The following story first appeared in the Summer 2004 Glenmary Challenge.
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Dandelions and Glenmary
Both thrive in places where others hesitate to go.
And who decides what's a weed?
By Father Dan Dorsey

The Glenmary chapel here at our Cincinnati headquarters has three large, clear windows behind the altar that look out onto a grassy field. During this time of the year that field can literally explode overnight with thousands of dandelions. I am sure, if you close your eyes, you could imagine such a field. As I sit in the chapel and pray, those dandelions provide a spectacular sight against the backdrop of lush green grass.

Many of you may not share my enthusiasm for dandelions. You may see them only as a nuisance—a weed to be eradicated. You may even see them as a feared blemish on an otherwise perfect yard-of-the-month lawn!

And even I must admit my enthusiasm has limits. When I go to see the Cincinnati Reds play at our beautiful new baseball park, I don’t expect to see the entire outfield covered in dandelions. If it were, my first reaction would probably be, “Fire the groundskeeper!”

Yet Glenmary and dandelions have much in common. Some may find it humorous that I would compare Glenmary and its work to a weed! But think about it for a moment.

Glenmary is a small community, and yet we are resilient and we are tough. Have you ever tried to kill a dandelion? That long taproot just keeps that plant sprouting over and over again!

We thrive in places where others hesitate to go. Think of the dandelions blooming out of cracks in the sidewalk, even piles of gravel! We plant the Church in areas judged by many as too hostile to Catholics, too poor to support Church ministry, too isolated to bother with. Yet our Glenmary mission communities flower and continue to scatter new seeds indiscriminately on rocky ground and amid thorns—as well as on rich soil (Mark 4:1-20).

In 1936, three years before founding Glenmary, Father William Howard Bishop wrote: “Is it not the usual attitude to feel the work of the Church is accomplished when the needs of Catholics are cared for?” He recognized the temptation of the Church to see its mission end at its front door.

Father Bishop was graced by the Holy Spirit with a profound insight that was later affirmed by the Second Vatican Council: The Church by its very nature is missionary. Father Bishop reminded us that our vision must be like that of the Good Shepherd (Luke 15:1-6). Our concern must extend to those not already in the fold—especially to those who are forgotten and neglected.

That’s why Glenmary pastors and pastoral coordinators view all of the residents of the areas we serve as parishioners. Our missioners are attuned to those most in need. They are called to serve the Catholics, those who attend other churches and those who attend no church at all.

Some may look at our home mission fields and see a lawn in need of serious weeding. But a Glenmarian sees only a glorious spectacle with flowering plants of all kinds—just like that dandelion-covered expanse outside our chapel window. Who decides, after all, what makes a “weed”?

Father Bishop’s words in 1936 transcend the decades. He went on in his writing to remind us that those living in the mission areas of the United States “are God’s creatures and our brothers and sisters, they are hungering for the truths of the gospel and have a claim upon us.” His vision and his dream call us all to move beyond our church doors, beyond our image of the perfect lawn to an appreciation of dandelions.

The next time you see a dandelion growing in a field (or in your lawn!) think of Glenmary. And remember the home mission fields where, thanks to the grace of God and the generosity of our donors, our priests, brothers and coworkers keep scattering the seeds of faith across rural America—and watering the dandelions!