CATHOLIC CABIN Published Since 1994 Family Building the Body of Christ April 2019 Inside: Empty Bowls Event Raises $1,930.00! B y P eggy O ’R ei ll y Growing Up in 2 The 3rd Annual and regained Conway Empty Bowls Event custody of her What are you willing sponsored by the St. son. to give up? 4 Joseph's Mission Committee was held Demetrius Are you Called? Are 5 on Wednesday, lives in his you Gifted? February 6th at the own home, Chapel Talk 8 Spiritan Center. A recently graduated from UCA, and will meal prepared by be working on an advanced degree this Youth Ministry 9 Ron Gatto and fall. These are just a few of the many Pancake Breakfast TEAM brought in over 200 people and success stories which surface yearly raised $1,930 for Bethlehem House. from Bethlehem House. Praying for Priests 9

School Endowment 10 Bethlehem House is a transitional This event was made possible due to housing shelter located in Conway. numerous volunteers within our church Men’s Retreat 12 These funds will assist with operating family who assisted with set-up, serving, St. Joseph Mission expenses when monthly donations fall clean-up and those who attended and Committee 13 short. Proceeds help to change life purchased a meal. Mausoleum & situations and break the cycle of Columbarium 14 poverty. The journey for those without a Giving of your whole self. I don’t want home or living in extreme poverty, can you to give to us from your abundance. Growing Up in be lonely and difficult. Bethlehem I don’t need money from your abun- Conway 15 House provides residents a home dance. Instead, I ask that you share in environment while teaching Christian our work. I ask that you lend your Change for Life 19 values. hands in understanding. Come and help care for our needy. Come and see. Literacy Night at 19 During the event two quest speakers, –Saint Teresa of Calcutta SJES Tracy Fisher and Demetrius Jordan, Jim Banks Award 19 spoke to those in attendance about how Thank you living at Bethlehem House had altered for Father James 19 the course of their lives. Tracy left a life generously Beagan Award of drug abuse, owns a home, has a job, supporting us so we Stations of the Cross 19 can serve Missionary Work in others. Greenbrier 20

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The St. Joseph’s Mission Committee Page 2 2

Abbot Paul Nahlen—The Savior of Subiaco Growing Up in Conway, By Nancy Breeden Mitchell

Martin Paul Nahlen was were not sufficient and I was too afraid to ask for more. I born on November 20, 1882 just lay there and froze…” to Frederick and Catherine Selborn Nahlen. The The Nahlen boy soon made a name for himself at the Nahlens had come to abbey. The monks were impressed by the amount of work Arkansas in 1880 from the he did, not only at his studies but also on student work Rhineland in Germany, crews. A new abbey was being constructed and Martin was having been drawn by usually assigned to the cart hauling stones because of his advertisements sent out by ability to get a lot of work out of a yoke of oxen. railroad companies. Later in life he remarked, “The In 1903 he became a monk and received the name of land agents promised my Paul. Having completed his studies in theology, he was parents a land flowing with ordained in 1908. Less than a month afterward, he was milk and honey but before sent to a commercial college in Louisville, Kentucky and the first year was out my upon his return to Subiaco, he was placed in charge of the parents were grateful for a Father Paul Nahlen, April 10, commercial department of the school and became assistant little cornbread and molas- 1908, on the day he celebrated prefect of discipline. Many of his commercial students ses.” At the age of four- his first Mass. became business leaders in their localities without further teen, his parents, poor, hard- training in the field. He was made head prefect and working farmers, sent him to Subiaco where he graduated treasurer of the school in 1917. During the school year he in 1900. He entered the monastery, taking the name Paul, was with the students throughout their waking hours and and was ordained to the priesthood in 1908. With his ordi- during the summer he traveled to contact perspective nation he became the first young man to become a priest students and parents. In 1927 he from St. Joseph Catholic Church in Conway. The Nahlens, was assigned to serve as the pas- parents and children, knew little except hard work, strict tor of a church in Corpus Chris- economizing, and frugal living. This was training which ti, Texas. would mold the future monk. Abbot Edward Burgert, the “My coming to Subiaco was practically a matter of second abbot of Subiaco, drawing straws. My father wanted one of his sons to study resigned his post amid mounting for the priesthood. Both my brother and I were willing to debt incurred during his tenure. try. Somehow, I got the nod. Strangely enough, my father The debt of $110,000 in 1927 planned to send me to the Josephinum, the seminary for had risen to $222,000 by 1937. German-speaking priests in Columbus, Ohio. He was a “Everyone knows and will admit great admirer of that institution’s publication, The Ohio that I am a zero in financial Weisenfreund and had his heart set on my going there. matters”, he wrote to Abbot Then one day my parents went to Dixie, Arkansas in the Columban Thuis, the president next county to attend a celebration of that parish’s saint’s of the Swiss-American day, the feast of St. Boniface. There they met Father Benedictine Congregation Matthew Saettele, O.S.B. who bluntly asked them if they Father Paul Nahlen in consulting him with reasons for didn’t have a son for the priesthood. Why send him to the work clothes in Corpus his own resignation. Josephinum when Subiaco Abbey is in Arkansas. That Christi, TX night my parents came home and I found that I was going Father Paul was, in the mind to the Benedictines at Subiaco. On December 13, 1896, my of the community at father and I started out for my new home. It took us 12 Subiaco, an administrator, a hard worker, and a capable hours on the road in our wagon. Brother Benedict received finance man which he proved in his duties at Subiaco and us at the door of the monastery about 9 p.m. that night. I in Corpus Christi. He was a rugged individualist who had drank a huge bowl of hot tea at supper which he prepared stepped on some monastic toes, but no one could deny his for us. I had never had much tea before and when I had, it talent for hard work, nor fault him in devotion to duty or had always made me sick. That night I went to bed a very religious observances. When it was time to elect a third sick boy. My spirits were already low and now with abbot, Father Paul was seen, in the mind of many voters, tea-sickness, they struck bottom. The dormitory to which I the best one fitted to save the abbey from its financial was taken was in the attic and I could see the stars through crisis. At the age of 56 at the time of his election, he had the roof. I slept very little the first week. The bedcovers already lived a full life as a monk and was extremely

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single-minded when it came to the abbey church was to be the crowning work of Abbot his devotion to his monastery. Paul, although he would not live to see its completion. For Father Paul had spent more than almost 10 years before construction began he had procured 30 years in various phases and funds, generated enthusiasm and rallied resources of the fields of school work, public community as never before. The Church Fund grew with relations, and construction numerous fund-raising efforts of alumni, Subiaco Academy projects with small budgets. His students, the St. Benedict Parish, and other benefactors. past had qualified him to take On October 19, 1952 Abbot Paul up the burden of the financially broke ground on the church that plagued abbey. Four bishops, six would not be completed and abbots as well as 75 priests and consecrated until March 27, representatives of all religious 1959. orders in the diocese were present on June 23, 1939 for the Abbot Paul died in August of solemn blessing by Bishop John 1957. In ending the funeral Morris of Little Rock. sermon delivered on September Official photograph of 5, 1957, Abbot Columban Thuis Abbot Paul Once Abbot Paul accepted his stated, “Dear Abbot Paul: at this responsibility, he never shirked moment we salute you as the the demands. One of his favorite themes was “devotion to savior of Subiaco Abbey. Many duty.” When a duty was determined, he went into action. have been the trials you have He was also a man of deep faith and spiritual devotion. He suffered; many the agonies you loved real and everyday piety and his own religious life endured; many the was easily discernible but never showy. He had a zeal for self-reproaches at your own Abbot Paul shortly the Divine Office and was notorious for being the first in failings and infirmities. If we before his death. choir every morning. He prayed the rosary privately when wish to see your monuments we traveling alone and would pray the office of the day and the look around us. Your own words rosary first thing when traveling with a companion. will serve as my conclusion; “The abbey is the Lord’s institution; he will see it through. All our success has been With the crushing debt of the 1930’s still present when his work.” he took office, he organized the financial resources of the community to alleviate the debt. He initiated a widespread A document in the cornerstone of the new church states: public appeal by personal correspondence and through the “May this generation and the generations for ages to come monastic publication, The Abbey Message, which was who worship here give glory to God and find rest for their launched in May of 1940. It remains to this day a source of souls within its walls. May they ever be mindful in a news, projects, and articles of interest. He contacted prayerful way of the Rt. Rev. Abbot Paul Nahlen, third alumni and benefactors, organized fund-raising innovations abbot of Subiaco, under whose leadership this house of including “picnics” that were held on the 4th of July, Labor God was envisioned and its construction initiated.” Day and Thanksgiving. These Old- Fashioned Picnics His legacy and influence endures to this day. were large scale operations and the abbot worked tirelessly to collect prizes. Local merchants and businessmen grew to dread his appearance at their establishments because of his persuasive tactics at getting donations. Despite unset- tled economic conditions in the summer of 1939, the abbot had a new car donated by a local car dealer to raffle off. In addition, the abbot’s philosophy was: “While we monks need outside help, let us buy nothing we can make, raise, preserve, or do without.” Through fundraising, cost cutting, good investments, and the generous financial assistance from an important and wealthy Catholic layman, Abbot Paul was able to pay off the debts he had inherited from the previous administrator. By 1944 the debt to the chief creditor had been paid in full and in early 1946 the **A special thanks to Abbot Leonard Wangler for debt that Subiaco owed the Swiss abbey since the 1920s permission to use A Place Called Subiaco: A History of the was wiped out. During his tenure, Abbot Paul Nahlen Benedictine Monks in Arkansas written by Father Hugh oversaw numerous building projects, improved the Assenmacher, O.S.B. 1977 New Subiaco Abbey as a source education of the monks, and instituted programs such as for this article. Camp Subiaco, a summer camp for boys. The building of

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What Are You Willing to Give Up? By Diane Bausom

“What are you willing to give up for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God?” That is the question asked in the middle of the “Retreat in Daily Life” (RIDL) brochure. Since October, 2018, twenty-seven (27) people have been on this retreat which will end April 28th; approximately 30 weeks of daily prayer and weekly meetings. Most are from St. Joseph’s, with a few coming from Little Rock. Unlike other retreats, this retreat is taking place in their everyday lives. Although going away for a retreat is often an enriching experience, many people are unable to clear a few days or a week from their calendars due to family and job responsibilities. “Retreat in Daily Life” (RIDL) has all the aspects of other retreats plus more, and it takes place where we live our daily lives.

For many people, the hardest part of a retreat is when the retreat is over and they try to implement what they learned while they were ‘away’, into their everyday life. Getting closer to God seems a bit easier when you go to a secluded place and everyone is there for the same reason – to disconnect from one’s daily responsibilities and grow closer to God. I’ve been blessed to experience two 8-day silent retreats where I encountered God in profound ways; however, the hardest part was not being silent, but rather re-entering my everyday world of re- sponsibilities and distractions once the retreat ended.

“Retreat in Daily Life” (RIDL) is a retreat experienced that is lived out over 30 weeks, in the midst of daily life. As we deepen our relationship with God through daily prayer and Scripture, we’re also seeing how that applies in the people and situations we encounter on a daily basis. RIDL is based on the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola who lived in the 15th century. The basic premise of the Exercises is that we are created to know, love and praise God. Through a combination of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices de- veloped by St. Ignatius, RIDL helps people deepen their relationship with God. As stated in the RIDL brochure, “as you mirror his (Ignatius’) prayerful journey, following the life, teachings, death and resurrection of Jesus, you will prayerfully encounter a loving God and desire to become all you were created to be.”

We recently asked the current retreatants to share their thoughts about RIDL. With her permission, I share one person’s remarks:

“Do you want to wake up every part of your heart and fall more deeply in love with God? Do you desire to truly know and understand who you are in God? Are you ready to journey to places in your heart you've never been before? Do you yearn to walk each day, pray each day, work each day with Jesus beside you in all things? If you said yes to even one of these questions, please consider RIDL. It is an adventure allowing you to explore the heights, depths and expanse of the beauty, majesty and wonder of God in a very personal way. Let your heart be your guide to unexplored places of love in your life. Let God be your joy each and every day and know that you are His.”

The above remarks say it far better than any brochure can. Ask yourself, “What am I willing to give up for a deeper, more intimate relationship with God?” Pray about whether God is calling you to this kind of retreat experience.

RIDL will be offered again to the parish beginning the first week of October. Brochures which provide additional information are available in the back of church or at the church office. If you are interested in learning more about RIDL please contact me or one of the other persons listed in the brochure.

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Lift High the Cross!

Hello fellow parishioners of St Joseph’s! The Jesus Bread of Life Magnificat Chapter and St Joseph’s Parish in Conway would like to invite you to save the date for our “God’s All Powerful Love” conference to be held right here at St Joseph’s September 14th, 2019 on the feast day of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross. We know its early, but it’s never too early to get excited about growing closer to God. Our speakers will be Dc. Larry Oney and his wife Andi. Dc Larry is an active deacon in the Diocese of New Orleans Louisiana. He and Andi travel all over the world speaking and teaching about the love of God and the power of the Holy Spirit.

This one day event will be for men and women. If you want to grow your relationship with God and see more fruit from that love in your everyday life, this conference is for you! Cost will be $55.00 couple, $30 for single. A continental breakfast and lunch will be provided. For more information you may visit his website at hopeandpurpose.org/

Are you Called? Are you Gifted? Spoiler Alert! The Answer is ...YES (to both!) By Don Kremer

Important news: You have an assignment from God to help bring the Kingdom of Heaven to your little part of the earth. You know what else? God has given you the tools to make this happen and I’m not talking about hammers or rakes. What I am talking about are skills that God has given you – and is expecting you to use. The fancy word for these skills is “charisms.”

The skillset God has given you is unique to you, and is limited to a few charisms. If I asked you, could you list your charisms or tell me how you are using them? For most Catholics, the answer to this question is no, not because they are bad Catholics, but rather because they’ve never thought about it. Usually when we do volunteer work for the parish, we are not using our charisms; the work can become drudgery. On the other hand, when we match our charisms to the needs of the community, we find joy in our work.

The diocese is aware of this issue. To help people find (discern) their charisms and to use them in joy, many parishes across the diocese are using a program titled: “Called and Gifted,” which is divided into two parts:

Part 1: Figure out which charisms God has given to us (see list of Charisms below) Part 2: Discuss our gifts with others who have the same gifts, and practice using them

Continued on next page... Page 6

...continued from previous page.

On December 2, 2018, eighty people from our parish and neighboring parishes went through Part 1 of the program. Of those people, about ten from the parish are participating in Part 2 – learning how to use these skills to fulfill God’s assignment to us.

As one of the people in Part 2, I can tell you that this has been a fun and wonderful experience. Discovering my own charisms has been an eye opener. I’m in the process of trying out my charisms. One of mine is writing, so this note is practice for me!

My favorite part so far is meeting with others who have the same charism. I love hearing about how they are put- ting the charism to work, and sharing my own ideas with them. Our discussions have revealed to me how sacred these charisms are.

In the upcoming months, the parish and diocese will offer more opportunities for you to participate in both Part 1 & 2 of the program. Keep an eye on the bulletin.

Charisms from Called and Gifted Program—Courtesy of Sherry Weddell

Administration Providing planning and coordination to accomplish good things Celibacy Remaining unmarried and celibate for the sake of Christ Craftsmanship Artistic or creative work that beautifies and/or orders the physical world Discernment of Spirits Helping people discern the presence of God (or others) in their lives (spiritual direction) Encouragement Nurturing other through words of comfort, encouragement and council Evangelism Sharing the faith with others in a way that draws them to be disciples of Jesus and responsible mem- bers of the Church Faith Unusual trust in the love, power and provision of God and a remarkable freedom to act on this trust

Giving Giving with exceptional generosity to those in need Healing Being an instrument of God in curing illnesses, physical and spiritual Helps Enable others to serve God and people more effectively

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Hospitality Warmly welcoming and caring for those in need of food, shelter, friendship Intercessory Prayer Intensely pray for others in need Knowledge Diligent study and intellectual activity that enables us to better understand God, ourselves and the universe Leadership Directing the overall efforts of a group as they work together Mercy Practical deeds of compassion that relieve the distress of those who suffer Missionary Using one’s charisms in a second culture Music Writing or performing music to enhance the worship of God Pastoring Building a community that nurtures the relationships and long-term spiritual growth of a group Prophecy Communicating God’s truth and calling to individuals or groups Service Filling gaps or unmet needs; doing whatever it takes to meet a need Teaching Sharing knowledge with others to help them reach their fullest spiritual and personal potential Voluntary Poverty Living a life of cheerful, voluntary simplicity to identify with Jesus and the poor Wisdom Use remarkable insight to establish creative solutions for problems and decisions Writing Use words to create works of truth and beauty that reflect the fullness of human experience and bring glory to God

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Chapel Talk A Conversation between God and an Adorer

(God is talking to us all the time; but sometimes we forget to listen. He’ll use a song, a sunset or a movie scene; He’ll nudge your heart or put thoughts in your head that had never occurred to you. We, as Catholics, believe He is truly present in the Blessed Sacrament in the monstrance. “Chapel Talk” is taken from one adorer’s visits to our Adoration Chapel and the simple ‘conversations’ that sometimes take place there. Who the adorer is, is not important. What is important is believing that God has something to say to each of us, if only we take the time to listen.)

“Let Me Look at You”

“Oh, how you’ve grown since you first started coming here. Just let Me look at you. (This was said like a relative does, when they haven’t seen you for awhile).

I remember when you first were coming in here. You weren’t sure what to do with a whole hour; so you usually bought a lot of stuff to read. That was perfectly okay. I was simply glad to see you. I understood that ‘being still’ was a new concept for you. That was okay, too. I simply waited. I knew the time would come when what you were reading (in My Presence) would begin to open your heart a bit more to Me and what exactly I was all about. Eventually the reading wasn’t quite enough; not enough to feed the hunger and restlessness that was beginning to grow within you; a hunger to truly experience My love for you; not just ‘knowing about My love’ but actually ‘encountering’ it; encountering Me. Slowly you learned to relax a bit in My Presence and simply allow Me to love you.

So yes, My Child, let me look at you. Let Me love you. Watch me gaze upon you and smile. You are becoming all I created you to be, one step at a time.

My beloved son, My beloved daughter, visit Me often. I’m always here, hoping you’ll stop by. Hoping you’ll let me love you; love you deeply.

Your Forever Friend, God

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Youth Ministry Hosts Pancake Fundraiser By Morgan Gatto Evans

The St. Joseph Youth Ministry hosted a pancake breakfast fundraiser February 17th to raise funds for their annual Steubenville retreat. Men from the parish volunteered to cook breakfast. Students attending the retreat volunteered to help serve breakfast and clean the kitchen. The Youth Ministry raised over $1,200. The Catholic Financial Life Impact Team donated $150 towards materials necessary for the fundraiser. Youth Minister, Morgan Evans, stated that she was thrilled with the parish participation and enjoyed hearing from parishioners how much they enjoyed the time for fellowship. Evans shared that many parishioners asked the Youth Ministry to host another one. The next pancake breakfast fundraiser for the youth will be held in the Spiritan Center, April 28th from 8am to 12:30pm.

Praying for Priests By Candace Schulze One of the themes that God seemed to bring to my attention over and over during 2018 was the necessity to pray for priests and others He has set aside to serve in a special way, such as deacons and consecrated religious. I prayed for them in my personal prayers, but couldn’t shake the feeling that it wasn’t enough. These are the people who Satan targets. If temptation is unsuccessful he’ll look for other ways to hurt them, especially as they grow closer to God.

Jesus told us the reason for this when He said, “…strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.” (Mk 14:27) Our priests, deacons, and consecrated religious are as human as the rest of us but are on the front lines of spiritual battles. We can help them in the battle by keeping them in our prayers. It’s been said that next to the Mass, the rosary is the most powerful prayer to fight the enemy of our souls.

Our prayers are more powerful when we pray together. It isn’t always easy to add one more meeting These are to our busy schedules, but we can combine our prayers by having the same intention in our hearts. God knows and hears the prayers of our hearts. With about 1800 families in our parish, we are able to the people offer those on the front lines a great deal of prayer support. Parishioners who are willing can pray one rosary a week for priests, deacons and consecrated religious, on whatever day they choose. who Satan targets. After running this idea by other St. Joseph members and Fr. Tony, and receiving positive responses, sign-up information was announced in January. So far more than 70 people have committed to praying a weekly rosary. It is exciting to think that our parishioners are praying every day of the week for those who lead us spiritually, and who serve God by serving us.

If you would like to join this effort, please signup online at: tinyurl.com/sjp72032pfp

You’ll enter your name, contact information, and the day of the week you would like to pray the rosary, and then begin praying. Even if you don’t sign-up, please consider keeping our church leaders in your prayers.

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St. Joseph School Endowment Announces New Program By Jacqueline Kordsmeier

The Endowment is excited to announce a new program, Pillar of Progress, within our designated funds. Designated funds began in 1998 with the creation of the Bulldog Foundation by the St. Joseph Booster Club. Individuals, families, groups, and even a business have been very gracious since and have now created over 80 designated funds. Designated funds require a commitment of $10,000+ to begin and the donor chooses the name and the purpose of the fund. Pillar of Progress simply categorizes the designated funds into six levels. These levels represent the total contributions given to a fund, not what a certain donor has contributed. Any donor may contribute to any fund.

The Endowment hosted a special event on January 31 to first announce this program to those who have begun one of our designated funds. A crowd of over 90 were present. This included a few of the St. Joseph School faculty, administrators, and students who showed off some of the items that have been granted from designated funds.

Visit our website at sjse.org/pillar-of-progress to see what level each fund is at.

Pillar of Progress Levels – Steward - $10,000 - $24,999 Partner - $25,000 - $49,999 Trustee - $50,000 - $99,999 Benefactor - $100,000 - $249,999 Guardian - $250,000 - $499,999 Legacy - $500,000+

Family members Jason & Amy Coving- ton, Janette Covington, and Nancy Mitchell were there representing The Covington Family Endowed Mainte- nance Fund and The Curtis & Marie Frank & Jo Anne Mayor Breeden Endowed Tuition Assistance were present for their Fund fund, The Frank & Jo Anne Mayor Endowed Basketball & Cheerleading Fund

Sisters Carolyn Strack and Emogene Hofherr were pre- sent representing their parent’s fund, The Felix & Christine Moix Endowed 1st Grade teacher Hannah Yrle visits Tuition Assistance Fund with Rose Freyaldenhoven

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Friends Rose Freyaldenhoven, Vivian Bates, & Mary Joe Seiter each presented their own fund, Elsinger siblings, Matt, Robbie Davis, The Joe & Rose Freyaldenhoven Margaret Martin, & Mark were all present Endowed Maintenance Fund, The representing their parent’s fund, The Gerald & Harrell & Vivian Bates Endowed Antionette Elsinger Transportation Fund, and The Teacher Loyalty Endowed Fund Larry & Mary Joe Seiter Endowed Tuition Assistance Fund

Art teacher, Shannon Chamoun and SJS student Katherine Covington visit with Elementary Principal Courtney Pope

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Men’s Retreat in Memory of John Robbins, Sr. By Jerry Hiegel

On February 8 - 10, 35 men traveled to Subiaco’s Coury House for a men’s retreat. Subiaco offers a very peaceful place to step back from your normal routine and let yourself enjoy the rich tradition and history the Monks share at their monastery. Our theme for the weekend was “Doing the will of God will satisfy your deepest hunger.” Fr. Cassian Elkins was our Spiritual leader for the weekend.

We started out Friday evening with Vespers in the Monk’s stalls in St. Benedict Church. Next we heard a talk by Fr. Cassian. He spoke on ways to discern God’s will. You should find confirmation in Scripture, your teaching, reason, conscience, & prayer. Fr. Cassian Elkins of the Make sure everything lines up to confirm God’s will. Subiaco Abbey led discussions during the retreat. Saturday started with daily Mass with the Monks, and another talk by Fr. Cassian. This talk challenged us to ”look at our story”. Are you willing to tell the story God wants and intends for you to tell? If not, what is the temptation which keeps us from doing God’s will? He gave us the example of Jesus telling the fishermen to “cast their nets” out in the deep. The fishermen obeyed and filled their nets. Saturday also included Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament, Stations of the Cross in St. Benedict Church, time for meditation, and Confessions. Saturday ended with an Anticipatory Mass with Fr. Jerome and followed with a sacramental priestly blessing by Fr. Cassian upon each of us. The Monks were invited for a social mixer that evening which was very enjoyable.

Sunday we offered a memorial to Mike Hargis for his strong faith and dedication to Members of St. Joseph's music our church. Mike was a passionate leader and very knowledgeable in the field of ministry performed during the education. Mike helped start the Sunday morning “Men of Faith” and served on retreat. In the photo are Jeff many committees within our church and the Knights of Columbus. He volunteered Shachmut on keyboard & Steve with the Carmelite Monastery in Little Rock, and with Subiaco. Mike was the type Claflin on guitar. Thomas Meares of man whose character and humility was exemplified by John Robbins Sr. (Fr. also played guitar. Fr. Tony is in the Tony’s Dad). background.

Wooden engraved emblems were made in the Subiaco millshop for everyone. They were made to depict 2 outstretched hands with the Fred Schulze inscription “Doing the will of God will satisfy your deepest hunger”. visiting with These were blessed and handed out to everyone. Br. Basil at The Country Monk The dates for next year are: February 21-23, 2020. Brewery, Subiaco Abbey.

Some of the St. Joseph's men enjoying social time in the Coury House, Subiaco Abbey. From left to The ninth annual Subiaco men's retreat was attended by men from St. right: Steve Claflin, Raymond Gunter, Robert Joseph parish as well as from other parishes. There were 35 attendees Massery, Jerry Hiegel, Mark Meaux, Ron Gatto & total. The retreat is in memory of Fr. Tony's father - John Robbins, Sr. Bryan Morgan.

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St. Joseph’s Mission Committee Serves Local Families By Fred Schulze

The St. Joseph's Church Mission Committee had a busy day on Saturday, March 2, 2019. Six local families were served with furniture and household supplies as part of the Missions for Transitions program. Also, handyman services were provided to a local shelter to repair a 60 foot fence, perform inside repairs, and bulk debris removal. Nineteen volunteers helped out; these are: Don Greenland, Don Kremer, Chris Seefeld, Fred, Candy Schulze, Doug Bonds, Rafael Soto, An- gela Greenland, Paul Young, Megan Greenland, Billy York, Bryan Morgan, Joe Cordaro, Raymond Gunther, Theresa Gerard, Tom Gerard, Ron Gatto, Destini Trusty, and Daniel Trusty.

Missions for Transitions volunteers usually meet on Saturday mornings to assist with setting up households with furnish- ings and supplies for individuals and families transitioning from local halfway houses and shelters, such as the Bethle- hem House, CoHo, or The Women’s Shelter. Handyman services provide, at no cost, home maintenance, repairs, and disaster response (i.e. tornado damage) for those who are either unable to afford such projects, or physically unable to perform repairs, such as the elderly or disabled. These handyman services are usually accomplished by a crew of volun- teers on weekday evenings and Saturdays. Tasks may include carpentry, painting, flooring, small roof repairs, light plumbing, light electrical, and tree trimming/removal.

Information about these and other mission services can be found on the Mission Committee's Web page - http:// www.sjparish.org/Missions. For more information about volunteer opportunities, and serving on the Missions Commit- tee, subcommittees, as well as establishing mission programs, contact Don Greenland, 501-329-2321.

Missions for Transitions volunteers Bryan Morgan, Billy York, Theresa & Tom Gerard with a client. Photo by Ron Gatto.

Handyman service volunteers Paul Young, Don Greenland & Doug Bonds rebuilding a fence at a local shelter. Photo by Fred Schulze.

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Mausoleum and Columbarium Installed By Ray Nielsen

A new mausoleum and columbarium have been added to the The St. Joseph Cemetery. Named the Resurrection Mauso- leum, it consists of 144 crypts and 96 niches. It was built by A. Kent Construction of Lampasas, Texas which creates both mausoleums and monuments.

Owner Alan Kent and crew members John Saucedo and Randy Faulk worked on the project for about two weeks. "It's a lot of hard work with long days" Kent said. " There's a lot of precision involved using granite, concrete and crane work."

The crew erects about 10-15 sites annually and travels at least six months out of the year. "Traveling and being away from family is the toughest part of the job," Kent said.

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The George Simon Family Growing Up in Conway, By Nancy Breeden Mitchell

Information for this article was taken from: the Faulkner County Historical Society’s publication Faulkner County: It’s Land and People, submission by Virginia Simon Moll and Annie Simon; Stories from Simon’s: A History of Simon’s Grocery and Bakery written by David Grimes, including excerpts from the Log Cabin Democrat; Simon family historical facts, genealogy and photographs shared by Mike Grimes; and memories written and shared by Raymond Simon, Mar- garet Simon Grimes, Mary Joe Simon Seiter and Patricia Simon Velek.

Coming to Conway According to Simon family history, Erhard Simon married Genereuse Brant on May 1, 1827, and produced a family of 10 children. Three of their sons, Joseph, Peter, and George, immigrated to the United States in the mid 1800’s. One of the sons, George Joseph, married Marguerite Jan Moulin on May 27, 1863. They left their home in Canton, Ohio, in 1878 and traveled in covered wagon to Faulkner County, Arkansas where they settled on a farm in Ca- dron Township outside the newly established town of Conway. Simon was born on April 17, 1839, in Switzerland. Marguerite, who was of French descent, was born March 18, 1839, in Harrisburg, Ohio. Catholic priests in Zanesville, encouraged their parishioners to settle in a new parish that was being formed in Arkansas. Along with other Catholic immigrant families who also resided in Ohio at this time (Hiegel, Simon, Balmat, Halter, and Nahlen), they made the move to Conway in 1878. (The John Joseph Schichtl family had moved from Ohio in 1873 being the first Catholic fami- ly to arrive in Conway.)

George I The United States Census of 1880 states: George Simon, age 41, farmer, born in Switzerland; Margaret Simon, age 41, wife, born in Ohio. Their children are Jo- seph Simon, age 16; Louise, age 14; Louis, age 13; Mary, age 12; Frank, age 10; Charles, age 8; George, age 6; Virginia, age 5; and Peter, age 3. All of the chil- dren were born in Ohio. (Margarite died just three years after they arrived in Con- way on July 10, 1881, from complications of the birth of their tenth child.)

Of these children, Joseph married Louise Attaway. They lived in Canton, Ohio, where he worked as a blacksmith. Louise, who died at the age of 25, never married. Louis married Anna Reese. By 1920, they were residing in San Antonio, Tex- as, where he was a meat cutter. Mary married Sam Rousch and they resided in San Francisco (occupation unknown). Frank married Christine Kirspel. They moved to George Simon, I and Boys San Antonio where he was also a meat cutter. Charles, a farmer, married Anna Schichtl. They remained in Conway. George II married Teresa Rumker. They lived in Conway where George farmed early in his life but later became involved in the grocery and meat business. Virginia married Louis Constantine, a Con- way cabinet maker. Peter first married Annie Rumker (Teresa’s sister). He was initially a farmer but by 1930 was a porter for a department store. They were the parents of two daughters, Annie and Lena. After her death, he married An- nie’s double cousin, Katie Rumker, the daughter of Christopher and Mary Spreckelmeyer Rumker. They had two sons, Peter and Louis.

Because most of George and Marguerite’s children moved to other locations, this article will focus mainly on the fami- lies that continued to reside in Conway. Charles and Anna Schichtl Simon had four children. Their son, Charles Jr., continued to live in Conway where he owned and operated a small neighborhood grocery store on the Vilonia highway. Virginia and Louis had three daughters. Daughter Virginia married Andrew Strack. Peter’s daughter Annie became a Benedictine nun. She would eventually leave the convent and work with half brothers Pete and Louis Simon at Quality Grocery on Court Street in Conway. Pete later worked at Hiegel Lumber and Louis retired as a meat cutter for Simon’s Grocery. Peter’s daughter, Lena, and her husband, William, ran Thines Variety Store on Front Street.

George II George and Teresa Rumker Simon’s family will be the focus of the remainder of this article as they have become the dominant family having descendants who have remained in Conway and the St. Joseph parish. George Simon II, born in 1874, was four years old when the family moved to Conway. His wife, Teresa Rumker Simon, was born in Conway in 1881. Her father, Conrad Rumker, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1854. Conrad arrived in New York in 1873 where he stayed for four years. He initially moved to Subiaco, Arkansas before settling in Conway in 1878. His wife, Elizabeth Spreckelmeyer Rumker, was born in Osnabruck, Germany, in 1851. According to family history, he hoped to Continued on next page... Page 16

...continued from previous page. marry Elizabeth who was still back in the “old country”. He asked his brother, Christopher, who was also back home, to accompany Elizabeth to Conway. A young man traveling with a young single woman would not be proper, so Elizabeth’s sister, Mary, accompanied her on the long trip across the Atlantic and then by rail to Conway. Conrad and Elizabeth were mar- ried at St. Joseph Church in 1879. They lived on the same farm in the Squirrel Hill area for almost 50 years. They had three children: John, Maria Teresa (Rumker) Simon, and Anne (Rumker) Simon.

George and Teresa Simon’s wedding announcement appeared in Conway’s newspaper, the Log Cabin Democrat: George Simon, Jr. and Miss Teresa Rumker were married last Tuesday morning (August 6, 1901) at the Catholic church in this city and in the presence of a large assembly of their friends. After the ceremony at the church, their friends to the number of several hundred, repaired to the home of the bride where delicious refreshments were served and an evening of enjoyment was had. These young people are of the best German families of this county and George II and Teresa they have many friends who wish them a long and happy life.” Rumker Simon To the second George Simon and Teresa Rumker Simon were born the following children; Joe married Ann Bruich. They had two sons, Robert and Raymond. George married Albertine Hoyt. They were the parents of George Jr. and Mary Joe (Seiter). Mary died in childhood. Virginia married Frank Moll. They had one son who died in infancy. Frederic (Fritz) married Mary Louise Hiegel. They were the parents of six children: Michael, Eugene, The- resa, Margaret, Steve and Mark.

Remembrances of Grandma Simon George and Teresa were married for 34 years before George passed away from tuberculosis at the age of 61. Teresa lived to the age of 92 surrounded by her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who lived nearby. Grandson, Raymond Simon, shared these memories of his grandmother, Teresa: “I was born late in my parents' lives, 18 years younger than Robert, when my mother was almost 42 years old. Grandma Simon was the only grandparent still alive when I was born. I, along with Fritz and George's kids, had regular play dates at her house which was located where Hambuchen Furniture sits now at the corner of Harkrider and Second. One of our treats was a soda in a glass bottle with a metal cap. She would punch a hole in the cap with an ice pick and we would suck the liquid out. When I shook the bottle, the soda would squirt out very hard through the little hole, making the act of drinking a little more special. We also would have "squirt fights", aiming the bottles at one another. She also maintained a HUGE garden and shared her fruits and vegetables with us all. When she would call our house on the phone and I would answer, her first words were always, "Is that you, Raymond?", to which I would always reply, "Yes, Grandma." We all loved her very much. One Friday during Lent (February 25, 1955), as I was leaving Stations of the Cross to walk home after school, she met me at the corner by the elementary school and told me my father had been taken to the hospi- tal. She walked me home and stayed with me until my mother and brother returned from being with him. Soon after, we received a call informing us he had died. That was three days after my tenth birthday.”

Grand-daughter, Margaret Simon Grimes, remembered her grandmother in this way: “My Grandma Simon was a strong, hard-working and loving person. My Grandpa Simon died of tuberculosis before my parents married, so I remember her living a productive and happy life as an independent woman. She raised chickens and had a large garden. She sold eggs and produce to Simon’s Grocery. She also ironed the aprons used at the store. She never drove a car or had a TV. She walked to early Mass several days each week. I remember my siblings and I going to early Mass on the first Saturday of the month, and then going to her house for breakfast. She let me drink coffee! My family lived in the rented side of Grandma’s house for about ten years. My mother appreciated and loved her mother-in-law very much – grandma was so helpful but not in- trusive or bossy. I was three when we moved to our new home two blocks away. My cousins, siblings, and I would spend Friday afternoons at Grandma’s house during the summer months. We had so much fun. We did not have toys at her house; we used our imaginations and had the run of the house and yard. My sister Theresa, and cousins Mary Joe and Pat and I loved to concoct “medicine” using salt, pepper, sugar and whatever else we could find to treat our young patients, Steve and Ricky. We were wise enough to never try to administer this “medicine” to our older brothers and cousins. I don’t remember Grandma ever scolding any of us for any kid craziness! We enjoyed her sugar cookies with red-hots melted on the top. We always got a nickel to go to the

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nearby gas station for a soda pop. On our birthdays we would get a card with $2 in it. All the family gathered at Grandma Simon’s house on Christmas and Easter for a big dinner. She had tables set up everywhere, even in her bedroom. She made great chicken and dumplings. We cousins had a great time. Grandma Simon had ten grandchildren and four great grandchildren who thought they were grandchildren because they were our age! We all loved her dearly. Somehow, she made us all feel special.”

Mary Joe Simon Seiter was the daughter of George III who started Simon’s Grocery. She remembered her grandmother in this way: My Grandma Simon’s house set on 2nd St where H3 Furniture is now. She had a huge garden next to her house. I remember a man with a mule (Fred ??) coming over to till her garden every spring so that she could plant. I remember her planting a huge bag or more of onions. These bags were the size of tow sacks. I don’t know why she planted so many. I wonder if my dad and Fritz bought them to sell in the grocery store. For years, my grandma made all of the aprons that the Simon’s employees wore. If one had a hole in it and needed patching, she did that too. All of this was done on a treadle sewing machine. She never owned an electric sew- ing machine. I remember her making hamburgers for years at the St. Joseph Bazaar with James Lock and an- other lady whose name (I think) was Mrs. Luyet. My grandma was blind in one eye. I think she lost vision in that eye from picking cotton one time. I seem to remember that there was some chemical on the cotton plants that somehow got her in eye and caused permanent damage. I remember my dad driving her out to the farm in the summer so that she could pick wild blackberries for jam. She would stay out there all day with rags dipped in coal oil wrapped around her ankles to keep the chiggers off. She would come home with several cans and buckets full off blackberries.

Great-granddaughter, Pat Simon Velek, stated: “My fondest memories of my great-grandmother, Teresa Simon, are playing with the cousins. Every Friday, dur- ing the summer, all of us would go to her house and play all day. We would swing, play hide-and-seek, chase and make many more wonderful memories. She had the best homemade pickles. Since I lived a few houses down, I was able to stay later and play with my cousin, Mary Joe, while she waited for her dad to pick her up after the grocery store closed. We would help feed the chickens (not my favorite thing), help in the garden and pick pears off the tree. Always thought how cool it would be to have all the grandkids live close enough to be able to play together every week. My grandfather was her first child, my dad was her first grandchild and I was the first great grandchild. Everyone said she was living long enough to see me get married. I guess they were right. I was married in September. Even though she was very fragile, she was able to come to my wedding. She passed in November. She was a great inspiration to me of what a grandmother should be!”

George III and Simon’s Grocery For those who are long time residents of Conway, Simon’s Grocery was a fa- miliar landmark in the business landscape of Conway for many years. George II, originally a farmer, was in the grocery business and meat business and his sons naturally followed in his footsteps. Son, Joseph, was a baker for Goad Brothers Bakery before working for Moix Mercantile and then opening his own grocery store with Thessing Bakery on Oak Street. He later moved the store to Bruce Street between Davis and Conway Blvd. Neighborhood grocery stores were common and just about every neighborhood had a small store within walking distance. George and Teresa’s son, George (III), entered the retail gro- cery business as a young lad working for R.T. Cole and Company, H.L. Clark Grocery, and W. H. Brummett Grocery as a delivery boy. He delivered grocer- George III and Albertine Hoyt Simon ies all over town out of a horse-drawn cart and later a Model-T truck and sold 1940 produce out in the neighborhoods.

In 1936, George had an opportunity to start his own grocery store when Mr. Clark decided to close his store to become a lawyer. According to an article that appeared in the June 7, 1995, Log Cab- in, “Three Conway grocery companies M-K Wholesale, Clayton Wholesale and Plunkett & Jerrell Grocer Co. fell on hard times. Mr. Simon took them over on Oct. 1, 1936.” He opened for business with about $1400 in inventory and sold about $22 in merchandise the first day. At first, George ran the store with the help of a high school student who worked afternoons and Saturdays. The store carried a lot of local homegrown produce during the growing season. Eggs could be purchased from county farmers when they came into town on Saturday. A year later, he had an opportunity to expand Continued on next page... Page 18

...continued from previous page. even more. The November 18, 1937, edition of the Log Cabin Demo- crat reads, “James R. Patton, owner of Patton’s Self- Service grocery on Oak Street, here for the past 11 years, today announced sale of his business to George Simon, Front Street groceryman. Mr. Simon said he would continue operation of both stores. His brother, Joe Simon, will be manager of the store on Oak Street.”

His sister, Virginia, started working for Simon’s when Moll’s Café, which she had operated with her husband and father-in-law, closed when Faulkner County became a dry county and WWII made it diffi- cult to stay open. Brother, Frederic, better known as Fritz, joined the business as a co-worker in 1942, the same year that the meat market was added. He would eventually become a partner in the business. Collier’s Store. George II is in the middle. During the war, there was no bakery downtown due to the sugar ration- ing. The bakery was added in 1946 when WWII veteran, Mr. Clois Blessing, started working out of the back of the store. Mr. Blessing’s successor in the bakery was Harold Kruse, Blessings assistant, who ran the bakery until his retire- ment in about 1971. Ed Bradley took on the task and remained as baker at Simon’s until he opened his own shop, Ed’s Bakery on Oak Street.

Around 1950, the Simons had a farm where they raised chickens and turkeys. As part of the United States government’s displaced person’s program, Father Anthony Lachowsky sponsored the Stanilaus Matewzsky family from Poland. The family, which also included Stanilaus’s wife and seven children, lived and worked on the Simon farm for about two years before moving to Chicago. The store had a dressing plant across the alley in a warehouse building they had pur- chased from Frauenthal and Schwarz (an early Conway mercantile business) making it possible to sell their own fresh poultry. The entrails were put in gallon jugs and sold to fishermen for bait. They also sold fresh rabbits which were raised by local individuals including Joseph Thessing.

Initially, the store was about a third of the size it would later become. The store was enlarged in 1952 and again in 1965. When the former Missouri- Pacific Railroad property on Front Street across from the store became availa- ble in 1960, Simon purchased enough land to pave his own parking lot, mak- ing parking convenient for his customers. George III’s son, George Jr. (IV), became a co-owner in 1965.

In a September 29, 1985, feature of the Log Cabin Democrat entitled, “Simon’s Beginning Its 50th Year,” the store had a total of 27 full and/or part- time employees. Their sister, Virginia Moll, by this time had worked at the store for 23 years. Louis Simon, a cousin, had been a full-time employee for 22 years. Mark, the youngest son of Fritz, and Mrs. George III (Albertine) Simon also helped in the family business.

In 1989, George Simon (III) decided to close the store. His son, George Jr. (IV), died due to an illness in 1985. Competition from large supermarket chains and the need for an extensive remodeling of the store were the primary reasons for closing, but the loss of the bakery service when their baker decid- ed to open his own business was a real blow to the store. By the time of the store closing on March 18, 1989, George Simon was 81 and Fritz was 69 Ad that ran in the Log Cabin Democrat years old. They felt it was time to retire and take it easy. The city of Conway on July 7, 1937. purchased the parking lot from the Simons in 1989 and the land was turned into what is now Simon Park.

There are many descendants of Conway’s original Simon family, many who continue to reside in the Faulkner County area. Some have been influential in the field of education, general medicine, dentistry, podiatry, dairy and agricultural farming, grocery, veterinary medicine, politics, finance, construction, and just about every other professional and service field there is. The families continue to thrive in a way that the original George and Marguerite had hopes they would when they settled in Conway. I know they would be proud of how their family has thrived and continue to impact their community for good.

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Change for Life St. Joseph High School juniors Autumn Davis (left) and "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!" Elizabeth Chandler present Life Choices, Inc. Officer Manager Preschool student John Ellis Embry may Kayla Plante with some of the many coin-filled baby bottles have had a similar reaction to Dorothy's they delivered to this pregnancy counseling center on March 26. The money was collected from the many St. Joseph in "The Wizard of Oz" when he saw what students who support the organization's "Change for Life" was behind him at St. Joseph Elementary fundraising campaign. It's directed towards helping underwrite School's "Family Literacy Night" on such Life Choices services as free pregnancy tests, ultrasound March 13. It had a carnival-like atmos- confirmations, and answers to questions about abortion, phere with stuffed animals, clowns, and parenting, and adoption. fortune tellers. There were games, prizes and food all related to bringing attention to the importance of reading.

Basketball Awards St. Joseph High School held its end-of-season basketball awards presentations on Sunday, March 10th. Players, managers and cheerleaders in the 7th-12th grades were recognized for their achievements. The two top awards went to the senior boy and girl for their all-around athleticism, academic standing, and community service. Jack Briggler received the Jim Banks Award, named after Stations of the Cross the school's first boys' basketball coach. who began the program in 1952. The St. Joseph School began its weekly devotions to Father James Beagan Award went to Alexis Roach. Father Beagan was an Christ's Sacred Passion on March 8th by accompanying Him, in spirit, on His sorrowful Associate Pastor at St. Joseph Church who was instrumental in starting the journey from the house of Pilate to Calvary girls' basketball program at the school in 1954. while meditating on His sufferings and death. Seniors (left to right) Jacob Hofherr, Jack Briggler, and Zach Royal serve as cross and candle bearers while moving from Stations I-XIV. They're poised here by Station V which shows Simon of Cyrene helping Jesus carry His cross.

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Missionary Work in Greenbrier By Anna Walthall

We have all heard the saying charity begins at home. Should the same be said about missionary work? These days, thinking of missions and missionaries may bring to mind groups of people traveling to foreign countries to do good deeds, and certainly many people have done tremendously important work across the world; however, for nearly a decade, Bishop Anthony Taylor, leader to the Diocese of Little Rock, has wanted to establish new missionary churches throughout our home state of Arkansas.

Back in 2013, Father John Marconi, who was pastor of St. Joseph Catholic Church at the time, met with Bishop Taylor to discuss one possible location for a new church in the town of Green- brier, which is approximately twelve miles north of Conway. One reason this location was considered was because there were approximately 150- 200 registered St. Joseph Parish families living in and around that area. Another reason was because the next nearest Catholic Church is forty miles away in the town of Clinton, Arkansas. This was taken at the first Mass held at the Greenbrier mission church on January 12 Father Marconi saw the need as well, which has been formally named St.Oscar Romero Catholic Church. Bishop Anthony Taylor was scheduled to dedicate it on March 16. but was unable to complete this mission because the masses needed to be bilingual, and moreover, there needed to be three priests assigned to St. Joseph Church in Conway to celebrate all of the masses, and meet the needs of all of our members in both places. Due to various circumstances, including the shortage of priests, keeping three priests in one parish was challenging at that time. Also, there were nuns working to establish a core leadership group within the Hispanic community and they needed more time to accomplish this.

When Father Marconi departed from St. Joseph, Father Anthony Robbins (Fr. Tony) assumed the role of pastor and the mission of building a new church. In 2019, with three bilingual priests in place, and thanks to the dedicated service of Sister Brigida and Sister Francisca, who worked to seek out and educate Bishop Taylor committed people who would serve as bilingual lectors, processes into Mass Eucharistic ministers, and ushers, among other important roles, when Bishop Taylor granted permission for Father Tony to celebrate a mass in Greenbrier, they were all ready to do so.

On January 12, 2019, Father Tony celebrated the first holy mass with the help of Associate Bishop Taylor delivers Pastors, Father Jeff Hebert and Father Chandra Kodavatikanti, in the House of Hope Special homily Events Center located at 45 North Broadview Street in Greenbrier. An estimated 90 people participated in this celebration. Mass has been held there weekly since then and an average of 50 people attend.

What’s next? Father Jeff Hebert said, “We keep moving forward.”

For example, the priests asked the parishioners who attend mass in Greenbrier to help name the church that they hope to someday build there. First, people submitted names and the top three were presented to Bishop Taylor. Oscar Romero is the name that the Bishop and the people agreed upon. Once the community is fully established, it will formally be known as St. Oscar Romero Catholic Church.

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Side note: Oscar Arnulfo Romero served as the fourth Archbishop of San Salvador, which is the largest and capitol city in the Republic of El San Salvador (literal meaning, Republic of the Savior); it is the smallest and most densely populated country in Central America. He risked his own safety to speak out publically against poverty, social injustice, assassinations and tortures during a time of civil war in that nation. He was assassinated because of his unwillingness to remain silent when he saw people being slain by the thousands by their own people. Pope Francis acknowledged his martyrdom and later canonized Father Romero a saint in 2018. His feast day is celebrated every year on March 24th, which is the day he died. Bishop puts his official ( www.franciscanmedia.org) seal on documents related to establishment Regarding the future new church in Greenbrier, Father Jeff went on to joyfully declare, “Since of St. Oscar Romero the mother church in Jerusalem that is how it has always been. You send people out to community establish new communities in new towns and you build them up until they are their own church. Anytime we are able to establish a new independent Christian community, both the parent and new community thrive.”

If we truly think about it deeply in our hearts, that is how it has been since the ultimate missionary, Jesus Christ, walked this earth. He spent an incarnated lifetime teaching everyone who would listen about His Father’s love. Matthew 9:35-36 reveals to us that, “…Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. Father Tony proudly When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them…” displays documents

Are we not a compassionate people striving, as Oscar Romero did, to be like Christ? It is not always easy living in our modern world with all of its temptations and distractions that like mousetraps are set and waiting to snap away our time, our life energy. In the end, what will we have done in the world? What will be our legacy? There has not been a new Catholic Church built in the United States in years. Let’s work together to change that. We can!

Already, there are approximately 200 registered Conway St. Joseph Catholic Parish families currently living in the Greenbrier area. Maybe there are many more, and perhaps many potential converts as well. As Christians, we can all do our part in building this new church.

How?

Although it may feel uncomfortable initially, we can begin simply by walking out of our homes and sharing the good news of our faith with our neighbors. Just as charity begins at home, becoming missionaries and leading others to Christ is another way of giving, giving of ourselves in our own neighborhoods so that others may share in our eternal light, and share in the rewards that await us in heaven. Bishop leads Mass with Father Tony and Father Chandra Presently in Greenbrier, our priests celebrate one at his side weekly bilingual mass every Saturday evening at 7:00 PM. Everyone is wel- come to attend. A mass will be held for all feast days, (times may vary, so please check the bulletin). On Easter Sunday (April 21st) mass will be celebrated at 2:30 P.M.

It is astonishing that even in these challenging and changing times, we are growing!

Please, help spread THE WORD, for as St. Oscar Romero told a reporter shortly before his assassination, “You can tell the people that if they succeed in killing me, I forgive them and even bless them. Hopefully, they will realize they are wasting their time. A bishop will die, but the church of God, which is the people, will never Father Tony greets attendees as they perish.” leave and presents them with St Oscar prayer cards.

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Newly Elected Parish Council Members By Anna Walthall

There is something about human interest stories that tend to catch our attention. Why? Perhaps it is because each one of us has endured our own life challenges and celebrations, and learning about our brothers and sis- ters has a way of connecting us. Recently, we elected two new members who were willing to serve, to give of themselves – their time – to our St Joseph Parish Council. Here is a little peek through the window of their worlds.

Mary Elizabeth Cecilia Williams Walter grew up in Marche, Arkansas where she attended the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic School through the eighth grade; she then completed her high school education at Mount St. Mary Academy in Little Rock. Mary chose Cecilia as her confirmation name because Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music and she was hoping she would help make Mary a better singer. Laughing, Mary confided in our interview, “That didn’t work, but I always have a song in my heart and still enjoy singing.”

Mary’s parents were both converts to the Catholic faith. In fact, her father, Virgil Wil- liams, agreed to attend RCIA instructions, which were provided by the parish priest back then, if her mother, Irene Fishel, a girl he was sweet on, would also attend. To- gether, they learned about their Catholic faith, fell in love along the way, married, and Mary was the baby of the four children they had together. Two of her siblings, Virgil, Jr. and Kay have already passed from this world, but she is still close to her sister, Mary Walter Denise Toutman, who currently serves as principal at North Little Rock Academy.

Mary and her husband, Michael Walter, married on April 24, 1981. They lived in Marche initially, but when Michael took a job working for the Corp of Engineers, they moved to White Hall, which is located just north of Pine Bluff. They joined the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pine Bluff where Mary taught PRE classes for three years, co-teaching with Michael the third year. They then moved to Conway, joined our St. Joseph Cath- olic Church and enrolled their three daughters, Che and Cass (twins) and Sarah, into St. Joseph School (from where they all graduated). In 1988, Mary began her professional career with the U.S. Department of Labor, in the Occupational Safety and Health Association (OSHA) office. She first served as a compliance officer, and then advanced to their Volunteer Protective Program Coordinator in 2010, holding this position until she re- tired in 2015. Michael had already retired from the Corp of Engineers after 30 years.

Since being retired, Mary has enjoyed spending time with her husband and their grandchildren, volunteering at the St. Joseph flea market and helping her mother maintain her home and property in Clinton, AR. When her aging mother was too frail to live independently, Mary and Michael moved her into their home and took care of her. She died on December 4, 2018, less than one month shy of her 100th birthday (January 15th). You may have noticed Mary at mass. She has served as lector for us for about fifteen years, and she is one of few women who will most likely be wearing a hat.

When asked what sparked her interest in wearing hats, she explained, “I grew up wearing them. My mother always wore a hat to mass too. It was a symbol of reverence. All of the women wore hats or chapel veils, which were triangular-shaped or lace circles that cover the top of the head. If you had nothing else, a Kleenex would do. Women wore hats to cover their heads in church as a sign of respect, while men were expected to take their hats off – and they still do.”

When asked what she wants her role to be on the Parish Council, Mary said, “I hope to be a positive influence on the council and bring ideas to them from the parishioners. I want to work with the other members of the council for the good of all.”

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David Jedlicka grew up in a Catholic family with one brother and two sisters. They lived in Palos Heights, Illinois, and were members of St. Michael Catholic Church located in the nearby town of Orland Park.

David’s educational background is in Environmental Geology, however, before completing his college degree, he served in the U.S. Navy from 1968-72 as a Meteorological Technician. He was stationed at Meridian, Mississippi Naval Air Station for two years before being transferred to Gaeta, Italy aboard the USS Springfield (CLG-7).

Upon an honorable discharge at Norfolk, Virginia, he moved to New Orleans and worked assembling bicycles until his application was accepted and he was able to return to Illinois State University where he completed his geology degree. Upon graduating, he took a job with Kerr-McGee Chemical Company in Chicago, where he worked for 18 years before David Jedlicka retiring.

He and his wife, Kandy, will celebrate their forty-second wedding anniversary this year. Together, they raised two daughters and now have two grandchildren as well. One daughter still lives in the Chicago area and the other in Denham Springs, Louisiana. That is the primary reason they chose to move to Arkansas when David retired 10 years ago, so they would be in the middle and could easily visit family in either direction. He and Kandy specifically chose Conway for the warm climate, close proximity to hospitals, airport and colleges, and they also like the family oriented environment at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

David enjoys hiking, camping and bicycling in his leisure time, and you may have seen him at the 8:00 AM mass where he has served as an usher for the past 9 years. He also is a longtime volunteer at Conway Rehab Hospital where he works to keep their library stocked. On most Fridays, you will find him working at the St. Joseph Flea Market, and people there have all good things to say about him. Doc Kordsmeier said, “He’s smart. He looks around to see what needs to be done, and does it. He is good with customers and excellent at repairing clocks and musical instruments.”

Helen Kordsmeier agreed, and added, “That’s right. He takes things home and repairs them and people are more likely to buy things that are working, and smiling, she added, “and he can get along with anybody.” When asked why he decided to run for Parish Council, David said, “I felt like I needed to get more involved in the parish and saw this as an opportunity. I figured if God wanted me to get involved, it would happen.” Regarding what he wants his role to be on the council, he explained, “I like to listen to what everyone has to say. My goal is to learn more about what is going on in the church and to help out where ever I can.” In closing, please take a moment to consider why we must value our volunteers.

Mother Teresa once wrote, “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean, but the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.” Imagine if everyone became a missing drop.

As Benjamin Franklin once observed, “It’s not until the well runs dry that we realize the value of water.”

“No water. No life. No blue. No green.” – Sylvia Earle

Please join me in thanking Mrs. Mary Walter and Mr. David Jedlicka, and anyone else you notice giving freely of their time and talents, including yourself. It all adds up. It all matters.

CATHOLIC CABIN

Chief Editor: Ray Nielsen Graphic Design/Production: Jennifer Brewer & Valerie Skinner

Please send information and articles for submission to the following address:

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CONTRIBUTORS:

Diane Bausom Nancy Breeden Mitchell Debbie Eckert Ray Nielsen Morgan Gatto Evans Peggy O’Reilly Ron Gatto Candace Schulze Jerry Hiegel Fred Schulze Jacqueline Kordsmeier Christy Trantina Don Kremer Anna Walthall