Missionary Priesthood

Fr. Aaron final English Mass at JP II with Fr. Steve

This past month has been a deep reflection on the meaning of missionary priesthood.  I had the  privilege to celebrate 25 years of priesthood on May 20th. Fr. Aaron, after just two short years, is moving on to his next assignment. These two events combined have allowed a month to reflect on what it means to be a missionary priest in the community of Glenmary.

Sharing a moment together after the Baptism

Graduates at BTC

There are many aspects of missionary priesthood that appear the same as any priest:  we offer Mass, administer the sacraments of baptism, communion, confession, matrimony and the anointing of the sick. We accompany folks through all sorts of challenges and joys.   So what makes this missionary call different from others? It is where, how and what of sharing Christ with others

First Communion

Our missionary priesthood is shared in rural areas of the United States only.   Three years ago neither county had a Catholic worshipping community.   Three years ago, many of the people now regulars at Sunday Mass, were not even Catholics or were not practicing on a regular bases.  Three years ago, no one in Union County,TN would imagine that three ministers from other Christian churches and the Bishop of Knoxville would gather in the downtown park with over 200 quests to celebrate a Catholic Mass of thanksgiving.   Three years ago, no Catholic priest ate lunch with High Schooler's in Grainger County or Middle Schoolers in Union County.

25th Anniversay, Fr. Steve's Parents in front

Pastor Ryan and the Bishop at the 25th Anniversary

Fr. Aaron hanging out with the youth

The fact that two priests have been in two counties where a priest never lived before does make a difference even if it is for just a few people.

Fr. Aaron's Appreciation Day

The how of priesthood is very focused on the people.   Every one has a spiritual journey, whether Catholic, Baptist, or of no faith.   A missionary priest listens, encourages and where necessary challenges.  A missionary priests engages people in their every day lives, going to sports event, visiting people in homes, talking to folks in the stores and businesses.   Every thing is done with the hope that by your presence folks encounter a loving Jesus who wants to be not only their Savior, but also, their brother.

Sing to the Lord

The how means trying to promote the reign of God in the full community beyond the Catholic church walls.  Thus, time spent in helping feed the poor, promoting immigration reform, and searching for ways to help people avoid addictions, especially to drugs and alcohol are part of the life.  The how is any way in which being a friend, a guide or a healer for another can be done in the Spirit of Christ, we will try.

Food for those in need

What we bring is no different than what any one else brings, except for one factor.   We bring the Word of God and the joy of a life lived for Christ.   We share the sacraments and our Catholic tradition.   So, too, however, does every minister, lay, ordained or religious.   The one factor we bring that no else can bring is the  person.  I bring Fr. Steve and Fr. Aaron brings himself.  We are different individuals from different families, different histories, and different journeys.   The gift of who we are with our strengths and weaknesses is what we bring.   A friend once told me that they only common thread among Glenmarians is that there is no common threads.   We are a community of unique individuals, with strong personalities, unafraid to be ourselves, happily creative and willing to take a chance in order to give all we got for the sake of Jesus, the Kingdom of God and the folks we encounter.

Dancing with Mom

Texting Mom?

So I am very grateful for the gifts of missionary priesthood Fr. Aaron brought to Union and Grainger County.  Likewise, I am grateful for 25 years of service of priesthood in Georgia, Mississippi, Kentucky and Tennessee as well as various places beyond.  I am grateful for the Glenmary community.   Most of all, I am grateful to Jesus Christ for loving me, dying for me, forgiving me and saving me.   Hey, what could be greater?

He is Risen

Happy Easter!!

I know Easter is almost three weeks past, yet, I am still celebrating the blessings of Holy Week and what has followed.   I really tried to make a slide show of all the beautiful pictures of that special week but was unable to figure it out with my limited computer skills.   Therefore, my faithful reader, you will just have to savor the few that I will post.

Fr. Aaron on Palm Sunday at BTC

During Lent we prepared for Easter with the Way of the Cross which included praying this on two pieces of land that will host our future church buildings.  On Good Friday this was done as a living way of the Cross.

Way of the Cross on the land in Rutledge

Practice and Prayer of Way of the Cross in Rutledge

Good Friday Way of the Cross at Central Point

Jesus falls the first time

   Prior to this was Holy Thursday which reminds us of the great gift of Jesus in His Body and Blood.   The washing of the feet and then the adoration of the Eucharist are deeply moving moments.   When we take communion, the Body of Christ, we become that body of Christ.   Therefore we are to serve Him and His Kingdom.  This is worth time spent in adoration and reflection before the Real Presence of Christ reserved in the tabernacle.

Adoration Altar for Holy Thursday at JP II

Holy Thursday Adoration at BTC

The Easter Vigil was tremendous.   I celebrated at St. John Paul II (formally known as Blessed) where Forest became Catholic, two more adults received confirmation, and four children where baptized, three which became full members.  Fr. Aaron celebrated the Vigil at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta where over 14 people received sacraments, this included infant baptisms, adult baptisms, and conversions to the Catholic Faith.   We were really blessed by many acts of faith.

The Easter Light

Waiting for Baptism

These two were confirmed

The Blessing of the Easter Water

Forest is Confirmed and becomes Catholic

Now Easter Continues with new life and new blessings.   The Month of May will be one of many celebrations and many new developments.   Hopefully, you will not need to wait a full month to discover them.  

This family were baptized, confirmed and three received their first communion

Thanks for your patience with the tardiness of this blog and may these photos remind you of a precious week passed.

Volunteers teaching folks how to make rosaries

Volunteers help the week after Easter

Lent Continues

Lent is a time to grow, to change and to discover.  In these five weeks many silent blessings have been poured upon our small communities of faith.  Here are four events which due to planning them has delayed my "blogging".

Listening to the word of God

We continue to make plans for a future church building for both missions.   Saturday March 29 we blessed the property at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta Catholic Mission in Maynardville, followed by our third meeting.  Also, in the afternoon we planned to do a Rosary March around the property of Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission in Rutledge, but the weather said otherwise.   Therefore, we prayed under a tent and in the car; yet, the land was blessed.

Blessing of Land for Blessed Teresa of Caclutta

Rosary and Blessing of Land for JP II

On Thursday, April 3, the ninth anniversary of the death of our Beloved Blessed John Paul II, we held a day of adoration.   All the Catholic Churches of the Five River's Deanery have been host a day of Adoration in honor of the 25th Anniversary of the Diocese of Knoxville, TN.  This was a beautiful day with parishioners spending time with the Lord in front of the Blessed Sacrament.


Adoration

Adoration at JP II

On Saturday, April 5, the Bishop came to Blessed John Paul II and confirmed two youth and offered communion to one Adult.   There was to be another adult present for confirmation, but he was celebrating of birth of Child # five.   I think that was an very acceptable excuse!!  Bishop Stika is very supportive of our mission efforts here.   He has provided financial help, approved the purchase of our new properties from the foundation, and was extremely supportive of the folks at Blessed John Paul II.

Greeting Guadalupe before making his First Communion

Amy from BTC and Shannon from JPII for confirmation

Bishop Stika with ministers and those who received sacraments

Finally,  we just completed a three day ecumenical revival entitled "That They All May Be One."   It was a beautiful experience.   We  began at Rutledge Baptist Church with the Methodist preacher providing the message and the Catholic Choir providing the music.   The second night folks came to Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission with our Spanish Choir providing special music and the Baptist preacher providing the message.   The third night was hosted by Rutledge Methodist Church with the Baptist's providing the music and I presented the message.   The unity that the Spirit revived in each of our churches was beautiful.   It was a wonderful way to prepare for Holy Week.

Pastor Ryan praying at the Catholic Mission

Socializing after the Mission

Pastor Chan of the Baptist Church praying

Fr. Steve reading Scripture

Baptist Choir singing at Methodist Church

Next week at both churches several people will be baptized, receive their first Holy Communion and be Confirmed.   Look for more sharing on this great event later.   For now, as we conclude, please offer a prayer for all those coming into the Church this Easter Vigil.   May you, my faithful reader, have a very blessed Easter!!

Some of those preparing to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil

Lent: A time to grow

Lent may be a time for penance but it is also an opportunity for growth.  These six weeks to prepare ourselves for Easter can be some of the most spiritually powerful moments of a believer's life. 

To face our limitations, our weaknesses and even our sinfulness is part of facing the truth of our humanity.   Once we can recognize this, we are able to present it to Christ for his forgiveness, healing and restoration.   This is conversation:   to face our sin and turn away from it as we turn towards Christ.   The more we surrender our pride, our control, and our self-centeredness to the Lord, the more of His love, mercy and joy enters our heart.   Lent is a dying to sin and a rising to life.   Lent is remembering that despair is stupid in the reality of hope in Christ.   It is remembering that not even death has a sting when it has been conquered in the resurrection of Christ. 

"The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.  But thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brothers (and sisters) be firm, steadfast, always fully devoted to the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
 ( 1 Cor. 15: 56 - 58).

Signing the Book of the Elect at JP II

Among one of the most exciting things in Lent is walking with those who will join the church this Easter.   The RCIA/RCIC (Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults and Rite of Christian Initiation for Children) members took another step last week when they signed the book of Initiation and this Saturday and Sunday they will be enrolled as one of the Elect by Bishop Stika.  Now this language may be confusing to some.   Basically following an early church tradition anyone over the age of eight who has not yet been baptized receives the sacraments initiation--baptism, confirmation and communion-- at the Easter Vigil (Saturday night before Easter).  Once a person receives these sacraments they are proclaiming themselves a disciple of Jesus and will honor and worship Him according to the Catholic Way of the Spiritual Life.  A baptized person is not just a friend of Jesus but an actually sister or brother of Christ.   How cool is that!!!

Our Spanish Speaking Family in the RCIC at JP II

At Blessed John Paul II we have one adult seeking communion and confirmation and three children seeking all three sacraments with their younger brother being baptized.  The sponsor of the adult was our first convert three years ago.  At Blessed Teresa of Calcutta we have 4 adults and 6 children seeking all three sacraments and 1 adult seeking communion and confirmation plus three children for baptism and another adult for confirmation only.   This will be the largest group in our three years here. What a blessing these folks are to our faith community!!

BTC catechumens, candidates and sponsors

Almost every Sunday there will be prayers just for them.   The rest of the community has the responsibility to demonstrate the life of a believer in Christ.   Thus in Lent each of us are invited by Christ to become more merciful and loving disciples.  With the help of the Holy Spirit, we  may find the spiritual opportunities to rise above our sinfulness and shine in our salvation.  We might just be the gateway of grace for another to discover salvation through Jesus Christ.