February 6, 2009
Around the Diocese
Joint Parish Council meeting
Deacon Dave Seibert, PLC at St. Theresa Church, Evansville, has a letter in a recent bulletin about the meeting with St. Theresa and St. Joseph parish councils.
“We had a meeting to explore opportunities to share resources between the parishes including personnel, property and programs. The purpose of the meeting was to explore the possibilities and determine if any opportunities exist that made sense for both communities.
“We had a very open and frank discussion of activities we have in common and also looked at areas that are different within each parish. This was NOT a meeting to discuss merging the parishes. This was NOT a meeting to discuss closing one or the other. What we did discover is that we are already cooperating on some activities, particularly in the religious education program. We also became aware of the concerns and perceptions we have of each other’s community.”
He said the decision was made that Deacon Richard Grannan and he would meet to discuss the outcome of the meeting and to decide if “further meetings would be fruitful.
“I thought the process was good because if we didn’t ask some of these questions, we would never know if something positive could come from sharing some aspects of our ministries.”
Happy Birthday!
Father Raymond Brenner, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Jasper, celebrates his birthday Feb. 12.
Father Ron Zgunda, pastor of St. Joseph Church, Princeton, and Blessed Sacrament Church, Oakland City, celebrates his birthday Feb. 12.
Deacon William Brandle of Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Haubstadt, celebrates his birthday Feb. 15.
Visiting the nursing homes
Parishioners in grades seven through 12 at the four Martin County churches are invited to “give of their free time to visit the residents of the Martin Coun-ty Nursing Center,” according to Shirley Jeffers, youth minister at St. John Church, Loogootee.
The project coordinator is Brittney Bateman. “She hopes to make this a monthly event with several students helping out. Students will just visit the first time and get to know the folks. Future visits will include projects like reading, doing nails and singing.”
Martin County Anniversaries
Congratulations to couples in Martin County parishes celebrating February wedding anniversaries:
- St. Mary Church, Shoals: Fred and Peggy Abel, 51 years;
- St. Martin Church, Whitfield: Delbert and Theresa Berry, 51 years; Tim and Alice Strange, 56 years;
- St. John Church, Loogootee: Ward and Sharon Smith, 46 years; Howard and Jean Tram-baugh, 61 years; Joseph and Olena Craney, 62 years; Jim and Kay Love, 46 years; Greg and Judy Rasico, 46 years; Nelson and Mary Ann Elliott, 51 years; Roy and Mary C. Byrer, 46 years; George and Mary Kay Patterson, 52 years; George and Jeanette Templin, 49 years; Jim and Mary Ann Vance, 42 years; Tom and Carla Williams, 41 years;
- St. Joseph Church, Bramble: David and Deanne Davidson, 53 years; John and Mag Beasley, 63 years; Vic and Terry Beckman, 56 years.
Geography bee
Alyssa Duncan has won the North Knox eighth grade 2009 geography bowl competition. She will now take a written test for state qualifications to compete at the state level. She is a parishioner at St. Philip Neri Church, Bicknell.
Please send information for AROUND THE DIOCESE to Mary Ann Hughes, The Message, P.O. Box 4169, Evansville, IN 47724. The e-mail address is mhughes@evansville-diocese.org.