Celebrating Easter Joy
Local Glenmary missions welcome new Catholics,
rejoice with returning Catholics, affirm fully initiated

Newly Baptized: Father Bruce Brylinski baptizes a teenager who was among the four new Catholics received into the Church at St. Andrew, Glenmary’s mission in Danville, Ark.

[ohio] Throughout the United States, as many as 150,000 new or returning Catholics joined the Catholic Church this Easter, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

The USCCB also reports growth in areas where Catholics have traditionally been a small minority, areas like those Glenmary serves.

In Glenmary missions—located in counties where less than 3 percent of the population is Catholic—24 persons were welcomed into the Church at Easter, and several couples received the sacrament of matrimony.

In Pembroke, Ga., Father Ed Gorny celebrated six baptisms and one profession of faith—and welcomed back two lapsed Catholics to the Church.

One family of five is included in those numbers. The father, a lapsed Catholic, began attending church after being encouraged by his brother. The man’s wife and three children accompanied him.

Eventually they all began RCIA classes, and on Easter Sunday, the man made a profession of faith; his wife and children received the sacraments of initiation.

Several other Glenmary missions welcomed entire families. In Swainsboro, Ga., Father John Brown received a mother and father into full communion and baptized their two children.

Father Tom Charters, who pastors three missions in Logan County, W.Va., says two adults from his mission area became members of the Church this year.

“Kellie Burroway was the first adult in some time from St. Barbara in Chapmanville to enter the Church,” he says.

Her journey began with a simple invitation from a parishioner.

“Kellie is married to one of our parishioners,” Father Tom says. “A parishioner asked her if she would be interested in becoming Catholic and she said yes!”

In addition to the Easter celebrations, many missions are celebrating with the young people of their communities as they are confirmed.

According to Tracy Kessler, Glenmary’s evangelization consultant, there are “tons of kids” receiving the sacrament this year. She has led retreats for those in the missions preparing for the sacrament.
“Although these kids aren’t new Catholics,” she says, “they are new in the sense that they are now fully initiated.”

Whether new, returning or fully initiated, all these Catholics are continuing their faith journeys within their mission communities, carrying with them the light of Christ.