When Glenmary Brother Craig Digmann gets up in the morning, he looks at his to-do list then goes one step further. “I realize I have to ask, ‘Lord what do you want me to do?’ It’s an openness to that little, small voice and to the Spirit leading me. God knows what He’s doing. I’m just trying to tag along with the Holy Spirit.”

Brother Craig is assigned to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church in Plymouth [Washington County], North Carolina. There he is Involved in a wide variety of ministries, serving on 20 boards and committees throughout the county. “As a Brother, I exclusively reach out to the non-Catholics in Washington County.”

He attends Mass every day it’s offered at St. Joan of Arc and on some Sundays Brother Craig goes to five different [non-Catholic] churches in an effort to promote Christian, racial, and class unity. “I’m just a representative of the Catholic Church, Glenmary, St. Joan of Arc Parish, and Catholicism in general. A good part of my time is spent dispelling myths about the Catholic Church. People end up having a much different perspective of Catholicism — anti-Catholics begin seeing Catholics as Christians, then allowing a child to marry a Catholic. They’re all steps in a gradual conversion from anti-Catholic beliefs,” says Brother Craig.

Of his efforts, Brother Craig continues, “I’m just walking with my brothers and sisters on this journey of life. They know I’m a Catholic missionary and there’s a lot learned from each other. This is planting seeds.”

One of the more personal ways Brother Craig connects with others is riding his one-speed bike through Plymouth. “There are more people on bikes here than any other mission I’ve ever been in. Groceries are hanging on their handlebars. On my bike, it’s a way to converse more easily — people stop their cars to talk, people sitting on their porch will holler and I’ll pull up to their porch.”

Those conversations lead to evangelization which comes together through trust and respect, notes Brother Craig. “The Lord has blessed me. I am so grateful that the Lord has given me the disposition, patience, whatever it takes to do this type of ministry.”

The most meaningful aspects of his varied ministries are involvement with the public schools and visiting area churches. “There is such a high need in the schools. I greet the students and go to their athletic events. Then I’m able to complement them the next day on a basketball shot or football catch.”

A visible sign of Catholicism is the pendant of the Sacred Heart of Jesus which Brother Craig has worn for 35 years. “The ladies at the checkout line will see the Sacred Heart and it strikes up a conversation. I say, ‘don’t ever forget that Jesus loves you.’”

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