November 27, 2009
Around the Diocese
The season of Advent
“According to commercials, Christmas is just around the corner,” writes Father Jason Gries in the bulletin at St. Philip Neri Church in Bicknell.
“You would have thought that was the case a month ago though because of the Christ-mas gifts and decorations already present at some stores.
“In our Catholic faith though, we don’t just go from Thanksgiving to Christmas. We have that wonderful season of prep-aration, Advent. It is not a season of preparing the gifts or even decorations, but preparing ourselves to truly celebrate Christ’s birth.
“One of the simplest reminders of this season is the Advent wreath.”
Father Gries is inviting parishioners to bring their family Advent wreath to the parish to be blessed on Nov. 28 and 29. “Let’s really take the time to prepare for Christ’s birth at Christ-mas by bringing a little bit of the Church to our homes.”
Happy Birthday!
Deacon Joseph Stofleth of St. Mary Church, Evansville, celebrates his birthday Dec. 1.
Father Stephen Lintzenich, celebrates his birthday Dec. 7. He is pastor of St. Mary Church, Evansville, sacramental minister and moderator at St. John Church, Evansville, moderator at Good Shepherd Church and St. Joseph churches, both in Evansville, moderator at St. John Chrysostom Church, New Boston, and part-time clergy personnel director.
Father Firmus Dick, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, celebrates his birthday Dec. 9. He resides at 3203 E. 1160 S., Ferdinand, IN 47532.
Hospitality
Joanie Cassell has begun her three-year term as chairperson of the Hospitality Commission at St. Nicholas Church, Santa Claus. Commission members include Charlene Hess, Pam Schatz, Dawn Greulich, Julie Bandelin, Cyndi Kramer, Kara Hinshaw and April Susnjara.
Retirement plans
“I will turn 65 on July 18, 2010,” writes Father Joseph Erbacher in the bulletin at St. John Church, Loogootee. “In the Diocese of Evansville, we can retire at 65 if we so choose. This past week I have made known to the diocese and the personnel board that my intention is not to retire at 65, but continue on until July 18, 2012 at which time I will have been an active priest for a total of 40 years.
“My health is relatively good, I love being a priest, and above all I am most grateful to the Lord for all the many blessings he has shown me. And so whatever and wherever Bishop Get-telfinger wishes to assign me, that’s where I shall go. I will be most happy to remain as pastor of ‘the MCCC’ [Martin County Catholic churches] if that is the bishop’s desire.”
Cookbook
The 2010 Quasquicentennial Committee at St. Raphael Church, Dubois, is currently working on a town cookbook in conjunction with the town of Dubois 125 year celebration next year
Happy Birthday!
Sharon Vogler, DRE at St. Joseph Church, Vanderburgh County, celebrates her birthday Dec. 9.
Anniversaries at St. John
Congratulations to couples at St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, celebrating Novem-ber wedding anniversaries: Robert and Virginia Vieke, 61 years; Richard and Mary Vieck, 61 years; Charles and Janice Selby, 58 years; William and Patty Zeabart, 57 years; Francis and Mary Halter, 53 years; George and Rosemary Kaiser, 48 years; Gary and Bonnie Tooley, 45 years; Jack and Judy Kotter, 43 years; Paul and Kathy Brown, 43 years; Donald and Mary Collins, 41 years; Larry and Sandra Bohmeier, 41 years.
Future plans
Parishioners at St. Joseph Church, Jasper, “should be able to see some grass coming up where the old Parish Center stood,” writes Father Ray Brenner in the parish bulletin.
“Currently the plan is to simply put it in lawn. I still would like to see us put up some kind of memorial to St. Mother Theodore Guerin if our economy improves or we receive some significant bequest for the cause. I do not see us turning it into parking spaces.”
1,000 cans
Students at St. James School in Haubstadt have set a goal of collecting 1,000 cans of food in their canned food drive.
Cans for Cash
St. James Church and School in Haubstadt, St. Joseph School in Vanderburgh County and St. Benedict Cathedral School in Evansville received first, second and third place in the Cans for Cash challenge sponsored by Alcoa Warrick Operations and Keep Evansville Beautiful.
A total of 4,062 pounds of aluminum was recycled. “The goal was to get people to realize there is money in those aluminum cans they’ve been throwing away,” said Ann Ennis, executive director of Keep Evansville Beautiful.
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 maryann@themessageonline.org.