A monthly letter from the Glenmary Vocation Office

April 2008

Finding a Spirit of Generosity

Glenmary depends on the generosity of others to do our work. Sometimes, such generosity can be very surprising. Recently on a trip I witnessed generosity firsthand, not just once but over and over. My trip began in North Carolina and finished in Mississippi by way of Mexico and Georgia! At every stop generosity and hospitality greeted me.

In North Carolina, I planned to spend the night with a family and then drive to the airport. Instead the family hosted me, drove me 20 miles to the airport, picked me up upon my return, fed me some wonderful meals and still made a donation to Glenmary before my departure.

In Mexico, due to miscommunication, I was stranded in front of the seminary which had closed early. I called a family 10 miles away who did not know I was in the area and they changed their plans, picked me up and provided lodging for the night. Then one of the family members drove me two hours north so I could have a shorter and more convenient bus ride. They paid for lunch, their gas and my bus ticket to the next stop.

In Georgia, Father Bob Poandl adjusted his schedule and provided a beautiful location for our Holy Week retreat and he cooked the welcoming meal. A parishioner provided housing for three men who he had never met before. Sister Janet Fischer, the pastoral associate at Father Bob’s Claxton mission, gave up her office so we could hold our sessions. Each went the extra mile and did so with a smile.

In Mississippi, I stopped in to see former parishioners who gave a huge donation to Glenmary, enough to cover schooling for one year for a seminarian in Mexico. This was given without my request. They did not know in advance that I was coming. I had just stopped in to say hello.

Each of these folks went out of their way to make me feel welcome. They not only provided hospitality, but financial support. All of it without any “begging” from me, yet each in a response to an immediate need.

Now there is one other piece that ties all these folks together. Everyone of them lived at least for a few years of their life in a Glenmary parish. Even though some of them have moved on to other cities or countries, they remain faithful, generous and hospitable. Their faith was nurtured in Glenmary parishes and their friendship with Glenmary continues to bring surprise blessings.

The depth of this experience may not be evident in these few words. Yet, in each case the request was never more than a night’s lodging or a simple visit and in each case much more was given. I was humbled by their generosity and also amazed at how the influence of Glenmary continues beyond our parishes.

In some ways this is what our founder, Father William Howard Bishop, envisioned. He thought people from rural areas would move to cities and other areas. His hope was if we could instill the faith solidly in these rural areas, then when they moved they would be less distracted by urban life and more able to continue to follow the Catholic faith. (See original plan Ecclesiastical Review, April 1936).

The impact of Glenmary’s mission work is not just in a few small rural places. Rather it is like a prism where the light of Christ comes in and a rainbow of joy goes out. Our men are very generous in serving the folks of rural America and yet, the generosity of those we serve shines back at us. In my journey of helping others search for the Spirit I have found the Spirit among these parishioners and former parishioners of Glenmary parishes. Thank God for all his blessings.