December 16, 2011

2011

Bishop Charles C. Thompson is ordained June 29

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz ordains Bishop Charles C. Thompson June 29 before a congregation of 7,000 clergy, religious and lay members of the Diocese of Evansville and surrounding areas. (Message photo by Peewee Vasquez) Click for a larger version.

By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)

On April 26, the Diocese of Evansville heard the news it was waiting for: it had a bishop-elect. He was Father Charles C. Thompson from the Archdiocese of Louisville.

That day, the bishop-elect celebrated Mass with diocesan staff members, and then was formally introduced by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger at a news conference at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.

He said that he had chosen “Christ the Cornerstone” as his motto, and that the date for his installation as the Fifth Bishop of the diocese was June 29.

On that day, over 7,000 clergy, religious and lay members gathered in Roberts Stadium in Evansville to celebrate his ordination.

The newly-ordained bishop said, “It must always be the voice of Jesus Christ who speaks through us. In His name, we speak and work on behalf of those in need.

“The centrality of the Eucharist is of vital importance for us. To remain Christcentered in every fabric of our lives, relationships and mission we must not lose sight of the very real presence of Jesus in our midst.”

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis presented the homily. The archbishop, a native of Jasper and a monk of St. Meinrad Archabbey, is the metropolitan bishop of the state of Indiana. He began his homily by thanking the bishopelect for saying “yes to the Holy Father.”

He added, “I am sure he will make Louisville and Evansville proud.”

He told the bishopelect he would be a “servant of unity. By God’s grace, we build unity and communion in two ways, unity in the faith of the church and unity in the charity of Christ. A bishop is a humble servant of unity in the Church.

“Without humility, one does not serve. Without humility, one does not build community.”

The new bishop succeeded retiring Bishop Gettelfinger, who served the diocese for 22 years.

Diaconate ordination

Diocesan seminarians Brian Emmick and Jeff Read were ordained to the sacred order of deacons on June 18 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.

It was the last official celebration that Bishop Gettelfinger presided over as the Fourth Bishop of the diocese.

He told the two men “some people will not want to hear what you have to say, and some will challenge what you say.”

He reminded them they are called to be “servant leaders.”

The two men are students at St. Meinrad School of Theology, preparing for ordination in June of 2012.

Strategic Planning

More than 4,100 responses were submitted for a strategic planning survey in the Diocese of Evansville through July of 2011. The surveys revealed attitudes and perceptions about the parishes and schools of the diocese, along with facts and figures — all collected and prepared for analysis, and ultimately to be used as the basis for specific recommendations.

Responses were tabulated by an office at the University of Southern Indiana, reported to the two committees and then to parish and school leadership.

The surveys answered the question, “What are we concerned about?” By spring of 2012, recommendations are to be made in answer to the next questions: “What are we going to do about it?”

Vicar general

Bishop Thompson’s first appointment was a new vicar general for the diocese. He named Father Bernard T. Etienne, who continues as pastor of Holy Rosary Church in Evansville.

The bishop thanked Msgr. Kenneth R. Knapp for his “devoted service to the Church” as vicar general to Bishop Francis R. Shea and Bishop Gettelfinger.

Clergy assignments

The resignation of Bishop Gettelfinger was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI in 2011. Bishop Gettelfinger was named apostolic administrator of the diocese on April 26, when his successor was announced. He continued as administrator until Bishop Thompson was ordained and installed on June 29.

During 2011, the following assignments for priests in the diocese were announced:

Father David Fleck, named pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul Church, Petersburg, continue as pastor at St. John the Baptist and St. Vincent de Paul churches, both in Vincennes;
Father Christopher Forler, named administrator at St. Bernard Church, Rockport, and St. Martin Church, Chrisney;
Father Attila Frölich, named associate pastor at St. John the Baptist Parish, in Newburgh;
Father Ryan Hilderbrand, named associate pastor at Christ the King Church, Evansville;
Father Gordon Mann, returned from health leave, continue as pastor at Our Lady of Hope Church, Washington;
Father James Sauer, named associate pastor at St. Matthew Church, Mount Vernon, and Holy Angels Church, New Harmony;
Father Eugene Schmitt, named pastor at St. Peter Celestine Church, Celestine, and St. Raphael Church, Dubois;
Father Gene Schroeder, named administrator at Holy Trinity Church, Evansville, and administrator pro tempore at St. Joseph Church, Evansville, continue as pastor at St. Joseph Church, Vanderburgh County;
Father William Traylor, named associate pastor at St. Joseph Church, Jasper;
Father Joseph Ziliak, named presbyteral moderator at St. Bernard Church, Rockport, and St. Martin Church, Chrisney, continue as pastor at St. John the Baptist Church, Newburgh.

Deacon assignments included:

Deacon Vince Bernardin, St. John the Baptist Church, Newburgh;
Deacon Michael Burns, granted a threeyear administrative leave of absence from permanent diaconate ministry;
Deacon Dick Grannan, retirement from active ministry as pastoral life coordinator at St. Joseph Church, Evansville;
Deacon Anthony Schapker, St. John the Baptist Church, Newburgh;
Deacon David Seibert, interim director of the Permanent Diaconate, continue as pastoral life coordinator at St. Theresa Church, Evansville;
Deacon Tom Holsworth, St. Mary Church, Huntingburg.

The retirements of Father Jean Vogler and Deacon Joe Stofleth were accepted.

Seminarians

At the beginning of the 20112012 school year, ten seminarians were studying for the priesthood. They included Deacon Brian Emmick, Deacon Jeff Read, Christopher Droste, Jeremy Goebel, Tyler Tenbarge, Andrew Thomas, Keith Dewig, Jerry Pratt, Andy Hirsch and Luke Hassler.

Deacon candidates

Members of the diaconate class include William Consley, St. John Church, Loogootee; Paul Cox, St. Bernard Church, Rockport; Dan DeCastra, St. John the Baptist Church, Newburgh; Jose Garribo, Nativity Church, Evansville; John Huether, St. Joseph Church, Jasper; William Keller, St. Bernard Church, Rockport; Thomas Kirsch, St. Philip Church, Posey County; Richard Liebundguth, St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville; Russell Maples, St. Boniface Church, Evansville; Robert Schuler, Our Lady of Hope, Washington; Jeffrey Sickman, St. John the Baptist Church, Newburgh; Joseph Siewers, Holy Family Church, Jasper; and Cletus Yochum, St. Thomas Church, Vincennes.

They are expected to be ordained in the summer of 2013.

Diocesan offices

Lynda Provence was named administrative assistant to Bishop Thompson. Deanna Ruston retired in 2011 after serving as secretary to both Bishop Shea and Bishop Gettelfinger.

Margaret Boarman, executive director of the Tuition Assistance Fund of Southwestern Indiana since 2010, retired at the end of 2011. The organization provides financial assistance to students wishing to attend local private or parochial schools in grades K12. John Duke is the new executive director.

Life issues

Father David Fleck was the homilist at the annual Sanctity of Life Mass in January. He said, “Life is a gift” that comes with “great dignity. We are a creation of God, made in the image and likeness of God.” As creations of God, our call is to “recognize in ourselves and in others the awesomeness of God’s work. One of the ways we accomplish this is by recognizing the sacredness of all human life.”
On Jan. 22, six buses — carrying 324 people — left southern Indiana for the annual March for Life in Washington, D.C. This was the first year for the diocesanorganized pilgrimage which culminated in the annual march, commemorating the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision which legalized abortion. At the end of the year, plans were underway for the pilgrimage to the 2012 March for Life in Washington, D.C. In early December, there were 355 registrations.
Bishop Thompson was the guest at the November meeting of prolife supporters who formally meet for adoration. “The Catholic Church is not made up of a bunch of individuals. We are the body of Christ first and foremost. We must act as the body of Christ. The challenge is how we do this in the name of the Church,” the bishop told the audience. He concentrated on the seven key principles of Catholic Social Teaching, offering personal insight on each as it pertains to our Catholic faith in action. “I encourage you to step back from a personal agenda and see the world as God sees it,” he advised.On Nov. 8, he spoke at the second annual Respect Life Celebration at the cathedral. He told those in attendance that within the family of Christians, respect for the dignity of human life — and respect for each other — is a central value.

Education

FOUR STAR SCHOOLS

Precious Blood School in Jasper and St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon were named Four Star Schools by the Indiana Department of Education.

GRADUATION

Threehundred sixtyone seniors received their high school diplomas this year in the four Catholic high schools operated by parishes in the diocese.

ADMINISTRATORS

New principals for the 20112012 school year included

Karie Craney, Washington Catholic Middle School and High School;
Gwen Godsey, Christ the King School, Evansville;
John Hollis, Holy Cross School, Fort Branch;
Cyndi Schneider, Reitz Memorial High School, Evansville;
Tracey Unfried, Westside Catholic School, Evansville;
Lori Wissel, Flaget Elementary School, Vincennes.

ENROLLMENT

At the beginning of the 201112 school year, the enrollment was 7,256. This included over 1,227 students in prekindergarten programs. Sixteen students were enrolled at John Paul the Great Catholic School in Jasper.

There were 182 students enrolled in 23 schools in the diocese due to the Indiana School Choice Scholarship program. In the spring, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels signed the School Scholarship Act, (HEA 1003), one of the most expansive school voucher programs in the country, designed to help low and middleincome families make educational choices for their families.

Vouchers were accepted in the fall at eligible nonpublic schools; approximately 600,000 students were expected to qualify for the program, but participation was capped at 7,500 students.

All Catholic schools in the diocese were approved as “choice” schools, with 23 schools having at least one student receiving vouchers.

They are part of almost 4,000 students in the state now attending private or religious schools under the new program, said to be the nation’s largest.

Vouchers can cover up to 90 percent of the cost of tuition, depending on a family’s income.

AWARDS

Reitz Memorial teacher Becky Nimnicht was honored as an Influential Educator in April by the Indianapolis Star in conjunction with the state Department of Education and the Association of Indiana Principals.
Bev Williamson, director of Marian Educational Outreach, received the Edward M. Shaughnessy III “Serving All God’s Children Award” in July.
Kimberly K. Elpers, a science teacher at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Haubstadt, was named NCEA distinguished teacher.

Youth and Young Adult

Over 550 youth and chaperones attended the Source and Summit retreat in early April; the retreat’s theme was “The Fruit of the Holy Spirit — seeing and serving Christ in the poor — and the Capital Sins.” Dennis Dooley, a volunteer at the retreat, said it is important for youth to hear the messages “because we want them to carry on the faith for their families.” About 55 parents also attended a retreat which featured talks that paralleled the youth retreat.
Sixtyeight young adults received the 2011 Maria Goretti Youth Distinction on March 20 from Bishop Gettelfinger at the cathedral. “The St. Maria Goretti Youth Distinction recognizes adolescents in the Diocese of Evansville for their outstanding contribution to the life, mission and ministry provided to their family, parish, school, and community,” said Steve Dabrowski, diocesan director of Youth and Young Adult Minister.
Nearly 400 youth and adults attended the diocesan youth rally in September. Dabrowski deemed the event a “success.” “Any time you can have 400 Catholic youth show up on a day that is really about deepening their faith and bringing them closer to Jesus . . . that is a success.”

Candidates, catechumens

There were 66 catechumens and 145 candidates who participated in the Rite of Election on March 13 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.

Jubilee Celebration

Good Shepherd Church in Evansville was filled for the annual diocesan Golden Jubilee Celebration on Oct. 2. Bishop Thompson celebrated Mass with the congregation which included couples from around the diocese celebrating 50 years or more of marriage.

He reminded them that parents are the first teachers of the faith to their children.

Bruté Society

The Bruté Society grew by 121 new members in 2011. An induction ceremony was held Oct. 30 at the cathedral. Bishop Thompson told the inductees when we think about time, talent and treasure, we are reminded that “it’s about God’s grace working through us.”

Mother Teresa awards

Thirty parishioners from around the diocese received Mother Teresa Service awards from Catholic Charities in May.

Awards

Marilyn Brahm of Ferdinand was recognized by Pope Benedict XVI with the Pro Ecclesia of Pontifice (For the Church and the Pope) award. She retired in January after serving for 40 years as the executive secretary for four presidentrectors at St. Meinrad Seminary.
Steve Barron received the Religious Division Individual award at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility in Carlisle where he was a spiritual director and taught college classes. Members of the Catholic Bible Studies Group from Knox County received the Religious Division Group award from the facility.
Benedictine Father Gregory Chamberlin received the Distinguished Pastor award at the National Catholic Educational Association annual convention in April. He is the pastor at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville.
Thomas Anslinger of Evansville received the Timothy P. Galvin Outstanding Catholic Layperson award from the Indiana State Council of the Knights of Columbus.

Convocation

Priests of the diocese spent several days together at the end of September — in prayer, at Mass, revisiting their preaching styles and abilities, honoring priests with significant anniversaries, and in their first extended meeting time with their new bishop.

Transitions

RESIGNATION

Pope Benedict XVI accepted the resignation of Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B., 73, from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis for reasons of health. The archbishop is a native of Jasper.

CELEBRATIONS

Bishop Gettelfinger celebrated his twentysecond anniversary as the Fourth Bishop of the diocese in April with a Mass and luncheon at Sarto Retreat House in Evansville. In May, he celebrated his golden jubilee of ordination to the priesthood with a Mass at St. Benedict Cathedral. It was attended by family members, priests, deacons and diocesan staff members.
Father Clemens Hut, a retired priest of the diocese living in Tempe, Ariz., celebrated his 100th birthday on April 9. He celebrated his 75th anniversary of his priestly ordination on June 2.
The Southwestern Indiana Teens Encounter Christ celebrated 20 years in the diocese on April 10 at St. Benedict Cathedral.
St. Mary Church in Huntingburg celebrated its onehundred fiftieth anniversary in 2011.
Parishioners at St. John the Apostle Church in Evansville celebrated 70 years during 2011, culminating in a dinner Aug. 7. “We were a village,” said Claudette Middlebrook Young of Indianapolis, reflecting on her formative years at the parish.

POSTULANT

The Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand accepted Beth Fritsch into the postulancy on Aug. 21.

Amy Hagedorn began her postulancy with the Little Sisters of the Poor in October.

FINAL VOWS

Benedictine Sisters Jill Marie Reuber and Kathleen Marie Cash made their perpetual monastic profession as members of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand on Oct. 1 at Monastery Immaculate Conception.

DEATHS

Father Robert J. Wannemuehler, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, died Jan. 26 at Deaconess Hospital where he had served as its longtime chaplain. He was 85. His involvement in hospital work stemmed from his own experience of multiple bypass heart surgery in 1978. “My ministry has changed forever,” he said. “Now I know what it means to go through this.” He was a native of Posey County, the son of Joseph and Clotilda (Weinzapfel) Wannemuehler of St. Philip. He was ordained a priest by Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman on May 19, 1951, and then worked in parishes in Evansville, Jasper, Oakland City, Bramble, Montgomery and Vanderburgh County. He also served as chaplain at Crane Naval Depot and at Daviess County Hospital in Washington.
Msgr. Charles Koch was remembered as a “very gentle, kind, caring, very pastoral man” during his Mass of Christian burial. He died Feb. 12. He devoted his priestly life to ministry in the diocesan tribunal, while also celebrating Mass and the sacraments as part of parish life. He was ordained to the priesthood on March 30, 1963, and named a Domestic Prelate with the title, Rev. Msgr., in 1973.
Deacon William Heberling died June 4 in Evansville. He was 50. He was ordained a deacon for the diocese on July 9, 2005, and served the Evansville communities of St. Agnes, St. Boniface and Sacred Heart churches. He also assisted with hospital ministry at St. Mary’s and in jail ministry at various locations. He participated in the Churches Embracing Offenders program and regularly conducted worship services at the Evansville State Hospital.
GeorgeAnne Ryder, longtime activities director at the Catholic Center and Sarto Retreat House, died Aug. 20. She served three terms on the board of Catholic Charities, including one term as president.
Former Poor Clare abbess, Sister Mary Martha Blanford, died Sept. 9.

Anniversaries

During the year, the following priests and religious celebrated their anniversaries of ordination and profession of vows.

Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger was ordained to the priesthood on May 7, 1961.

Diocesan priests with significant anniversaries in 2011 included:

1936: Father Clemens Hut
1951: Father Eugene Heerdink
1956: Father August Busch
1961: Father Donald Ackerman
1971: Father William Dietsch
1976: Father William Traylor, Father David Martin
1981: Father Frank Renner, Father J. Kenneth Walker
1986: Father Henry Kuykendall
1991: Father Edward Schnur
1996: Father Kenneth Steckler
2001: Father Attila Fröhlich
2006: Father Gary Kaiser

Benedictine Father John McMullen observed the golden jubilee of his monastic profession on Aug. 15. He entered Blue Cloud Abbey, Marvin, S.D., in 1960 from his home parish of St. John the Baptist in Vincennes.

SISTERS OF ST. BENEDICT

Sisters of St. Benedict in Ferdinand who celebrated anniversaries of monastic profession during 2011 included

75 years: Sister Mary Charlotte Kavanagh;
70 years: Sister Martha Marie Tempel;
60 years: Sisters Joanna Trainer, Lorraine DeVault, Mary Dominic Frederick;
50 years: Sisters Charlene Ann Wheeless, Barbara Ann Offerman, Mary Rose Hasenour, Paulette Seng, Doris Marie Knebel, Mary Jane Kiesel, Dolores Folz.

SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE

The following Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods with ties to the diocese who celebrated special anniversaries in 2011 included

75 years: Sisters Beth Kelso, Mary Michael Lager, Maureen Clare Lehmann, Dorothy McLaughlin, Edwardine McNulty, Ann Denise Reger and Charles Ellen Turk;
70 years: Sisters Agnes Eugene Cordak, Eileen Clare Goetzen and Marie David Schroeder;
60 years: Sisters Barbara Doherty, Michael Ellen Green, Noralee Keefe, Joseph Ellen Keitzer, Kathleen Kelly, Margaret Kern, Lucille Lechner, Jean Ann Maher, Patricia McIntyre, Mary Lee Mettler, Marie Grace Malloy, Cordelia Moran, Carol Nolan, Rosemary Rafter, Diane Ris and Mary Lou Ruck;
50 years: Sisters Susan Dinnin, Mary Catherine Guiler, Betty Hopf, Lawrence Ann Liston, Margaret Lynch, Diane Mason, Laura Ann McLaughlin, Mary Morley, Margaret Nau, Camille Neubauer, Regina Morris, Maria Saracco and Mary Jeanine Schubert.

DAUGHTERS OF CHARITY

Members of the East Central Province Daughters of Charity who celebrated special anniversaries in 2011 included

70 years: Sister Dolores Coleman;
60 years: Sisters Marillac Grabinski, Theresa Marie Gresko, Jean Juliano, Mary Patricia Larabell, Caroline Lennox, Margaret Pohleber, Mary John Tintea;
50 years: Sister Ann Marie Butler, Marie Judith Haupt, Sally Lessnau, Mary Kay Schreier, Dinah White;
25 years: Sister Betty Gunselman.

FRANCISCANS

Franciscan Sister Joan Miller celebrated her fiftieth anniversary as a member of the Oldenburg Franciscan Sisters at an open house on July 10.

DEACONS

Deacons in the diocese with special anniversaries included

1981: Deacon Richard Preske;
1991: Deacon Robert Hayden;
2006: Deacon David McDaniel.

100 YEARS

The Jasper K of C Council 1584 celebrated 100 years with Mass at St. Joseph Church in Jasper and a reception on Oct. 8.

Catholic Press Association Awards

Diocesan Communications director and Message editor Paul R. Leingang received a second place award for “Best Portrait” from the Catholic Press Association for a photograph of Elmo Gunn.

Message columnists Deacon Jim and Ann Cavera received second place honors in the “Best Regular Column: Family Life” category among all entries submitted to the CPA.

Sports

The Rivet Lady Patriots in Vincennes won their first state championship in Class A basketball competition. The girls team at Reitz Memorial High School won their school’s first girls state basketball championship.

Donations

A “Celestine Compassion Fund” was established to help families after a Feb. 28 tornado swept through the area causing damage to homes, garages and outbuildings in the Dubois County community.

Parishes throughout the diocese collected money following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.

In Compliance

The Diocese of Evansville was “found to be in compliance with all audited Articles within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People for the 20102011 audit period” according to a letter dated Sept. 21 from StoneBridge Partners which was sent to Bishop Thompson. The compliance judgment was based on the “recently performed onsite audit,” the letter stated.

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