July 16, 2010
Around the Diocese
Update at Mater Dei
Timothy “Tad” Dickel, executive director at Mater Dei High School, Evansville, writes in a letter to parents, “Over the last three years, I have strived to add college courses at Mater Dei. Students now have the opportunity to complete over 30 college credits at Mater Dei at a substantially reduced cost compared to standard college tuition.
“During this school year, 109 or 38 percent of juniors and seniors took advantage of this costsaving opportunity. In the future, I hope to see more students graduate with college credits.”
He noted that “several projects have been planned for this summer to improve our facilities and educational experiences for students.
“One project that will greatly enhance the school is the mounting of LCD projectors in all classrooms. We will also purchase more Netbooks in an effort to provide greater technology resources to students. These projects are funded through donations to the Mater Dei Annual Fund.”
Happy Birthday!
Father Kenneth Walker, Judicial Vicar in the Diocesan Tribunal, celebrates his birthday July 22. He resides at Sarto Retreat Center in Evansville, and is sacramental minister on weekends at the four parishes in Martin County.
Deacon Dennis Russell, St. Mary Church, Evansville, celebrates his birthday July 25.
Deacon Gerald Gagne of Precious Blood Church, Jasper, celebrates his birthday July 27.
Donations
“The four Catholic parishes of Martin County have generously donated the following dollar amounts to Habitat for Humanity: St. John, $1,000, St. Martin, $500, St. Joseph, $1,500, and St. Mary, $1,000,” writes Father Joseph Erbacher, pastor.
“We feel extremely blessed that each parish is in the position to make these donations to worthy causes.”
He added, “I assure you that each parish is generous in their charitable giving and works of mercy throughout the year.”
Trip to Evansville
“The juniors/seniors trip to Evansville last Sunday was a great one!” writes Shirley Jeffers, youth minister at St. John Church, Loogootee.
“We attended Mass at St. John the Apostle, worked in the soup kitchen (serving around 150), ate supper together and then hung out in the mall awhile.
“Thanks so much to Tia Pennington, Chelsea Clifton, Tyler Jacobs, Leah Lottes, Kayla Dant, Gayle Strange and Rod Hedrick.
Happy Birthday!
Mickie Paulin, DRE at St. Mary Church, Ireland, celebrates her birthday July 26.
Martin County anniversaries
Congratulations to couples in Martin County parishes who are celebrating July wedding anniversaries.
- St. Mary Church, Shoals: George and Sue Sims, 57 years; Jim and Won Niemeyer, 40 years
- St. John Church, Loogootee: Don and Mary Sue Sterling, 55 Years; John and Sharon Mudd, 44 years; Richard and Carolyn Taylor, 45 years; Spencer and Iva Lundy, 42 years; Gary and Roberta Williams, 41 years; Tony and Marlene Bullock, 42 years; Don and Norma Lannan, 64 years.
Retirement
In a note to parishioners at Precious Blood Church, Jasper, Providence Sister Gloria Memering writes, “Yes, I will be relieved from my responsibilities that come with being ‘in charge’ of our musicians in programming, scheduling, practicing and serving us with music for our weekend Eucharistic Liturgies, special feasts and celebrations.
“Yes, I am thankful to our parish and my Sisters of Providence congregation for allowing me to volunteer here in Jasper from this July. Now, as a past 70yearold (or young) Sister, my living expenses are met through our Sisters of Providence Trust.
“Yes, it is good to be a Sister of Providence and to share community with Sister Betty” Koressel, pastoral associate at Precious Blood.
Spanish Mass
“Six months ago, I asked the Diocesan Latino Office to consider beginning an early Sunday Mass for restaurant workers who have to be at work by 10 a.m.,” writes Father Henry Kuykendall in the Nativity parish newsletter.
“As I ate lunch at Latino restaurants the workers complained, ‘When are you going to offer an early Sunday morning Mass for us?’”
Father Kuykendall said Father Claude Burns at neighboring parish, Holy Spirit Church in Evansville, offered and “the bishop approved his request to begin a Spanish Mass at 7:30 every Sunday morning at Holy Spirit.”
Anniversaries at St. John
Congratulations to couples at St. John the Baptist Church in Vincennes celebrating July wedding anniversaries: Lawrence and Ruth Schmidt, 57 years; Richard and Marjorie Kaiser, 54 years; Edmund and Dorothy Thais, 51 years; Larry and Wilma Petty, 45 years; William and Judy Bonhomme, 41 years; Robert and Linda Murawski, 41 years; Michael and Pamela Niemeyer, 41 years; Norman and Mary Feldman, 41 years; William and Lynn Carie, 41 years; David and Kathleen Grundman, 40 years.
Guadalupe Center receives recognition
In mid May, the Guadalupe Center in Huntingburg applied to the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) for recognition of its work with immigration clients, issues and applications.
On June 22 approval was granted to the Guadalupe Center as an official “BIA recognized notforprofit” center. In addition to the Center’s recognition, two staff members, Helen M. Vásquez and Benedictine Sister Joan Scheller, received BIA accreditation.
“This affords the Guadalupe Center greater outreach to the immigrants of the diocese seeking assistance and guidance with immigration applications, questions and concerns,” said Benedictine Sister Karen Durliat, director.
Please send information for AROUND THE DIOCESE to Mary Ann Hughes, The Message, P.O. Box 4169, Evansville, IN 47724. The email address is maryann@themessageonline.org.