June 2006 - Father Terence Hoppenjans

It's "boom or bust" in America's coal mining area near Paintsville, Kentucky, and over his 46 years of ministering to Catholics here, Father Terence Hoppenjans has seen both cycles.

Poverty drives many into the mines, where the short-term risks were clearly evidenced earlier this year, when 12 miners lost their lives - and the long-term risk of Black Lung looms as a specter that must haunt every man who dons a lighted helmet and carries a pick-axe into the dark earth.

"Just yesterday," Father Hop (as he's affectionately known) says, "A fella came in asking for help to buy a miner's lamp and helmet."

Father Hop, who credits Catholic Extension for helping his ministry out financially over the years, serves currently at St. Michael in Paintsville, Kentucky, and he knows the economic ups and downs of the region as well as he knows the rolling, undulating hills around the hollers.

He marvels that during one boom time they were considering opening a Rolls Royce dealership here, and shakes his salt-and-pepper head, smiling affably. It does seem almost tragi-comic now, when you take a look at the rusted trailers that once served as mining offices, near the plugged-up holes of a stripped mountain.

But Father Hop is a patient man, with a great and gentle perseverance. His bishop's directive was to "make the Church present in remote parts of the county," and he has done just that, trekking over the hills and mountains to bring the Eucharist to those who can't get to Mass.

Just this past Christmas, Father Hop was able to bring hickory-smoked hams to needy parishioners, too, thanks to people responding to the call in Catholic Extension's annual Christmas Wish List.

In the early days, resistance to Father Hop's presence was strong, and there were times when he was directed to get back where he came from as he stared down the barrel of a shotgun. Thanks be to God, times have changed, and in a recent newspaper poll, Father Hop was named "Minister of the Year."

He's hopeful about the growth of the Catholic Faith in this hard-pressed area. "The seeds of today are the flowers of tomorrow," he said. "We're still planting them and I think the work that is being done is going to bear fruit. It's only a matter of time."

To help provide for the ministries of hard-working missionaries like Father Hop, please donate now securely. Thank you.

Read more about Father Hoppenjans in the June issue of Extension Magazine -- sign up NOW to receive 12 FREE issues!