Missions Accomplished

Friday, Apr. 22, 2016

ST. GEORGE — Ministering to the missions means being prepared for the unexpected. Whether it’s a busload of French-speaking tourists or having a child lead the congregation in responses, the priests and deacons who serve the Catholic Church in the remote areas of Utah are accustomed to taking things as they come.

St. George Parish in St. George serves three missions: St. Paul Center in Hurricane, St. Christopher Parish in Kanab, and San Pablo Mission in Beryl Junction, as well as a station in Zion National Park during the tourist season.    

Traveling to reach the missions is both challenging and rewarding, the priests and deacons say. For example, Father Adrian Komar, parochial vicar of St. George Parish, begins his Sunday routine by leaving St. George at 6:30 a.m. in order to be in Kanab for Mass at 9 a.m. He then drives to Hurricane for the 12:30 p.m. Mass. The round trip can be over 200 miles. 

“I am looking forward to summer driving because there is daylight!” Fr. Komar said with a laugh.

He shares the ministry to the missions with the pastor of St. George Parish, Fr. Oscar Martin Picos; and Fr. Glenn Dare, a retired priest who helps in the Diocese of Salt Lake City. Four deacons also minister to the missions: Roberto Aguirre, Willie Folkes, Rogaciano Tellez and Mark Bourget.

St. Christopher’s Parish has a slightly different schedule for the priests, because the responsibilities are shared with Christ the King Parish in Cedar City.    

Fr. Komar said that he never knows what to expect at St. Christopher Parish or Saint Paul Catholic Center because both are located in tourist areas. One Sunday, a busload of about 40 French tourists arrived and shared songs that they had been rehearsing while on their bus ride. 

“It makes me happy that tourists take time from their vacation to attend church services,” Fr. Komar said.

Deacon Mark Bourget extends the mission work by leading weekly Sunday Celebration Absent a Priest (SCAP) services in Zion National Park. Afterward, he heads to the Purgatory Correctional Facility for two Sunday services – one for men and one for women. Being on call means he may have to add a SCAP service for one of the missions if a priest is unavailable. 

“I love what I do and I am always ready for the call,” he said.      

Deacon Bourget said he never knows what to expect at the SCAP services in Zion National Park. Sometimes it will be a small group, while other times it is filled with tourists. 

“Even though some tourists do not speak much English and I don’t know their language, we still find a way to communicate,” said the deacon, who often requests a volunteer to assist with service. Recently, a 9-year-old girl asked to lead the responses and sang each one perfectly. 

“A proud moment for her parents and for me,” said Deacon Bourget, adding that the best thing about serving in a mission parish is the personal relationships with parishioners. 

“You get to know each other and it feels like family,” he said.