An Update From the Director of Glenmary's Volunteer Office

May 2007

A Salute to Glenmary Priests and Brothers—One In Particular!

Glenmary priests and brothers are amazing men and the Glenmary Farm has been blessed throughout the years by the presence of these men. I am in awe of these men who have given their life to serve the Catholic minority, the unclaimed, and the poor. 

During my six years at the Glenmary Farm I have experienced Father Bruce Brylinski’s beautiful liturgies and amazing puppet shows. Father Jerry Dorn has an amazing passion and love for the Gospel and gives a real lesson in hospitality with his ability to make anyone feel at ease in his presence. Father Steve Pawelk has come to the Glenmary Farm and shared his love and passion for the work of the missions. His deep care for all people and his great sense of humor and knowledge has been a boon to all those who have come in contact with him. But probably the most inspiring Glenmarian with whom I have had the opportunity to serve and work with is Father Larry Goulding, the current sacramental minister at Holy Redeemer in Vanceburg.

First impressions
I first talked with Father Larry during a Glenmary Congress a few years ago when he came up to me and started a long discussion about weightlifting and the value of various exercises that he does. Of course, while we were talking, I didn’t ask his age, but later I learned that he was 75! I hope I can do that demanding of a workout when I turn 75!

When I heard that Father Larry had been assigned to Holy Redeemer as our sacramental minister, I hoped he would agree to take a role at the Farm but I took a “wait and see” attitude. During his first homily at Holy Redeemer Father Larry told his new parishioners that he’s retired, “so don’t expect too much from me.” That homily left me wondering if he would take a role at the Farm and it reinforced my previous experience with Father Larry’s straightforwardness. Since then I’ve learned that I always know where I stand with Father Larry. He doesn’t sugarcoat anything; he is blunt and comes right to the point when you talk with him. Despite that straight-shooting attitude, he isn’t mean and is often very funny. As a preacher, he always has something to share with his congregation.

Just a few weeks later Father Larry called and asked if anything needed to be done at the Farm. I took him up on his offer. Soon he was at the Farm fixing lights and handling a couple of mechanical problems. He began celebrating end-of-the-week liturgy for us, talked to the volunteers about Glenmary and told stories of his experiences as a missioner. Before long Father Larry was visiting frequently, having dinner with us and playing corn hole with the volunteers and the Farm managers. In his “spare” time, he is active in the local hospice group and is taking singing lessons. Not bad for a retired priest who asked us “not to expect too much!”

White-water adventure
When the Farm managers and I decided to go white-water rafting at the New River gorge in West Virginia we invited Father Larry to come along with us. At the beginning of a beautiful Memorial Day weekend, the five of us (Julie, Jill, Laura, Father Larry and I) took off for the New River in West Virginia to tackle rapids rated three and four, with a few fives.

Our guide, Cappie, told us that in his 12 years as a river guide his oldest participant was 72—that is until Father Larry, 77, arrived! Father Larry pulled his weight in the back of the boat and even took a voluntary float down the river outside of the raft just to give it a try. I bet Father Larry was the most popular guy on the river that day. Everybody seemed to know his name and called out to him. It was a fun day on the water and Father Larry tells me he wants to do some whitewater rafting in California and maybe even raft in the Grand Canyon one of these days.

The Glenmary Farm and I have been blessed by the presence of yet another Glenmarian—another in a group of amazing men. From them the Farm managers, volunteers and I learn lessons of mission and service. And from Father Larry, we learn a great lesson of stamina.

Peace,

Joe Grosek
Glenmary Volunteer Director
jgrosek@glenmary.org

And if you missed previous Vanceburg Views, check them out.

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