150 Years Of Faith And Commitment
In 1865, “going to Sunday Mass” had a much different meaning than it does today. The world was a far different place.
Pius IX was Pope, and Abraham Lincoln was President. Americans were fighting against each other in the Civil War.
Normal transportation often consisted of a horse-drawn covered wagon – much like the one that delivered the primary concelebants to St. Rupert Church in Red Brush on Aug. 30 for a Mass commemorating the 150th anniversary of the church’s founding.
Bishop Charles C. Thompson, Bishop Emeritus Gerald A. Gettelfinger, Benedictine Father Justin DuVall, Archabbot of St. Meinrad Archabbey, and Father Lowell Will, pastor of St. Clement Parish, arrived at the church by horse and buggy. St. Rupert became part of St. Clement when it merged, in 2014, with the former St. Clement Parish in Boonville.
Other concelebrants included Father Ron Kreilein, pastor of St. Bernard Parish in Rockport and St. Martin I Parish in Chrisney; and retired priests of the diocese Father Ken Herr, who is serving as Administrator Pro Tempore of St. Mary Parish in Sullivan and St. Joan of Arch Parish in Jasonville; Father Ted Tempel; and Father Joe Ziliak. Deacons Paul Cox and Thomas Lambert assisted.
They welcomed current and former parishioners, and descendants of the Catholic settlers from the area of Dörlinbach, Germany, who founded St. Rupert.
“The church must continue to grow,” Bishop Thompson said during his homily, “and along with the growth we should expect change and risk, and continue to place our trust in God, just as our ancestors did.
“Pope Francis reminds us that we must keep our eyes fixed on Christ ... who is the cornerstone of our faith,” he added. “We need to have the same faith that our ancestors had 150 years ago, when they took Jesus to heart, followed the commandments of God and embraced the word of God.”
Fr. Will reflected on the commitment and devotion of the founders and their descendants, whose vibrant faith brought St. Rupert to its 150th anniversary.
A plaque on the outside of the church notes that Benedictine Father Martin Marty from the Einsiedeln Abbey in Switzerland served as the first pastor of St. Rupert. He went on to become the first Abbot of St. Meinrad, and ultimately the first bishop (in 1889) of the Dakota Territory.
Many of the areas earliest settlers are buried in St. Rupert Cemetery, and visitors had a chance to tour the cemetery before Mass.
Activities also included dedication of the Gab House Memorial Garden, and a meal with burgoo followed Mass. Displays gave visitors an opportunity to learn more about the history of St. Rupert.
Indiana State Representative Ron Bacon attended and presented a proclamation from the legislature, and St. Rupert parishioner Leon Nash read a proclamation from the Warrick County Board of Commissioners.
