In Gorham, Kan.
(Published April 10, 2009)
“Come and see” has always been a guiding principle in my life. My vocation was and continues to be a call to “come and see” the dwelling of God in the people and places where I live and minister. I see God as woven into the very fabric of life, and as bringing all things into loving unity.
Early on, these words from John 1:38-39 (“Rabbi, where are you staying?” He said to them, “Come and you will see.”) spoke to my heart and found poetic expression.
COME AND SEE
See where I dwell,
In such unexpected places,
behind poor and tired faces.
Come and see where I live.
You must make a start,
deep in every person’s heart.
This is where I lodge.
See beyond the outer shell.
What a false story it may tell.
Follow me to where I stay.
Beneath the false and hateful found,
in the truth and love abound.
Stay here where I abide.
Come beyond distrust and fear,
to the faith and hope that’s here.
Come and see for yourself.
Walk in darkness – walk in night
till you find the joy of light.
This is my house, not made of stone.
I am the home called Unity,
where I ask you follow me.
From July of 1992 to July of 2005, I was called to “come and see” the face of God in St. Mary Help of Christian Parish in Gorham, Kansas. The parish was founded in 1892. The group who founded the parish had been affiliated with St. Fidelis Parish in Victoria, Kansas. They were prompted to establish their own church due to the distance and difficult roads, especially in the winter months.
The founding families were immigrants from Russia, Poland, Germany and Ireland. The stones for the church were quarried northeast of Gorham, hauled into town and set into place by the parishioners. The cornerstone was laid on April 3, 1894 but the church was not completed until 1898, due to hard times and crop failures. From 1901 to 1907 the church had two missions, Russell and Dorrance. In 1907, these cities decided to establish parishes of their own.
Ministering in the parish of St. Mary’s in Gorham was a joy. The faith is deeply rooted and permeates the lives of the people in the parish and throughout the entire Gorham community. The people clearly understand the concept of stewardship in caring for the earth, its creatures and one another. The sense of community building reaches beyond the boundaries of church or faith affiliation.
It was easy to see the face of God present in the many facets of my ministry in Russell county and especially in the strong faith life of the parishioners of St. Mary’s.
My heart was indeed heavy when I was once again called to “come and see” the dwelling of Jesus in another place and among a different community of people. But my heart knows that my vocation calls me to follow and to live, ever deeper, my CSJ charism of “the great love of God” wherever I am.
