January 27, 2012
Around the Diocese
Receiving the Eucharist
“Here are some ideas that might help you in receiving the Eucharist,” writes Father Eu-gene Schmitt to his parishioners at St. Raphael Church, Dubois, and St. Peter Celestine Church, Celestine.
“The Sunday celebration of the Eucharist is considered the heart of the Church’s life and worship, and participation in it is expected of all Catholics of the age and ability to do so.
“Transubstantiation is the name given to the action of changing the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.”
He wrote, “Receiving Holy Communion is the most important act of participation in the Mass. Receiving the Eucharist joins you to Jesus and to all those who believe in Him.”
And he encouraged his parishioners to “take time after receiving Communion to give thanks to God for your many blessings.”
“Where does the Eucharist go? He answered, “To our eyes so we can see truth, goodness, beauty and need. To our hands so we can help and serve others. To our feet so we can go where Jesus needs us to go. To our mouth so we can speak with love. To our mind so we can think like Jesus.”
Happy Birthday!
Deacon Michael Helfter, Holy Family Church, Jasper, celebrates his birthday Feb. 3.
Anniversary of ordination
Msgr. Clinton Hirsch, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evans-ville, was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 2, 1945. He resides at Mount Vernon Nursing Home, 1415 Country Club Rd., Mount Vernon, IN 47620.
‘Obedience’
“By now, you’ve heard the news, but so that you can see it in writing: I will be moving to St. John the Evangelist in Daylight (just north of Evansville) on Feb. 1 to be the pastor there,” writes Father Jason Gries to his parishioners at St. Philip Neri Church in Bicknell and Sacred Heart Church in Vincennes.
“I continue to say that I take my priestly promise of obedience to the Bishop very seriously and not ‘obedience’ in a ‘I don’t like it, but if you tell me that I have to’ sort of way. Obedience has as its Latin root ‘obedire’ which means to listen. It is through my promise of obedience that I believe I listen to God, speaking through the Bishop.
“Bishop Charles is a very humble and prayerful man. He has made this decision in consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, but only after prayer.”
He asked for “continued prayer,” noting “prayer will keep us steady and sure.”
Donations at Rivet
The PTO at Rivet High School in Vincennes has received a donation from Frank and Julie Ladner in the amount of $20,000 to be used to finish the library and for technology.
The Vincennes Rotary Club has donated $450 to be used toward the purchase of new books and $2,000 to be used for two new Smart Boards.
VFW essay contest
Good Shepherd eighth graders, Lexi Farr and Hannah Wit-ting, have been named runners-up in the Patriot’s Pen essay contest sponsored by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1114.
Martin County anniversaries
Congratulations to couples in Martin County parishes celebrating January wedding anniversaries.
- St. Mary Church, Shoals: Gerald and Ruby Wilcoxen, 60 years;
- St. Martin Church, Whitfield: Gary and Beth Arvin, 40 years; John and Ann McAtee, 57 years; Arvin and Ruth Sellers, 47 years;
- St. John Church, Loogootee: Dennis and Barbara Ash, 40 years; Bob and Jane Prather, 60 years; Chris and Faye Holland, 40 years.
Kiwanis
The following students at Mater Dei High School in Evans-ville are Kiwanis award winners.
- Boys soccer: Andy Hamilton;
- Girls soccer: Katlyn Zirkelbach;
- Boys cross country: Jacob Hahn;
- Girls cross country: Natalie Harpenau;
- Boys tennis: Garrett Scott;
- Girls golf: Emily McAtee;
- Football: Cody Hess;
- Volleyball: Erin Wildeman.
Long-range planning
Randy Kiesel is the president of the Long-Range Planning Commission at Holy Cross Church in Fort Branch. Dr. Mike Green is the vice-president.
Members include Tom Wallace, who is secretary/treasurer, Mike Hirsch and Wanda Eng-lert.
61 years
Congratulations to Bob and Ina Cardinal as they celebrate their sixty-first wedding anni-versary. They are parishioners at St. Philip Neri Church in Bicknell.
Please send information for AROUND THE DIOCESE to Mary Ann Hughes, The Message, P.O. Box 4169, Evansville, IN 47724. The email address is maryann@themessageonline.org.