Archbishop Bernard Hebda celebrated the annual Rural Life Sunday Mass June 23 in the parking lot of St. Patrick in Shieldsville. While that celebration comes around each June, many families and clergy are immersed in rural life every day of the year.
Tim Streiff attended that Mass, which is organized by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis and the host parish, recalling a beautiful, sunny day, and he remembers the archbishop’s homily, which referred to St. John Paul II’s visit to Iowa in 1979 where he addressed farmers.
“He spoke about the importance of those who live in rural places and those who work in agriculture,” Streiff said, “that they cooperate with God in his life-giving and creative work, and that it really is an essential part of our society, that those who live in rural places and work in agriculture.”
“It’s an indispensable part of our world, and it’s a great gift to care for creation,” Streiff added. “And that’s part of the original mission that man was given in the Garden of Eden.”
Streiff, program manager for the national organization Catholic Rural Life, and Jim Ennis, its executive director, recently joined “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley to describe their organization’s need and offerings.
James Ennis, executive director of Catholic Rural Life, at his Roseville home in 2015. Dave Hrbacek/The Catholic Spirit
Catholic Rural Life, with headquarters at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, works with more than 80 dioceses across the country to promote Catholic life in rural America. Ennis said the organization focuses on food and agriculture issues, and rural ministry and outreach.
Streiff oversees a couple of its largest programs, including 24 chapters at dioceses that do volunteer work and promote rural life and culture. He also oversees its Thriving in Rural Ministry program, calling it “a retreat program for priests who serve in rural parishes, helping to support and equip them to thrive in their ministry.”
Priests from across the country are invited to regional retreats to spend time in prayer and fraternity, and help address isolation or loneliness that can sometimes accompany rural assignments.
“But we also try to foster interest in best practices and integral ecology, and recognition that these priests are leaders in their communities,” Streiff said.
Asked how the organization helps bridge the gap to help urban dwellers remember the necessity of rural life, Ennis said many who grew up in a city still care about the land, how it’s cared for and how food is grown.
“So there’s a real interest and strong interest,” he said.
Catholic Rural Life tries to build bridges, Ennis said, such as through its quarterly magazine sent to members in 41 states. It includes stories of what’s happening in rural areas and of those who care about rural life from an urban perspective. And the organization’s focuses include ethical food production, he said.
For those who know a priest who works in a rural setting and a retreat hasn’t fit his schedule, Streiff said it’s important to let them know you’re thinking about him and you’re praying for him, “and encouraging them to attend one of our retreats is a good way to do that,” he said. “They can be supported just through your own outreach to them as well.”
To learn more about Catholic Rural Life and how to support priests serving in rural communities, visit CatholicRuralLife.org.
To hear the full interview, listen to this episode of the “Practicing Catholic” radio show. It airs at 9 p.m. July 2, 1 p.m. July 3 and 2 p.m. July 4 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Archbishop Bernard Hebda, who describes the recent presbyteral assembly attended by more than 200 priests, and Jules Nolan, who discusses the impact of COVID-related?restrictions on children and?offers guidance to?parents?and to teachers as they prepare to?welcome students?back to classrooms.?
Listen to all of the interviews after they have aired at:
soundcloud.com/PracticingCatholic
tinyurl.com/PracticingCatholic?(Spotify)
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