Precious Blood Catholic Church's Father Leo announces retirement ...

By: Amy Wagner, Contributing writer | Culpeper Star Exponent
Published: June 20, 2012 Updated: June 20, 2012 - 12:00 AM

He travelled a long way from the Netherlands to the United States 53 years ago, and since landing in Culpeper in 1979, Father Leo Zonneveld has made an indelible mark on the community and the parish at Precious Blood Catholic Church.?

A rock for so many for so long, a bulletin insert revealed Zonneveld?s retirement recently to his family at Precious Blood, acknowledging that he will lead his final Mass, as pastor at the church, on Sunday, July 8 at 11 a.m.

Many tears and countless hugs concluded the service Sunday as congregation members headed home with heavy hearts.?

Born and raised in Holland, Zonneveld?s mother was a devout Catholic and his father was a tulip bulb farmer.

One of 10 children, Zonneveld spent his childhood working the family flower bulb farm. Always in charge of the garden, Zonneveld?s love of gardening continued and for most of his time at Precious Blood, the gardens were under his direct care.

Growing up, his mother?s constant display of selflessness fed Zonneveld?s desire to become a missionary and help others. Zonneveld began seminary in 1946, at 11 years of age, and spent 18 years training for priesthood.?

After becoming ordained in 1958 he travelled to the United States and earned a Masters in Philosopy and later a Doctorate from Catholic University.

Zonneveld assisted at various parishes in Northern Virginia; taught math at a Catholic school and taught Philosophy at Catholic University.

A missionary congregation since 1946, Precious Blood is assigned priests from Missionhurst, a religious order of priests located in Arlington, where Zonneveld served, from 1969 ? 1979, as Provincial over 110 parishes throughout the United States. Upon retirement, Zonneveld plans to reside at Missionhurst where he said, with a hint of remorse in his voice, ?Life will be more relaxed upon retirement; I won?t have a list of things I have to do.?

Bobbie Terry, founding principal at Epiphany Catholic School, expressed very mixed emotions as she spoke about Zonneveld?s retirement from Precious Blood. Terry has known Zonneveld since the day he came to Precious Blood.

A rock of support for the school board, Terry shared how Zonneveld ?Took the role of being the man in charge of the school. Father Leo has devoted a lot of time to the school and church.

?His gift was his homilies to the children. They were so deeply thought out and well delivered.?

Anne Schuyler, office manager at the school, recalled the way Zonneveld broke the news of his forthcoming retirement to the students and their parents during Mass on the last day of school, June 11.

?He announced his retirement relating it to the story of Barnabus in the Bible,? said Schuyler. Ironically, similar to Zonneveld, Barnabus was an encourager and one of the most quietly influential people in the early days of Christianity.

During a recent interview in the Rectory, Zonneveld described himself as a slow starter.

?I need some time to be outgoing with a particular person,? he said. ?I take inventory to see what a person is like before investing. I study things very carefully and reflect on decisions.?

He went on to speak of his contemplative side. ?I am pretty happy by myself. I go to church and have quiet time and pray for about an hour every day.

Terry, Schuyler and Wendy Murphy, principal at Epiphany, laughed when asked about Zonneveld?s quiet side.

?We always worried when Father Leo had ?thinking time?,? said Murphy. Terry and Schuyler giggled adding, ?We used to worry when he went to Arlington because he had the drive down and back which gave him a lot of thinking time. He?d come back and say, ?you know, I have this idea . . .?

Zonneveld admits he doesn?t like a lot of fuss.

?I keep things simple; I like things clean but not fancy,? he said.

This explains his take on technology. ?It?s not part of my personality and upbringing ? I don?t need it,? he points out.

Acknowledging he likes to use technology, Zonneveld admits he doesn?t always see that it is better.? ?Learning is a job,? said Zonneveld. ?You can?t improve it by just adding technology. We should use it in moderation and not get consumed in all the gimmicks.?

During his time of service at Precious Blood Zonneveld has been a rock for the congregation as they expanded the church grounds; started a preschool and then an elementary school [Epiphany]; and grew from a small congregation of 139 to the current membership of 1,100 families. During his almost 33 years at Precious Blood, he feels he has done his best to give good service to the people, mentioning his 3,300 visits to the hospital. Zonneveld has also been a constant rock in the community through his involvement with the Hospice program and food closet.??

Almost misty eyed at times, Zonneveld who celebrates his 78th birthday in September, said he will miss the people the most when he retires.

?You become invested in the people. I will miss the love and affection I experience on a daily basis. As a priest, you don?t replace that when you retire. There is no ?new? family at another parish,? said Zonneveld.? ?People have been very good to me; they spoil Priests here.?

Kelly Bennett, Coordinator of Youth Ministries, recalls how closely she has worked with Zonneveld over the past six years in her position. Overcome with emotion on Sunday, she fondly remarked later that she supposed it was time he moved on. ?He is ready to relax. We drove him to insanity,? she joked. ?Actually,? she exclaimed, laughing, ?I drove him out of Culpeper!??

Some of Zonneveld?s most memorable moments during his time at Precious Blood include the 100th anniversary of the church, celebrated in 1992, and his 40th and 50th ordination celebrations.

Owning property off 299, behind the Baptist Home, Zonneveld had hoped the church family would have been able to build a school there during his time at Precious Blood, however low enrollment numbers, economic issues, and water and sewer problems prevented them from proceeding. This, he said, is perhaps his biggest regret.

Seemingly satisfied and happy with all he has done as he prepares for retirement, Zonneveld briefly summarized where he?s been and what may be on the horizon.

?I have flown a little airplane and I wanted to eat a snake and I did that. I wanted to eat raw fish in Japan and I?ve done that. I?m not adding anything to it; my list of things to do.?

However, just as quickly as he said it, he adds, ?I have never been to the New England area. One of my dreams is to go there in the fall when the leaves are in full color. Like an old priest once said, ?I haven?t seen it but I can imagine it.??

Zonneveld said that priests usually submit their resignation by age 75, moving into a retirement place while continuing to do some ministry work.

Zonneveld will lead his last service on July 8. All services that weekend; 6 p.m. Saturday and 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Sunday, will be followed by a special reception in his honor. He plans to continue to do some ministry work after he retires, reside in Arlington, and visit Precious Blood from time to time to perform baptisms and weddings as he?s been requested. Father Anselm Malonda, from Missionhurst, will be the new residing priest at Precious Blood upon Zonneveld?s departure.

A rock of ages, Zonneveld is affectionately known as ?Father Leo? to most everyone who has come in contact with him. He was a rock, serving, as Pat Hetrick, office manager for Precious Blood said, as the foundation for growth from the first day he arrived.

Hetrick refers to him as a constant in her life for the past 21 years. She described Zonneveld a bit differently than he described himself, using words like devoted, dedicated, loyal, financially savvy, loving and friend.

He engaged and inspired the children; supported and educated the youth; provided wisdom and guidance to the adults and responded to the needs of the community.

To the congregation of Precious Blood and to the community of Culpeper, Zonneveld will remain a rock for all ages.

Amy Wagner covers church news for the Star Exponent. Have a story idea? E-mail her at recopps2002@comcast.net.

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Want to go?

What: Retirement Celebration Service for Father Leo Zonneveld, pastor of Precious Blood Catholic Church

Where: 114 East Edmondson Street in Culpeper

When: Saturday, July 7 at 6 p.m.; Sunday, July 8 at 8:30 a.m. and 11 a.m. Reception to follow each service

For more information, contact the Rectory office at 540-825-8945

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