October 30, 2009
Catholic schools in diocese to pray for priests
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
The Catholic schools in the Diocese of Evansville will observe the Year for Priests by praying for the priests who currently serve the diocese. Active and retired priests are included on a calendar distributed by the diocesan Office of Schools.
The prayer calendar begins in November and continues through the third week in March, completing the prayer list in the week before spring break.
The list begins with Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger and then continues with an alphabetical listing from A to Z — from Father Donald Ackerman to Father Joseph Ziliak. An exception is made on the first Friday of each month, when students and staff will pray for their school pastor or chaplain. An-other exception is made on certain feast days.
Following is the list for the first week of November:
- Monday, Nov. 2: All Souls Day
- Tuesday, Nov. 3: Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger
- Bishop Gettelfinger was ordained a priest at St. Meinrad Seminary, May 7, 1961.
- Wednesday, Nov. 4: Father Donald Ackerman
- Father Ackerman, residing in Jasper, was ordained March 18, 1961. He continues to provide sacramental service since his retirement in 2005. In addition to his parish ministry, he taught at Rex Mundi High School and served as superintendent of Memorial High School, both in Evansville; and also taught at Washington Catholic High School in Washington.
- Thursday, Nov. 5: Father Kenneth Betz
- Father Betz, pastor of St. James Church in Haubstadt, was ordained May 27, 1965. While serving in parish ministry, Father Betz also taught at St. John High School in Loo-gootee, Washington Catholic High School in Washington, Rivet High School in Vincennes and Memorial High School in Evansville.
- Friday, Nov. 6: School pastor or chaplain