January 29, 2010
New facilities manager seeks more youth functions at Catholic Center, Sarto
George Fleming looks up from his computer in his office at the Catholic Center in Evansville. (Message photo by Paul R. Leingang) Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
George Fleming, 43, is the new Facilities and Activities Manager for the Catholic Center, Sarto Retreat House Villa Maria, Rabenwood and the bishop’s house, all in Evansville. He was appointed by Tim McGuire, chief operation officer for the diocese.
For the previous five years, Fleming has served as maintenance supervisor at the Catholic Center and Sarto. He now has added some of the responsibilities for the other functions of the Activities Department which were handled by George Anne Ryder until her retirement in 2009.
Julie Young, activities coordinator, will continue her existing duties, which include scheduling meetings and retreats and overseeing the kitchen personnel and the receptionist.
The Catholic Center is the location for most of the offices of the Diocese of Evansville, including offices of the bishop, chancellor, tribunal, treasurer and other departments. Sarto and the Catholic Center annually serve more than 20,000 people who use the dining facilities, meeting spaces and 50 private rooms for workshops, retreats, overnight and weekend events.
Together, the Catholic Center and Sarto Retreat House are located on a 50-acre site in the northern part of Evansville. A large field provides space for soccer and other sporting events.
“My goal is to utilize the property more as far as youth functions are concerned,” Fleming said. He has been meeting with Steve Dabrowski, diocesan director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry.
“I want to get more people coming here, and understanding what the diocese is and what it does,” Fleming said.
Rabenwood Retreat House is a diocesan property near St. Wendel. It is a log cabin that was given to the diocese.
Villa Maria, adjacent to Memorial High School in Evansville, is now moth-balled until new usage can be determined. It was originally a home for sisters serving the area. Most recently it served as a retirement home for diocesan priests.
The bishop’s house is located near the Catholic Center in the northern part of Evansville. It was purchased by the diocese for Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger in 1989, while Bishop Francis R. Shea remained in the Evansville home he had occupied during all of his episcopacy.
Fleming, a native of Council Bluffs, Iowa, served as an electrician in the U.S. Navy for nine years. He has had experience at Kimball and AristoKraft in southwestern Indiana, and at other manufacturing plants.
Before coming to work with the diocese, he was at Premier Manufacturing, a company res-ponsible for maintaining and cleaning at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc., at Princeton.
George and his wife Tess are members of Good Shepherd Church in Evansville; their two children, Kade and Sydney attend Good Shepherd School.