On the Wing with Bishop Kettler
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Volume 41 Number 1 January-February 2003 Some give by going to the Missions Some go by giving to the Missions Without both there are no Missions ON THE WING WITH BISHOP KETTLER: PART I “I’m going on the trail!” This distinct thought pounded in my heart, as I realized that I would be accompanying Bishop Donald Kettler and Father Richard D. Case, S.J., on an eight- day long visit to the western Alaska coastal parishes. Days before the trip, while perusing my bookshelf in search of suitable reference books to take along, I happened across Memoirs of a Yukon Priest by Father Segundo Llorente, S.J. Truly, the Holy Spirit directed my choice, for throughout the journey, I could not put the book down. Father Llorente’s writing is so amusing and so poignant that you find yourself laughing in one paragraph and wiping a tear in the next. The course we would travel closely resembled the course this famous missionary traveled! Mind you, it was 100 times easier for us—especially traveling by plane instead of dogsled! Still, we would see much of what the early missionaries must have seen, built, and experienced—and I felt grateful beyond words for the opportunity. Our intention was to leave Fairbanks on Saturday, August 24—just two days after the ordination of Bishop Donald Kettler. However, due to unpleasant weather, we delayed our departure until Sunday. Father Case called that morning to announce that the weather was behaving brilliantly. We arrived at the diocesan hangar at about 10:30 am. With the help of my husband, children, one Chancellor -------pose with Bishop Donald Kettler at a potlatch celebration held in his and a bishop—we managed to load our suitcases, sleeping honor. He is wearing an Emmonak baseball cap, a traditional Eskimo bags, mud boots, and a few requested supplies for the villages. gaspeq, and hand-knitted socks--all gifts from members of Sacred Heart As we taxied onto the runway, past what seemed like several parish, Emmonak. hundred private planes, it seemed only seconds—and we were --All photos by Patty Walter up in the ‘wild blue yonder!’ Father Case flew skillfully. Bishop Kettler took the controls for much of the trip—the flight was magnificent. Having the back seat entirely to intricate patterns through golden hills and valleys. The myself, I rested my notebook, pen, camera, and map on my complete grandness, the beauty and the splendor all make guardian angel’s seat. What a way to travel! It is easy to you want to speak of ‘IT’—the Great Land—in hushed acquire the heart of a poet while soaring over jutting birch, tones and quiet reverence. Add to this the inspiring and spruce, and boundless rivers. reverent life that is richly woven into Eskimo and Indian The Cessna 207, under the pilot and co-pilot’s care, culture and an altogether grand adventure unfolds of a land soared gracefully over woodland and waterways that formed that depicts mystery and beauty. CATHOLIC BISHOP OF NORTHERN ALASKA A special Mass is offered every day of the year for 1312 PEGER ROAD you and your intentions in one of the Missions. FAIRBANKS, ALASKA 99709-5199 Please pray that God may bless us and our work. http: www.cbna.info Bishop celebrated Mass in the attached church and a good number of parishioners attended. We were able to share a quick cracker with delicious salmon spread, provided by parishioners, and then proceed to the airport with plans of arriving in Bethel, 275 miles away, in time for the 12:15 pm Mass at Immaculate Conception! Greeting us at the Bethel airport was Father Henry G. Hargreaves, S.J. — now in Alaska 53 years. Father Hargreaves once remarked on the contrasting culture and change in Alaska saying, “You can’t turn around, but you can see yesterday rubbing elbows with tomorrow.” The 88- In Fairbanks, bending over the Cessna 207’s instrument panel, Bishop Kettler year-old kindly Jesuit drove us-rather quickly-to the parish, and Father Richard Case, S.J., do a pre-flight check prior to take-off. over roads that he explained were continuously damaged and sinking due to both permafrost and a silt foundation. We arrived, 235 nautical miles later, in the Though paved, they were extremely rutted. Bethel, predominantly Athapaskan Indian village of Galena. The population 5471, is located in southwest Alaska along the village of approximately 675 is so named for ‘galena’ or lead banks of the Kuskokwim River in the Yukon-Kuskokwim ore, which is mined nearby. Our immediate plan was to refuel and make our way to Bethel where we would stay overnight. Father Al Levitre, current pastor at St. John Berchmans parish, and Brother Damien met us at the airport. Not being able to stay long—we were back in the air—but only shortly. A forest fire in the vicinity produced a wall of smoke that greatly limited our visibility. Father Case turned back to Galena where we would spend the night. Father Al immediately warmed our bodies with soup and sandwiches and our souls with conversation. It was a unanimous decision that we watch the Altanta/Dodgers baseball game. It was amusing to see 6’3" Bishop Kettler stretched out on Father Al’s couch! The couch, according to Father Al, is perfect for his stature. Yet the Bishop had nearly half a body misplaced! Following the game, Father Case celebrated Mass and Father Al graciously Bishop Donald Kettler refueling the Cessna 207 at Galena. He took upon himself prepared dinner. Featured was an Alaskan favorite—caribou the refueling of the plane at all stops along the way. roast and co-starred corn, rice, and bread—a most tasty meal! Varieties of topics were discussed, to include the excessive Delta about 60 miles from the Bering Sea. With the church in cost of living in Galena. At $8.99 a gallon, milk becomes a sight, we were able to make out a rather anxious looking pastor, necessary extravagance! Father Gene Delmore, S.J., who urgently beckoned us in from Historically, the first church building in Galena had atop the steps. Bishop Kettler, alb in hand, quickly greeted an earlier life as a saloon. In 1921, the old ‘saloon’ was barged parishioners and Sister Kathy Radich, OSF, from St. Mary’s— down from Ruby and transformed into a church with priest who would be joining us on the next leg of the trip. Sister quarters. In 1984, a new octagonal church, complete with Kathy coordinates the rural ministries in the Yukon-Kuskokwim priest quarters, replaced the ‘saloon’. As part of our ‘tour’, area. Father Al took us to see the Interior Ministry Study Center, The Immaculate Conception church design incorporates the first of its kind in the Bush. The Center, will be coordinated stained glass windows from the prior church, in the shape of a by Sister Marilyn Marx, SNJM, and Sister Marita Soucy, CSJ, cross—the effect is striking, especially at this time of day, with and will serve the villages of Galena, Huslia, Kaltag, the sun in full force. Following Mass, Father Delmore gave us Koyukuk, McGrath, Nulato, Ruby, and Tanana. The Sisters a tour of the old and new facility. We ate a scrumptious lunch will provide training of catechists in the faith and in the prepared by parishioners, and Father Delmore shared his famous practical how-to of conducting and participating in worship bean soup, of which we all went back for seconds! Deacon services. Many volunteers, including Brother Justin Huber, candidate Brian McCaffrey and Elizabeth, a Jesuit Volunteer OFM, have assisted with electrical, plumbing, and building joined us for lunch. After a pleasant visit, we hastened back to expertise to make the Center a reality. the airport—so to arrive at Toksook Bay, 100 miles away, by With our ‘tour’ complete, we set out to accomplish Mass time at 4:00 pm. the next item on our agenda—sleep. Monday morning we Toksook Bay is a Central Yup’ik Eskimo village located awoke to the smell of Father Al’s homemade biscuits! The on Nelson Island, 6.5 miles from Tununak, in the Yukon- 2 NOVENA OF GRACE Each year during the month of March, a Novena of Masses is offered for you, our benefactors, and for your petitions. The Novena of Grace is so called because countless people have had their prayers answered by God through the intercession of St. Francis Xavier, the Jesuit Apostle to the Orient in the sixteenth century and the patron of worldwide missions. We invite you to send us your petitions. Both you and your needs will be remembered on each of the nine days of the Novena when Mass is offered for you. The Fathers on the missions also will remember you and your intentions in their Masses and prayers. We invite all of you to join us in this Novena of Grace by reciting--from the 4th of March to the 12th inclusive--these prayers. O most amiable and loving St. Francis Xavier, in union with you I adore the Divine Majesty. While joyfully giving thanks to God for the great graces which He conferred upon you in life and for the great glory with which He has gifted you in heaven, I come to you with heartfelt love, begging you to secure for me, by your powerful intercession, the inestimable blessings of living and dying in the state of grace. I also beseech you to obtain for me the favors I ask in this Novena ___________________________________________________.