I-70 Catholics
Group helps with hearts, hands

Fellowship: Volunteers and parishioners relax following a community dinner. From left, Linda Woodard, Carmen Marcin, Mark Schmalz, Julie Kent, Mary Ann Kent and Father John Brown.

[Georgia] Patrick Kent’s connection to Glenmary began as a seminarian in the mid-1960s. Although he left Glenmary formation, he’s always had a soft spot for Glenmary, says his wife Mary Ann. So, when he and his best friend Jim Snyder were searching for somewhere to volunteer their time, Glenmary came to mind.

The men needed to find somewhere within a day’s drive from their homes in Indiana and Ohio. “So we contacted folks at Glenmary Headquarters in Cincinnati and they connected us with Father John Brown in Swainsboro, Ga.”

Since 2007, Patrick and an evolving group of volunteers, known as the I-70 Catholics, have made the 12-hour journey to south Georgia to help local residents and do general construction projects.

Last year, the group created signs for their cars identifying themselves as “I-70 Catholics.” Prior experience had shown when locals saw their out-of-state license plates, they became leery of the strangers. “Now, they know who we are and that we’re working with Father John,” says Mary Ann. “It’s good advertising and Catholic witness.”

Interstate 70 links the volunteers who live from western Illinois to eastern Ohio. Many are from parishes in Brazil, Ind., and Utica, Ohio, with which Patrick is connected.

During their March 20-April 1 trip, the eight volunteers helped sort a large quantity of donated clothing in anticipation of the 150 agricultural workers due to arrive within the week, transported a man with a broken shoulder to an orthopedic doctor 40 miles away, and accompanied a family to the wife’s first prenatal ultrasound.

The volunteers also finished the wall behind the altar at the chapel in nearby Stillmore and built a new deck for a parishioner of the Swainsboro mission, whose home has doubled as a soup kitchen for the migrant onion workers.

“They do such beautiful work,” says Father John. “They reach out into the community and inspire our own people through their example.”

The group also built a ramp for a local gentleman to make it easier for him to get into his home. “Everyone is just so nice,” Patrick says. “We feel like we’ve made friends that we get to visit once a year!”

And the feeling is mutual. When the I-70 group arrives at the local supply store in Swainsboro, the workers say, “The Catholics are back!”

Swainsboro parishioners Joe and Carmen Marcin, whose sliding door was repaired by the first group in 2007, host a dinner each year for the volunteers. “It’s the least we can do,” says Carmen. “They give of their time and it’s a pleasure for us to show our thankfulness.”

The last project the group finished was gutting and rebuilding the rectory bathroom. Although nothing went easily, “God provided and the team fellowship made it all worthwhile,” Patrick says.

Plans are being made for a trip next year. Interest is high, so Patrick thinks there may be two groups to coordinate. “Our motto is ‘helping hands, loving hearts,’” Patrick says. “We work hard to live up to those words.”