One Year Review--Nurture

First Public Mass in Union County-2011

One year ago, on the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, the first Mass ever in Union County, TN was offered.  Br. Craig and myself were the only two in attendance as it marked our arrival together at this mission.  Br. Joe arrived about a month later.  Therefore the next few blog reflections will review our first year in these two new Catholic missions.

First English Mass in Grainger County 2011

Spanish Mass Social at Agricultural Center- Sept. 2011

Glenmary Home Missioners often promotes five areas of missionary activity.  These are Catholic Nurture, Ecumenism, Evangelization to the Unchurched, Social Outreach, and Universalism.  These categories will guide my reflections.

Obviously, the largest amount of activity this year has been Catholic Nurture.  Prior to my arrival, I received a list of Catholics who attended interest meetings and a list of those who receive the Tennessee Catholic Newspaper.  Thus we invited those in Union County to attend a meeting at the Senior Citizens Center for two information meetings in August. Our first public Mass was a" bring your own chair" Mass under our Carport on September 7, 2011.  The first Sunday Mass was held October 2, 2011 at Miller's Chapel United Methodist Church.  The first Mass in our rental building under the name of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission was All Saint's Day, November 1st.  Our first Spanish Mass was for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, 2011.

Planners of the first Spanish Mass in Maynardville - 2011

The beginnings in Grainger County were different.  Once a month Saturday evening Masses in Spanish were already being celebrated at the Agricultural Center with the priests from St. Patrick's in Morristown conducting them.  I took over the responsibility on the last Saturday in August.  In September we had a huge gathering for the feast of St. Michael the Archangel with 108 in attendance. On November 6 was the first Sunday Mass in Spanish in our new building with only about 30 people in attendance.  The English Speaking community gathered in the American Legion for our first meeting in September with 34 in attendance.  We struggled finding meeting space and physical location in the months of September and October. In October, Rutledge Methodist Church opened its door for our planning sessions.  We managed to offer our first English Mass on the last Saturday of October with 11 people in attendance.  These were our humble beginnings at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission.

First Guadalupe Festival in Rutledge--2011

From November until now the growth in both missions has been incredible.  At Blessed Teresa of Calcutta we now have Mass in both languages every Sunday.  We average around 50 folks in attendance at both hours, but they both can have much higher attendance as well.  We have had one adult confirmed into the faith and six young people make their first Holy Communion and another eight are preparing for Confirmation in October.  The boy scouts won awards at their first diocesan gathering and we have sponsored several socials with great success.  We even managed to have a Bible School. 

Scout Sunday - 2012 at BTC

This Saturday a group of men will begin remodeling the expansion unit.  Yes, we are now renting the storage unit between the office and worship space, so there will be room for socials, additional classroom space and counseling area.  God is doing something amazing here.  The Holy Spirit is alive and moving.

In Grainger, we have had a fantastic year.  Our Saturday evening English Mass continues to grow even through we remain small.  We have gone from an average of 18 people to 30.  On Thursday evenings for our midweek service, we averaged during the school year about 30.  We had 18 children make first communion in June and 24 youth and adults to be confirmed in September.  We have formed a mission advisory team and mission resource team (similar to parish and financial councils). Adoration is available every Tuesday at 1:30 p.m.  We have regular socials. We held an under the tent Bible School.  Last week 38 people attended the English Mass and 89 the Mass in Spanish.  So we continue to grow under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

First Communicants at JP II - June 2012

First Communicants at BTC- May 2012(plus one)

One important factor has been the home visits of Br. Craig.  He continues to visit homes weekly, discovering new Catholics and talking to ones not yet coming.  Through his work, our homebound list for communion as grown and most likely will continue to grow. 

Bible School at BTC- August 2012

Let the Holy Spirit Flow

Who could have predicted such a beautiful start to these two missions a year ago?  I am humbled and blessed to be a part of God's gracious work among such wonderful people.  Together with Br. Craig and Br. Joe we are excited for year two!!

Never Just One Thing

What's next?

Since my last entry, I was on vacation with my family.  Upon my return we have finished two weeks of Summer Fiesta with two groups of volunteers, had a Bingo Night Social, sponsored 19th Century Kids Games at the Tomato Festival and currently are hosting a joint Bible School with the Methodist Church featuring three volunteers from Maryland.  In the mission field, it is never just one thing at a time.

This buzz of summer activities all accomplish various missionary goals in a variety of ways.  Sometimes managing these events and the various people associated with them feels like the announcer of a three ring circus and it has the same thrills and spills. Yet, that is what brings life to this ministry.

Spills and thrills

At the trailer park in Central Point, we served about 35 kids with our bible school and an average of 25 with the next two weeks of Summer Fiesta.  Summer Fiesta was possible because of two volunteer groups, one from New Jersey and the other from Pennsylvania.  Also one publishing company and another individual supplied us with educational books and art supplies.  This allowed us to help the children improve math and reading skills.  It also provided a positive community experience for many of the kids in the park. 

PA volunteers from Summer Fiesta

BINGO

Look at all those prizes!!

The Bingo Night was part of the monthly social at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Maynardville.  We have a desire to be one faith community even through we have Mass in English and Spanish.  Therefore, we are trying to hold once a month a bilingual Mass, social and games.  Bingo works across cultures well.  The joy and laughter combined with the various foods really makes for sense of family and language does not become a barrier.





The Tomato Festival just celebrated its 20th year in Grainger County.  It features an art show, produce vendors, food, and the famous tomato wars.  Our church was asked to fill in a gap.  The group that has done 19th Century Games for kids was not able to come.  Therefore we were in the heritage area with the civil war canon, the gospel tent and the blacksmith.  It was our first time to participate and since neither Br. Craig nor I had been there before, it was not so easy to know what to expect.  Overall it went well with the kids enjoying the various table games, ring toss, nine pins and the ol' time races.  Our goal was to be a positive influence for families and to support the local organizing committee.  That was achieved.

Tire Roll

Some of our volunteers working the games

Now this week we are on day two of Bible School in Maynardville.  We are blessed with three volunteers from Maryland who brought with them the arts and crafts supplies for our week.  This is a joint Bible School with the Methodist Church.  They only have about five children so together we are stronger.  Also, this is the church that first allowed us to have Mass in their building while we got started.  Thus, it is a joy to do this exciting program together.

Together we can do anything!!

In the midst of this buzz, the normal activity of daily Mass, paying bills, and visiting the homebound and those in the hospital continues.  So at least in these missions, it is never just one thing!!!

First Catholic Bible School of Grainger County

The group from St. Clair with Glenmarians

"Rise and Shine and Give God your Glory, Glory" has been my morning song for the last five days.  It worked too well, because we really had to get our children "out of the muddy, muddy" after four days of rain.

Song time

Arts and Crafts

We are very grateful to our friends from St. Claire Catholic Church, Cincinnati, Ohio who came to help us.  This was a different type of Bible School, but worked out very well.  We set up a tent owned by a parishioner in his backyard in the center of Central Point Trailer Park in Grainger County.  Each morning we shared songs, a Bible Story, recreation, and arts and crafts.  The USDA (United States Department of Agriculture) supplied a free lunch each day and parishioners from Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission provided snacks.  A special thanks to Wright and Cox IGA of Rutledge which also donated food for the morning snacks.

Game time

With four days of rain it was a special challenge, but with the energy of the volunteers and the help of Clive Otieno, a Glenmary Seminarian, Br. Craig, and others it worked out.  I believe the kids had a great time, bonded more as a community, and learned a little more about the love of Jesus.

Arts and Crafts

 The next two weeks the Tennessee Glenmary Volunteer program will continue to work at the trailer park leading our first Summer Fiesta:  a morning of education and fun.  Hopefully, this too will add to a great summer for kids who normally spend all day in their trailers waiting for their parents to come home from the tomato fields.

Clive sharing the Bible Story of the day

In the midst of this Bible School there were a few other events have happened since my return from Kenya.  We held our first ever Mission Advisory Team meetings for both communities.  This is like a parish council and it is another step in developing a Catholic faith community.

First Advisory Team of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta

 Also we had a small miracle (or maybe a large miracle).

One of our parishioners went into pre-labor at only 6 months of pregnancy.  Late in the evening Br. Craig and I drove to the hospital.  We anointed the mother and the small child inside the womb.  Two nights ago Br. Joe and I returned to the hospital to bless Riley, our 1 pound and six ounces, 13 inches long miracle.  It is truly awe inspiring to see such a small child doing so well.  How can anyone imagine that abortion can be justified?  God loves life and every life is precious.

Now tonight it off to some local entertainment,  that is the Rodeo!!!

Kenya Interlude

Praising God with the girls at St. Albert the Great Catholic School

I have dedicated this blog to the development of our Catholic Missionary efforts in Grainger and Union County, TN, but I wish to take a small Kenya interlude.  I had the  priviledge to travel with Fr. Crispine Adongo to his village for his Masses of Thanksgiving.  Accompanying me were Br. Craig and Br. David Henley, our vocation director.

Br. Craig, Br. David and Godfrey's sister

This was a real priviledge since prior to being here, I served as the vocation director for Glenmary.  Thus, I was part of the journey for Fr. Crispine to come to the U.S.A. to serve as a priest in the United States.  Completing this phase of his "safri" (which means journey) by sharing his joy with his hometown and family was truly special.

Fr. Crispine surrounded by his fans

The village, Ulanda,  is small and rural, but it has a Catholic High School for girls of 1,000 students, thus making it close to the size of Maynardville, which is about 1,700 people.  These girls were bright, animated and curious.  I was able to share a Mass with them and be a part of their Saturday afternoon youth group.

Openning Procession for Sunday Mass of Thanksgiving

Br. Craig, Fr. Cris and myself with family and friends

Sunday was the parish Mass of Thanksgiving with started around 11 and ended somewhere close to 3 p.m.  This did include the program following Mass.  The sense of joy and praise was very evident.  On Tuesday we went to the home of Fr. Crispine for a Mass.  Many people walked several kilometers to attend.  During the after Mass program, gifts were presented to Fr. Crispine.  They included a bull cafe and several sheep and a chicken.. 

Gifts for Fr. Crispine

In between these two Masses we had a tour of the local sugar factory, which produces 80 % of its own power by converting the by-product of the sugar cane for fuel.  Also we ended our time at Naribo game park where we had a nice time viewing the animals including seeing the LIONS.

Br. Craig, Br. David and myself ready to tour the Sugar Cane Factory

Now that my small interlude is over, it is back to the basics of missionary life.  This week will include several baptisms and next week begins our first Bible School in Grainger County.  Assanti sana (Thank you very much!!)

Polar Energy

  Some times in one day in the missions opposite emotions and polar energy is needed to represent Christ to those in need.  This was the case on the last day of May.  I was at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission where we about to celebrate Mass and then have first communion rehearsal when I receive a call.  The call was one of the worst tragedies people experience.  A small two year old child was run over in her own driveway and died.  The young parents are from Mexico and the driver was an American friend who came to pick up the father for work.  This dual pull between celebrating the joy of first communion with the seventeen children in Rutledge and supporting grieving parents over the loss of their little daughter was challenging.  Yet, it is here where God grants a priest the grace needed to be all things to all people as Paul invites us to be.

A reminder of our suffering even in the midst of joy

Both Friday and Saturday night we offered Rosaries late in the evening for the family of the small child.  They have no family here and their friends all work in the restaurant business.  The beauty in the midst of this tragedy was how the parishioners of both races came out to support them.  It truly gave support to the young couple.  Yet, their journey of healing as a long way to go.  Their daughter will be laid to rest in Mexico and the flight is scheduled this Wednesday.  Twelve days after the tragedy.  The family will return to Mexico as well.  As one Glenmary offered, "A year ago, who would have been here to help them?"

Yet, in recognizing that life may be short increased the preciousness of first communion.  Knowing that life is a gift and no amount is time, this celebration was filled with extra meaning.  One five year old was baptized, his sister and another were baptized and received their first communion. Along with these three were thirteen other children receiving Jesus for the first time in the Real Presence of His Body and Blood.

Baptism

It is amazing that in less than one year that so many have returned to the Sacrament.  The children making their first communion range from ages 7 to 10.  This September we have another group of youth who will be confirmed and make their first communion as well.  These are amazing days and God is the one in charge.

As I head to Kenya for ten days, I wish to leave my faithful readers with pictures of joy.  May the smiles and warmth of these first communion pictures comfort you as you pray for the family that sufferers.  We truly are like Paul says, One Body of Christ.... When one person suffers we all suffer and when one person rejoices we all rejoice.

Be safe and tell the children they are precious and loved by God.

First Communion

The First Communion Class

Last Sunday, on the feast of the Ascension, we celebrated First Communion at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission.  As MayPo, their teacher told them, "You are making history.  You will always be known as the first group to make first communion at our new mission.  When you are older this will be a terrific thing to share with your children." (Of course, I am hoping some of them will be priests, brothers or sisters, therefore, they will share this with the people they serve.)

MayPo, their teacher

Our six young people were well prepared and did a great job.  We combined services to hold an "All Parish Mass" which means that it was bilingual.  Our pianist and canter were absent because of other obligations, put they had recorded the songs earlier and we all sang the best we could.

Francisco doing the first reading at Mass

Singing their special song

The children did the readings, wrote the petitions and sang a special song.  They were reverent, devote, and happy!!  They joy made the 139 people in attendance experience the joy of the Lord as well.  Among the congregation only about twenty were quests, including a visiting soccer club.  It was the first time we did not have enough chairs.  That, too, was a happy experience.

The many levels of meaning in the Eucharist were very visible.  The sense of innocence and purity in our young people is a reflection of how each of us is forgiven through the reception of the Body and Blood of Christ, thus we are purified and restored to holy innocence.  The Real Presence of Christ, as light of the world, is expressed after each of our first communicants lit their candle after receiving the Body and Blood of Christ for the first of what will be many times.  The sense that we become what we eat, that is, we become the Body of Christ broken for one another and the Blood of Christ poured out for the salvation of the world.The strong sense of unity--of many races, classes, and ages-- uniting together under one roof to pray to One God and participate in the One Sacrament was overwhelming.

 It is such a privilege to be part of the blooming of new faith and a new faith community.  The joy of who we truly are as a family of God becomes more evident each day of service in this humble mission.  The parents, godparents, and teachers of these students deserve great praise for their dedication and hard work in sharing the faith with our six young people.  What a joy to be part of the Body of Christ where the heartbeat of Jesus is strong and healthy!

AMEN!!  We are the Body of Christ!!