April 3, 2009
Father Eugene Schmitt ‘roasted’ at youth benefit
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
A “roast” of Father Eugene Schmitt was held on March 22 at St. Martin’s parish hall in Chrisney. The event was a Christian community gathering for the cluster parishes of St. Bernard Church in Rockport and St. Martin, according to Jim Snyder.
“It was a fundraiser put on by the St. Martin’s Youth Ministry, with help from St. Bernard pa-rishioners Herb Schulte, John Schulte and Father Eugene’s sister, Chris Cumbee,” Snyder said. “The proceeds will help fund the St. Martin Youth Group’s trip to Bardstown, Ky., which was the first diocese west of the Appalachian Mountains. It will also help fund activities such as Senior Citizen Bingo, Angle Tree Shopping (Christ-mas shopping for the needy), Ask Deacon Mike Night, Card Night and Paintball with Father Eugene.
Karen Waninger, wife of Deacon Mike Waninger, Alan Fleichmann and John Schulte roasted Father Eugene, but “the real reason for this event was to honor Father Eugene for all that he has done for our cluster parishes,” Snyder said.
“To honor Father Eugene we tried to surprise him by inviting some of his family members and a few close friends. They stood behind a curtain as they told a story about Father Eugene and he had to guess who they were. There were 30 friends and family members that came.”
Two people that could not be present for this event sent stories. They were Father Rick El-dred, a close friend, and Kelsey Riedford, one of Father Eugene’s many nieces and goddaughters.
Jim and Litha Snyder are sponsors of the St. Martin Youth Group, and said they wanted to thank all who had purchased tickets.
“We hope you enjoyed getting to know Father Eugene and his family as much as we did,” Snyder said. “Also, we truly appreciate the hard work of our very own Larry and Mona Gaesser, who once again made the best pork chops and creek fries in this part of the country.”