Ten Glenmarians Celebrate Silver Jubilees
by Paul Ritter

Father Ed Gorny's relatives did not want him to forget his heritage, so they gave him these gifts. Not to worry — he informs almost everyone of his Polish background. He even reminds them that the federal government decreed the use of the Polish national colors, red and white, for every stop sign in our country!

Ten Glenmarians are celebrating silver jubilees this year. As home missioners they have had similar experiences. Each has been sent to small-town and rural America, yet each has faced his own test of change, and his own personal awakening to God's daily call. To a man, they have met, accepted, and conquered unexpected challenges.

I have tried to answer the question: Who is the man inside the missionary? I had to look beyond the names and into the hearts and minds of each man. Below is the story of jubilarian Father Ed Gorny.

In 1983, Father Ed Gorny was elected the society treasurer. "In the back of my mind, I always felt if there was a need to serve Glenmary in some capacity besides pastoral ministry, I would be glad to take my turn," Father Gorny says. "While I was not expecting the call to the treasurer's job, I am not sorry that I was asked to take on that serious responsibility."

A year later he accepted the added duties of being a pastor, when he was sent to Holy Trinity Church in West Union, Ohio. "I just trust in the Lord for guidance; prayer helps me tremendously," says the native of Detroit, Michigan. "So far, I have found that the Lord helps people deal with their needs."

Father Ed adds, "I also have the support of the Glenmary community and the administration. I am fortunate to have a good parish staff in my associate pastor, Father John Brown, and in my parish brother and fellow jubilarian, Brother Bernie Stern. They certainly relieve some of the pressure of parochial ministry."

His responsibilities as treasurer are what usually create the greater difficulty for Father Gorny. "There are times when, as they say, 'the buck stops here.' Sometimes one has to make tough decisions. Those are the times when one has to maintain a commitment to prayer! Thankfully, I also have had excellent back up from people such as Carl Boehler, Glenmary’s financial administrator.