Flying Padre

For eight years, Father Fred Stadtmueller has been the priest at a primarily Hispanic parish in rural Harding County in northeastern New Mexico. Although he is based at the main parish church in Mosquero, the parish itself has eleven churches over a region of four thousand square miles. To be able to provide the necessary services to his parishioners effectively wherever they may be within the region, he purchased a single engine airplane six years ago, the Spirit of St. Joseph, which he himself flies, covering approximately twelve thousand miles a year in his work. Two days in his working life is presented, those two days which requires him to fly in and out of Mosquero several times. Beyond the regular and special occasion services he performs, he is often asked to deal with other one off issues, no issue too small, no parishioner who comes to him too young. Some of these issues are of an emergency nature, flying at a moment's notice which is not out of the question. He may find some time to indulge in personal pleasures and past-times, one of which includes taking care of the plane to ensure that it is always in good working condition for his work.