the community despite the ongoing coronavirus crisis. RIGHT: Glenmary instituted a special holy hour each day to pray for an end to the pandemic.

Spring 2020

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What Comes After Pandemic? A look to Glenmary’s future

Uncertainty is stressful for all of us. But we have hope in the risen Lord—and his call to mission. by father dan dorsey

“It is in the humanity of Jesus that we understand our divinity.” On Good Friday this past April I was overwhelmed by this reality in prayer. The teaching of Jesus, “Learn from me…” (Mt 11:29) echoed in my mind as I meditated on St. John’s Passion Narrative. Oftentimes my default setting and belief seem opposite. I tend to think it is in the divinity of Jesus that I understand my humanity. But actually the revelation of the Incarnation is more profound and ultimately more glorious: “The Word became flesh and dwelt in our midst” ( John 1:14). I am writing this reflection in the midst of 50-plus days of shelter-in-place. Over these days I have wondered what my life, the life of Glenmary and our missions will look like six months from now or even two years from now. There is a great deal of speculation on this topic from a variety of perspectives, but there is 6

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

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one thing that seems clear to me: We are in uncharted waters and nobody really knows exactly what post-pandemic life will be like. The one thing everyone seems to agree on is life and the world will be different. Most of us have lived in relative stability. It is not to say that we have not had crises or faced challenges in our lives. But we have never had to worry about such things as food supply, access to health care, or experienced a prolonged shelter-in-place. Suddenly, however, we have been cast into a dystopian world—surrounded by darkness, isolation, fear and uncertainty. In a matter of days, our lives went from ordinary to being turned upside down. It’s as if we are looking at a compass trying to figure out our location and the needle keeps spinning around the dial. There has been a sudden and collective loss of our normal. For me the image and feeling that best captured

‘Love one another’ Studies have shown that uncertainty is the most stressful condition for our bodies. That is exactly what we have experienced for months. In response to this darkness and uncertainty Pope Francis called for “a civilization of hope” that rejects fear, discouragement, and passivity, pointing to Jesus’ resurrection as the foundation of hope. In the pope’s words, from “A Plan to Rise Again,” an essay he published in a Spanish magazine: “Like the first disciples who went to the tomb, we live surrounded by an atmosphere of pain and uncertainty….The pain and mourning for our loved ones disorients us, distresses and paralyzes us. It is the heaviness of the gravestone that imposes itself on the future and that threatens… to bury all hope.” It is here that I return to the grace I received on Good Friday: In his life on earth Jesus never wavered from his mission: to reveal to us the true nature of our humanity. In doing so Jesus invited us to share in the unity he has with the Father, “As the Father loves me, so I also love you. Remain in my love” ( John 15:9). Jesus taught us the divine nature of our humanity in the Sermon on the Mount (“Blessed are those…”), in parables (e.g. The Good Samaritan) and perhaps most significantly in the actions of his life (e.g. in washing the feet of the apostles). We hear his constant message: “This is my commandment: Love one another as I have

loved you” ( John 15:12). Adapting is what we do What will our lives look like post-pandemic? I can say with certainty that Glenmary’s mission will not change—to witness to those in our missions, to those

As missioners we are uniquely prepared for the change and challenges that a post-pandemic world will present. in each of our lives the divinity of our human nature: compassion, forgiveness, mercy, joy and hope. As Glenmary missioners we embrace the image of the Good Shepherd who leaves the 99 in search of the lost one. And as missioners we are uniquely prepared for the change and challenges that a post-pandemic world will present. Adapting to change is a part of missionary life. Missioners search out the “signs of the times” and adapt accordingly. As Glenmarians we have adapted and adjusted our

photo by john feister

photo by cassie magnotta

our situation was contained in a book that I have been reading during this time of shelter-in-place—Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing. The book chronicles an Antarctic expedition in 1914, in which 28 men were shipwrecked. For five months they drifted on ice packs, castaways in one of the most savage regions in the world. In the words of one of the men, “In all of the world there is no desolation more complete than the polar night. It is a return to the ice age—no warmth, no life, no movement. Only those who have experienced it can fully appreciate what it means to be without the sun day after day and week after week….” There is also the darkness and uncertainty of Jesus’ tomb on Holy Saturday.

Father Dan Dorsey, Glenmary’s president, has led the society in differing ways over many years. He sees in the pandemic an opportunity to rekindle our trust in the mission of Jesus. Spring 2020

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

the presence and establishment of the Catholic Church. A friend gave me this advice about writing this article: “Try to have a happy ending. Everyone I know needs a little encouragement and a reminder that there is light at the end of the tunnel.” So I will conclude with this: “You are the light of the

Let us never lose sight of the fact that in the darkness and uncertainty of the tomb, the light shone forth to conquer darkness for all time. world” (Matthew 5:14). You are the light at the end of the tunnel. You are now the image of the invisible God in the world. The light, the divine is in you—let it pierce the darkness of this pandemic world we find ourselves in! As people of faith let us never lose sight of the fact that in the darkness and uncertainty of the tomb, the light shone forth to conquer the darkness for all time. We are an Easter people, and Alleluia is our song!

photos by john feister

missionary effort over the years according to the signs of the times. There remains a constant and clear mission. Father Bishop, Glenmary’s founder, states this best in a 1948 letter to his young missioners: “Love the poor, the sick, the helpless and attend to them. They are God’s aristocrats. He loves them. If you are known in your community as the contact for all the poor and unfortunate of the place, you could not have a more honorable title on earth or one that would make you more welcome in the courts of heaven” (1948 mid-winter letter). Perhaps in a post-pandemic world we can do this by realizing Brother Levis Kuwa’s dream of setting up a free medical clinic in one of our mission areas. Or the dream of Brother Jason Muhlenkamp and Pastor Darrell Alexander in Blakely, Ga., to be able to comfort a family who has just lost everything to a house fire: “We are here to help you in this situation. I know it looks like you have no hope…but you do.” Perhaps in this new era Brother David Henley and Glenmary’s vocation team will be flooded with inquiries from men who want to dedicate their lives to the people of rural America. In this “civilization of hope” perhaps Father Don will find those in Glenmary’s new mission site, in Tennessee, to be open and receptive to

Glenmary will stay true to its mission. Left: Brother Joe Steen (center) works with builder-parishioners Tom Charron (left) and Cliff Jablonski, planning for a new St. John Paul II church, under construction in Grainger County, Tenn. Right: Students (l to r) Samuel Mungai, José Carlos Miguel Lopez, and Kenneth Wandera, three of 15 men in formation, point to a bright future. 8

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

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Wise Missioner

interviews on glenmary spirituality

brother curt kedley : doing the simple stuff

He joined Glenmary in 1964, aged 22, and within a few years Brother Curt Kedley was studying social work at Xavier University. That set the course for his life of service, fighting poverty and helping people in Appalachia and the Deep South. Along the way he started a workshop for adults with developmental disabilities, assisted in home repairs, even worked as a baker in “the fruitcake capital of the world” (Claxton, Ga.). And that’s just a sampling. Q: You’re known for living a simple lifestyle. How did that start? A: Early in my career. another missioner and I lived in a small, simple home. We paid $35 per month for a little house in Ashe County, N.C., and we developed the idea that listening is a strong asset and ministry. I spent a lot of time listening to people. Many programs came out of that. Q: All these years later, you’re still

busy with Brother Virgil Siefker helping hungry families in eastern North Carolina, but you’re spending a bit more time in quiet, these days? A: Over the years my different work has taught me the virtue of patience, I hope. But I’ve noticed in the past year or two that I’ve become impatient! I don’t understand that—76 years old and I’m going backwards? (laughs) It probably happens to others, too! I pray to be patient. I’m a firm believer and I’ve heard more than one Glenmarian say over the years, discernment is a lifelong commitment. It keeps me humble. I’m still growing. Q: How do you pray? A: I usually get up early. I’m a morning person, I’m up at 5:30 a.m. I have my cup of coffee (maybe three cups!). I look at email, then I shut it down for the day. Then I go in my living room and when it’s warm outside, which is most of the time (here in North Carolina), I’ll go out and sit on the front porch. That’s my prayer space. I’ll have my candle lit. I’ll read a chapter from the Bible, pray the breviary, do some spiritual reading, then centering prayer. Spring 2020

Often I’ll take a meditative walk downtown and when I walk, I remember all 66 Glenmarians who’ve died, starting with Father William Howard Bishop and working through the alphabet. I call it the communion of saints. I think I am embedded with them. Life continues after death, you know. Life is life. I’ve been doing this for decades now. It’s just a pattern I do. Eventually each day, I’m out with Brother Virgil, stocking our interfaith food pantry or driving meals to local elderly, or whatever else needs doing. Q: It sounds as if your life is full of action and contemplation. Do you think one is better than the other? A: I think they feed on each other. Without contemplation, without prayer, ministry is a zilch. Something’s gotta’ make me tick. Something’s got to drive me. Something’s got to get me up in the morning. I have to wake up, express gratitude for who I am and who God’s calling me to be. For all of us, it’s not only the prayer but, What do I do? We are embedded with the divine spark. But we are to take that spark, light it up and create a fire! —John Feister GLENMARY CHALLENGE

COVID-19 in the Missions

Missioners respond to the coronavirus pandemic with passion and creativity, helping the people of their counties in new ways. story by john feister

Just as everywhere, in rural America the coronavirus pandemic changed lives almost instantly. There the infection lagged behind urban centers, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s true, and lower population density sometimes lessened or even hid the effects of COVID-19. Yet social distancing restrictions have included the rural regions since the beginning. Diocesan guidelines, too, limiting celebration of the sacraments, including the Eucharist, rites of initiation, and practically any church gathering have changed mission life deeply. Missioners, though, will be missioners. We asked some of our Glenmarians for firsthand reports on just how they are coping with the pandemic. From drive-thru food pantries in south Georgia, to socially distant house calls in North Carolina, to online parish meetings and placing cameras in worship spaces for online Massesâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;even in the Tennessee mountainsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Glenmarians have been creative as ever, reaching out to their communities. Here are some of their stories.

photo by father charles aketch

in and help them move on with life. Thanks to God our generous donors have sent us some resources, finances, to help meet the needs of the people we serve.” Longing for Eucharist Far out in the eastern end of North Carolina, also newly ordained Father Richard Toboso spends a lot of time making socially distant house calls. His parishioners “thirst for the truth,” as the Prayer for the Home Missions says. He celebrates Mass alone, but came up with an idea to get his parishioners more immediately involved. “On the last Sunday in Lent, I devised a way to try another step. I shared with them that after I finished Mass by 9:45 a.m., I would do exposition of the Blessed Sacrament at the rectory chapel. (Here at Holy Spirit we do not have a church building of our own.) I asked

photo by john feister

Live-streaming in the missions “We reach our parishioners by calling them,” says newly ordained Father Charles Aketch. He means all of them in Macon County, Tenn., served by Glenmary’s Holy Family parish. “We divide among ourselves who calls which families. This we do on a weekly basis.” They are working from a brand-new mission church—the first permanent Catholic church-building ever in that county, dedicated just last year. Father Chet Artyciewicz was temporarily assigned to that same mission while pastor Father Vic Subb, having shepherded the church-construction project, took a few months to attend a seminary-based ministry enrichment program. (The pandemic brought him back to Tennessee early.) In the pandemic’s earliest days, the ministry team considered a kind of drive-thru Holy Communion from the church parking lot. They ultimately settled on a weekly live-streamed Masses (English and Spanish), like so many parishes worldwide. It was something altogether different for a small parish in rural Tennessee to be on the internet for anyone in the world to watch! On Palm Sunday, though, palms were in the church parking lot for parishioners to pick up. “We help the poor buy food, pay rent, pay utilities, get some gas,” says Father Charles. “Most people have lost jobs and now they look upon the Church to come

At Holy Family’s new church in Macon County, Tenn., parishioners are remembered by names taped on pews. The Mass is streamed online while the parish stays connected by phone.

Father Richard Toboso, shown here in the days before his priestly ordination, has served his first year as priest at Holy Spirit parish in Bertie County, in eastern N.C.

Spring 2020

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

photo by rose pamaran linsangan

Not to be deterred by virus-isolation, Father John Brown (seated) set up outdoors for a socially safe eucharistic adoration at Holy Trinity in Martin County, in eastern N.C.

photo by deacon larry rossini

them to stop by and receive communion from 10 a.m. to noon, if they were feeling fine. But also I shared with them that they are not obligated. “A number of them showed up and received Communion. They actually stayed for a few minutes before the Blessed Sacrament until the next person was at the front porch.” Other than administering Communion, Father Richard, of course, kept his place praying away well away from the parishioners. “One woman actually drove the half-hour alongside the Albemarle Sound, from the mission in Plymouth,” reports Father Richard. “She just celebrated her 80th birthday in February and she really misses Masses and Communion.” Longing was a recurrent theme for the parishes in Bertie and Washington Counties. Father Richard reflects, “I have come to understand how much people long to receive the Eucharist.” Then there’s food of a more practical type. Brothers

Virgil Siefker and Curt Kedley had helped to organize an interfaith food pantry in Bertie County over the past few years. They figured out in the pandemic how to turn it into a drive-thru pantry. Brother Virgil reports that “one day we received 1,000 pounds of apples to give to people” and another day “we received 1,000 pounds of chicken from Perdue.” Meanwhile, Brother Curt continues to work part time at the local nursing home, “as long as I pass the temperature test.” And he speaks of extending things in the food pantry: “A couple of us have targeted mostly shut-ins around town: 11 elderly folks that live at the old hospital and the Village Apartments. I delivered 14 boxes of food to them yesterday. I meet them on the front porch.” He also reports that Father Richard has been sharing daily reflections via Facebook. Zooming in the Tennessee hills Kenneth Wandera’s deaconal ordination has been delayed and scaled down to a small gathering, but he is not deterred. He’s using Zoom, a free internet videoconferencing service, to convene the formerly in-person gathering at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Erwin, Tenn. “Usually people bring food, and they share faith stories together. That’s why we call it Food and Faith!’’ The isolation makes the food part impossible, but the faith-sharing continues. “Once people log in, we ask a very simple question: ‘How are you doing?’ We get the feel of where people are in their lives, and learn the struggles they and their families are going through.” That same software is helping Glenmarians across Food shortage was a challenge for many, and is now for even more. Father Neil Pezzulo, pastor of St. Teresa’s and St. John Paul II in East Tennessee, helps address the need.

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

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photos c/o st. michael’s facebook

It’s not face-to-face, but an online Zoom meeting allows St. Michaels’s Food and Faith, in Unicoi County, Tenn., to share faith, led by Glenmary’s Kenn Wandera (upper left).

In the land of cotton There are many other mission stories that we could share here, but let’s end with southern Georgia. That’s where the pandemic hit hardest in the Glenmary missions. And Brother Levis Kuwa has paid the dearest price. A nurse, he fearlessly worked in the emergency room of the Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center in Randolph County (a one-story, 105-bed hospital). One day he awoke not feeling well, and soon tested positive for COVID-19. He took to bed in the St. Luke rectory in Randolph County near the hospital, while his partner in ministry Brother Jason Muhlenkamp quarantined himself in their home in Early County, 30 miles away. Pastor Father Mike Kerin gave up his place in Randolph County’s rectory, moving to the Early County rectory while tending to both of their needs. Brother Levis was on the mend, but, about two weeks into the infection, he noticed a persistent soreness and weakness on his left side. At this writing he was in the

hospital in Albany, itself a coronavirus “hotspot,” undergoing assessment. His good spirits remain, though, even in the hospital, unable to see visitors. “They know how to fix me,” he says, during a recent phone call from his hospital bed. He is, after all, a medical professional— and a man of faith. [Update: Brother Levis is at home again, still healing.] Brother Jason came out of quarantine in good shape, and continues finding ways to support families in financial crises. Whether serving spiritual or physical needs in their community, Glenmary is a dedicated bunch. As one Glenmarian reminds us, “Indeed we are in tough times, but God will not abandon us.”

photo by john feister

the mountains from each other get together and share community. Father Neil Pezzulo set it all up and trained his brothers how to use it. “We had a family bring up food tonight!” says Father Tom Charters to the group online, “and another family yesterday. The best was the chocolate chip cookies!” You can practically hear lips smacking through the computer. More seriously, Father Tom reads some instructions from the Knoxville bishop, and there is chat about life in the parishes, remarkable support via a collection box set up outside the church— the nuts and bolts of running even a small parish.

Glenmary Brother Levis Kuwa, emergency room nurse at Southwest Georgia Regional Medical Center, scrubs up near his work station. He contracted COVID-19, but is on the mend. Spring 2020

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

Father Charles Aketch, right, smiles next to Bishop Richard Stika of Knoxville. That's Father Richard Toboso, left.

‘I Will Always Go’

Father Charles Aketch’s first year as a priest was one of new responsibilities and opportunities. story by john stegeman

For Glenmary Father Charles Aketch, who was ordained to the priesthood last April, saying yes to new responsibilities has defined his first year as a priest. “I’m open to helping everyone in the county, not only the Catholics,” Father Charles says. “So long as they call me, I will always go. “When you are ordained a priest there is a lot of responsibility you are given,” he adds. “The responsibility to teach the people, to sanctify the people and to govern the people…. This responsibility becomes very heavy on you because you are expected to be with the people always.” Father Charles has tried to do just that. On his evening walks, he stops and talks with groups of people he finds gathered. Whenever someone buys a house in the community, he makes a point to say hello. He, along with pastor Father Vic Subb, has transported local migrant workers to hospitals. In the time of the 14

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coronavirus, he has spent hours on the phone calling parishioners to stay in touch. In addition to his active ministry, Father Charles has continued to grow and develop as a priest. This he credits to Glenmary’s community life. Father Charles is the pastoral associate at Glenmary’s Holy Family Mission in Lafayette, Tenn. Father Vic, Glenmary Second-VicePresident Brother Larry Johnson, student Corey Soignier, and Father Chet Artysiewicz also reside nearby. “Ever since I joined this life, I’ve always told my brothers that community life has made me who I am,” Father Charles says. “You have a place you can come back and share with people the challenges, sorrow, happiness and whatever you experience outside of there. Community life to me is something paramount.” He credits Father Vic as a teacher, saying the veteran missioner has taught him humility and reinforced his desire to reach out to people whenever possible. Be-

ing with the people, however, has challenges for a new priest. For one thing, there’s hearing confessions. “It’s not something that is easy—to hear people’s sins,” Father Charles says. “Some people come crying before they tell you anything and you don’t know what to do. You’re told not to cry when people cry because you can’t attend to them well…. It’s a big responsibility to hear people’s sins and to decide what to tell them so they can have the consolation of Jesus.” Sometimes there are more unusual situations. “There are many people who call saying they have evil spirits in their house,” he says. “Dogs are barking at nothing, things like that. And they don’t call their priest or their pastor, they will always call the Catholic priest. Even their pastor will tell them, ‘call the Catholic priest.’ I’ve seen this many, many times in Tennessee.” Father Charles says the most special experience of being a priest in his first year remains united to the source and summit of the Catholic faith—the Eucharist. He described the feeling at the moment of consecration during his first Mass as a priest as, “very encouraging, very consoling, very soothing.” “The act of consecration, to me, that place is sacred

time,” Father Charles says. “You are calling the Holy Spirit to come upon the altar so that the bread and wine changes into the real Body and Blood of Christ. That time of consecration to me is just really beautiful. There are other things that can be done by different people but only a priest can do the consecration. It is meant only for a people that are set apart, and not because they are holy, but because of their calling.” The tail end of Father Charles’ first year of course saw a change. With the coronavirus in full swing, he is now celebrating the Mass without an in-person congregation. He says the virus has shattered many of the plans he had for ministry. “At the end of Mass, I say to the people, bow down your head to receive God’s special blessing. I like that gesture,” Father Charles said. Of course, these days he can’t see the people bow, as they’re watching on live streams. He hopes sooner rather than later he will get to ask God’s blessing upon them in person. Father Charles Aketch, right, distributes the Precious Blood. He considers the moment of consecration at Mass a “sacred time” that he is privileged to experience as a priest.

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photo by john feister

Since I joined this life, I've always told my brothers that community life has made me who I am...[it] is something paramount.

Spring 2020

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

Remembering Two Father John Rausch: A Holy Friend in memory

by father bob dalton

How would you describe what holiness means to you? Father John Rausch answered that question not long before his sudden and unexpected death. He wrote, “I never wanted to be holy. I just wanted to pal around with God doing justice stuff.” That may not be exactly how I would describe it, but all the elements of true holiness are there—intimacy with God through Jesus, and working for the Kingdom of God on this earth. A few years ago I visited with Father John for a couple days at his

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

house in Stanton, Ky. He took me on a tour of what he called the “Holy Land of Appalachia.” Our first stop was a mountaintop removal site, which is an atrocious way of extracting coal by bulldozing and blasting away the top of a mountain. He had tears in his eyes as he spoke about what I was seeing. We then went into a valley below to a stream so polluted that the water had become orange in color. Quietly, Father John said, “See what has been done to God’s gift of water?” He looked across the road at some simple homes and remarked that the people there can’t drink from their wells anymore, but had to go to town to buy water. To him, holiness included a passion for God’s creation and for God’s beloved poor. My friendship with Father John began more than 50 years ago when he had a summer assignment to New Bloomfield, Pa., where I was pastor. We lived in tight quarters in a house trailer. Later we served together again with me as pastor and he as associate glenmary.org

pastor. It was a great relationship until one day we had a bad argument. I felt guilty so I took him to a nice steak restaurant to make amends. We had a good talk and a good meal, but the argument reignited when we were nearly back home. You could feel the tension as I dropped him off. Before getting home I realized I needed to call and apologize immediately. For over a half hour his line was busy. He was trying every few minutes to call me and apologize as well. We talked it through the next morning and I can truly say that I have never had a harsh feeling toward Father John since that night in 1972. Father John wrote in his final message, “I pray I was a trusted and faithful friend. Truth seeker, risk taker and justice worker might complete what I wanted to become.” Yes, you were. Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the kingdom prepared for you. I am going to miss you real bad, buddy.

o Great Missioners Father Rollie Hautz: Joyous Gift in memory

by father chet artysiewicz

“When I grow up, I want to be Rollie Hautz.” The fact that a 40-year-old priest uttered those words tells you a lot about the late Father Roland “Rollie” Hautz. He was the oldest living Glenmarian and the longest under oath. He was known for several things, among them a joyful enthusiasm I first noticed back in 1964. That joy persisted until his death. That joyous spirit in-

spired the opening comment. Father Rollie had a great devotion to the Eucharist, and a holy hour was a regular part of his prayer life. I would maintain he viewed life through the lens of his faith, and this was the source of his spirit. He was not “silly happy” but joyful, due to faith conviction in the midst of personal trials like the loss of his parents and pastoral challenges of missionary ministry. I was president of Glenmary when, after 60 years of service, it became time for Father Rollie to leave the missions. Although he required some help vesting for Mass, he remarked to me, “You know, I think I could still handle one parish.” Rather than stay at the Glenmary residence he requested permission to join a number of our men at the assisted living facility. He felt he could “do more good” there, and indeed he did. On numerous occasions he administered the anointing of the sick to Glenmarians and others when time was of the essence. Spring 2020

Several years ago, I witnessed an event that touched Father Rollie, occasioned by the death of a wonderful man who resided in the West Union, Ohio, parish. As Father Rollie sat at the funeral home, one person after another came and greeted him. He beamed at the rekindling of memories. While his presence meant much to the family, it touched a wider circle. He acknowledged that he received much more than he gave that evening. Our world is trying to recover from the contagion of the coronavirus and there’s no telling if we will ever return to what we knew as normal. While it’s a bit late for me to grow up I sure wouldn’t mind some contagion of this man’s spirit. In fact, given the heaviness we’ve endured I could not make a better wish for our world in general. In the midst of everything, Father Rollie knew and lived the message that the final word is not death but LIFE. Thank you, faithful missioner, for the gift of yourself to God’s people. GLENMARY CHALLENGE

letters to the editor WONDERFUL INTERVIEW Thank you for that wonderful interview with Brother Jack Henn (“Wise Missioner,” Spring 2020). I first met Brother Jack when he was the Director of Formation for the candidates in Hartford, Ky., and I was teaching the candidates at Brescia University in Owensboro, Ky. Glenmary has had a long tradition of hardworking brothers who minister on the peripheries without calling attention to themselves. Pope Francis would be proud. Fr. Anthony Shonis · Henderson, Ky. HUNKERED DOWN Just writing to say that I love the story about Brother Jason and Pastor Darrell in Georgia (“Acting Like the Apostles,” Spring 2020). I like most of the stories in the Challenge, but this one really touched me. I am writing this while “hunkering down” during the coronavirus. I pray for all of us, including missionaries. God bless you. Thank you for all you do. JoAnn Cooke · Prescott, Ariz.

TRULY INSPIRING Yesterday, I proudly read through the latest Glenmary Challenge. Truly inspiring reading Brother Jack Henn’s take on listening, Brother Jason Muhlenkamp and Father Frank Ruff on ecumenism in action and what’s possible for the future of the Church. Father Bishop’s vision, words and spirit can and will rejuvenate Glenmary and the whole Church with an emphasis on reaching out together to “the least of the brethren” in a way Jesus’ farewell discourse proclaims: “that they all may be one”... so that our world may believe and be saved from itself and destruction. Rob Vlacancich · Ocala, Fla. FEEDING THE BODY The Churches of Christ article in the recent Challenge (“A Meeting of Hearts and Minds,” Spring 2020) recalled a similar ecumenical experience which I had with a local Church of Christ minister. Many churches in town combine to feed the hungry once a day in a “loaves and fishes” meal; naturally, ecumenical friendships occur during these meals

Leave a Legacy Gift Gifts to Glenmary in the form of bequests from wills and trusts are gifts that ensure a lasting Catholic presence and Christian care to people in our missions for years to come. If you have remembered Glenmary in your will or trust, please let us know so we can have the pleasure of thanking you now. For more information, contact: Luke Carey, Planned Giving Officer lcarey@glenmary.org 800-935-0975

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so when a Church of Christ minister began to ask me about Catholic teachings, I invited myself to his church. Fellowship led to a six week alternating schedule of reciprocal visits. At the end, he was planning on making a 30 day Ignatian retreat. I gave him a copy of The Spiritual Exercises by St. Ignatius of Loyola at our last meeting! Indeed, “breaking bread” feeds the body of Christ! Paul Ackerman · Columbus, Mo. GOOD WORK I enjoy your magazine and all the good work you are doing for the poor. Dorothy Schoch · Cumberland, Md. DEEPLY MOVED Thank you for the Glenmary magazine. It truly is inspiring and a blessing. I was deeply moved by the article “After the Raid” (Spring 2020). The terminology “undocumented alien” is so inappropriate. Are we not all children created by God? God bless Father Steve Pawelk indicating that politics should not define our Christian life, nor should the U.S. Constitution override the Bible. How sad that many of us do not see the situation as that. Thank you to Rodrigo for producing the documentary and not making it political but for its humanity. We are doing more than missing the connection with real people by not being understanding. Again, thank you Father Steve for your kindness and understanding of your parishioners that are in need of your many blessings. Gloria Rita Borjon · Denver, Colo.

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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.

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

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Missioners always adapt Father Neil Pezzulo put St. Teresa of Kolkata’s Masses online early on in the pandemic with Zoom. Watch Mass in the missions every weekend!

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Spring 2020

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