The Veteran Pastor
Fr. Mike Chowning, OFM
Fr. Michael Chowning, OFM, is a veteran pastor. He has served the people of Mother of Good Counsel (MOGC) parish in Hazard, Kentucky for 21 years. “And I will be here as long as the Council wishes,” he added. He has also served as pastor in Cincinnati, OH, Albuquerque, NM, Peoria, IL, and Southfield, MI.
Fr. Mike was raised in Detroit, Michigan in a large family. He had 8 brothers and sisters, his grandparents, an uncle and a friend of his father's all living together in the Chowning household. “There were lots of Catholic families in our neighborhood so we didn't think that was unusual at all,” he smiled.
Fr. Mike is a quiet, modest and unassuming man. He is a planner. When it was time to expand MOGC, he took a year to study how they would do it on their small plot of land and researched how they would underwrite the cost. Thanks to Fr. Mike’s excellent organizational and planning skills, grants, donations and fundraising, the parish encumbered only $80,000 of the $1.6 Million costs of the project.
Hazard is settled deep in coal country. The stone church is nestled on a steep hill in the center of town. Unemployment is a serious problem. Poverty abounds. Through networking and creative problem solving, Fr. Mike finds ways to make a difference in the lives of those who come for help. The working poor and indigent may need a hand up, but there is always empowerment built into the assistance.
Fr. Mike and parishioner
“One good thing we have going here in Hazard is the cooperation between agencies,” Father said. “When you have that, you can get things done and make a difference. We have developed a lot of nice resources in our area. He described a Free Medical Clinic, a homeless shelter which prepares young men for independence through Community Ministries' transitional living program. Individuals can stay in rental housing for a year while learning to get and keep a job and getting a grip on money and home management, overall, just learning how to be a good tenant. And there is the Master's Land Pantry which provides formula and diapers, clothing and equipment to parents with small children. That program can always use baby furniture that is like new or gently handled as well as clothing for the babies. The Spouse Abuse shelter can also use women's clothing. Fr. Mike and other members of the parish are serving on many of the organization boards. He is entrench in the community.
One other project in Hazard that Fr. Mike is proud to see developed is the building of a half dozen houses, similar to Housing for Humanity. He said they are valued at about $100,000. The families move in after much loan forgiveness, with a loan of about $40,000. “They are really nice houses and it is gratifying to see it come together.”
In his spare time, Fr. Mike enjoys ham radio. In recent years, he attended a retirement workshop and started to look forward and identify his interests for leisure time. After speaking to high school students about ham operating, he was told that his enthusiasm had fired up at least one student to go on and study computers and electronics and graduate from college.
Fr. Mike's ham radio
“Today, in an emergency, the internet and most communication is dependent on a power grid. The ham operators are the first responders in emergencies like Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy. They are right there with the Red Cross,” he continued. He knows Morse code and stays on the cutting edge of what really is a serious resource in a crisis. “The time around dusk and dawn, when the propagation is better, is when most of the communication goes on,” he said. Due to time and other reasons, he no longer is directly active as a ham radio operator. He has the Extra License. That is the top level in ham radio operating. Pastoral responsibilities are his priority so he restricts his activities to administering tests for those seeking an operators' license.
He also enjoys fly fishing though he says he doesn’t make his own ties. He likes to go with his brother and nephew and get into the physical part of casting along with enjoying the beauty of the sport.
For more information about Mother of Good Counsel Church visit their website or Face Book page.
Mother of Good Counsel Church sits on the side of a mountain in Hazard, Kentucky.
Posted in: Missions
