August 13, 2010
Knox County Catholics to celebrate outdoor Mass
By KRISTY CARDINAL (Special to the Message)
Since 2004, Knox County Cathoics have joined together as a community and worshiped at an outdoor Mass. This year the Mass will be held Saturday, Aug. 21 at 6:30 p.m. on the south side of the George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes. There will be no other evening Masses offered at any of the Knox County Churches.
Attendees will need to bring lawn chairs to the Mass. If there should be bad weather, the Mass will be moved inside to the Old Cathedral.
Father David Fleck of St. John the Baptist and St. Vincent de Paul churches has been a strong leader in the organization of the outdoor Mass. Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger will be the principal celebrant.
“The outdoor Mass is a great opportunity to come together as a community to pray under the leadership of Bishop Gettelfinger,” Said Father Fleck.
Past attendee, Suzanne Snider, a member of St. Vincent Church has never missed a year joining in prayer at the outdoor Mass.
“It is the most beautiful Mass with the Memorial Bridge as a background, the sun shinning, community singing and the bishop always gives a special touch,” she said “It is great to see all the people come out and be together.”
A combined choir of all churches will grace the outdoors with beautiful harmony. Nancy Ketchum has been a member of the combined choir. She stated, “It is a wonderful night and no one should miss it.”
The outdoor Mass also includes the local Folk Group. Talented musicians and vocalists accompany the choir.
This year’s leader in organization of the Mass is Roger Sterling.
Father Jason Gries of Sacred Heart Church in Vincennes and St. Philip Neri Church in Bicknell is very enthusiastic about this year’s outdoor Mass.,
“The outdoor Mass is an excellent opportunity to be reminded that we are all one family in our Catholic faith,” said Father Gries. “We come from six different parishes in the Knox County area, but it affords us that chance to gather together to celebrate as the Body of Christ. . . . When we gather to celebrate the Eucharist though, we truly show our oneness in Christ by celebrating the great Sacrament of our faith, Jesus’ Body and Blood. It is given to us to unite us, but also to nourish us and send us out of our unity to reach out to all those we encounter.”