Easter and Beyond

Nine newly baptized this year

Before I head off for a short vacation with friends in North Carolina, I wanted to share with you the great news of Holy Week, Easter and beyond.   Truly when nine new people, all them receiving Baptism, enter the church there is huge joy!!!

Fr. Steve, two of the newly baptized, and Fr. Dominic



Altar of Respose (Holy Thursday)

The Triduim  (those three important days before Easter-- Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday) were wonderful.   We had great participation and truly felt the Holy Spirit guiding the community deeper into the life, death and resurrection of Christ.


Good Friday Way of the Cross in the rain

At Blessed John Paul II four young woman entered the church.  I am so proud of each of them.  It was a very hard journey.  For three of thems, there is no Catholic connection whatsoever and their parents are not attending any church.  They came, saw and fell in love with Jesus.   I was not with them on Holy Saturday, so when I shared Eucharist with them the following Thursday and offered them the Body of Christ instead of blessing, it was just awesome.  Their faces were beaming.  They are an inspiration to all of us at the church.

This was a lenten rite,
 but it is the only picture of the newly baptized in Rutledge
on my camera

At Blessed Teresa of Calcutta the reception of our five new members was spread out a bit for a number of factors.   One of our new members works nights, so he was unable to be present on Saturday evening.  Therefore, he was received on Easter Sunday morning.  Another family with two teenagers had to wait until Divine Mercy Sunday due to illness in the family during Holy Week.  Two, however,  were baptized at the Easter Vigil.  So we had three events of baptism, all special, and all a tribute to the resurrected Christ living in these new members, their families, sponsors and the members of our little community.


Dale was baptized on Easter Sunday
This is his wife and son with Fr. Steve

Lydia and Houston, two of the newly baptized

The week immediately following Easter we had three couples from Ohio volunteer with us.  They did whatever we asked of them.  This included building a poach, putting in flower beds, cleaning an apartment and even putting together children's puzzles.   Yes, we challenge volunteers in every way.  Among the many good things did, we are most grateful for the help in organizing our first fund raiser for a future building for Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission.   They really helped with the work our yard sale along with so many others from the  community.

Our hard working Ohio Volunteers!

So after all this fun, I think it is time to sign off and head to North Carolina. 

Days of Lent

BTC Catechumens

It has been almost a month since my last update.  Wow time has marched on.  Lent has been full of wonderful spiritual opportunities and happenings here.

Alonso, our Spanish Catechumen

JP II Catechumens

We have nine people preparing to enter into the Church.  They include four teenagers in Grainger County all preparing for the Christian Rite of Initiation which includes Baptism, Confirmation and Communion.  Two of these families have no Catholic connection except their desire to be a child of God.  Their families have been supportive but have not attended Mass with them.  At Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Maynardville, we have two grandchildren of one of our members preparing for baptism, one spanish speaking youth and two adults who will also recieve these sacarments.

Liz leading the woman's retreat

Among one of the highlights was the first woman's retreat at Blessed John Paul II.   Our presenters were some of our Glenmary co-workers. Lorraine VanCamp led reflections on the Way of the Cross with the Spanish Speakers and Liz Dudas did the same with our English speakers.  This event concluded with praying the Way of the Cross together.  It was wonderful to see the coming together and deepen of God's love.

Lorraine praying with woman at the retreat

We also have been offering the Stations of the Cross every Friday with a terrific response in both missions.  This devotion helps us focus on the depth of God's suffering and love for us.  I am always amazed at the people He encountered along the way:  Mother Mary, Simon of Cyrene, the weeping woman, Veronica.   In our journey on earth and on those days we carry the cross, many people, hopefully, are there to support us as well.  May our selfishness and pride not blind us to all those willing to help us on the journey called life.  None of us need bear our sufferings alone and all our sufferings have been redeemed by the death and resurrection of our Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ.

Visitors from Holy Spirit Parish, Iowa visiting Miss Edith of JPII

We too walk with yet another family in sorrow during the death of Wilma.  Her funeral Mass was the first held in our store front church.  She was a tough Texan who loved her family and the Lord.  We continue to pray for her husband, her children and other members of her family.  She is greatly missed.



Praying for a New Pope

Then in the midst of Lent we have had the election of a new Pope ... Pope Francis or Papa Francisco in Spanish or as I like to call him Papa Pancho!! (Pancho is the nickname associated with Francisco in Spanish). 

We have begun Adoration and Benediction every Tuesday following Mass.  This included on the Tuesday when the conclave began.  On Wednesday, the day of Pope Francis's election, we held a special Mass of gratitude.  With less than two hour notice, over 60 people attended!! In just two short weeks, he is already well loved.

Irish Eyes are Smiling

Our Lucky Charm, Mr. Jim

Two extra events Occurred during Lent.  We had our annual desert bake off with the Boy and Girl Scouts.  Our troops also received the Golden Bow award from the annual Saturday Picnic with the Bishop.  Then we had a little Saint Patrick celebration last weekend.   Thank God it fell on a Sunday, so no dispensations were needed.

Boy Scout Leader, Linda and Fr. Aaron

This week we enter into Holy Week.  May each of my readers take advantage of the Spiritual Blessings possible during this time.  May the suffering Christ heal you of your wounds and may the glorious Christ bring you to New Life.

Fr. Steve with miracle baby Riley
(Riley was born under 2 pounds ... look at him now!)

Br. Joe the Carpenter

Br. Joe working in his shop

If you see someone in the winter wearing wool socks, a sweater and shorts, carry a hammer, you most liking are seeing Brother Joe Steen.  Br. Joe is a very valuable member of our mission team applying both his humor and hammer to building the Reign of God in Union and Grainger County.

Baptismal Stand designed and built by Br. Joe

Br. Joe helped with the redesign of both mission store front churches.  Yet, most recently he has been responsible for a number of special projects at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta that have improved our sanctuary and welcome area.  These small tasks demonstrate a great skill in carpentry, but also are works of faith.   There is prayer and reflection polished into each edge and corner.  Each object helps our prayer experience and creates a beautiful area to praise God.

Liturgical Book Rank for BTC

Besides these projects, Br. Joe is out and about doing home repair for others in Union and Grainger County.  He has installed toilets, fix roofs, and build handicapped ramps.   Usually he asks the people to donate towards the material if they are able and he provides the labor for free.  Recently a Glenmary donor has begun to contribute to his ministry allowing him to take on some projects where it would not  have been financial possible before.

One of the houses Br. Joe is repairing

Yet, Br. Joe's skills at construction and woodworking are really just a gate way to his true ministry.  He is "brother" to many.  He has a wit and sense of humor that is almost none stop.  He makes people laugh!!  Rather it is a silly knock knock  joke or a biblical joke.  An example of one of his Biblical jokes, is did you know that baseball is in the bible?  It is in the very first book in the first line, "In the Big -Inning".  He also is great with puns and the twist of phrases.  My favorite being "Whenever two or three people are together there is ... tension."

This ability to put people at ease and feel at home where ever he is, is his way of sharing faith.  He can sit and visit with folks for a long peaceful time as long as he has a cup of tea.  If you do not have the tea, do not worry.  He brings his own!

Underneath all these skills is a deep and profound faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, a commitment to the Holy Eucharist, and concern for the poor around the world.  In many ways he reminds me of a Son of another  carpenter many centuries ago whose father shared the same name.


Tabernacle built by Br. Joe

Our mission is stronger, happier and more beautiful for the mission ministry of Br. Joe the Carpenter.

End of the Ordinary

Today Pope Benedict XVI ended the ordinary time with the announcement of his resignation.  The time between Christmas and Lent was short this year, yet, many events of an extraordinary nature occured. 

Among the extraordinary events at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta were three funerals.  For a small mission parish this is very unusual.  Each of these funerals represents various aspects of ministry and all demonstrate the grace of God working through our small church.

Loretta suffered from mental illness her entire life, yet loved her children and her husband very much.  After her husband passed away in the fall, the mission team assisted Loretta with rides to Mass, to the grocery store and to the doctors.  She was very lonely without her husband and I believe she died of a lonely heart.  Her funeral was a simple and beautiful celebration of her life with her children coming from around the world (literally) to honor her.

Three weeks later, Loretta's sister, Virginia passed away.  Now Virginia called the church frequently from the moment we opened the mission here.  For various reasons there were unresolved issues among her children and many of them are no longer practicing the faith.  Yet, Virginia had a very strong faith centered on devotions.  She suffered from cancer over the last few months of her life, but was delighted to return to the sacraments.  The last time I gave her communion she smiled, said a private prayer and was at peace.   Both of these woman would not have received the blessed sacrament as frequently without the new mission church being here, if at all.  Also, Br. Craig, Godfrey, and Fr. Aaron gave them a great deal of moral and spiritual support.  The entire community of Blessed Teresa of Calcutta found small ways to support them through prayer, visits and calls.

There funerals were also a witness of the Catholic Faith to the boarder community.  There were workers at the local food store who thanked us for helping Loretta shop for groceries and even gave the church a memorial gift in her name.



Because of snow, only few boy scouts made it for Scout Sunday.

The third funeral was Mr. Bob Freeh, one of my daily Mass goers.  His death effected the whole community more since they were very active from the very beginning of our foundation here.  The first major event I did once here was to celebrate his fiftith wedding anniversary.  Yet, the faith of him, his wife and adult daughter were evident with the peace and grace they accepted his cancer and its consequences.  Though he is missed by everyone at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta, he was a wonderful witness of the power of prayer and the belief in the resurrection of Jesus and eternal life.  Now every Tuesday when we have adoration,  we will remember him as the new monstrance was purchased in his memory.


These deaths and encounters with the families, have been extraordinary events in this ordinary time.  So too, was last Sunday's reflection on marriage. Many couples stayed to reflect on their relationship and for some it is the first step towards receiving the sacrament of marriage.

Marriage Reflection Retreat

Sharing Scripture together

So as we thank Pope Benedict XVI for his eight years of extraordinary service, we end this ordinary time and launch into Lent with our Ash Wednesday services.

Moving forward

BTC YOUTH with Godfrey's T-shirt Gift

January 26 and January 27 at each of the four weekend Masses appreciation was shown to Godfrey Musabe, one of Glenmary's novices, for his five months of service here in Union and Grainger County.

Godfrey and Steve enjoying cake.

During his time here, he has been a fantastic presence and great help.  He will be deeply missed.  Among the many things he was engaged in, his work at Kingswood and Adult Day Care introduced our missionary presence into new areas.  Kingswood is a home for children from challenging home environments.  A positive male role model was a terrific asset.  I am hoping to find a way for us to stay connected with them in the near future.  At the Adult Day Care Center, through they are only a few Seniors present, but providing one on one time with them, listening to stories, sharing small joys made a huge difference.

JP II Youth being silly with Godfrey

Yet, one Godfrey's great gifts is a silent background worker.  He did many small jobs from being our sacristan, to filling in for any liturgical minister who was absent, to putting up letters on our outdoor announcement board.  He visited the sick, homebound and just ordinary families.  He was very present to our youth and filled in to teach a number of times.

Godfrey enjoy more food at JP II

Godfrey's final thank you's

During his thank you to the people, he highlighted how much the devotional life of the Spanish speaking people touched him.  I was very proud that he read the second reading at botj Spanish Masses in Spanish.  That was a great gift to them.  Of course his pronunciation was not perfect, but that he made the effort and practiced was an affirmation of them and a sign of love and respect.

More happy folks

Now he is moving forward with his Novitiate.  He will head back to Cincinnati under the direction of Fr. Dan Dorsey and Fr. Tom Kirkendoll.  His classmate Ambrose will join him.  These next four months or so, will focus on intense prayer, learning more about the evangelical promises ... celibacy, obedience and poverty ---, and the final discernment around his personal call by the Lord to be a priest with the Glenmary Home Missioners.  We here at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta and Blessed John Paul II will be praying for him. 

Who knows, maybe in ten years, Godfrey will return as the new pastor of these two missions.  That would be a blessing!

Cake designed by Spanish BTC community

Three times the love

BTC English Cake

The Showing of God

The weekend of the Epiphany, the showing of Christ to the world, opened into the complexities of leading a faith community.

JPII Nativity Play -- Godfrey is one of the Kings

We began Epiphany on January 5th at Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission.  Our Parish Christmas party was scheduled to follow Mass which included our Nativity Play.  This also happened to be the same date as Fr. Aaron's birthday.  At about 2 o'clock I hear the director of the play cancelled the play for lack of practice.  Yet, the younger children, our shepherds, had never missed a practice and would have been greatly disappointed.  So .... we had the play anyway.   Actually it turned out pretty good and everyone was happy.   I am now known by one four year old as the "candy man" since I gave them all treats at the party.

Happy Birthday Fr. Aaron

Fr. Aaron's birthday was the draw for our teenagers, especially, the group of young ladies who are preparing to join the church.  They made a red velvet cake and it was terrific!!!!  God showed Himself in the love and generosity of the children, teenagers, and adults of both language groups.  The evening was a true showing of Christ to the world.

The next Sunday at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta took a different turn.  We cancelled both the 9 a.m. English Mass and the 11:00 a.m. Spanish Mass to hold a bilingual Sunday Mass at 10:00 a.m.  At about 9 a.m. I receive a call that one of our parishioners suffering from stage 4 cancer was on his way to the intensive care unit.  Then a few minutes later Br. Craig comes to announce that the person he was to pick up for Mass was dead.  Br. Craig and Fr. Aaron waited at the house with the body of Loretta until the Sheriff office arrived.  These two sadness's are going on while everyone is gathering looking forward to the bilingual Mass and Brunch to follow.  As the Pastor one needs to control your emotions and even be a bit of an actor.  It is important to deal with the reality of these sufferings and to deal with the reality of the joy and celebration the children and folks are expecting.  All is part of the cycle of life.  God gave me the strength and the grace to be present to each need that day.

BTC Nativity Play

With the grace of God, the Mass was celebrated, the Nativity play happened and brunch was served (even through we had to make a dash to Food City for enough chicken.).

That afternoon Br. Craig drove to the hospital to inform Virginia about her sister's death.  Virginia was unable to attend the funeral since she is in the hospital with cancer as well. The  complexities of life are always near, but Christ shows himself in the simplicity of His innocent presence.

I thought to myself, what would have happened here a year ago without the Catholic Church?  Would these people not have received the pastoral care that Jesus and the church desires for them?  Glenmary does make a difference.

Reflect and Pray

So last week's ministry included the funeral for Miss Loretta whose two children both live out of state.  I hope they found a sense of peace through the Mass and the sharing of stories.  We also continue to visit three members of our parish who are all suffering with serious cancer.

In the midst of children's joy or the grief of children burying their mother or loved ones finding the strength to support those who are ill, Christ is shown to the world.  His love, his mercy and his presence are evident in every event.

Please pray for our folks suffering from cancer and their families.  Pray that their faith will support them, that healing may occur and that God's grace will show once again.

December Celebrations

I had hoped to blog several times during the month of December, but what can you expect from a priest still hoping to finish mailing his Christmas cards as he sits in front of his computer on the feast of the Holy Innocents?

Home Altar for Rosary in preparation for Guadalupe

December was a month full of joy and celebrations at both churches in both counties.  At Blessed John Paul II Catholic Mission we began the joy of Advent with nine days of rosaries before the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Between 50 and 100 gathered every night until the 12 of December at various homes or in the church to pray and prepare for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.  Those who received people in their home also provided a meal for all who attended.



Cast of Our Lady of Guadalupe Drama

Dancers from St. Mary's during the Procession

 On December 7th a unique situation happened:  We celebrated three titles of Mary at one Mass.  We  held the vigil for the Immaculate Conception, we held the rosary for Our Lady of Guadalupe, and it was the night to remember the the Virgen of Juquila, important to the people of Oaxaca, Mexico.  We anticipated the feast of our Lady of Guadalupe with a full celebration the Sunday before,  and held our first Mananitas on the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe at Blessed John Paul II and the Mass was held at Blessed Teresa of Calcutta in Maynardville.


Dance of los viejos at BTC

Live display of the story of Our Lady of Guadalupe at BTC

After Guadalupe, we moved into our advent communal soup and penance services and the nine days of the posadas.  Soup and Penance has been a terrific experience at both churches.  Coming together to enjoy savory soups, fresh bread and fellowship before reconciling ourselves to one another and God is fast becoming a new tradition.  The Posadas again took place for nine days in various homes and in the churches prior to Christmas.

Fr. Aaron and friends at Soup and Penance

The two highlights of the Posadas was on the 19th in Maynardville and the 23 at Blessed John Paul II in Rutledge.  On the 19th one group of folks went out caroling and another stayed at the church for the Las Posadas.  The Posadas is a Latino tradition where one sings an ancient song about Mary and Joseph trying to find a place to stay.   On the final verse they enter into the final home.  We pray the rosary and then there are treats for everyone and candy for the kids.  At Blessed Teresa of Calcutta we concluded with the pinata and at Blessed John  Paul II on the 23 we held a Nativity play.

Godfrey and others in the cast of the Nativity Play at JP II

Christmas celebrations were filled with joy.  With the help of Fr. Aaron, we held Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses in both places.   All Masses were well attended, but we were surprised by 102 folks to celebrate the birth of our Lord for the Christmas Eve Mass at Blessed Teresa in Maynardville.

Fr. Steve with this year's "baby Jesus"

So as we approach the New Year with one more Sunday of joy in  2012, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to each and every reader.  May your December end with as many blessings as I have witnessed every day this month.  As Tiny Tim would say, "God Bless you, everyone."

Godfrey, Fr. Steve, Fr. Bruce and Fr. Aaron wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year