Around The Diocese For Nov. 20

Jubilee Year of Mercy

Father Eugene Schmitt writes in the bulletin at St. Raphael Parish in Dubois and St. Peter Celestine Parish in Celestine, “Pope Francis has declared a ‘Jubilee Year of Mercy,’ that begins on December 8, which is a holy day, the feast of the Immaculate Conception.

“It is also the fiftieth anniversary of the closing of the Second Vatican Council.

“The jubilee will close on Nov. 20, 2016, which is the feast of Christ the King.

“In Pope Francis’ 9,500 word document on this event and process, the pontiff identifies mercy as the central function of the Church and the key aspect of Jesus’ ministry and work.

“A jubilee year is a special year called by the Church to receive blessings and pardon from God and remission of sins.

“The Catholic Church has called jubilee years every 25 or 50 years since the year 1300. During the 2016 season of Lent, Pope Francis will be asking some priests to serve as special ‘Missionaries of Mercy.’ These priests will go around the world to hear confessions and be granted by the pontiff the ability to pardon those sins reserved to the Holy See (the pope).”

Happy Birthday!

Father Joseph Ziliak, vicar for Retired Priests, celebrates his birthday Nov. 20.

Deacon Stephen Hall Jr. celebrates his birthday Nov. 21.

Deacon Thomas Holsworth, St. Mary Parish, Huntingburg, celebrates his birthday Nov. 24.

Deacon John McMullen celebrates his birthday Nov. 30.

Deacon Joseph Stofleth, St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh,  celebrates his birthday Dec. 1.

Immigration legal services specialist

“The Office of Hispanic Ministry welcomes Abril Hatfield as Immigration Legal Services Specialist,” writes Sharon Burns, director.

“Abril is training for her Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) accreditation so that she can help clients to complete paperwork related to their immigration status.

“Abril is from Asunción, Paraguay. She has a degree in clinical psychology from the National University of Asunción. Abril has lived in Evansville for seven months with her husband, who is from Evansville. She is looking forward to helping people get lawful residency statuses so that they can have better job opportunities and a better quality of life.”

Teacher of the Week

Congratulations to Christina Graman who has been named Teacher of the Week by WZDM-FM station in Vincennes. She is a parishioner at St. Philip Neri Parish in Bicknell.

Student Leadership Summitt

Five students from Mater Dei High School in Evansville recently attended the first annual Student Leadership Summit at Vincennes University.

The students were chosen based on Student Council participation. Speakers addressed how they achieved success and how to build leadership skills.

They include Sydney Maurer, Bennet Schmitt, Zach Hausmann, Jared Abney and Grace McDurmon.

Happy Birthday!

Carol Ann Gaddis, parish catechetical leader at Holy Rosary Parish, Evansville, celebrates her birthday Nov. 28.

Fourth degree

A Knights of Columbus Fourth Degree Exemplification was held on Oct. 17 at St. John the Baptist Church in Newburgh. After taking their third degree, knights are eligible to receive their fourth degree, the primary purpose of which is to foster the spirit of patriotism and to encourage active Catholic citizenship.

A total of 89 Knights of Columbus gained their Fourth Degree at the exemplification.

New Sir Knights who are members in the Msgr. A.J. Sprigler Assembly 253 include Tommy T. Arnold, David K. Baumgart, Carl W. Behagg, Rev. Sudhakar Bhastati, Raymond M. Brandl, Brian S. Brandl, Daniel J. Brecker, Robert J. Brown, Ambrose M. Clements, William R. Daily, Richard W. Ewers, Deavron H. Farmer, Michael O. Foster, Stacy A. Fulkerson, Rev. Anthony Govind, Mark F. Hackert, Christopher D. Hamman, Richard L. Howard Jr., William E. Hudson II, Joseph Hurst, Raymond O. Kanipe, Mathew J. Kast, Robert C. Jordan, Michael R. Koressel, Paul H. Legeay III, Brian S. Luigs, Dan W. Lutterbach, John D. McVey III, Benedictine Father Godfrey Mullen, Douglas L. Rasler, Deacon R. David Rice, Michael N. Scavuzzo, Dennis T. Seib, Steven M. Sitzman, Joshua J. Spence, Martin J. Stagg, Kevin G. Steinkuhl, Glen E. Stover, Ora O. Stutsman, Richard W. Tenbarge, Jerry M. Tieken, Donald W. Tucker Jr.,  Jason M. Turner, Anthony O. Uvieghara MD, Dewayne E. Wilhite and Daniel A. Zuniga.

Happy Birthday!

Elizabeth Flatt, principal at St. John the Baptist School, Newburgh celebrates her birthday Nov. 28.

Gwen Godsey, assistant superintendent in the diocesan Catholic Schools Office, celebrates her birthday Nov. 30.