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A Kentucky Mission Trip
In 1950 a newly ordained priest, Fr. Ralph Beiting, from the Diocese of Covington, Kentucky was told by his bishop that he was to start a
parish in Berea, Kentucky. Up until now there had not been any Catholic parishes in that area of Appalachia. He started in an old house downtown and his parish boundaries were the size of Rhode Island. Fr. Beiting has since graced a multitude offering to help that very first person in Berea. His ministry of outreach has turned into the organization Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) helping throughout the Appalachian area.
This past Easter Break, thanks being to the generosity of St. Edith parishioners, a group of us spent a week near the town of Paintsville, Kentucky on various work crews doing a variety of tasks through CAP. Some of us painted, some put up siding on homes and some built wheelchair access ramps. The days were long and the work tiring. However, the small tasks we did will help the families we assisted a great deal. The roads are curvy, the mountains steep and the ground mostly rock.
The accommodations at the camp we stayed in were “not quite a Hilton,” but the food was better! The scenery is as beautiful as were the families we assisted. Their hospitality could not have been more generous and we spent a few evenings in their company and in the company of the music and culture of Eastern Kentucky. Fr. Ralph Beiting, now 86 years of age and still the pastor of a group of parishes, came out to our camp, shared stories with us and we celebrated together around the Table of the Lord. This may not have been Mass in an elaborate cathedral, but a more beautiful cathedral one could not experience anywhere.
There are many other organizations in addition to CAP helping those in Appalachia and we have benefited from joining in. We plan on returning over Easter Break of 2010, but in the meantime please enjoy some excerpts from some who came and some of our photos. Again, a BIG THANK-YOU, to the generosity of our parishioners for making this happen.
Deacon Ric & Colleen Misiak | 
