August 27, 2010
Outdoor Mass in Vincennes draws enthusiastic congregation
Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger and priests in Knox County parishes concelebrate Mass at the George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes, Aug. 21. At the altar are Father John Sasse, Deacon Philip Pierpont, Bishop Gettelfinger, Deacon Earl Ruppel, Father Jason Gries and Father David Fleck. (Message photo courtesy of Zoe Cannon) Click for a larger version.
By KRISTI CARDINAL (Special to the Message)
Knox County area Catholics joined together on Saturday, Aug. 21 for the annual outdoor Mass, held at the George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes. The sun beamed behind the Memorial as the Knights of Columbus, servers, priests and Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger entered the historical grounds.
Those worshiping arrived early and covered the Memorial grounds. People enjoyed the beautiful music by a combined choir and soloists from area churches. Members from each of the six parishes volunteered their time to be guides, and others helped with seating.
Father David Fleck of St. John the Baptist and St. Vincent de Paul churches welcomed the crowd and thanked them for worshiping at the annual outdoor Mass. Bishop Gettelfinger opened the Mass by blessing the altar and giving thanks for the beautiful weather and the much needed rain received earlier that day.
Deacon Earl Ruppel of St. Thomas Church proclaimed the gospel.
Bishop Gettlefinger walked through the crowd focusing his homily on discipline. He stressed to the Catholic community the mission of being disciplined and taking responsibility for actions performed. He said there will always be trials and tribulations and being responsible for those actions will only make us more disciplined.
“Trials and tribulations will only make us more dependent on our faith and God,” stated the Bishop. He discussed the needed discipline among the youth of our Catholic community, and focused on those individuals who are ready to receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion.
“Many years ago, when I was a child my parents were not allowed to receive Holy Communion, until they were 14 years of age. Now, the church recognizes the age of seven to be old enough to recognize right from wrong and be worthy to receive Communion. It is all about being disciplined through your faith and Jesus Christ,” he said.
Bishop Gettelfinger also referenced the need of discipline among those hard-working farmers who must go from dawn to dark each day making sure crops are harvested and not spoiled.
Troy and Jenny Holland of Sacred Heart Catholic Church attended the outdoor Mass. “We went to see what it was like and for something different from the normal church routine,” stated Jenny Holland.
Karen Turner of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church took her grandson to Mass. She made a special day out of the event, by taking her grandson to tour the historical sites, including the Harrison Mansion.
“I wish we could have more of the outdoor Masses,” Turner said. “It just seems like we are on hallowed ground having it at the memorial.” She said that the evening was truly complete with a “wow” factor as they gathered with area Catholics to praise God.
Stephanie Snider of Terre Haute was very impressed with the outdoor Mass. She and her family traveled to Vincennes to meet her parents for the Mass. They were delighted to be greeted by Bishop Gettelfinger and Father David Fleck at the conclusion of Mass.
“As the Bishop was walking out Ace [18 months old] walked over to the aisle. Father Dave and the bishop leaned over to give him a high five, and Maya [seven years old], along with her twin cousins received high fives,” Snider said. “It is so wonderful to see the eyes of your children light up with enthusiasm.”