New Evangelization

SPRING 2012 A QuARTERLY NEWSLETTER FROM MISSION AMERICA Embracing the New Evangelization by Beth Gri n Leadership, Dedication, and Creativity Help Diocese of Gaylord Thrive D G in the northern part of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula has blessings and challenges galore. And sometimes,T they look like two di erent views of the same picture. Th e 11,000 square miles of the diocese are dotted with scenic lakes and surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Great Lakes. Small roads access charming villages and remote settle- ments. Lush fi elds support nationally renowned crops of cherries, potatoes, grapes, and apples. Th e combination attracts vacationers and retirees in abundance. But many of those tourists and retirees prefer to avoid the frigid winds that whip across the lakes in the winter. Some of the rural diocese’s 80 parishes shrink in winter and swell in summer, but all must pay their bills throughout the year. Th e Catholic population of the area dropped 27% over the last decade, but the faith remains strong as clergy and lay leaders use 21st-century tools to spread the Good News and nourish the spirit of their people. Gaylord is one of the challenged dioceses that receive grant funding from the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. It was established as a diocese 40 years ago from territory formerly included in the Dioceses of Grand Rapids and Saginaw. Catholicism is robust in the peninsula and has deep roots there. Jesuit missionaries evange- lized the indigenous people in the early 19th century. In the 1830s, Servant of God Bishop Frederic Baraga traveled throughout the

continued on page 2 Sunset on the shore of Lake Michigan at Leland, Michigan. (Photo/iStockphoto) CATHOLIC HOME MISSIONS what was going to happen,” FROM THE CHAIRMAN Candace says. “Some who had initial misgivings find Dear Friends, that it’s wonderful to work with a larger group of peo- Imagine experiencing ple and parishes.” your faith between In the clustering pro- extremes—when cess, only one parish closed. the weather is warm, your church “The task force and the is bursting with parishioners, but bishop have been very sen- when the lake-effect snow lands sitive to the history of our parishes. Particularly in a foot after foot, you can hear echoes Seminarians worship during Gaylord’s annual Altar Server Appreciation between those scattered in the Day. Many of them heard their first call to the priesthood as young rural area, closing a parish pews. It’s a challenge to sustain servers, and they act as models for new vocations. (Photo courtesy of can mean losing the Catholic vibrant parish life when the Catholic the Diocese of Gaylord) presence in that area, maybe population has dropped by nearly continued from page 1 even the entire county,” says a third in ten years. It’s a challenge region, preaching and teaching Catholi- Candace. “Some of our smallest parishes have to build community when parish cism. A Slovenian immigrant and accom- programs that are exceedingly important participation ebbs and flows with the plished linguist, Bishop Baraga authored throughout the community.” farming season. 20 Native American books, including the Gaylord has 44 active diocesan and Grammar and Dictionary of the Chippewa extern priests, 19 of whom are beyond Our sisters and brothers in the Language that is still in use today. In his retirement age. There are also six religious Diocese of Gaylord, and those who footsteps, religious and diocesan priests priests and 16 retired priests who fill in as minister to them, know the situation only too well. What they also know arrived to serve both Native Americans and needed. Most pastors serve at least two par- is how to come together to face the generations of European immigrants. ishes, and some travel to as many as four or challenges and plan for a strong In recent times, Gaylord’s population five, according to Candace. future. This issue of Neighbors has been impacted by the loss of manufac- Although it does not have its own provides a glimpse into Catholic turing opportunities and growing unem- seminary, Gaylord has 12 seminarians life in northern Michigan, which you ployment, some related to the changing preparing for ordination. Nine of them are have a hand in supporting through fortunes of the automobile industry. The from the Diocese of Gaylord, a shift from the Catholic Home Missions Appeal. result is fewer people and an aging citi- just a few years ago when most seminar- zenry. The area has four community col- ians came from other parts of the country. In a few weeks, most parishes leges but no four-year institutions, so many Catholic Home Missions (CHM) grants across the country will take up our young people leave the area for education support seminary training for some of the annual appeal. When you see the and job opportunities. Gaylord candidates. The annual cost to envelope or hear the announcement, The Diocese of Gaylord has worked educate a seminarian is $38,000. I hope you will remember the folks diligently to respond to the changing demo- “We have an active vocations commit- in Gaylord and those in the other graphics. Bishop Bernard tee, made up primarily of 83 dioceses we support across “We are going to be blessed with Hebda says, “In spite of our lay people,” Candace says. the country. We can only help zealous priests, fervent religious, challenges, we are a truly “We are working to cre- them because you are generous and married couples who desire to to the appeal. May God see your missionary diocese and mirror in their own lives the love that ate a culture of vocation. generosity and bless you in “good have embraced the call to Christ shares with his Church.” We’ve been focusing a lot measure, packed together, shaken the New Evangelization.” Bishop Bernard Hebda on young people and have down, and overflowing” (Lk 6:38). Candace Neff, director established two diocesan- of communications, says the diocese’s colle- wide groups for teens. Our ultimate goal is With gratitude, gial, deliberate, three-year process of active to help them grow into very good Catholic listening produced a parish-clustering sys- men and women, some of whom may dis- tem that retains the unique characteristics cern a call to the priesthood or religious Most Rev. Michael W. Warfel of Catholic practice and outreach in each of life,” she adds. Already, the average age of Bishop of Great Falls–Billings the areas where it has been implemented. seminarians has decreased, and more men Chairman, USCCB Subcommittee “Every parishioner had an opportunity to are coming to the priesthood without first on Catholic Home Missions participate in the process and a voice in spending years in another career.

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•SPRING 2012• S trengthening the ch u rch at home continued from page 2 The Gaylord dio- Did You Know? cese, with 17 Catholic schools, has not closed • The Diocese of Gaylord has 80 a single school in the parishes spread over 11,171 last decade. Candace square miles in 21 counties. says, “We’ve had to be Only three parishes have more than 1,000 parishioners; half creative. Our schools the parishes have fewer than are working very hard 200 families. to make sure they are not just academically • Catholics number approximately excellent, but that 61,000 and make up 12% their Catholic identity of the population of the is strong.” Gaylord’s three former bishops concelebrated with the current bishop. Gaylord diocese. Bishop Bernard Hebda, Cardinal Edmund Szoka, Bishop Patrick Cooney, With help from and Bishop Robert Rose at the 40th Anniversary Mass last year. • There are five counties that have Catholic Home Missions, (Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Gaylord) only one Catholic parish each. the diocese operates the Center for Catholic Studies to train perma- During 2012, the diocese will use a • Gaylord is served by 44 nent deacons and lay catechetical and liturgi- CHM grant to strengthen its ministry to active diocesan and extern cal leaders. The Center brings ministry work- couples and families. Programs focused on priests, six religious priests, shops and catechist certification programs marriage and natural family planning will 16 retired priests who provide to the outlying vicariates. Last year, it con- come together under a director of Family seasonal or fill-in ministry, 24 ducted a Catholic Women’s Conference that Life Outreach, and family ministry will be permanent deacons, and 30 drew more than 200 people to explore faith expanded to parishes and schools. women religious. from the perspectives of women of all ages. Bishop Hebda says grants from Catholic • Unemployment in Gaylord Gaylord is in the geographic center of Home Missions “have helped me to be more crested in 2009 at 18.2%. the diocese, but most parishes are located flexible in responding to the needs I per- Underemployment is at least 90 minutes from the chancery. In ceive in our diocese, allowing me to be more also significant. response, the diocese has experimented proactive than reactive. Because of Catholic successfully with distance learning. Dio- Home Missions, dreams become reality.” • The average annual snowfall in cesan officials would like to replace obso- Looking ahead, Candace says, “The Gaylord is 154 inches (almost lete equipment and use web-based classes future of our diocese is bright. Our popu- 13 feet), but a really snowy year might bring 217 inches—more and videoconferencing to reach more par- lation is resilient, and their faith is very than 18 feet. ticipants at multiple sites. The diocese has deep. We are responding to challenges and partnered with the University of Dayton to seeking to be innovative as we continue the • Tourism and agriculture are the expand course offerings and cut costs. tradition and mission of those who came two main industries in Gaylord. Through its Hispanic Apostolate, the before us.” diocese serves the spiri- • Gaylord is home to Cross in the tual needs of Spanish- Woods, one of approximately 120 national shrines in the speakers who live in United States. It is located the area year-round, as in Indian River and attracts well as those who travel more than 300,000 pilgrims great distances to har- each year. vest fruits, vegetables, and Christmas trees. • Pope Paul VI established the Catholic Home Mission Diocese of Gaylord in 1971, funding helps Gaylord drawing it from territory that was bring weekly Mass, sac- formerly part of the Dioceses of ramental preparation, Saginaw and Grand Rapids. and faith enrichment At a 40th Anniversary Mass in Women of all ages and backgrounds gather at the Catholic Women’s to seasonal workers in 2011, Gaylord’s three former Conference, which drew more than 200 people to explore faith from the bishops concelebrated with the 117 camps. perspectives of women. (Photo courtesy of the Diocese of Gaylord) current bishop.

•SPRING 2012• Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Permit No. 61 Hyattsville, MD

Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions Office of National Collections United States Conference of Catholic Bishops 3211 Fourth Street NE Washington, DC 20017-1194

Spring 2012

In this issue . . . In this issue Subcommittee on Catholic Home Missions Whether it’s just those passing through or the year-round residents, Chairman the scenic Diocese of Gaylord is able Most Rev. Michael W. Warfel to support the fluctuating numbers Members of faithful throughout the year with Most Rev. Peter F. Christensen programs supported by the Catholic Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley Most Rev. Curtis J. Guillory Home Missions Appeal. Most Rev. Stefan Soroka Most Rev. Robert F. Vasa Your generosity to the Catholic Home Most Rev. Joe S. Vasquez Missions Appeal supports essential ministries in poor dioceses across the United States and its territories. Staff THANK YOU for being part of our efforts to strengthen the Church at home. Mary Mencarini Campbell, Director Ken Q. Ong, Grants Specialist