A spirit of thanksgiving is a key to Glenmary ministry, and notice the Giving Tuesday sign that Father Tom is holding! (L to R) Seasoned missioners Glenmary Fathers Les Schmidt, Tom Kirkendoll, Gerry Peterson, and Bob Dalton strike a pose.
Name 10 things you’re thankful for—quick! Ok, you’re excused from naming so many. But if we’re living our lives well, we should be thankful every day. And once in a while wouldn’t it be wise to stop and make a list, to do a “thanksgiving audit?” We stopped a handful of Glenmarians to ask a simpler question: Name two things you are thankful for. They all answered, and quickly.
Father Chet Artysiewicz beat the crowd. His first item: “I’m thankful for the dedication I see in all my fellow missioners.” In fairness, we didn’t ask ALL Glenmarians for this short piece. Father Chet could have been talking about Father Richard Toboso’s pastoral work in North Carolina, Brother Jason Muhlenkamp’s direct outreach to people struggling against poverty in Georgia, or Father Vic Subb’s heading out to say Mass for migrant farmworkers in Tennessee.
Father Aaron Wessman offered a few more than two: “Our willingness to work on the margins. How we strive to live simply. Our inclusive approach to mission.”
He could be describing any number of missioners, for example Brothers Virgil Siefker and Curt Kedley. They’re providing a loving Catholic presence in Windsor, N.C., working hand-in-hand with people of all faiths to operate a food pantry.
He mentioned that he is thankful for our donors, too, a point that came up from a few missioners. There is much that they simply couldn’t do without donors’ financial support.
A Glenmary co-worker, Clarisa Chavarria, working in East Tennessee, says, “I find that Glenmarians are hard working men of God. I am thankful that as a layperson and a woman I get to work with them side-by-side. They are truly an inclusive community, I feel welcomed and appreciated.” Father Neil Pezzulo must be grateful to have Clarisa working in his counties!
Brother Craig Digmann, in a new mission area of Trousdale County, Tenn., is thankful for the opportunity to serve in rural areas where there are so few Catholics, “that we might be an effective presence of God’s love, mercy and truth to our non-Catholic brothers and sisters.”
Brother Craig also is thankful for Glenmary’s openness to various styles of ministry, allowing each missioner “to use the particular gifts God has endowed us with to build the Kingdom of God in our missions.” Thank you, Brother Craig!
Finally, lay co-worker Wilmar Zabala, who works with Brother David Henley recruiting new Glenmarians, says, “I’m thankful for the Glenmary priests and brothers who truly are visible signs of God’s compassion and care.” He adds thanksgiving “for the generous Glenmary donors whose charity makes the many Glenmary ministries possible.” Amen, Wilmar!
—John Feister