Father Patrick Keyes says goodbye to Liberal, hello to St. Louis

For four years he served with the Redemptorist Hispanic Missionary Team in Liberal, where he oversaw the construction of St. Anthony Church. He and fellow Redemptorists Fathers Tony Judge, Mike McAndrew, John Fahey-Guerra, and Brother Larry Lujan, initiated several programs in the diocese to create leadership in the Hispanic community, and to bridge the cultural gap between the white and quickly-growing Hispanic communities.

When asked to name some of the accomplishments of the Redemptorist Fathers in the diocese over the last four years, he responded, "I would think it was the bringing together of the different communities in Liberal, and the construction of the church is a symbol of that."

"[The new church] was a needed thing, but because of the way that we did it -- people participating in the construction -- the actual building served to bring the community together."

It started as an idea to save money, Father Keyes said, but it did much more than that. It was an idea Father Henry Hildebrandt had when pastor prior to Father Keyes: to allow parishioners to donate not only funding, but also parts and labor, at least to a degree.

The idea, Father Keyes said, was nearly dropped and a regular construction scheme adopted. But then Deacon Oscar Rodriguez came up with a suggestion.

"He said that if the parish pays for the flooring, he would coordinate putting it together," Father Keyes explained. "Because of him doing that, it just sort of started things. He convinced me to do it."

Donations of time and labor eventually grew to the point that instead of a community watching as their church was built, the community built the church.

Father Patrick said he is also proud of the increase in both the white and Hispanic communities in his former parish.

"There was more coming together. The RCIA in both English and Spanish really took off while I was there. There was growth in the participation in the life of the parish, and more ownership on the part of the people."

But there is much more to do, he said.

"I think they’re making good efforts," he said of the Diocese of Dodge City’s work with Hispanics. "But I think they kind of forget that it’s not just a little sub group in the diocese, it is the diocese.

"The unique thing about Dodge City is that because of the meat packing plant, it will always be first generation people," Father Keyes added. "Once they learn English and get better jobs, they’ll get out of Dodge.

"I think that more Spanish speaking people need to be brought into the forefront of the diocese -- participation in the finance committee, pastoral council, etc…. It’s a real struggle.

"At the same time it’s a great blessing," he added. "Think how much the Diocese of Dodge City has grown."

Father Keyes said he is still adjusting to his new appointment. As formation director, he is currently working with four St. Louis University students pursuing the Redemptorist priesthood, including former Diocese of Dodge City resident, Mario Gonzalez.

"In my sadness of leaving, I realize the importance of formation of future Redemptorists," he said. "We need to continue to have people who are willing and able to work with the poor and the most abandoned."

He said he will miss the people of southwest Kansas.

"It was a wonderful place to be," he said. "The people really make the place, both the English and the Spanish speaking. People are welcoming and out-going and sociable. It was really hard to say goodbye."