JUST A LITTLE HISTORY
On January 10, 2010 a small group of friends joined with Fr. Leonard in forming Divine Savior Community. The owner of the Kings Inn offered a meeting room to use on Sundays to celebrate the mass. For special occasions they would gather in member's homes such as Holy Saturday or mass with their bishop followed by a potluck.
From this humble beginning they truly became a community of faith. Then in July of 2012 Divine Savior Catholic Community received the very generous offer from Trinity Episcopal Church to move their worship services to the downtown church. Fr. Leonard says, "It is such a natural home for us to worship in that we gladly accepted. Since then, we have grown as others have found us welcoming to anyone who wishes to worship with us".
From this humble beginning they truly became a community of faith. Then in July of 2012 Divine Savior Catholic Community received the very generous offer from Trinity Episcopal Church to move their worship services to the downtown church. Fr. Leonard says, "It is such a natural home for us to worship in that we gladly accepted. Since then, we have grown as others have found us welcoming to anyone who wishes to worship with us".
May 15 - We are joined by Bishops Mark and Michael
from the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch
You too are invited to share in the vision - to join us in creating what a church really can be - welcoming and loving.
Be a part of this picture!
from the Catholic Apostolic Church of Antioch
You too are invited to share in the vision - to join us in creating what a church really can be - welcoming and loving.
Be a part of this picture!
The Pastor
,www.tnccna.website/Bishop Leonard Walker
Pastor and Presiding Bishop of The National Catholic Church of North America
Back in the day some sixty years ago, it was common for priests from different religious orders to visit grammar schools and ask, “Who wants to be a priest?” It was the height of vocations to the priesthood and high school seminaries were common. From first grade on my hand would shoot up. I would hide a sheet in my grandma’s closet. This would serve as my vestment – just like a priest at mass!
By eighth grade I was getting the “Catholic Youth” magazine with an ad showing an eighth grader dressed up in a white missionary outfit, a safari hat and an airplane in the background over a globe. The caption read, “Be a Salvatorian and See the world”. I was hooked. Far away dreams from the southside of Chicago my mind wondered to Africa. At graduation I was headed to the Salvatorian Seminary in northern Wisconsin not as far away as Africa but still considerable distance from home for a fourteen year old.
Sending me off my father’s last words were, “Never be afraid to come home.” Great advice from a father since many in my freshmen class of seventy were treated with honors by their parents for making them so proud placing a great deal of pressure on some who were afraid to quit and go home. Dad never bragged on me in my presence and would stop aunts making a big deal about me in the seminary.
I continued to dream of being a missionary in Africa. By the end of college and first profession I began to think I could not learn languages. Latin was a real bust, so I was dreaming of becoming a social worker priest. That was still possible in those days of plenty and priest specialties were not uncommon.
During theology in the Washington D.C. area I experienced some of that dream. I was selected to live in a low-cost housing project run by Prince Georges County. I was to be the “presence” or representative of the local Catholic parish that fought hard to get it approved and have it built. After ordination they hired me and my confrere to be Tenant Advocates in all the county housing projects.
While finishing my studies, I was appointed the priest chaplain for separated and divorced Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington.
These experiences would shape my priesthood. One, the power and potential of the “poor” to speak for themselves, and two, the pain and suffering the Church can cause the faithful because of their rules.
From being a tenant advocate in public housing I transitioned into parish life in Southeast District of Columbia. After Prince Georges county Maryland I would be assigned to Nashville, Tennessee. From the south I went north and west to Sacramento, California where I had to learn Spanish. I was given the opportunity to study in Cuernavaca, Mexico for several months living with a family, daily classes and traveling. Also, a short stint in Elko, Nevada helping a fellow Salvatorian who was dying. Back to Sacramento and then to San Francisco to work for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the five counties of the Bay Area as extension and renewal director. During this time, I was in discernment for the missions. Finally! Surprisingly I ended up with an extraordinary permission to go to Morocco, North Africa.
There I lived in a Muslim country not as a proselytizer but as “silent witness”. Studying Moroccan Arabic I was introduced in a most intimate way with Islam.
I was also sent to Paris to refine my French at the Institut Catholique.
Returning home to the states I ended up in Huntsville, Alabama. From there I was transferred to Mesa, Arizona to be part of a team taking over a parish handed to us Salvatorians.
I was primarily responsible for the Spanish speaking. In truth, this is when I really learned Spanish and fell in love with the Mexican culture.
In these years I also became involved with Charismatic Renewal. I would soon be named Diocesan Liaison for the Charismatic Renewal. I would be asked to return to that position three times in all. The last appointment was a full-time position with a Healing Center in South Phoenix. Some of the most amazing years of my priesthood was witnessing the transformative power of faith and real miracles.
Then I was named pastor for the first time in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. This is the same community where I went to high school seminary.
A return to Arizona was in the cards where I’d be named pastor of Queen of Peace in Mesa. This would be my last assignment in the Roman Church.
After thirty-one years a priest I left the Church and moved to my future husband’s home in Kingman. There I started a new career as hospice chaplain. From that ministry came the call to return to the priesthood but in the Independent Catholic Church. Thus, came the birth of Divine Savior Catholic Community.
In addition to my hospice chaplaincy and having the honor of being the pastor of Divine Savior Independent Catholic Church I also was a founding member of KUPA. Kingman United Pastoral Association. This interfaith gathering consists of members from the Independent Catholic Church, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist churches. The local LDS president, an Iman, a retired Air Force Chaplain and a Flagstaff woman Rabbi round out the membership. Twice a year KUPA holds interfaith service to bring the community together, dispel false information about our religions, and to educate community members about our various faith traditions.
I have been honored by the Most Reverend Bishop Sue Provost to be named her Vicar General in 2017. I continue to look forward serving Divine Savior Catholic Community and The National Catholic Church of North America.
I was elected to the office of Bishop of The National Catholic Church of North America. On April 25, 2018, the second day of the 2018 Synod I became Bishop-elect by a unanimous vote. The consecration mass occurred in Kingman’s Divine Savior Independent Catholic Church on May 19, 2018. I will continue to serve Divine Savior as it’s pastor and look forward serving TNCCNA as its newest bishop.
Most recently in March of 2019 Bishop Sue decided to step down as presiding bishop and I was accepted as the new presiding bishop of the jurisdiction.
www.tnccna.website/
Pastor and Presiding Bishop of The National Catholic Church of North America
Back in the day some sixty years ago, it was common for priests from different religious orders to visit grammar schools and ask, “Who wants to be a priest?” It was the height of vocations to the priesthood and high school seminaries were common. From first grade on my hand would shoot up. I would hide a sheet in my grandma’s closet. This would serve as my vestment – just like a priest at mass!
By eighth grade I was getting the “Catholic Youth” magazine with an ad showing an eighth grader dressed up in a white missionary outfit, a safari hat and an airplane in the background over a globe. The caption read, “Be a Salvatorian and See the world”. I was hooked. Far away dreams from the southside of Chicago my mind wondered to Africa. At graduation I was headed to the Salvatorian Seminary in northern Wisconsin not as far away as Africa but still considerable distance from home for a fourteen year old.
Sending me off my father’s last words were, “Never be afraid to come home.” Great advice from a father since many in my freshmen class of seventy were treated with honors by their parents for making them so proud placing a great deal of pressure on some who were afraid to quit and go home. Dad never bragged on me in my presence and would stop aunts making a big deal about me in the seminary.
I continued to dream of being a missionary in Africa. By the end of college and first profession I began to think I could not learn languages. Latin was a real bust, so I was dreaming of becoming a social worker priest. That was still possible in those days of plenty and priest specialties were not uncommon.
During theology in the Washington D.C. area I experienced some of that dream. I was selected to live in a low-cost housing project run by Prince Georges County. I was to be the “presence” or representative of the local Catholic parish that fought hard to get it approved and have it built. After ordination they hired me and my confrere to be Tenant Advocates in all the county housing projects.
While finishing my studies, I was appointed the priest chaplain for separated and divorced Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington.
These experiences would shape my priesthood. One, the power and potential of the “poor” to speak for themselves, and two, the pain and suffering the Church can cause the faithful because of their rules.
From being a tenant advocate in public housing I transitioned into parish life in Southeast District of Columbia. After Prince Georges county Maryland I would be assigned to Nashville, Tennessee. From the south I went north and west to Sacramento, California where I had to learn Spanish. I was given the opportunity to study in Cuernavaca, Mexico for several months living with a family, daily classes and traveling. Also, a short stint in Elko, Nevada helping a fellow Salvatorian who was dying. Back to Sacramento and then to San Francisco to work for the St. Vincent de Paul Society in the five counties of the Bay Area as extension and renewal director. During this time, I was in discernment for the missions. Finally! Surprisingly I ended up with an extraordinary permission to go to Morocco, North Africa.
There I lived in a Muslim country not as a proselytizer but as “silent witness”. Studying Moroccan Arabic I was introduced in a most intimate way with Islam.
I was also sent to Paris to refine my French at the Institut Catholique.
Returning home to the states I ended up in Huntsville, Alabama. From there I was transferred to Mesa, Arizona to be part of a team taking over a parish handed to us Salvatorians.
I was primarily responsible for the Spanish speaking. In truth, this is when I really learned Spanish and fell in love with the Mexican culture.
In these years I also became involved with Charismatic Renewal. I would soon be named Diocesan Liaison for the Charismatic Renewal. I would be asked to return to that position three times in all. The last appointment was a full-time position with a Healing Center in South Phoenix. Some of the most amazing years of my priesthood was witnessing the transformative power of faith and real miracles.
Then I was named pastor for the first time in St. Nazianz, Wisconsin. This is the same community where I went to high school seminary.
A return to Arizona was in the cards where I’d be named pastor of Queen of Peace in Mesa. This would be my last assignment in the Roman Church.
After thirty-one years a priest I left the Church and moved to my future husband’s home in Kingman. There I started a new career as hospice chaplain. From that ministry came the call to return to the priesthood but in the Independent Catholic Church. Thus, came the birth of Divine Savior Catholic Community.
In addition to my hospice chaplaincy and having the honor of being the pastor of Divine Savior Independent Catholic Church I also was a founding member of KUPA. Kingman United Pastoral Association. This interfaith gathering consists of members from the Independent Catholic Church, Episcopal, Lutheran, and Methodist churches. The local LDS president, an Iman, a retired Air Force Chaplain and a Flagstaff woman Rabbi round out the membership. Twice a year KUPA holds interfaith service to bring the community together, dispel false information about our religions, and to educate community members about our various faith traditions.
I have been honored by the Most Reverend Bishop Sue Provost to be named her Vicar General in 2017. I continue to look forward serving Divine Savior Catholic Community and The National Catholic Church of North America.
I was elected to the office of Bishop of The National Catholic Church of North America. On April 25, 2018, the second day of the 2018 Synod I became Bishop-elect by a unanimous vote. The consecration mass occurred in Kingman’s Divine Savior Independent Catholic Church on May 19, 2018. I will continue to serve Divine Savior as it’s pastor and look forward serving TNCCNA as its newest bishop.
Most recently in March of 2019 Bishop Sue decided to step down as presiding bishop and I was accepted as the new presiding bishop of the jurisdiction.
www.tnccna.website/
Deacon Richard, Mother Kathleen, Bishop Michael, Bishop Leonard, Bishop Mark, Deacon Laura
IN MEMORIAM
deceased 9/17/17
Bishop William A. Wettingfeld - R.I.P.
Founding Bishop of
THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA
tnccna.com
deceased 9/17/17
Bishop William A. Wettingfeld - R.I.P.
Founding Bishop of
THE NATIONAL CATHOLIC CHURCH OF NORTH AMERICA
tnccna.com
ARCHBISHOP MICHAEL HILLIS - emeritus
Founding Bishop of our original jurisdiction
Reconciliation Old Catholic Church