January 22, 2010
Year for Priests
On the calendar: Praying for priests
By PAUL R. LEINGANG
In conjunction with the Catholic Schools Office, the Message is publishing a calendar during the Year for Priests. Students and staff are committed to praying for a priest each day, and parishioners are invited to participate.
- Monday, January 25: Father Ron Kreilein
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Father Ronald Kreilein, 54, was ordained June 2, 2007.
Father Kreilein had attended Magister Noster High School in Evansville until it closed, then graduated from Jasper High School.
He had intended to go to St. Meinrad Seminary, but instead decide he wanted to be a pilot. He flew corporate airplanes for 28 years before returning to his earlier path to the priesthood.
After completing theology studies at Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisc, he was ordained June 2, 2007.
He was first assigned to St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh as associate pastor. In November 2008 he was named pastor of St. Peter Celestine Church in Celestine and St. Raphael Church in Dubois.
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Father Ronald Kreilein, 54, was ordained June 2, 2007.
- Tuesday, January 26: Father Ray Kuper
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Father Raymond L. Kuper, 71, is a Jasper native who studied at St. Meinrad Seminary and in Innsbruck. He was ordained March 14, 1964.
In addition to parish ministry, he has taught at the former St. Ferdinand High School in Ferdinand and served as superintendent of Rex Mundi High School in Evansville, superintendent of Evansville area schools, diocesan superintendent of schools, and diocesan director of Catholic education.
His years of parish service included appointments as pastor of St. Bernard Church in Rockport (1989), St. Agnes Church, Evansville (1994) and Holy Rosary, Evansville (2000).
Father Kuper retired in July 2006, continuing to provide sacramental ministry.
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Father Raymond L. Kuper, 71, is a Jasper native who studied at St. Meinrad Seminary and in Innsbruck. He was ordained March 14, 1964.
- Wednesday, January 27: Father Henry Kuykendall
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Father Henry L. Kuykendall, 70, was born in Union County, Ky., and later moved to Evansville.
His preparation for the priesthood included St. Mary’s College and St. Maur’s Semi-nary, both in Kentucky, Fordham University in New York and Sacred Heart School of Theology in Hales Corners, Wisc.
He was ordained June 6, 1986.
He has been active in Ministry of the Deaf and Ministry of the Spanish Speaking.
Father Kuykendall’s first assignment was to Holy Redeemer Church in Evansville as associate pastor, then to St. John the Baptist Church in Newburg as associate.
He has served as pastor of Nativity Church in Evansville since 1990, adding Holy Spirit Church in Evansville to his responsiblities from 1998 to 2005.
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Father Henry L. Kuykendall, 70, was born in Union County, Ky., and later moved to Evansville.
- Thursday, January 28: Father John Lefler
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Father John W. Lefler, 78, is a native of Fort Branch. He studied for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary and in Innsbruck.
He was ordained April 6, 1957.
In addition to his parish work, he taught at Magister Noster High School in Evansville.
His first assignment was to Sacred Heart Church in Evansville as associate pastor. Over the years of his ministry, he served other parishes in Evansville, Cannelburg, Corning, Boonville, Petersburg and Mount Vernon.
He was named pastor of St. Martin Church in Chrisney in 1984, then to the clergy assistance pool in 1989, serving St. Joseph Church in Dale and St. Clement Church in Boonville. He retired in 1994.
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Father John W. Lefler, 78, is a native of Fort Branch. He studied for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary and in Innsbruck.
- Friday, January 29: Father Steve Lintzenich
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Father Stephen P. Lintzenich, 62, is a native of Evansville. He studied for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary and at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore.
He was ordained June 22, 1974 and appointed associate pastor of Holy Cross Church in Fort Branch. He went to Holy Rosary Church in Evansville as associate in 1978, to St. Wendel in 1981, and then was named pastor of St. Mary Church in 1983. Since 1999, he has also served as pastoral moderator and sacramental minister at St. John the Apostle Church in Evansville, where Blessed Sacrament Sister Jane Nesmith is the pastoral life coordinator.
He holds a variety of titles — including part time clergy personnel director for the diocese, along with his parish responsibilities.
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Father Stephen P. Lintzenich, 62, is a native of Evansville. He studied for the priesthood at St. Meinrad Seminary and at St. Mary Seminary in Baltimore.