New Members - Glenmary Challenge

mission. “It takesplace informally, asCatholics witnesstheir faith to theirfriends and neighborsin their everydaylives,” he says.“The first step ineffective evangelizationis for CatholicsFather Dennis led many to be more comfortablewith theirworkshops on evangelizationwhile serving as directorof the Department of ing that faith.” Overfaith and with shar-Pastoral Services.the past 50 years,Father Dennis hashelped many missions and many Catholics takethat first step.For almost half of Father Steve Pawelk’s 25years as a Glenmary Home Missioner, hehas worked to help others discern their religiouscalling, first as a vocationcounselor and lateras director of Glenmary’svocation office. This yearmarks the end of his 10years as director.A native of Maple Lake,Minn., Father Steve servedas a transitional deacon atGlenmary mission in Russellville,Ala., before hisordination. His first assignmentfollowing ordination was as associatepastor at the Claxton, Ga., mission. He eventuallybecame pastor of St. Francis of Assisi mission inNew Albany, Miss., in 1995.But it is in vocation work that Father Steve hasinvested his energy for the past decade. When hebecame vocation director,he had a list of six prospects.Today, the numberof men in formation hasgrown and has expandedto include internationalstudents.Father Steve givesthanks to God for Glenmary’ssuccess in recruitingefforts. He attributesWhile serving in Mississippi,Father Stevewas active at the localBoys and Girls Club.Father Stevethis success in part toGlenmary’s attractive,distinct charism.“We’re also investingthe resources necessaryto keep new membership a priority,” he says.“And we’ve responded to the times by openingourselves to accepting international students. Inturn, these vocations seem to attract U.S. prospectswho like the increased diversity and multiculturalism.“As we continue our work, we need to keeptrusting in God and prayer,” says Father Steve.“As much as I love Glenmary, God loves Glenmarymore. Things will happen in God’s time.”Meeting new challenges is always part ofa missionary’s life, and it’s one of thethings that attracted Father Don Tranelto Glenmary 25 years ago. Ashe has pursued his missionaryassignments, he has often remindedhimself of the messageprinted on his ordination card:“The will of God will never leadus where the grace of God won’tcare for us.”During his years as a missioner,Father Don has relied onthose words and their meaningas he learned Spanish to betterFather Donminister to a growing Hispanic population in aMississippi mission, as he started a new missionin a South Georgia county and as he ministeredto those living in three Appalachian counties.“Glenmary seemed like a hand-in-glove fit forme,” Father Don says. A native of East Dubuque,Ill., he grew up on a farm and “here was a‚ religiousgroup that worked with the poor in ruralareas,” he says. “It was perfect.”Father Don has served as pastor of Glenmarymissions inMcRae, Ga., Spencer/Grantsville/Elizabeth, W.Va. andNew Albany/Pontotoc,Miss.Currently he isserving as the firstresident pastor ofOur Lady of the Assumptionmission inBoone ville, Ark., andas pastor of SacredHeart mission in Father Don studied SpanishHeavener, Okla., 60 to better minister to Catholicsmiles from Booneville.living in Pontotoc, Miss.Father Don’s goal as a missioner: “I just wantto be available and accessible to the folks. Ourjob is to let people know they’re loved.” 18 Glenmary Challenge Autumn 2010 www.glenmary.org