Father LeRoy Scheierl welcomed participants from the Summer Rural Immersion Experience Program, coordinated by Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary, at one of the annual novena Masses at Assumption (Grasshopper) Chapel June 5. Before the Rosary and Mass began, Father Scheierl shared his experience working as a priest in Central Minnesota for 35 years.
“I want to talk about rural and small-town community culture,” Father Scheierl said. “There’s a different culture in small towns as opposed to larger cities. It doesn’t mean it’s any better or worse, but it has a different flavor.”
Father Scheierl, who serves the Centered on Christ Area Catholic Community, highlighted the unique characteristics of the area which included the support of the parishes, schools and one another.
“Even if the church isn’t quite what it used to be, in rural communities, it’s always a visible force,” he shared, citing local church activities such as its parish festival, BoniFest and the school fundraiser, BoniBall. He also encouraged program participants, when serving in ministry, to integrate into community life, referencing Pope Francis’ phrase about “smelling like the sheep.” For him, that includes his presence at school and community sporting events, engaging in outdoor activities such as fishing and hunting and visiting local bars and restaurants.
“Let’s face it,” Father Scheierl said. “Those are places that in your rural ministry that you are connecting a little bit with local culture and showing them that you’re there. Visibility is one of the biggest things you can do.”
This is the second year of the Rural Immersion Program, a week-long intensive course at the Saint John’s School of Theology. It is made possible through the Sustained Encuentro grant program, part of the Pathways to Tomorrow initiative of the Lilly Endowment.
As part of the grant, Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary created a partnership with the Mexican American Catholic College in San Antonio, Texas, and has welcomed students from MACC to the program both years.
Through the program, participants hear firsthand from clergy like Father Scheierl, and also from community leaders, farmers and business owners who witness how the churches, communities, farms and businesses are run.
“We have been greatly blessed by many folks in a number of small towns and rural spaces here, welcoming us, telling us a little bit about how life is for them, not just their experience in the church and ministry settings, but also in their experiences in healthcare, their experiences in business and agriculture,” said Ben Durheim, assistant professor of theology who leads the Rural Immersion Program.
“We’ve really benefited significantly from that,” he said. “So many thanks to those individual persons, but also a significant thank you to the Central Minnesota Catholic community, who has significantly made this a rich experience.”
Pictured above: Father LeRoy Scheierl talks to students participating in the Rural Immersion Program at Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary. (Dianne Towalski / The Central Minnesota Catholic)
