November 4, 2011
Bruté Society
Bishop Thompson to newest members: ‘We give thanks for you’
The Bruté Society grew by 121 members last Sunday during Mass at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. During the homily, Bishop Charles C. Thomson said the celebration was a time for the new members to be honored because “you are a blessing to our Church.” Above, Donna and Jeff Martin from Corpus Christi Church in Evansville are greeted by Bishop Thompson. (Message photos courtesy Dewig Photography) Click for a larger version.
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
The Gospel last Sunday spoke of those who exalt themselves being humbled, and those who humble themselves being exalted. They were fitting words for the newest members of the diocesan Bruté Society, parishioners who have given so generously of their time, talent and treasure in their service to their parishes.
Msgr. Kenneth R. Knapp, pastor at Christ the King Church in Evansville, said, “We constantly need to honor those people who are good stewards” because “they are the lifeblood of our parishes.”
Kelly Irvine agreed. Her mother, Judy Thais, is a 2011 inductee in the Bruté Society. When Thais received the news, “she was honored and humbled,” her daughter said. “She does so much for our church, Sacred Heart, [Vincennes] that I wasn’t surprised. She was extremely surprised. It means a lot to her. I’m really proud of her.”
Thais was one of 121 parishioners who became members of the Bruté Society at the end of Mass on the afternoon of Oct. 30 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Bishop Charles C. Thompson was the main celebrant at the Mass, and as he welcomed the in-ductees and their families and friends, he reminded them that when we think about time, talent and treasure, we are reminded that “it’s about God’s grace working through us.”
During his homily, the bishop said it was apropos to hold the ceremony in the context of the Eucharist because the word “eucharist” comes from a Greek word which means “give thanks. We give thanks for you,” he told the inductees.
The Gospel spoke of the scribes and Pharisees, those who knew the law but who were insensitive to the people they were to serve and minister to. “They didn’t see themselves as servers at all,” the bishop said, adding, “They were looking for places of honor.”
He contrasted them with a parishioner he met years ago in a very wealthy parish with “generous givers.” This wom-an did everything she could do to serve the parish, but one day she told him how sad she was that she couldn’t help with a financial campaign.
He told her, “Ackie, you give more than anyone else in this parish.” He realized that she was counting her giving in dollar signs, yet she was one of the greatest stewards in the parish. “I was sad that she didn’t get it.”
The bishop reminded the inductees that they had been nominated to be members of the Bruté Society by their fellow parishioners because of their stewardship. “Steward-ship is realizing ‘I have been abundantly blessed.’ It’s about ‘how do I give back?’”
This was the day, he said, to “celebrate the fact that you live the Eucharist. You live what we teach! That’s what we honor about you — that you are a blessing to our Church. You are a blessing to others.
“Stewardship is about living a life of humility and service.”
At the end of the Mass, Bishop Thompson blessed the medallions which were given to each new member of the Bruté Society. He said, “Bless these medallions given in gratitude to our brothers and sisters this day, and may those who receive them remain humble in heart as they serve your household, the Church.”
Matt Miller, the diocese director of Worship, said, “These men and women have been nominated by their fellow parishioners who regard them as outstanding models of Christian stewardship. They each have a long history of giving generously of their time, talent and treasure to strengthen the work of the Church within their parishes.
“They are known to be a people of deep faith — not a passive faith, but one which comes alive in their dedication to, participation in, and support of the mission of the Church both local and universal.”
After Bishop Thompson gave each person a medallion, he said, “Of course, there’s another way we thank you,” and he led the congregation in a round of applause for the 2011 members of the Bruté Society.