After a quarter of a century serving the Native American Ministry of the Diocese of San Bernardino, which includes the St. Joseph Mission Church at the Soboba Reservation, Father Earl Henley has retired. A dinner celebration was held on June 5 at the Soboba Springs Golf Course banquet room to wish him a heartfelt farewell.
The purpose of the event was for the congregation to show the love and appreciation they have for Henley’s 26 years of service to their church and the reservation communities.
Henley resided at St Joseph Mission rectory on the Soboba Reservation, reaching out to other Tribal communities once a month. He served at chapels at the following reservations: Torres Martinez Desert Cahuilla (Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary), Santa Rosa Band of Cahuilla Indians (St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church), Pechanga Band of Indians (St. Michael), Cahuilla Band of Indians (Our Lady of the Snows), and Morongo Band of Mission Indians (St. Mary’s). The distance between Soboba and the rest of the communities varies from 25 to 80 miles.
Many Tribal members from those neighboring reservations, and other community parishioners, joined the celebration that included special gifts for the outgoing priest. He was presented with an eagle feather and guests contributed to a money tree to assist him in his next chapter of life.
Although he is officially referred to as a pastor and a chaplain, Henley calls himself “a missionary of the heart,” and said he sees many people at St. Joseph’s that have missionary hearts.
“I celebrate the Eucharist as well as many baptisms, first reconciliations, first communions, funerals, and one-year funeral anniversaries for all six communities,” Henley said. “The mission focus is on strengthening the community by bringing Catholic teaching and values while honoring and preserving Native American traditions.”
Ordained to the priesthood in 1969 through the Archdiocese of Louisville, Kentucky, Henley belongs to the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart order. Within two years, he was appointed to work in Papua New Guinea, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. He worked there for 23 years before returning to America. After about four years of being involved with various programs in Youngstown, Ohio, Henley said he felt a little inner voice tugging at his heart to be a missionary again.
“I prayed, listened, talked, and found another missionary dream two years later when I took up the position as pastor/chaplain of the Native American Ministry in the Diocese of San Bernardino on July 1, 2000,” he said. “Indian ministry is a completely different world and I’ve learned a lot.”
Henley said the people that work at the church are all volunteers and are there to serve. He has faced several health problems and was supported through it all by the community. “They stir my spirit,” he said.
Henley’s final Mass at Soboba was June 22 and his final day with the Diocese was July 8. He celebrated his 84th birthday at the end of May and has moved to Pennsylvania to reside at an assisted living facility. He plans to work on a book about his experiences serving two completely different cultures during his lifetime.
The Church of St. Joseph on the Soboba Reservation was established in 1883. Luiseño Indians came from San Luis Rey and were called the "Indians by the Sea" until they moved inland. At that time there were priests who would travel to where the Indians were living. Rev. Florian Hahn and Rev. P.J. Stockman traveled from Banning. In 1888 a mission was founded at Soboba by Fr. Stockman and was called St. Rose of Lima, who is the patron saint of Native Americans. After an earthquake in 1899, St. Rose of Lima was rebuilt by the priest and parishioners in 1910. It was given the name of St. Joseph.
To mark the church’s centennial in 2010, a time capsule containing memories of the community was dedicated and is scheduled to be opened on Dec. 12, 2110. Henley donated a chalice to the capsule.
In 2004 the school of St. Jude began on the church property. There are 30 students from grades Kindergarten through fifth. Henley served on the school’s Board of Directors as did Rev. Robert “Alex” Anthony, M.S.C. who will be taking his place at the pulpit.
A golf tournament fundraiser to benefit the church was held at Golden Era Golf Course June 27. The well-attended event was organized by Felix and Sally Ortiz, who hope to make it an annual fundraiser. All proceeds are earmarked for much-needed maintenance and restoration projects for the church that is more than a century old. All repairs and needs will be done with the help of Father Alex.
Sally said they held a successful golf tournament in 2019 for St. Jude School and were approached by Father Earl to organize one to assist with a roof leak at the church, among other needed repairs. The latest fundraiser was met with great support from the community. There were 27 sign sponsors and local businesses who either golfed and/or donated ice, gifts, gift cards, food, and more. Lance Graff from the Knights of Columbus volunteered to cook for all the guests.
“My grandmother Ruth Masiel was a dedicated parishioner and we attended sporadically,” Sally said. “We will mostly miss Father Earl and his good deeds as he was always willing to assist us with funerals and wedding vow renewals. Felix and I renewed our vows in 2012.”
She said Father Earl has a great spirit about him. “He really adjusted well in the Native community and how we do things traditionally and culturally,” Sally said.
Photos courtesy of the Soboba Band of Luiseño Indians
