Latest Update

Here is another update. I want to thank my parents & Don Gutmann for letting me stay at their places for the past few months. I am working at Salem's Catholic Community Services as the Community Initiatives Director. I am starting projects under the direction of the most creative Executive Director, Jim Seymour. I just signed a six month lease on a house in Newberg, Oregon. Here is Don, Bill Holtzinger, & Mike Walker visiting me at my cubicle!

An Ending & A New Beginning

Sorry, I haven’t updated this blog in awhile. I am doing pretty well.
I wanted to let you know about what’s been going on, but wanted to meet with my Archbishop first. I’ve asked for a leave of absence. I am not quitting at this point, but taking time out from active ministry to more earnestly discern what I need to do.
This does not involve scandal, nor was was I asked to leave, and am not doing this under any pressure, but under my own volition.
I’ve been thinking about this & discussing this with those close to me for some time.
I’m thankful for 13 years of priestly ministry, there have been many joys mixed with sorrows. I’ve been struggling in priestly ministry, and want to discern whether I want to continue or not, and if I want to continue, in what fashion that might be.
About going to South America with the St. James Society, I was struggling with my issues even before I went down there, and I realized I wouldn’t be able to work through my issues so far away from my support structure.
I am working with a counselor that I highly respect.
Part of my discernment might include backing away from Church related activities.
My faith is still a vital part of my life, and will continue going to Mass regularly.
I’m living with my parents and friends for the time being, and as this is stressful for them, the best way to contact me is by my email. Don’t be surprised by a slow response time.
At this point, this may be my last posting on this blog.
I ask for your prayers as I discern on my next steps. Thank you for prayerful support, and for following my adventures.

Christ the King Weekend, in belly of the king!

On Christ the King weekend, I got to visit the Eastern most outpost of the Inca Empire with 8 others from the Institute, at an Inca fortress named Incallajta (below). It is Bolivia's largest Inca ruins. The top picture is "Cristo de la Concordia." It is Cochabamba's central figure, standing on a hill that can be seen from all parts of town. It is the "Largest Image in the world." He stands at 46 meters tall (the Statue of Liberty is only 40 meters tall). He is taller than his likeness in Rio de Janiero. I went there with my Bolivian brother, Oscar on the Feast of Christ the King. It was nice, I went to Mass, received Communion, and had Jesus in my belly, then I entered, and climbed the stairs within the statue, and found myself in the belly of Christ!

New Coordinator Visits?

Here, Fr. Colin McGinnis, St. James Society priest from Guayaquil, Ecuador is visiting Fr. Tom Henehan, MM & I in Cochabamba. He is treating us to La Contada Italian Restaurant. He is visiting because the St. James Society is training 6 lay missionaries in the Maryknoll Mission Leadership Program at the Institute. Fr. Tom is head of this program. Fr. Colis is one of three priests in Ecuador who is eligible to be the new St. James Ecuador Coordinator. Elections will be held at the retreat in Ayangue next week.

The Jesuit Missions (Chiquitania)

Four of us from the Language Institute went to visit the Jesuit Missions that they opened up in the 17th Century outside of Santa Cruz, Bolivia. They were famous for enculturating the native people, using a mixture of their customs, and the Catholic religion. They were very successful. However, due to European politics, the Jesuits were suppressed, and the Franciscans took over the missions. Here we are in front of the Mission San Ana (in the jungle . . . we saw a lot of wildlife).


We were blessed to visit these missions during the very important feast days of All Saints & Dia de los Difuntos! They really clean up, repair and decorate the cemeteries these days!

Here is an example of some of the wildlife we encountered. Besides the tarantula & rattlesnake pictured below, we saw thousands of parrots, toucans, turkey like things, wild ostriches (piyos), caymans (alligators), bats, sloth and more.

Arrived in Cochabamba

I arrived in Cochabamba, Bolivia at the Maryknoll Instituto de Idiomas (language school) on Wed. morning. Here Kitty and Alejandro are welcoming me, and designing my program to suit my needs. I am being tutored by four teachers in grammar, reading and writing, conversation and vocabulary.

Fr. Jim Coleman in Bolivia

On my way to language school in Cochabamba, Bolivia (6 week course starting Oct 20th, but due to technical difficulties ATM trouble, airline trouble, and other trouble, I started Oct. 22nd) I passed through Santa Cruz, where Fr. Jim Coleman of our Archdiocese resides and works. Here we are with Fr. Roger Clarke of the St. James Society.



Here is Fr. Roger in front of the major parish where they work in Santa Cruz, Bolivia.