By Karina Fabian

Deacon Jim Butts’ involvement in the Church has given him an awareness of social justice that he was able to use in his own business before becoming a full-time deacon.

After attending college, Butts had started his own logging company, Jim Butts Logging, which he owned for 28 years. However, one of the difficulties he had found was in being able to really provide for his employees. “The cost of business was so high, it was difficult to provide a just wage and the benefits like health insurance. The cost was so high, it was unaffordable,” he said.

In the mid-90s, he found his answer: Using the principles of Catholic social justice, he turned his company into an employee-owned business. In this way, the employees could take a greater share of the profits and purchase their own health insurance, which was more affordable.

He stayed on to manage the business for a few more years, finally leaving in 2000 when he was ordained a deacon.

Deacon Butts now works full-time at Pope John Paul II Parish in Bigfork, where he works with Monsignor Donald Shea with whatever he needs. “I make sure things get done and try to get as many people as I can engaged in the work of the Church,” he said.

He is also director of the diocese’s Catholic Campaign for Human Development, which he’s been involved with at many levels – diocese to national – since 1999. The American Bishops’ program to fight poverty in America, it does not give money out, but rather provides grant funding to communities to make changes to help people bring themselves out of poverty. For example, one group in Missoula used CCHD funding to build low-income housing.

Deacon Butts has worked with groups who have created education programs on the reservations. Other groups start job service, housing projects or even businesses.

“I met one group from south Chicago who started a community savings and loan. To hear them explain to the bishops the impact their bank had on the community there – it was a blessing,” he said. “People can become very creative when they have compassion for each other or compassion for the poor.”

In addition to a passion for social justice, he has a passion for hiking in Glacier Park. “My goal in life is to travel all the major trail systems in Glacier Park before the Lord calls me home. Probably too many, but I’m going to work on them!” he said.

Deacon Butts is married to Kate and they have five grown children (Erin, Sarah, Justine, John and Tyler) and one grandchild, Alexia.


Published in The Montana Catholic, Vol. 24, No. 12, December 19, 2008.