The Official Newspaper of the Diocese of Little Rock
This is the first in a series of articles profiling some of the smallest Catholic missions in the Diocese of Little Rock. Each month another church will be highlighted.
ASHDOWN -- The roughly 30 active members of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton understandably have mixed emotions about the pending appointment of a new bishop for the Church in Arkansas.
They realize attendance at Sunday Mass has dwindled by more than half in the 17 years since Ashdown civic leaders presented then-Bishop Andrew J. McDonald with a long list of local Catholics and successfully petitioned for a church to call their own.
The diocese arranged for construction of a rectangular steel structure, surfaced with brick, just off Arkansas 32. Bishop McDonald presided at the parish dedication Mass on Sunday, Nov. 17, 1991.
"It was beautiful," Catherine Wade recalled. "I remember it rained that day. One of the spouses, who is non-Catholic, was ushering people back and forth with umbrellas. ... The church was full, jammed."
Maybe 100 people. Possibly more. Christmas and Easter liturgies drew similar crowds in the early years. Not any longer.
"We're feeling that if we don't increase our numbers, our days are numbered," said Wade, whose parish hats include that of director of religious education.
Click here |
Make no mistake, though, parish life goes on at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Three babies were baptized in the past few months. Two teens were confirmed in January; two others were preparing for First Communion and reconciliation.
The Ladies Auxiliary held its annual bake-sale fundraiser Saturday, Nov. 17, on the parking lot of the nearby Wal-Mart Supercenter. A day later, the church celebrated its 16th anniversary.
Meantime, the Bible study group meets after Mass and brings along a dish for the parish potluck on the first Sunday of each month. Parish women gather periodically to play Bunko in the parish hall at the south end of the church, adjacent to the kitchen with a wall between it and the chapel. The Parish Council convenes as the need arises. The church welcomes weekend fishermen from nearby Millwood State Park or relatives in town to visit family.
"It's warm here, and inviting," Wade said. "If we don't know your name when you come in the door, we know all about you before you leave."
Father Vince Flusche, pastor of St. Edward Church in Texarkana, celebrates Sunday Mass in Ashdown every other week. He shares the duty with Father Lawrence Chellaian, the chaplain of St. Michael Hospital in Texarkana, Texas, who is in residence at St. Edward.
On the occasions when neither priest is available, Wade and parishioner Mike Tremblay administer Communion. Both are extraordinary ministers of holy Communion. Tremblay and organist Randy Sides account for two-thirds of the adult male parishioners at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. About 20 women and a smattering of children account for the rest.
The decline in parish enrollment coincides with a decrease in the population of Ashdown. The 2006 Census estimate is 4,531, down more than 600 residents from the 1990 count of 5,150.
"Ashdown just doesn't retain its citizens unless they want to work at the paper mill or just do something locally," Wade said. "There's not a thriving job market."
Domtar Industries is the town's biggest employer, having acquired Ashdown Mill from Georgia-Pacific in 2001.
Those who left Ashdown included three founders of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton -- Bill Stringer, who had been superintendent of Ashdown public schools; insurance man Vince Massanelli; and Dr. Robert Dalby, a local physician. This trio was instrumental in helping convince Bishop McDonald of Ashdown's parish needs.
Since that rainy dedication Sunday in 1991, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton enjoyed a brief period with a resident pastor, Father Robert Torres. Otherwise, in addition to relying on the pastoral staff of St. Edward, the Ashdown church has been a mission of Our Lady of Good Hope in Hope and St. Barbara in De Queen.
Through the years, some Catholics never joined St. Elizabeth Ann Seton. Those among them who practiced their faith chose, instead, to stay with churches in Texarkana, Foreman or De Queen.
Today, the Ashdown parish remains a close-knit group.
"Our church members really, really, really are like a family," Wade said.
She worries about two elderly parishioners whose health likely would preclude the 20-minute drive to Mass in Texarkana should the diocese shutter St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
"So that's what would be missed here. ... We do have an aging population."
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church
Please read our Comments Policy before posting.
Article comments powered by Disqus
Don’t let misconceptions cause faith to waver
Seniors, whatever storms may come, Jesus will be there
Studio 3:16 offers new approach to teaching religion
After three decades, NLR principal plans to retire
CHS athlete overcomes odds to reach collegiate goal
St. Joseph a model of solidarity with immigrants
Two gifts after Jesus’ death: Virgin Mary and Eucharist
Why we have an altar, and not just a communion table
Pope: Wars should be resolved through nonviolence
Living relationship with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist
