August 2005 - Father Joseph Kelbel
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Countless missionaries through the years have demonstrated how to live with dignity. But a pastor in the Diocese of Baker, Oregon, is quietly setting an example of how to die with dignity as well.
Father Joseph Kelbel has been a priest for a quarter century in the Baker diocese, for the most part ministering to the farmers and ranchers in the Hood River area in its northwest corner.
For the last 4 years, he has been administrator for four parishes and missions which receive assistance from Catholic Extension: St. Alphonsus in Dufur, St. Mary's in Wasco, St. John the Baptist in Grass Valley, and St. Mary's in Maupin. He would travel among the four churches to say Mass, baptize, prepare children to receive Holy Communion. He's seen many of those same children grow up, get married, and present their own children for Baptism.
Late this spring, the 55-year-old priest, who is diabetic, received devastating news: Medications he had taken for the condition had irreparably damaged his liver and the main vessel leading to it, negating any chance for a transplant. The doctors gave him less than a year to live.
After the initial shock, Father Kelbel resolved to keep on with his ministry as long as he was able. He has been hospitalized with various infections but always returns to the parish work he loves.
This July, Father celebrated 25 years in the priesthood with a Mariachi Mass at St. Peter parish in The Dalles, where he is in residence. Several of the Mariachi musicians were young men he had baptized as infants.
As he tires more easily now, Father Kelbel's bishop, Bishop Robert Vasa, has assigned another priest to serve the churches at Wasco and Grass Valley. But the churches at Dufur and Maupin are still under his care. As he has every year since he's been there, he'll get the two congregations together in Dufur this month for a parish Mass and picnic around the feast of the Assumption. In September, he'll help organize another one in Maupin. Something as simple as a church picnic is a way to build community, he believes.
Not long ago, the Catholic News Service learned of Father Kelbel's condition and ran a story which was picked up by news outlets around the country. A Green Bay, Wisconsin, radio station called to interview Father Kelbel live on the air. He took calls and answered listeners' questions for the better part of an hour. It was a way to let people know that death is not to be feared.
"I have preached the Gospel of the resurrection for 25 years," says this remarkable priest. "I look forward to meeting my Lord, my lover, my friend, my companion and my Savior."
Father Kelbel's ministry is supported by monthly grants from Catholic Extension. Will you join in with your support and make a safe, secure online donation today! Donate now, securely