80 years of yes

80 Years of Yes

FROM THE EDITOR / John Stegeman

In a human lifespan, 80 years is a long time. In the life of the Church which has been around for 2,000 years, it’s not so long. A lot can be accomplished in eight decades and

Glenmary is living proof of that.

In the Spring issue I wrote about building churches and ordaining men to the priesthood as evidence for Glenmary’s robust activity today. That’s just a fraction of what Glenmarians and coworkers are up to. We’re serving food pantries, helping kids with homework, assisting with utility bills and sharing the gift of our Catholic faith with everyone we encounter.

Over the past 80 years, Glenmarians have worked to establish 142 Catholic communities so far. One can only guess how many people have, and will continue to have, access to the sacraments because of these efforts. It’s a spiritually moving thought.

I am further moved when I consider all the people who had to say yes to God and to Glenmary to make this happen. Donors have given their hard-earned money to support this cause. Volunteers have spent time working with the people we help. Bishops have welcomed us into their dioceses. In 80 years, I’d like to think more than a million people have said yes to Glenmary in some way or another.

God can do great things with even one yes, as evidenced by the Virgin Mary. Through her yes Christ came into the world. Through the yes of so many to Glenmary, we’ve brought Christ’s message to the margins of our own nation.

Thank you for supporting us these last 80 years.