One of the blessings I give thanks to God for is the opportunity to be in a diocese that has such diversity in its people and in its parish settings. I have been a priest at a few of our larger congregations and have also served in some small parishes in my thirty-one years of priesthood. This past weekend, as I was returning from a state Knights of Columbus training gathering in Mountain View, Arkansas, I stopped in at Saint Jude's in Clinton, Arkansas where I was pastor for three years (along with St. Francis of Assisi Church in Fairfield Bay). I timed it so I could concelebrate their only Mass of the weekend, and was happy that current pastor, Father Oliver, insisted that I take the Mass as the Celebrant while he returned to Fairfield Bay. Since I had not seen most of the parishioners there in over eight years, it was a joy to see them and visit with some of them after Mass. The fact that this parish had made it possible for me to get to really know many of them. The sense of "family" in small parishes is strong since it is so easy for people to get to know each other. The secretary there, Kathryn Eubank (mother of one of our parishioners, Steve), is still running things and though now over 90 years of age and using a walker, she is still keeping everything and everyone (including the pastor) in line.
After Mass every Sunday, members invite their fellow parishioners and visitors to a social where food is brought by some parishioners and shared with those who come to Mass. This is, in fact, the parish where our Tuesday farmers belong and where they are active in the ministry of cantor (Tom) and altar servers (Henry children). Though currently without an organist, many of the congregation sing with great vigor (though not always on key). While there are many more opportunities for activity, ministry, and charitable endeavors at a large parish like ours, there is little doubt that members of Saint Jude's share a closeness in their community of faith that's hard to imitate in large parishes like ours. Life is slow and simple in small towns like Clinton, Arkansas, but such towns are filled with many small churches that have people who are strong in faith and in their love for the Lord and one another. In case you are ever going up Highway 65 toward Branson, Missouri, you can see Saint Jude's from the highway, and if you are there on a Sunday around 11:00 a.m., stop in, go to Mass and socialize with brothers and sisters in the Lord who will be glad to have you with them.
After Mass every Sunday, members invite their fellow parishioners and visitors to a social where food is brought by some parishioners and shared with those who come to Mass. This is, in fact, the parish where our Tuesday farmers belong and where they are active in the ministry of cantor (Tom) and altar servers (Henry children). Though currently without an organist, many of the congregation sing with great vigor (though not always on key). While there are many more opportunities for activity, ministry, and charitable endeavors at a large parish like ours, there is little doubt that members of Saint Jude's share a closeness in their community of faith that's hard to imitate in large parishes like ours. Life is slow and simple in small towns like Clinton, Arkansas, but such towns are filled with many small churches that have people who are strong in faith and in their love for the Lord and one another. In case you are ever going up Highway 65 toward Branson, Missouri, you can see Saint Jude's from the highway, and if you are there on a Sunday around 11:00 a.m., stop in, go to Mass and socialize with brothers and sisters in the Lord who will be glad to have you with them.