April 15, 2011
Bishop Gettelfinger observes 22nd anniversary
Deacon Charles Koressel assists at Mass, with Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger presiding and Fathers Bernard Lutz and Kenneth Walker concelebrating on the anniversary of the bishop’s episcopal ordination, April 11, at Sarto Retreat House. (Message photo by Paul R. Leingang) Click for a larger version.
By PAUL R. LEINGANG (Message editor)
The congregation was much smaller, as Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger presided at Mass on the twenty-second anniversary of his ordination and installation as Bishop of Evansville.
Bishop Gettelfinger was ordained April 11, 1989, at the parish church that was not yet designated as St. Benedict Cathedral. About 1,000 people attended the ceremony.
On April 11, 2011, Bishop Gettelfinger presided at Mass in the chapel at Sarto Retreat House in Evansville, with members of his staff — from the Catholic Center, Catholic Charities, Spanish-speaking ministry and campus ministry.
Father J. Kenneth Walker, head of the diocesan tribunal, and Father Bernie Lutz, a retired priest who serves as the diocesan director of ministry to priests, concelebrated the Mass. Deacon Charles Koressel, diocesan scouting chaplain, assisted.
At a retreat house luncheon following Mass, Bishop Gettelfinger described a significant step he had taken toward his retirement — “downsizing” his possessions.
He said he had invited his siblings for the previous weekend, to take any of his personal belongings not needed for his retirement. (His residence, “the bishop’s house,” is owned by the diocese.) Bishop Gettelfinger will move into Rabenwood, a log and brick house that was donated to the diocese some years ago, and used for small group meetings and personal retreats.
Rabenwood, in a wooded area near St. Wendel, will have additional office and garage space for the bishop, who will move there some time after the next bishop is announced and before the new bishop is ordained.
Bishop Gettelfinger reached the mandatory retirement age of 75 on Oct. 20, 2010. It can take up to two years or more before a bishop’s retirement is accepted, but Bishop Gettelfinger has expressed his hope that it will be “sooner rather than later.”