Final Words/ from our readers

Reminiscing and giving thanks

Brother Larry Jochim hands the plans of the church he built in Monticello, Ark., to Bishop McDonald. The bishop calls Brother Larry’s building ministry “a blessed gift.”

MOUNTAINTOP REMOVAL
Delighted to read your magazine! It’s good to be reminded of the home missions. Maybe with our new occupiers in Frankfort, mountaintop removal will get some attention from the top.
Kathleen Gabriel
Louisville, Ky.

REMEMBERING BROTHER LARRY
I note from your magazine, Glenmary Challenge, (“He Prayed For All of Us,” Winter 2007) that Brother Larry Jochim has passed through death to life. His name should have been Joseph. He was a very practical missionary for the rural states of this country.

I recall that he developed plans for churches, church meeting halls and perhaps for rectories, too. If the local community accepted his plan, he and his helpers set forth to build the building. The cost was minimal. What a blessed gift he made to untold numbers of Catholics living in rural America.

May he rest in peace! I am sure that the Lord sent St. Joseph to the gates to greet him and escort him to God, our heavenly Father.

May the Lord of the harvest raise up even more missionaries to meet the needs of the rural dioceses of our country.
Bishop Andrew McDonald
Bishop Emeritus
Diocese of Little Rock, Ark.

JUBILARIANS
Congratulations to the jubilarians noted in the recent magazine (“A Celebration of 200 Years of Ministry,” Winter 2007).

Father Les visited us many times and he talked about his work in Big Stone Gap. God bless Father Les and Glenmary.
Bob Schneider
Clarendon Hills, Ill.

EARLY YEARS IN CHEROKEE
I read your article (“A Catholic Voice Among the Cherokee,” Winter 2007) with much nostalgia; thank you for allowing me to reminisce a bit, as follows:

During my pastoral year (1960-61), I offered Mass in a double-car garage on Sundays for the few Catholics in Cherokee, N.C. (primarily governmental employees who worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs) and any visitors. The next nearest Mass was many miles distant!

It was during that time that we went to the Cherokee Tribal Council for permission to buy land to build a Catholic church. However, outright sale of reservation land was forbidden so we were very fortunate to secure a 99-year lease for that purpose.

After a tremendous amount of money was expended, the current “teepee” style church was built. The “People of God” had rooted!

To date, almost 50 years and half of that 99-year lease later, I feel very honored to have had a hand in making your editorial possible.
Dr. Paul J. Ackerman
Columbus, Miss.

THANKS TO GLENMARY
Just a note to let you know how much I’ve enjoyed the publication over the years.
Our youngest son went on a Glenmary mission (trip) his senior year of high school. He was rather an unruly adolescent at the time and his experience on the mission trip was definitely helpful in helping him grow up. He’s now a happily married father of four boys and a wonderful, loving son. Thank you, Glenmary and the Holy Spirit!

The articles in the Challenge that share the specifics of Glenmary’s evangelization initiatives in the rural areas of the United States are valued.

In particular, I enjoy reading about the background and experiences of the Glenmary religious and lay people who bring the Good News with non-judgmental helping hands and hearts.

Thanks and blessings to all of you and your expanding flock!
Peter Murray
Brookfield, Wis.