May 14, 2010
Around the Diocese
National recognition
Congratulation to Donna Lefler, speech coach at Mater Dei High School, Evansville, who has earned a first diamond degree of membership to the National Forensic League. To receive this honor, she attained a total of 1,640 points during her coaching success over several years. Under her direction, students earned over 16,400 credit points.
In June, she will receive special recognition at the NFL National Speech and Debate Tournament in Kansas City, Mo.
Happy Birthday!
Father Gary Kaiser, pastor of Precious Blood Church, Jasper, celebrates his birthday May 20.
Deacon Thomas Evans, St. Matthew Church, Mount Vernon, and Holy Angels Church, New Harmony, celebrates his birthday May 22.
Anniversaries of ordination
Father Eugene Heerdink, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, was ordained to the priesthood May 19, 1951. He resides at 212 W. 13th St., Jasper, IN 47546.
Father Robert Wannemuehler, chaplain at Deaconess Hospital, was ordained to the priest-hood May 19, 1951. He lives at 1611 S. Bosse, Evansville, IN 47712.
Father Frank Renner, pastor of St. Mary Church, Sullivan, and St. Joan of Arc Church, Jasonville, was ordained to the priesthood May 22, 1981.
Father James Blessinger, pastor of Corpus Christi Church, Evansville, was ordained to the priesthood May 23, 1964.
Father John Schipp, pastor of Old Cathedral, Vincennes, and sacramental minister and moderator at St. Thomas Church, Vincennes, was ordained to the priesthood May 23, 1964.
Father Theodore Tempel, chaplain at the Little Sisters of the Poor Home for the Aged, was ordained to the priesthood May 23, 1964. His address is 1236 Lincoln Ave., Evansville IN, 47714.
Father Claude Burns, pastor at Holy Spirit Church, Evansville, was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 2002.
Father Paul Ferguson, pastor at Holy Redeemer Church, Evansville, was ordained to the priesthood May 25, 2002.
Leadership Academy
Ron Pittman, principal of St. Wendel School, St. Wendel, recently graduated from the Indiana Principal’s Leadership Academy. The graduation ceremony took place in Indianapolis with Dr. Suellen Reed, former Indiana Superintendent of Public Instruction, as the guest speaker.
The Indiana Principal’s Leadership Academy is a two-year professional development program for school principals in Indiana which focuses upon different aspects of leadership.
It’s a boy!
“We want to congratulate Chasity Bates, the art teacher at St. Joseph School, and her husband Travis on the birth of their baby boy, Emmitt Anderson,” writes Becky Dosher, secretary at the Vanderburgh County school.
“We wish them the best with their precious little boy. While Mrs. Bates is on maternity leave, Stephanie Freeman will be her substitute.”
Award given
Sister Darlene Boyd has been awarded the Spirit of United Way Award for her strong history of leadership and support of United Way. This is the most prestigious award offered each year by the United Way. It is given to an individual and a company that personifies the attributes of United Way — caring, trustworthy, innovative, dynamic, results-oriented and inspiring.
She is a chaplain at St. Mary’s Medical Center in Evansville and music minister at St. Mary Church, Evansville. She is a member of the Sisters for Christian Community.
Happy Birthday!
Donna Halverson, director of schools, celebrates her birthday May 19.
Charlotte Bennett, principal at St. John the Baptist School, Newburgh, celebrates her birthday May 20.
Nancy Mills, principal at Holy Spirit School, Evansville, celebrates her birthday May 25.
Healthy school
St. Philip School in Posey County received the following letter from Heather Stinson with the Indiana Department of Education, “Congratulations! Your school has been awarded a 2009-2010 Healthy Hoosier School Award! The Indiana Action for Healthy Kids Team, the Dairy and Nutrition Council, Inc., Whole Foods Market, the Indiana Department of Education, and Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at St. Vincent, applaud your efforts in working hard to create a healthier school environment.”
The Healthy Hoosier School Award honors Indiana schools that have policies and educational programs in place to promote good nutrition and increased physical activity among their students.
Jon Day, St. Philip’s physical education and health teacher, said, “We received the silver award. We should be really proud of this award; it is a credit to everyone’s hard work.”
Posey County winner
“Recently, the Indiana Troopers Association sponsored an essay contest entitled, ‘2010 What Being A Good Citizen Means To Me,’” writes Vickie Wannemuehler, principal at St. Matthew School, Mount Vernon.
“The Posey County winner is our very own Frank Simutis! Frank will receive a $100 US Savings Bond from the Indiana Troopers Association at their Statewide Awards Program in June at the Indiana State House in Indianapolis.”
Best artwork
The following eighth graders at Resurrection School in Evansville have had their artwork accepted into the Mater Dei High School Feeder School Art Show: Tamerea Kramer, Ariel Kuhn, Jered Schenk, Danielle Quinlin, Candace Harsh, Sydney Oliver and Shelby Dewig.
Tamerea Kramer’s artwork won first place overall in the show.
Happy Birthday!
Marty Brown, pastoral associate at St. John the Baptist Church, Newburgh, celebrates her birthday May 23.
School Board
Stacey Baehl and John Mulherin are the newest members of the School Board at St. James School in Haubstadt.
Anniversaries at St. John
Congratulations to couples at St. John the Baptist Church, Vincennes, celebrating May anniversaries: Azzie and Emma Cox, 56 years; John and Ann Mikiska, 54 years; Frank and Catherine Kahre, 49 years; Ron and Janet Turney, 47 years; Dan and Mary Herman, 46 years; David and Martha Davis, 45 years; Merlin and Billie Primus, 44 years; John and Carol Yochum, 43 years.
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.