There is no such thing as a typical Glenmary priest or a typical approach to ministry, so each individual develops his own unique way to serve in the rural missions.
Glenmary priests often serve as pastors of two or more mission churches, dividing their time during the week to nurture both communities. Each weekend they drive between mission counties in order to celebrate multiple Masses in English and Spanish, making the sacraments available to all the Catholics in their territory.
Glenmary missions have small congregations; a typical mission community may have 20-60 families. In addition to meeting the needs of the small number of Catholics, Glenmary priests minister to all the residents living in the mission counties, both Catholic and non-Catholic, and consider them all to be members of the mission.
Missioners don’t wait for people to come to them but they actively go out into the community and make themselves available to serve and minister. By spending a significant amount of time visiting and talking with local people of all walks of life, missioners get to know people personally and learn how to most effectively serve the needs of the community.
Glenmary priests go out to serve, especially to those on the peripheries. They minister to the sick, visit the incarcerated, feed the hungry, welcome the immigrant and much more.
They may go door-to-door to share information about the Church or find other outlets to help residents unfamiliar with the Catholic Church better understand her teachings. They participate in associations with ministers of other churches for prayer and collaborative outreach to the poor.
Missionary priests may not have typical days or routines. But they all strive, with God’s help, to meet the needs found in the mission counties they serve and minister to the people of God living in those counties.
4119 Glenmary Trace, Fairfield, OH 45014
Mailing Address: PO Box 465618, Cincinnati OH 45246
