Fr. Jim Sloan, continued from page 13
at our Assembly in 1983 when we were discussing
and voting on whether to continue our high school
seminary. Jim’s words carried weight because he gave
eleven years of his life to the seminary as principal
and teacher. But community life was difficult for
some who lived at the seminary and at one point, Jim
stood up and with tears in his eyes, his voice quaking
with truth, said, “We just don’t know how to love one
another.” We recognized his words were true: we just
don’t know how to love one another. But Jim believed
deeply that we could learn a little more about love be-
cause he saw “what love the Father has bestowed on
us that we may be called children of God. Yet so we
are.” Jim spent his life looking and seeking that child
of God in himself and others. He tried to encourage
each of us to live as “God’s children now.”
At the conclusion of Mary Oliver’s poem, “When
Death Comes,” she writes:
When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder
If I made my life something particular and real.
I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened
And full of argument.
I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.
Fr. Jim Sloan doesn’t have to wonder anymore. His
curiosity is now complete for he has found his way
home to the dwelling place prepared for him.
For eight-four years of life and fifty-six years
as a priest, through various ministries and
responsibilities, Jim stirred our soul, sparked our
faith, and gave us a glimpse of God through his
preaching and teaching, his companionship and his
compassion. We are grateful to God for all God has
done for us through priestly life of Fr. Jim Sloan. It
has truly been a work of art.
Rest in peace, Jim. The Golden Gate Bridge and
all the cathedrals in Europe only prepared your
artist’s heart for the sights you now behold. I only
wish I could be sitting across from you at an outdoor
café, sipping coffee or perhaps a stronger beverage,
telling the stories of what we have seen and heard.
Until we do, enjoy the view, good and faithful
servant and friend.
12 • The New Wine Press • October 2018
Volunteers, continued from page 5
What are you looking forward to about your
volunteer experience?
“I am looking forward to getting to know the
people in the community I will be working in.”
Brooke Buth
Brooke will serve in Kansas
City at Cristo Rey High School
and at Bishop Sullivan Center
and will live in Gaspar Mission
House. In June of 2018 she
married Koby Buth, who
will be serving at kc care
Health Center. Brooke grew
up in Aurora, Illinois, a suburb
of Chicago. She graduated
in May of 2018 from Indiana Wesleyan University in
Marion, Indiana with degrees in youth ministries and
honors humanities. Brooke has committed to serving as a
Precious Blood Volunteer for a full year.
Why do you want to volunteer?
“I want to serve people who have been on the
margins of society. I want to learn how the Church and
the community can better support the poor and our
youth, and I want to meet Christ in the people I serve.”
Why do you want to volunteer with Precious Blood
Volunteers?
“I love Precious Blood Volunteer’s focus on spiritu-
ality and reconciliation in service, and I appreciate that
they have long-term connections with the city and the
organizations where we serve. I think it’s a sustainable
way for the volunteers and the city to benefit from our
service.”
What are you looking forward to about your volun-
teer experience?
“I’m excited to spend time focused completely on
others. College is an intense time of self-growth and
encourages you to focus on your own knowledge and
studies, so I am excited to transition into a time of be-
ing other-focused. Of course, I’m excited to live with
priests! And to see the Kansas City library!”