Second Annual Feast Of Booths
Genealogy is the study of the history of families and the line of descent from their ancestors. This type of research has become very popular, especially as our respective family trees become more extensive. Our roots and family history are very important to us. The history of our faith is just as valuable in shaping who we are. Do you know where your church came from? When Peter acknowledged that Jesus was the Christ, Son of the living God, the Church began. In Matthew 16:18, Jesus said, “you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.” The successors of St. Peter have guided the Church instituted by Christ since that conversation between Peter and Jesus.
Do you know where your local Church came from? The lineage of our diocese can be traced back to 1674 when Pope Clement X established the Diocese of Quebec, which included Indiana. The oldest church in Indiana was established in Vincennes in 1732. It was named St. Francis Xavier Parish; today it is known as the Old Cathedral. The Diocese of Vincennes became the first diocese of Indiana and the 13th diocese of the United States. In 1834, Father Simon Brute’ was named first Bishop of Vincennes, which included the entire state of Indiana and the eastern third of Illinois. Francis Silas Marean Chatard was installed as the fifth Bishop of Vincennes on Aug. 11, 1878. He moved his Episcopal residence to Indianapolis, but it remained under the name of the Diocese of Vincennes. Twenty years later, in March 1898, the Diocese of Vincennes became the Diocese of Indianapolis. Then on Nov. 11, 1944, Pope Pius XII created the Diocese of Evansville with Henry J. Grimmelsman consecrated as the first Bishop of Evansville. Bishop Joseph Ritter became the Archbishop of Indianapolis. The Diocese of Evansville and its official location today cover 12 counties in Southwest Indiana. On June 29, 2011, Charles Thompson became the 5th Bishop of the Diocese of Evansville – your local Church. There is so much more to the story, and we have something to boast about! You are invited to celebrate the history of our faith, on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, with the 2nd Annual Feast of Booths held on Patrick Henry Drive in Vincennes.
The Feast of Booths begins with opening prayer at 11 a.m. EST. You can visit various booths promoting ministries and historic societies, take a tour of the Old Cathedral and Bishop Simon Brute’ Library, spend time in prayer at the St. Rose Chapel for Eucharistic Adoration, participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation , and visit our “Catholic 101 Tent” featuring keynote speaker Tim Staples, Director of Apologetics and Evangelization at Catholic Answers. Tim was raised a Southern Baptist and converted to Catholicism in 1988. Today he spends his time in Catholic ministry, answering questions thru radio and print about the Catholic faith. If you have any questions come hear Tim Staples' presentation and ask him yourself during the Q&A following his talk. He will be presenting at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. EST.
Area artists and musicians will be performing and vendors will be selling refreshments throughout the day until 4:00 pm. A Special Outdoor Mass will be celebrated at 4:30 p.m. EST on the South lawn of the George Rogers Clark Memorial, with recently ordained Fr. Christopher Droste as the main celebrant (bring lawn chairs). The day concludes with a 7 p.m. EST concert featuring John Michael Talbot at the Red Skelton Theater on the Vincennes University Campus. Tickets are general admission ($25 for the main floor and $10 Balcony seating). Tickets are available by contacting Zoe Cannon (812) 882-0444 or the Bible Book Store Vincennes, Cornerstone in Evansville, or theater box office (in person only). Make checks payable to St. John the Baptist Church. Talbot is one of the most active motivational speakers traveling throughout the world. Like a modern day St. Francis, he is rebuilding God’s Church “one parish at a time and renewing hearts one life at a time.”
If you are interested in a 5K run, we are supporting the 3rd Annual Fireman’s Run, hosted by Thursday Church to benefit the Vincennes City Fire Department. Race course is completely paved and runs through downtown and Vincennes University campus. The race will begin at 8:30 a.m. EST on Main Street. Applications for the race and applications for promoting your parish ministries with a booth can be found on our facebook page with other information at https://www.facebook.com/groups/323088211119807/.
Jesus asked Peter to cast his net into the lake after a long night of unsuccessful fishing. Peter discovered the power of the true Savior by his obedience, and he was rewarded with the keys to the Kingdom. God is calling every Christian to personally participate in the healing ministry of Jesus. Lower your nets for a catch. That is what evangelization is all about. The Feast of Booths is an opportunity to share the history of the past by living the present moments of God’s love for us and the future of His Church. Mark your calendars and make a PILGRIMAGE to Vincennes on Oct. 12. Bring the entire family and discover together where your Church roots really came from, and who made the sacrifices to bring the faith to Indiana. God Bless them all! Amen!
