'He Was A Beacon Of Hope For So Many'

Hundreds of family members, former parishioners and friends joined Bishop Charles C. Thompson and more than 40 priests of the Diocese of Evansville to fill the sanctuary at Holy Family Parish in Jasper for the Oct. 7. Mass of Christian Burial for Father Jim Blessinger.

Father Blessinger, a Jasper native who served the diocese in pastoral ministry for 50 years, died Sept. 30.

“It is virtually impossible to fully grasp how many lives, how many souls, have been impacted by his witness, pastoral care, his homilies, his counsel, his befriending,” Bishop Thompson said in his homily. “Obviously, it is not so much about the numbers as it is about his fidelity to the mission of Jesus Christ and His Church – both head and body.

“Father Jim never lost sight of himself as the instrument,” the bishop said. “He never put himself in the center. He realized that he was a voice, the means through which the Holy Trinity – Father, Son and Holy Spirit – touched, healed and raised those entrusted to his care. In so doing, he was a beacon of hope for so many.”

Father Blessinger’s priestly ministry included service to parishes in Evansville, Spencer County, Vincennes and Washington. Most recently, he had served as pastor of Evansville’s Corpus Christi Parish from 1998 until his retirement from pastoral ministry in 2014.

“The scripture readings selected for this funeral Mass by Father Jim were chosen in faith – faith in the living word of Jesus Christ; faith in the Resurrection; for Jesus, for Father Jim, for all who trust in the Lord,” Bishop Thompson said.

“It is now our turn to accompany Father Jim,” Bishop Thompson said, “both today and beyond with our prayers – as well as (prayers for) the family and one another. In faith, we entrust him back to God. In faith, we celebrate his priestly life and ministry.

“May he rest in the peace of Christ,” the boishp added. “And for us, the journey continues. Let us accompany one another along the way with the assurance of faith and hope that we will indeed see our brother again by the mercy of God.”

Father Blessinger was born Oct. 1, 1938, the son of Adam R. Blessinger and Clara (Hass) Blessinger of Jasper. He attended Bockelman School and Holy Family School in Jasper before entering St. Meinrad Minor Seminary. He graduated from St. Meinrad Minor Seminary in 1956, and earned a bachelor’s degree in Classics from St. Meinrad College. He attended seminary at St. Meinrad, and Bishop Henry J. Grimmelsman ordained him a priest of the Diocese of Evansville on May 23, 1964.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Adam Jr. “Jackie” Blessinger.  Survivors include three brothers: Kenneth (Rose) of St. Anthony, David (Rite) of Jasper and Howard (Mary Jane) of Jasper, 11 nieces and nephews, and 17 great nieces and nephews.

Hundreds of friends and former parishioners attended an Oct. 6 visitation and vigil service held at Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville. Visitation continued on Oct 7 at Holy Family Parish before the Mass of Christian Burial. Interment followed in the Priests Circle at St. Joseph Cemetery in Jasper.