January 7, 2011
Wabash Valley prisoners surprise Bishop Gettelfinger with a retirement present
Father Bob Nemergut, chaplain at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility, and Robert Holden, the man who arranged for the quilt to be made, pose with Bishop Gettelfinger. Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
There are probably very few surprises to be found in a maximum security prison. Not pleasant surprises, at least.
But that is what awaited Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger on Christmas morning, when he celebrated Mass inside the Wabash Valley Correctional Facility at Carlisle.
Convicted felons serving their time took the time to make a quilt for the bishop. They did it to show their appreciation for his ministry to them for the past 18 years.
The prison opened in 1992 and since then, Bishop Gettelfinger has celebrated Mass inside the walls on Christmas Day and at Easter time.
Prisoners serving long sentences — some even life-long sentences — became aware last fall that the bishop’s long term of service could be coming soon to an end.
The quilt was made as a retirement present for the bishop who reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 on Oct. 20, 2010.
Five images are silk screened on cloth, covering much of the quilt top. The bishop’s coat of arms is in the center; in the corners are the National Catholic Scouting logo, a representation of the Silver Buffalo scouting award, the diocesan coat of arms and a picture St. Meinrad Archabbey.
Above the central coat of arms is the name Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger, carefully spelled with an “elf” in the middle as he has often explained.
Click here for a personal reflection written by Zoe Cannon of Vincennes, who along with her husband, Dick, had received security clearance to attend Mass and to take pictures for the Message.