March 27, 2009
The Bishop's Forum
Reminiscing 1989
by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
The latest edition of the Message in the form of a beautiful magazine honors me after 20 years of fidelity to you as bishop of the Catholic of Evansville.
Review the calendar of events from the time of my phone call on March 8, 1989, signing of my appointment by Pope John Paul II on the 11th of March; the public announcement of my appointment on March 15, 1989 (the date of Father Sylvester Schroeder’s death) and my ordination on April 11, 1989.
Behind the scenes, Sister Sandra Schweitzer not only designed my ordination ring (a gift from Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis) but had her design fabricated in Indianapolis.
In addition, the staff of the Evansville Catholic Center went into ‘orbit speed’ as I allowed them only three weeks to work out, not only the communications but logistics for the welcoming and installation of a new bishop.
As a humorous aside, on March 15th when I visited Bishop Shea and Monsignor Knapp, I asked Monsignor Knapp if they had a fax machine in the office. He responded with a negative. I suggested that he needed to rent one otherwise this could never work. Bishop Shea was aghast at the sudden and immediate change of administration utilizing modern technology.
What you may not have realized is that the same limited staff had been preparing for six to eight months for the celebration of the Tradition at Roberts Stadium. They were all very anxious about its success when I entered the scene. They didn’t need the additional burdens, but the folks of our diocese are “can do” folks when called upon to perform and produce!
The simple picture of me in the magazine wearing the “Chief Teacher”
T-shirt with Governor Evan Bayh in no way captures the fantastic Catholic spirit of the faithful of our diocese. What a grand celebration of Catholic schooling in our diocese!
Often I have said to my immediate staff and to our priests that there is very little you cannot produce no matter the brevity of the timeline. They all have done it not only then but for the diocese and for me personally for TWENTY YEARS! My thank you is a feeble expression but real!
They all deserve your gratitude and kudos! Express it to them. They know of mine! I am so proud and grateful to all our priests, religious, laity and unnamed generous contributors to the Catholic life in the diocese.
Next Week: The Vanderburgh County Pro-Life Banquet