A Better World
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.)
Jesus knew how to make a point. In Luke 11:11 he asks, “ What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?” Right there in scripture we see proof of something older than scripture itself. Parents want good things for their children. We want to leave them a better world. This passage is of particular meaning to my family right now. My wife and I are expecting our fourth son in December. When I read the headlines, I often worry about the world I will leave behind to our boys. Will they grow to love the Lord? Will they treat others the way they want to be treated? Will they be healers or dividers? Despite my worry, I am blessed. When I go to work at Glenmary, I see a different world. When the headlines tell me there’s no room for God, I see Father John Brown teaching children about the love of Christ. When fear mongers tell me to hate the stranger, I see Father Neil Pezzulo at the Mexican border treating immigrants with dignity. When I worry about divisions among Christians, I see Brother Craig Digmann visiting our Protestant brothers and sisters and establishing friendships. When I go to work, I have the privilege of seeing a whole community dedicated to making this world a better place by modeling it on Jesus. I hope this magazine lets you see what I get to witness. Christmas is coming and then the new year. Let us look to the example of Glenmary’s priests and brothers and coworkers as we choose our resolutions for the future. For the sake of every child who will be born this year, let’s leave them a better world.
GLENMARY HOME MISSIONERS P.O. Box 465618 · Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618 513-874-8900 · 800-935-0975 · challenge@glenmary.org © 2019, Glenmary Home Missioners. Reprint permission granted upon request.
ON THE COVER: Father Aaron Wessman, former pastor of Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Windsor, N.C., led his community in 2018ʼs annual Christmas parade. (Photo by John Feister)
