October 16, 2009
People of Faith
Deacon Kempf touts daily prayer schedule
BY STEVE HALBIG
This is the fifth in a series on the new deacons of the diocese. They were ordained August 15 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.
Deacon Thomas Kempf, a member of St. Agnes Church on Evansville’s West Side, is doing his diaconal service there.
Deacon Kempf, 53, owns a heating and air-conditioning business.
He and his wife, Sheldona, are the parents of two grown children.
A native of Evansville, Kempf attended Ivy Tech for the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning program and is in his final year at the University of Evansville, where he is getting a bachelor’s degree in global leadership.
What prompted you to pursue this ministry? Has always been interested in church things. Has been a lector for 25 years, is in love with Scriptures, has been involved with Bible studies and soup kitchens. “And people have asked me if I would be interested in being a deacon.”
Tell us a few things about yourself: “Love to read.” In 2006, he and his wife basically stopped watching television. He also likes hiking and traveling, especially to the state parks.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life? Three people — Jesus Christ: “The more I learn, the more I want to know.” Father John Corapi: His widely acclaimed series on the Catechism of the Catholic Church entitled “The Teaching of Jesus Christ” is used throughout the world as a course in religious education and catechesis. Corapi appears regularly on EWTN. Rush Limbaugh: Enjoy listening to him.
What are your goals as a deacon? Want to stay involved in catechesis teaching, a program to help married couples, and RCIA. At the same time he “is open for whatever the Holy Spirit has in mind.”
Do you have any favorite books you would recommend to others? The Bible. “The Education of Little Tree” by Forrest Carter. The story centers on a clever child’s relationship with his Scottish-Cherokee grandfather, a man named Wales. “Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck; loves his writing style so any Steinbeck book gets high praise. “Good Earth” by Pearl Buck and Upton Sinclair’s “Jungle.” He just likes books of that nature.
Do you have any routines in your spiritual life that you would recommend to others? He’s a strong believer in establishing a prayer schedule. In his case, he does his devotions at 5 a.m. Says if he misses that, his day just doesn’t go as well. He also would like for people “to get away from the TV set.”
Email steve@themessageonline.org