Martha's Vineyard Campmeeting Association

Deacon Karl Gustav Buder

"The Clergy and the Laity, the balance between
the Royal Priesthood and the Ordained Ministry."

Tuesday, July 12, 2011
11:00 a.m.

Under the Tent

Karl Gustav Buder was born on November 4, 1948 in Putnam, Connecticut, the only child of Alexander and Rachel Buder. He attended Catholic grammar and high schools and graduated from Assumption College in Worcester, MA in 1970 with a BA in Political Science. He later received a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the University of Hartford in 1976. Mr. Buder worked as a probation officer, first with the State of Connecticut and later with United States District Court in Hartford, CT. His specialty was narcotics enforcement and treatment.

In 1972 after 6 years of courtship, he married his high school sweetheart, the former Lynn Peckham. They have two sons, Alexander, age 26, a third year seminarian for the Catholic priesthood at Mount Saint Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg, Maryland and Hans, age 24, currently in graduate school at Stanford University after completing a two year commitment in Teach For America in New Orleans.

In 1981 the Buders moved to Martha’s Vineyard after purchasing properties that would become Thorncroft Inn, which they have owned and operated ever since.

After 5 years in formation, he was ordained to the Roman Catholic clerical order of Deacon in the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts on October 7, 2007. He has been assigned to Good Shepherd Parish on Martha’s Vineyard ever since. A Deacon’s ministry is varied and includes baptisms and baptism preparation, weddings and marriage preparation, wakes, funerals, Eucharistic Adoration, preaching at Mass, Communion Services and formal teaching of the Catholic faith.