Archbishop Dennis Schnurr celebrated the 7:00 PM Mass on September 6 at the farm of Byron and Dawn Brodt of West Union, Adams County Ohio. The Mass brought together about 80 people from the parishes in this Appalachian area of the Archdiocese. Highland and Adams Counties particularly continue to experience extreme drought. A sudden rainstorm that darkened the sky and lasted throughout the Mass was a welcome blessing. The congregation was sheltered under open tents as some on the outside experienced a closer connection with the rain in gratitude. The altar and celebrating clergy were protected by an overhang at the rear of the farmhouse. At one point a thunderclap frightened the nearby sheep causing them to run for the protection of the barn.
Archbishop Schnurr’s homily focused on how we are not in charge, a real and everyday reminder for our farming communities, especially at this time. It needs to be noted that this Appalachian area has the fewest Catholic population within the Archdiocese with many miles between parishes. These annual Farm Masses are a way of bringing these smaller faith communities together to celebrate the farming way of life and their faithfulness to God and their communities. The evening ended with a potluck meal.
