In preparing for Glenmary's upcoming Chapter gathering in June of this year, I have been reading some of our communities older documents. I recently came across these words of our founder, Rev. William Howard Bishop: "The one great central thought that brought our society into existence in these unfavored regions was the fact that these regions, of all others in America, are, generally speaking, the least supplied with and the most in need of Christ's Church and the means of propagating it." His words and observations are still are today. Below, A current U.S. Census map of the poverty levels in the U.S. shows significantly higher percentages of poverty in the rural areas this country. Below it, a Glenmary map of the counties in the south which lack a catholic congregation or resident pastoral minister demonstrates how these areas of great spiritual needs overlaps with the areas of material needs. The third map shows how Glenmary's current and former mission counties coincide with the first two maps.
"There was never a time when missionary activity was more needed in our beloved land than it is today."
Rev. William Howard Bishop
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