By Elena Macias
Father Earl Henley, MSC, has radiated and revealed the light of Christ in the communities he has served over 50 years as a priest, the last 24 in ministry to the Native American Catholics of the diocese. This faithful devotion has earned him a well-deserved nomination for the 2024 Lumen Christi Award, the highest honor bestowed by the Catholic Extension Society. Fr. Henley, 81, has been the Diocesan Director of the Native American Ministry since 2000, serving six Southern California reservations.
“I was overwhelmed by it,” Fr. Henley said. “I feel humbled about it, wow. There are other people out there, beautiful people that I have served with, and I see their dedication. I’m just fortunate to be able to be part of the journey.”
Fr. Henley’s journey began shortly after being ordained a priest on Sept. 6, 1969. A member of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart religious order, he left the U.S. to provide missionary service in Papua New Guinea, where he served for 23 years.
“One of the things that I felt was important was that the missionary [priest] is walking with, being present to, being available, and being a missionary that’s what it’s all about,” Fr. Henley said. “I’m fortunate to be somebody that wants to show that faith, that missionary spirit, I’m happy to be able to serve. Now, I’m in the Native American Ministry, which is a different world. Completely different from Papua New Guinea, but again, being a missionary with Native Americans, [means] learning their culture, listening, walking with, being available, I’m proud that I can still do that.”
Within his missionary service to the Native American community, Fr. Henley has worked to integrate Native American language into the liturgy. One of the missions Fr. Henley serves, Saint Joseph Mission in San Jacinto, which serves the Soboba Band of Mission Indians, includes Saint Jude Mission School. Fr. Henley mentions that for the past two years, the small school has been very valuable as the students learn Native American language and Christian values and celebrate a special Mass every Tuesday where the students get to serve, which Fr. Henley says, “is beautiful.”
“[Native Americans’] spirituality, their spirit, they are filled with the Holy Spirit, you see it, it comes through,” Fr. Henley said. “Learning from their culture, it’s something to behold. It enriches me and my spirituality, it enriches me in my journey with the Lord and with His church, so I’m honored to be helpful to them and their needs.”
Fr. Henley’s embodiment of a true missionary priest of the MSC has led him to discover and highlight God’s presence in the communities he has served. Serving the Native American Ministry in the Diocese, Fr. Henley has been able to radiate God’s love within the community because he walks with them, dialogues with them and listens to them, to fully be able to serve them.
“Walk with them because there are certain ways they want to do things, especially in their funerals and anniversaries,” Fr. Henley said. “How are they going to do it? Go with them, let them lead you. I always say a lot of the time, it’s not me leading them, it’s them leading me. You learn their ways; it’s very helpful for me. Sometimes you make mistakes, sometimes you’re not open, if you stay open, you can [walk with them].
Catholic Extension Society is a fundraising organization that helps ensure that all American Catholics, especially among the poor in the poorest regions, can practice their faith within vibrant faith communities. This year, Catholic Extension Society has recognized 37 nominees for the Lumen Christi Award. From these amazing nominees, several finalists are selected, followed by the recipient. The diocese last celebrated a Lumen Christi Award winner in 2011 when Sister Gabriella Willaims received the honor.
Elena Macias is the Managing Editor of the Inland Catholic BYTE and El Compás Católico.