Issuu

T H E M AG A Z I N E O F CAT H O L I C M I S S I O N E R S TO R U RA L A M E R I CA

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G L E N M A RY. O R G

LIFELONG MISSION OF BROTHERHOOD RELIEF FOR DETAINED IMMIGRANTS SIDE-BY-SIDE IN MISSION

200

Glenmarians AND COUNTING

Time to celebrate

We are a Catholic society of priests and Brothers who, along with numerous coworkers, establish the Catholic Church in small-town and rural America. Founded in 1939 by Father William Howard Bishop, Glenmary is the only religious community devoted exclusively to serving the spiritually and materially poor in the rural US home missions. Today, supported entirely through freewill offerings, we staff missions and ministries throughout Appalachia and the South. Glenmary missioners serve in areas where frequently less than one percent of the population is Catholic, a significant percentage have no church affiliation, and the poverty rate is often twice the national average. Glenmary is known for respecting the many cultures encountered in the home missions. Our missionary activity includes building Catholic communities, fostering ecumenical cooperation, evangelizing the unchurched, social outreach, and working for justice.

GLENM A RY CH A LLENGE Our quarterly magazine has three goals: to educate Catholics about the US home missions, to motivate young men to consider Glenmary priesthood or brotherhood, and to invite all Catholics to respond to their baptismal call to be missionary by partnering with Glenmary as financial contributors, prayer partners, professional coworkers, and/or volunteers. Glenmary Challenge is sent to all donors, to US diocesan clergy, and to anyone who requests it. (To begin receiving issues, use the contact information below.)

lenmary has a lot of reasons to rejoice. Brothers Curt Kedley, Jack Henn, Virg Siefker, and Tom Sheehy all celebrate milestone anniversaries this year; interest in vocations continues to grow; Father Aaron Wessman’s book is reaching new audiences, and Brother Jude Smith professed his Perpetual Oath making him Glenmary’s 200th missioner. We also have reason to celebrate in the communications department. At this year’s Catholic Media Conference, Glenmary brought home 10 awards. This is a tremendous achievement. We’re also excited to welcome a new addition to the team. Xavier Mellon is our new content manager and assistant editor. In this quarter’s magazine, there are several stories about Glenmary Brotherhood — a wonderful and unique vocation. On page 8, you’ll read a story about Brother Jude’s Perpetual Oath and his joy in serving the missions. Father Steven Pawelk also shares a reflection about Brotherhood on page 16, and the impact our Brothers have on building communities and relationships. Over the years, many Glenmary Brothers have been his inspiration, and after reading his essay, it’s easy to understand why. I also find myself inspired by the compassion and generosity of our missioners. Their concern extends to all people in their mission area — Christians, non-believers, the homeless, people in jail, and more. In Southwest Georgia, our missioners visit detainees at the Stewart Detention Center. These moments of encounter allow them to share the love of Christ with those trapped in unimaginable circumstances. As you read through the Glenmary Challenge, look for your own moments of inspiration.

Lindsay Braud, editor lbraud@glenmary.org

Photo by Lindsay Braud

GlenmaryChallen e VOLUME 90 + NUMBER 3

GLENMARY’S HISTORIC PERPETUAL OATH

B y L a n e y B l e v i n s | PAGE 08

Brothe r Ju de Smith be com es Gle nm a r y’s 2 0 0 th p rofessed mem be r.

LIFELONG MISSION S H A P E D BY B R OT H E R H O O D Photo by Theresa Nguyen-Gillen

This year, four Glenmary Brothers celebrate milestone anniversaries. By Lindsay Braud

R E L I E F FO R D E TA I N E D

PAGE 11

IMMIGR ANTS

Photo courtesy of Glenmary Archives

Immigrants held at a massive ICE center find relief through Glenmary missioners. By Omar Cabrera

WA L K I N G S I D E - BY- S I D E I N THE HOME MISSIONS In this essay, Father Steven reflects on his ministry with the Glenmary Brothers. By Father Steven Pawelk

Publisher: Father Dan Dorsey Editor: Lindsay Braud Assistant Editors: Laney Blevins, Omar Cabrera, Xavier Mellon Design: E + R Design Studio

PAGE 16

Planning-Review Board Chris Phelps, Lucy Putnam, Father Aaron Wessman, Father Kenn Wandera, and Father Vic Subb

T H E M AG A Z I N E O F CAT H O L I C M I S S I O N E R S TO R U RA L A M E R I CA

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G L E N M A RY. O R G

LIFELONG MISSION OF BROTHERHOOD RELIEF FOR DETAINED IMMIGRANTS SIDE-BY-SIDE IN MISSION

Autumn 2026

200

Glenmarians

O N T H E COV E R Br. Jude leads a joyful procession to his perpetual oath reception. Photo by Laney Blevins

AND COUNTING

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

ad op t all the people of your mis sion are a …

Christ died for every one of them.

from the pre s ident Father Dan Dorsey

s G l e n m a r y 's C h a r i s m a t i c Fa mily, we are called to be evangelizers, proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ. But exactly what does it mean to be an evangelizer? Some background may be helpful. The term charism is often used in contemporary theology. It refers to a gift or favor bestowed by the Holy Spirit, not for personal gain or pride, but for the building up of the Body of Christ. Father William Howard Bishop, founder of the Glenmary Home Missioners, received such a gift. Recognizing the needs of the rural South, Appalachia, and the West — areas where the Catholic Church was absent or only minimally present — he founded a Society of the Apostolic Life with a clear and singular purpose: to send missionaries into these regions to establish and nurture the Church. One of the distinctive aspects of this gift was Father Bishop's conviction that his missionaries were to serve everyone within the mission territory. In 1949 he wrote: “Adopt all the people in your mission area as your own. Christ died for every one of them. They are yours because you are His ambassadors.”

W hat a n inspi r ing, c ha l leng ing u nderstanding of evangelization: “Adopt all the people… Christ died for every one of them.” While this missionary vision is not entirely unique, it possesses a distinctive emphasis. It raises an important question: How do we as Catholics define evangelization? Is it bringing fallen-away Catholics back to the Church? Inviting the “Nones” to rediscover faith? Engaging with members of other Christian denominations? Serving the poor, the hungry, and the marginalized? Yes. Yes. Yes — and yes! Yet Glenmary's understanding of evangelization is broader and, in many ways, more radical. I have often marveled at the uniqueness of Glenmary's missionary vision and charism. Our understanding of Christ's command to evangelize differs from that of many within our own Roman Catholic Church and from much of the approach taken by our Protestant brothers and sisters. Evangelization is not simply a matter of getting people to come to our Church. Rather, it means embracing all the people entrusted to our care because Christ died for every one of them.

Such a vision transforms evangelization from a strategy into a way of seeing.

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Photo courtesy of Glenmary Archives

Father William Howard Bishop celebrates the Solemnity of the Sacred Heart with the people of Sunfish, Kentucky, in 1942.

Father Bishop's challenge remains as compelling today as when he first wrote it: “Adopt all the people in your mission area as your own.” Such a vision transforms evangelization from a strategy into a way of seeing. We do not begin with numbers, programs, or even membership. We begin with people — every person — because each one is loved by Christ and redeemed by His sacrifice. To live the Glenmary charism, therefore, is to look upon our neighbors with the eyes of Christ Himself. It is to recognize that no one is outside the reach of God's love and no one is beyond the concern of His Church. As Christ's ambassadors,

we are sent not merely to build new parishes, but to build relationships, communities, and ultimately the Kingdom of God. A year before his death in 1953, Father Bishop wrote to his missioners, “I am convinced that side by side with the great convert-making purpose, there is another objective for us to cherish and pursue in our work for non-Catholics. That objective is to lift up and improve the moral lives of the people around us, regardless of their beliefs or lack of beliefs, regardless even whether they will ever accept the Faith or not.” Father Bishop understood a profound truth: before people become Catholics, before they become members of the Church, they are

already persons for whom Christ died. And that alone makes them worthy of our love, our service, and our missionary concern. Perhaps this is the heart of the Glenmary charism. Evangelization is not first about increasing numbers or expanding institutions. It is about sharing in Christ's own love for humanity. It is about seeing people as He sees them, serving them as He served them, and accompanying them with patience and hope. For in the end, we are called not merely to make converts, but to make Christ present — to become, in Father Bishop's words, “His ambassadors among the people whom He has entrusted to our care.”

Photo by Lindsay Braud

Glenmary News & Notes O U T R E A C H / Catholic Media Awards

Glenmary Wins 10 Media Awards

Glenmary was honored to receive 10 awards from the Catholic Media Association this year for excellence in Catholic journalism and communications. The awards include five first-place wins. Our video

Fathers Dan Dorsey, Aaron Wessman, and Steven Pawelk hold their awards from the Catholic Media Association.

about priesthood took top prize for Best Video about Religious Life. Other first place accolades include an

Our Spanish publication, El Reto Glenmary, edited

essay by Father Steven Pawelk and a story in Spanish

by Omar Cabrera, received several awards including

about Pope Leo XIV.

two first-place wins for Best Story and Photo Pack-

Father Dan Dorsey brought home second-place

age by an Individual and an analysis on Pope Leo’s

for his regular column. Commenting on it the judges

bicultural perspective. The Glenmary Challenge team

wrote, “These articles are beautifully written and for-

is especially honored to have won third-place for Best

matted. They are filled with compassion, knowledge,

Mission Magazine of the Year.

and hope. This column shows a remarkable dedication to sharing wisdom and life lessons with readers.”

For a full list of recognitions and links to our awardwinning work, visit glenmary.org. Autumn 2026

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

Photo by Andrea Budavári-Bókkon with Úja Város

H O LY T R I N I T Y / North Carolina

Mission Expands its Building Holy Trinity church in Williamston,

North Carolina, recently expanded its building to add space for the sanctuary and religious education classes. Mission pastor Father Vijaya Katta and parishioners inaugurated and blessed the new wing of the building last August 2. The community of Holy Trinity is also celebrating 75 years of Catholic presence in Martin County. Bishop Luis Fr. Aaron Wessman meets Orsolya Kapás who translated his book into Hungarian.

Zarama, of the Diocese of Raleigh, led a commemoration last July that gathered some 300 people for Mass, cultural presentations, and a shared meal. The Catholic community of Martin

U N I T Y / Across the Ocean

County worships God under the care

Father Aaron Wessman Shares Mission in Hungary

of Glenmary, which assumed this mission eight years ago. Catholics in Martin County come from different origins, including: Mex-

In July, Father Aaron Wessman traveled to Budapest, Hungary,

ico, Peru, El Salvador, Colombia, the

to lead a retreat for the Piarist Community after its members

Philippines and of course, the US. The

read the Hungarian translation of his book, The Church’s Mission

parish was expanded thanks to a gen-

in a Polarized World. During his retreat, Father Aaron delivered

erous donation by the Saint Catherine

10 presentations and two dialogue sessions, discussing chal-

Mission Fund.

lenges the Church faces today and how the themes of his research related to the Hungarian experience. Father Aaron also introduced Glenmary’s mission to the Piarist Community. “None of the men from the Piarist Community had heard of Glenmary,” he shares. “I talked extensively about

Fr. Vijaya Katta and parishioners bless the new space, built thanks to a donation from the Saint Catherine Mission Fund.

our mission and ministry. In many ways, the Piarist Community was just as inspired by and interested in Glenmary’s work as they were in my research.” During his visit, Father Aaron met the Focolare Community and Orsolya Kapás, who translated his book into Hungarian. “The work she did was momentous,” he says. “It was an honor to meet her and the other Focolare members.” Father Aaron was also pleased to learn that his book is being used in many different parishes and university reading groups outside of the United States. 6

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

g l e n m a r y. o rg Photo courtesy of Holy Trinity Catholic Church

Photo courtesy of Glenmary Vocations

Volunteers at Glenmary's Come and See event pause for a photo with a woman they helped during their time of service.

V O C A T I O N S / Come and See

Celebrating With Service While many Americans celebrated Independence

Aketch and Vocations Counselor Wilmar Zabala,

Day with fireworks and festivities, four young men

they completed projects including yard work, paint-

spent the holiday discovering what life as a missioner

ing, and digging water trenches. They also spent

might look like.

time meeting local residents and listening to their

From July 2–5, the Glenmary Home Missioners Vo-

stories, gaining a deeper understanding of Glen-

cations Office hosted a Come and See experience at

mary's mission of accompanying people in rural

the Glenmary Volunteer Program on Joppa Mountain

communities.

in Grainger County, Tennessee. The participants, ages

For several participants, praying was a high-

14 to 18, immersed themselves in mission life through

light of the weekend. One young man reflected

service projects, prayer, and fellowship.

that "sanctifying the morning and the evening with

Alongside Vocations Director Father Charles

prayers was great."

around the missions CO N FI R MATI O N C E LE B R ATI O N

VISITING PROSPECT

FR . J OS E PH M OVE S TO G EO RG IA

On July 12, the people of Holy Family parish in Blakely, Georgia, celebrated Confirmation with Bishop Stephen D. Parkes of the Diocese of Savannah. Bishop Parkes wished the newly Confirmed a continued desire to deepen their relationship with God. Sisters Imelda Ngwitu and Mary Jane Chiango report continued growth in their Georgia ministry.

Glenmary Vocations prospect Samuel Esteban Magargal spent a week in North Carolina as part of his own Come and See program. This opportunity was an important time for Samuel to discern if God is calling him to the Glenmary Way of Life in the missions. Samuel has met a number of Glenmarians and even attended Brother Jude’s Perpetual Oath ceremony in May.

On August 1, Father Joseph Maundu became Moderator and Sacramental Minister of the two Glenmary parishes in Southwest Georgia: Holy Family in Blakely and St. Luke in Cuthbert. He has also been assigned as Missionary Outreach Minister in that mission area, where he will partner with Deacon Scott Watford and Sisters Imelda Ngwitu and Mary Jane Chiango.

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GLENMARY CHALLENGE

Photo by Laney Blevins

Historic GLENMARY ’S

P E R P E T U A L O AT H

The story behind Glenmary's 200th perpetual profession reveals the heart of missioner life.

Br. Jude smiles as fellow Glenmarians applaud after his perpetual oath ceremony.

By Laney Blevins

ark clouds hovered over Glenmary headquarters as Glenmarians, family members, and friends gathered for an outdoor celebration. It rained the day before, soaking the grassy grounds. The forecast called for more thunderstorms, but the rain never came. Instead, beneath an overcast sky that seemed determined to break open at any moment, there was laughter, embraces, and gratitude as Brother Jude Smith became the 200th Glenmarian to profess perpetual vows to the Glenmary way of life. It was a milestone decades in the making, not simply because of one man's vocation, but because it represented the enduring mission of the Glenmary Home Missioners. Two hundred men have now made a lifelong commitment to serving some of the most forgotten places in rural America, carrying forward the vision of Father William Howard Bishop since 1939. For Glenmary President Father Dan Dorsey, the milestone is worth celebrating — not because of the number itself, but because of what it represents.

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“It's a very unique missionary effort,” Father Dan says. “It's a very challenging missionary effort. It's a very rewarding missionary effort.” Two hundred Glenmarians have answered the call since Glenmary's founding. Some served for decades before entering eternal life. Others discerned that God was leading them elsewhere. Every vocation has helped shape the society's story. But when Brother Jude thinks about becoming Glenmary's 200th member, he doesn't think about numbers. “I don't think of 200,” he says. “I think of hundreds, if not thousands, of years — the hours, the service, and the lives that have been changed.” In many ways, that is the story of Glenmary.

The Mission Hasn't Changed

Father Dan has watched Glenmary evolve over the years. The rural communities Glenmary serves have changed dramatically. Many mission areas now include large Spanish-speaking populations. Missioners minister in multiple languages, accompany immigrant families, and respond to challenges that didn't exist

“You're there to serve everyone.”” — F R . D A N D O R S E Y everyone.

What Mission Looks Like

Presence Before Programs

Ask Brother Jude what missioner life looks like, and he doesn't begin by listing projects or accomplishments. Instead, he talks about people. He speaks of visiting homes, accompanying families through difficult seasons, helping someone pay a utility bill, connecting neighbors with resources, and simply listening when someone needs to know they are not alone. He compares much of the work to the ministry of St. Vincent de Paul: not simply offering temporary assistance, but walking with people long enough to

Br. Jude kneels before the altar beneath a watchful image of Glenmary founder Fr. William Howard Bishop.

Faith, friendship, and hospitality bring Br. Jude, Martha Coffin, and Sr. Imelda together.

Photo by Lindsay Braud

Sometimes that mission looks surprisingly ordinary. One day while walking through Cuthbert, Georgia, Brother Jude met Martha Coffin. An Episcopalian with a deep love for serving others, Martha makes palm crosses each year for a local Methodist church. She enjoys talking about faith with Brother Jude and Sister Imelda Ngwitu, and welcomes people from many different Christian traditions into her life. Over time, an unexpected friendship grew. Brother Jude and Sister Imelda stop by to visit, help around the house, or drive Martha to visit friends. Looking back, Martha sees God's hand in the relationship. “God just knows how to put certain people in your life,” she says. “They've just become sort of part of my family.” There are no dramatic headlines in Martha's story, just friendship. Yet relationships like these are exactly what Glenmary has been building for generations.

Photo by Laney Blevins

when Glenmary was founded 87 years ago. “Our ministry has changed,” Father Dan says. “Our mission hasn't.” That mission remains remarkably focused: bringing Christ's love to rural communities that are often overlooked, underserved, or forgotten. “Our mission is always very clear,” Father Dan adds. “You're there to serve everyone.” Not just Catholics. Not just people who attend Mass. Everyone.

understand the deeper challenges they face. That kind of ministry begins with presence. Years ago, while walking through New Orleans on a hot day, Brother Jude noticed a group of Christians handing out bottles of cold water. There were no loudspeakers. No condemnation. Just a bottle of water and a reminder that Jesus loves you. He has never forgotten it. For him, that simple act captures something essential about evangelization. “We do things, I think, without judgment,” he said. “With grace and mercy.” Those two words surfaced repeatedly as he reflected on his own formation. Brother Jude speaks openly Autumn 2026

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

about the grace he received from fellow Glenmarians during difficult moments and how that experience now shapes the way he ministers to others. “The grace and mercy that was bestowed upon me,” he says, “shows me what I need to give to other people.”

smile. “I feel like I get to play today.” It's an unusual description of missioner life, but one that reflects the joy he has found in serving others.

Looking Ahead

As Glenmary celebrates its 200th perpetual profession, Father Dan hopes the milestone inspires others Brother Jude's path to Glenmary to consider where God may be callwas anything but direct. He exing them. “My hope is that there plored several religious commuare future generations,” he says. nities before discovering GlenBrother Jude shares that hope. mary through an online vocation He wants others to discover what network. At first, he imagined he has found: a missionary combecoming a foreign missionary. munity rooted in prayer, shaped by Instead, he found himself called grace, and committed to serving to mission in rural America. wherever the need is greatest. What surprised him most “I hope they know this is a joyful wasn't where Glenmary serves; it life,” he says. “I hope they find their was how Glenmary serves. During joy in ministry like I've found mine.” one of his earliest mission assignThe significance of Glenmary's —BR. JU DE SMI TH ments, he expected someone to 200th consecrated member will hand him a list of responsibilities. never be measured simply by a Instead, fellow Glenmarian number. It will be measured in Brother Joe Steen asked him a question: “What do friendships like the one Brother Jude shares with you want to do?” Martha Coffin. It will be measured in neighbors who That invitation to discover and develop his own know someone will show up when they need help. It gifts transformed the way he understood religious will be measured in forgotten communities that dislife. Today, Brother Jude’s ministry includes advocacy, cover they have not been forgotten after all. prison ministry, pastoral care, and health and wellness For nearly a century, Glenmary has carried Christ's coaching — each flowing from the unique gifts God presence into places many others pass by. Brother has placed within him. Jude's perpetual profession is not the end of that story. “I don't feel like I'm going to work,” he says, with a It is simply the next chapter.

A Different Kind of Calling

I hope they find their joy in ministry like I've found mine.

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Br. Larry Johnson congratulates Br. Jude with a heartfelt embrace after his perpetual oath.

Photo by Laney Blevins

Photo by Lindsay Braud

Br. Jude and Fr. Neil serve neighbors in need through food distribution, including a donation of peanut butter.

Photo courtesy Glenmary Archives

Br. Curt Kedley worked in Manassas, Georgia, where he was welcomed by members of the community such as Ruth Wilcox.

Lifelong Mission SH A PED BY

BROTHER HOOD

Faithful service BROTHER CURT KEDLEY C E L E B R AT I N G

60 years

Brother Curt Kedley

50 years

Brother Jack Henn

50 years

Brother Virgil Siefker

40 years

Brother Tom Sheehy B Y L I N D S AY B R A U D

or the past 60 years, Brother Curt Kedley has tirelessly served in Glenmary missions. “I've always had a strong urge to work with the marginalized,” he says. His journey with Glenmary began on August 15, 1966, the day he professed his First Oath. “I knew I didn’t want to be a priest, and I thought about being a missionary overseas,” Brother Curt explains. However, it was his twin sister Jane who suggested he look into Glenmary. After telling the family about his plans, Brother Curt recalls that his sister exclaimed, “What took you so long?!” Brother Curt has left a lasting legacy across Glenmary missions in Georgia, Kentucky, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. One project he is especially proud of is the Adult Day Activity Program in Jefferson, North Carolina. This collaborative shelter-workshop supports people with intellectual disabilities in learning skills for independent living. “Ministering there was a neat experience,” he says. “It was just a blessing to be there.” Now at the age of 83, Brother Curt shows no signs of slowing down. He lives in Windsor, North Carolina, doing what he calls beautification ministry; painting, and visiting the local nursing homes. In the past decade, he also helped build the Good Shepherd food pantry. “I just try to be faithful,” he says. Autumn 2026

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A unique calling

Serving God

BROTHER JACK HENN

ooking back on his past 50 years with Glenmary, Brother Jack Henn remembers fondly his time spent in Sylvania, Georgia. This was one of his first assignments after professing his First Oath on May 31, 1976. The area was beautiful, the weather warm, and the people welcoming. “I felt like I was an integral part of the community,” Brother Jack says. During those early days of his mission, Brother Jack worked with people across all parts of the community — the elderly, local churches, social organizations, sports, and more. His vocation as a religious Brother gave Jack the flexibility to serve the community in myriad ways. “The vocation of Brother was attractive to me because it would give me a way to be with the people,” Brother Jack explains. Helping people understand the Brother vocation is important to him because it is a calling distinctive from all other vowed religious. “As a Brother, I could be with the people in a very unique role,” he says. Over the years, Brother Jack has used his talents to serve three terms as Glenmary’s second vice president. He also served as president for the Religious Brothers Conference, an organization dedicated to supporting and promoting the special charism and vocation of the religious Brother. He now sits on their board of directors. These days Brother Jack can be found volunteering with the Little Brothers Friends of the Elderly and the National Religious Formation Conference, sitting on their boards of directors. He also is active in supporting Glenmary’s senior missioners living in Cincinnati, Ohio — driving them to appointments and visiting those in nursing homes.

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

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BROTHER VIRGIL

rother Virg Siefker grew up in a small village in northern Ohio, helping out every day on the family farm. He learned a lot about construction from his dad and grandpa, and worked for a carpenter every summer during his college years. So, when it came time to work on the Glenmary Building Program after professing his First Oath on May 31, 1976, Brother Virg was ready. He spent 10 years building churches and parish halls, even helping to construct the Our Lady of the Fields Chapel located on Glenmary’s campus in Cincinnati, Ohio. Building “was my way of helping people,” Brother Virg explains. “Doing physical acts of love — construction, helping at the food pantry, volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse “I gained a high level of respect for the men in prison who desired to pray.” —BR. VIRGIL SIEFKER

When you love what you do, it’s not work

by helping others

SIEFKER

— they all focus on the idea of helping people.” His expertise in construction and carpentry was put to good use after a devastating tornado hit Windsor, North Carolina, in 2013. He, along with volunteers from Samaritan’s Purse, worked two days a week rebuilding homes. The people were so grateful for his service they made him an “honorary Baptist,” which is quite an honor, Brother Virg explains. During his time in Windsor, Brother Virg was invited to participate in another ministry — visiting and praying with men in prison. This ministry involved participating in a four-day Kairos retreat and weekly small group bible study. “I gained a high level of respect for the men in prison who desired to pray,” Brother Virg says. He continues this ministry today in Cincinnati, Ohio. He can also be found working in the offices; answering the phone and greeting visitors.

BROTHER TOM SHEEHY

It was absolutely the most wonderful experience. There weren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week. — BR. TOM SHEEH Y

eciding to work in rural ministry was easy for Brother Tom Sheehy. Having grown up in a town of around 25 people, he understood the peculiarities and needs of rural communities. After finishing his Clinical Pastoral Education in Boston, classmates were stunned to find out he would be going to the “hollers of Kentucky,” Brother Tom explains. But that’s exactly where he wanted to go. Brother Tom professed his First Oath on May 24, 1986. He has spent time in Kentucky, Georgia, West Virginia, and Tennessee. However, one of his favorite memories comes from his time in Eastman, Georgia, where he organized a Habitat for Humanity affiliate. “It was absolutely the most wonderful experience. There weren’t enough hours in the day or days in the week; but when you love what you do, it’s not work,” Brother Tom says. As a professional contractor, Brother Tom was a perfect fit for this ministry. There also was tremendous community involvement, with college and high school students from around the country volunteering regularly. “When I left, we had 15 houses built or under construction,” he says. Brother Tom now does ministry in rural Tennessee. Autumn 2026

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

FOR DETA INED IM MIGR A N TS

BY OMAR CABRER A

Sr. Imelda Ngwitu and visitors of detained migrants share a meal at El Refugio house.

ather Neil Pezzulo makes a weekly visit to one of the largest immigrant detention centers in the United States: the Stewart Detention Center in Southwest Georgia. His ministry of presence offers comfort to the detainees — most of whom are Hispanic and have no other visitors. He drives nearly an hour from his home to the outskirts of the small, remote town of Lumpkin — a town with a population less than half the size of the 2,000 immigrants from various countries held at the facility. “The food is horrible, and there isn't enough of it,” Father Neil says regarding the center's harsh conditions. The facility houses more people than it has beds, forcing some to sleep on the floor on plastic cots. Father Neil, a Glenmary missioner, is the only priest who visits the detainees at Stewart. There, he celebrates Mass, hears confessions, and talks with them. “Often, it is their first confession in many, many years,” he says. “Many are missing their families. The women, especially, tell me they miss their children.” Immigrants detained in this complex are deprived of things others might take for granted: a comfortable chair to sit in, access to sunlight and fresh air, and a

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

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cell phone for communication and entertainment. The detainees, by contrast, “are always indoors. There is no sunlight in the facility. You are allowed out into the yard at some point during the day — usually for 20 to 30 minutes — and I’ve only ever seen the yard from the inside. It doesn't look particularly large,” Father Neil says. The detention center “is a bleak place.” For these individuals, talking to someone willing to listen attentively and remind them of God’s love, acts as a balm that soothes their wounds and helps keep hope alive, the Glenmary priest explains. “We try to accompany or walk with these people during this particular chapter of their lives,” says Father Neil.

A Haven for Visitors

Near the detention center, in the small town of Lumpkin, an organization opens its doors every Saturday and Sunday to people visiting detained family members or friends. Located on Main Street, the house known as “El Refugio” features parking, a large dining area, a kitchen, living rooms, and even a handful of bedrooms where visitors can stay overnight for free. To see a detained immigrant, a family member or

Photo by Br. Jude Smith

Relief

Immigrants held at a massive ICE center in Georgia find relief through Glenmary missionaries.

Fr. Neil Pezzulo served in the Glenmary missions in Georgia when this story was reported.

Photo by Audra Melton

Photo by Omar Cabrera

Three out of every four immigrants detained at the megacenter have clean records.

friend must arrive in person to the detention center and provide their name, phone number, and other details. When this information is turned in to the guards, visitors are given a time they can return for their visit. The wait between registration and the actual visit can range from 30 minutes to three hours. Since there are no hotels and only one restaurant in Lumpkin, there are few places for visitors to wait. That is why many turn to El Refugio. El Refugio is an organization independent of Glenmary; it operates the house using volunteers and funds from its own donors. Two Glenmary missionaries join these volunteers: Brother Jude Smith helps once a month, while Sister Imelda Ngwitu helps two weekends a month. “We help welcome the visitors and families,” says Sister Imelda. “We make sure they have coffee and lunch, we talk with them, and I help them with the paperwork when they arrive at the detention center.”

Restricted Visits

Like other El Refugio volunteers, Brother Jude and Sister Imelda also visit detainees who have requested a visit but have no one coming to see them. El Refugio obtains each immigrant's name and the number assigned to them by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). All visitors have limited access to the center; they can only see detainees through a glass partition and speak with them via intercoms resembling old landline phones. Father Neil, by contrast, has access to virtually every area of the detention center, with the caveat that he may only move about inside when accompanied by either the prison chaplain or a guard. The majority of the inmate population at the Stewart Detention Center is male. Many of them were their family’s breadwinners before being taken into ICE custody. Consequently, it is common to see women arriving

at El Refugio to visit detainees — some accompanied by children or teenagers. Brother Jude made his Perpetual Oath with Glenmary this spring. Within his new budget, he allocates funds to support these families, for instance, by providing fuel cards.

Many of them were their family's breadwinners before being taken into ICE custody. Through their ministry, Father Neil, Brother Jude, and Sister Imelda are bringing to life the passage from Matthew 25:34–36, in which Jesus says that when the Son of Man comes, “the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father! Inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to see me.’” Until the Spring of 2026, when this story was reported in Southwest Georgia, Father Neil Pezzulo was assigned to the Glenmary missions in that region. He is currently on a different assignment. Autumn 2026

GLENMARY CHALLENGE

Photo courtesy of Glenmary Archives

Fr. Steve Pawelk, and Brothers Joe Steen and Craig Digmann stand outside the St. Teresa of Kolkata Mission storefront in Maynardville, Tenn. in 2012.

WA LK ING

side-by-side IN THE HOME MISSIONS

As Glenmary welcomes its newest professed Brother, Father Steven Pawelk reflects on how they work in ministry side-by-side with priests. B Y F AT H E R S T E V E N P A W E L K

“Glenmary is a Society of Apostolic Life. We are a clerical Society of clerics and Brothers of pontifical right…”

(C O N S T I T U T I O N #4 )

his opening constitutional definition of Glenmary would have been mostly foreign words to me as an 18-year-old farm kid from Maple Lake, Minnesota. It is full of canonical words and phrases, not used in my hometown. I grew up with Benedictine Sisters who taught at our grade school, and the same diocesan priest for 20 years at our country parish. As to the word brother, well I had five of those. The concept of religious Brother was unknown to me until I began seriously investigating a religious vocation. In the winter of 1980, I made my first trip to the Glenmary farm where I met Brother Joe Steen. After that visit, I received a Glenmary vocational publication and read the obituary of Brother Ralph Riehle. I knew I was reading about a saint. Eventually, I found my way into the Glenmary Home Missioners, discerning a vocation of missioner priesthood. My inspiration was, and still remains, the Brothers.

Missioners First

The Brother vocation is unique. In Glenmary, we 16

are all missioners first, some as priests and others as Brothers. Priests offer the sacraments, preside at Mass, reach out to the unchurched, and do the work of pastoring and establishing new missions. But what do Glenmary Brothers do? I have been fortunate to work closely with Brothers. One summer Brother Curt Kedley asked me to help remodel a Black Baptist church in Evans County, Georgia. Later we were honored guests at the revival and rededication. Brother Curt got to know this community by working with them at the fruitcake factory. He was a steadfast presence, ministering through acts of service; sharing the Gospel through action, not words. During that revival, he was celebrated not only for his skills, but as their neighbor and friend. During my first assignment in South Georgia one of my mission teammates was Brother Charlie Kennedy. He lived at St. Jude Catholic Church where the priest was only present at Sunday liturgies. Brother Charlie was the friendly face who answered the phone, greeted people, swept and repaired the church, and drove

It’s Who You Are

In Glenmary, Brothers hold a special place not only in my heart, but in the hearts of thousands of people. Their dedication, humility, and down-to-earth approach attracts folks to listen and share life with them. Many Brothers have professions as nurses, carpenters, social workers, and pastoral ministers. However, they are known more for walking side-by-side with the poor and the marginalized. Their faith, witness, presence, and accompaniment define them. Being a Brother is more about who you are with others, than what you do. As a missioner Brother, this is an invitation to develop whatever skills, talents, or profession one might desire, and place that in the service of the home mission field of the rural United States. Being present as a Brother of Jesus and as a Brother for others will help proclaim the Gospel and contribute to the Reign of God. May the intercession of our deceased Brothers, like Brother Ralph Rielhe, inspire more to join us, just as he inspired me to come and explore Glenmary. Father Steven Pawelk is the director of the novitiate and Glenmary’s second vice president. With the help of local volunteers, Br. Joe Steen helps build St. John Paul II Church in Rutledge, Tenn.

Photo by John Feister

people to the doctor. He was humble and unassuming; always present with a smile and helping hands. In 2011, Brother Joe Steen, Brother Craig Digmann, and I were assigned to establish a Catholic community in Grainger and Union County, Tennessee. Working side-by-side with these two men, praying three times a day, sharing meals, and recreation — they were then, and are now, not only religious Brothers in my community but my brothers... with a deep place in my heart. The ministries in Tennessee are thriving today because Brother Craig took the time to visit local Christian churches, visit people in their homes, and support the local schools. Brother Joe’s work in home repair and direct service to the poor made a lasting impression. This ministry was important, but so was their encouragement to me as the founding pastor of these two missions. They kept me humble and walked with me as we ministered to the parishioners and people of these counties. Their friendship — their Brotherhood — allowed me to serve as a missioner priest in the fullest way possible.

What is a religious Brother? A religious Brother is a male professed member of a religious order. They often take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. A Brother’s life and work depends on the unique charism of their specific religious institute. They dedicate their lives to community, prayer, and ministry through professions such as social work, construction, healthcare, and teaching.

What do Glenmary’s Brothers do? After professing their Perpetual Oath, Glenmary Brothers spend their life in the rural missions of Appalachia and the Southern United States supporting the local community through acts of service. Ministries vary for each Brother depending on their unique calling.

Photo by John Feister

How many Brothers does Glenmary have? Glenmary has 13 professed Brothers serving across all its missions and at headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. They come to Glenmary from across the United States and as far away as Kenya.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR R E L ATA B L E E X P E R I E N C E

SPECIAL DE TOUR

Thanks for the article by Brother Jude Smith about his [volunteer] ombudsman work at long-term care facilities (“Giving a Voice to the Vulnerable,” Glenmary Challenge, summer 2026). I could identify with his ministry of presence to the residents; presence was a big part of my work when I was a volunteer hospital chaplain. I was not an unwelcome advocate the way Brother Jude sometimes has to be; the hospital environment was a little different, and when I brought patients’ needs to a nurse or case manager, the information was always well received by the staff. However, some ministries, such as Brother Jude’s do require being an unwelcome advocate, and it was a joy to read about his work.

I enjoyed reading the Glenmary Challenge and the ‘goings on’ at St. Michael the Archangel. When we were visiting Ashville, North Carolina, we took a detour since Erwin, Tennessee, was not far. Father Tom Charters gave us a great tour of the mission, the facilities! Impressive!

Steve Dunham | Drexel Hil l, PA

Joe Huerta | El Paso, T X

SUPERB E X AMPLE We were so sorry to learn of the death of Rev. Gerald Peterson. His life was such a reflection of the love of God, and a superb example of what it means to follow Jesus. Our lives were deeply changed by and through Father Pete — just two of the thousands of lives made better because of him.

There’s no doubt that the saints rejoiced in his arrival. A donation was made in his memory to the Habitat for Humanity of N.E. Georgia affiliate that would not exist if it weren’t for Father Pete. Thomas Gagnon and Helen O’Brien | Cla rk sv il le, GA

A H O LY M A N Seeing the “In Loving Memory” tribute to Father “Gerry” Peterson, I am reminded of his gentle presence as a fellow member of the Board of Directors for the NFPC (National Federation of Priests Council). He served as the representative of religious priests. He was a genuinely holy man whose loving and kind spirit will long endure. Father Walter Helms | Davenpor t, I A

WE WANT LETTERS TO THE EDITOR! Send to: Editor, Glenmary Challenge, PO Box 465618, Cincinnati, OH 45246. Email: challenge@glenmary.org. Comments are printed at the discretion of the editor and may be edited for clarity and space. Please include a postal address with your letter.

Create Your Legacy and Change Lives Remember Glenmary in Your Will or Trust

A POINT OF CLARIFICATION In the Summer 2026 Glenmary Challenge, Brother Jude Smith wrote about his ministry as a (LTC) Long- Term Care Ombudsman. As a point of clarification, as compared to Tennessee, Brother Jude's

Christina Waddle, Major Gifts Officer, is here to help. (513) 881-7441 cwaddle@glenmary.org

role in Georgia was that of a Volunteer LTC Ombudsman, which is a distinctive role from paid staff of the SOWEGA Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program. Volunteers work alongside the program’s professional staff, but do not

Visit FreeWill.com/Glenmary to start, it’s easy and free!

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g l e n m a r y. o rg

serve in the same capacity.

The Appalachian Mountains, part of Glenmary’s mission territory, captivates for its beauty, as can be appreciated at Blue Ridge Parkway, in Virginia.

“An act of

kindness or courtesy

Photo by Omar Cabrera

is, in the ordinary affairs of life, worth all the inconvenience and delay that it may cause.” FATH E R WI LLIAM H OWAR D B I S H O P FOUNDER OF GLENMARY Autumn 2026

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P.O. Box 465618 · Cincinnati, OH 45246-5618

Glenmary Home Missioners

Photo by Lindsay Braud

On a sunny July day, five students from the University of Dayton showed up, bug nets in hand, to collect insects living near Glenmary’s solar panels. Since 2023, PhD student Stephanie Murray has been studying the potential effects of solar arrays on insect diversity and communities. She says Glenmary’s solar array is unique for its abundance of wildflowers and native plants, making it a good habitat for pollinators. Support the Home Missions at glenmary.org/donate