More Than 120 Receive Bruté Society Honors

The program for the Nov. 6 Bruté Society Mass and Solemn Induction Ceremony describes the event this way: “An annual celebration of unity and stewardship for the Catholic Church of Southwestern Indiana.”

Diocese of Evansville Administrator Rev. Bernard T. Etienne drove that point home to more than 120 honorees. “Our work as parish priests would be impossible without the generosity of our people,” he said.

Honorees, their families and friends filled St. Benedict Cathedral for the annual Mass and Solumn Induction Ceremony. Seventeen priests of the Diocese of Evansville concelebrated the Mass with Father Etienne. Deacon Thomas Kempf assisted, and five other diocesan permanent deacons participated.

“I know you didn’t want to be singled out,” Father Etienne said, speaking directly to the honorees. He noted that winners often react by talking about other fellow parishioners who are at least as deserving of Bruté recognition. “You have not done anything for recognition, but because you love the Lord.

“At the heart of what we do should be a spirit of thankfulness for all God has given us,” Father Etienne added. “Motivated by that thankfulness, we seek to live lives of gratitude and generosity – not expecting anything in return. We’ve already received it.”

Father Etienne shared a conversation he had about Bishop-designate Joseph M. Siegel, who will be installed on Dec. 15 as the Sixth Bishop of Evansville. “I told the people I was talking with that Bishop Siegel is blessed,” he said. “I don’t know of another diocese in this country that is better than the Diocese of Evansville. “We are good, holy people,” Father Etienne said. “We have a great presbyterate and a tremendous  staff.

“There are good things happening in our diocese; but mostly, it’s people like yourselves who make this a great place to live, love and serve the Lord.”

Following his homily, Father Etienne presented Bruté Society medals to honorees as part of the Solemn Induction ceremony.

2017 Brute Society members include:

• Larry and Diana X Beatty, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Haubstadt
• Jim and Karen Bengert, Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville
• Ray and Rosie Bigge, Sts. Mary and John Parish, Evansville
• Marvin and Jeanette Boeglin, St. Mary Parish, Huntingburg
• Diana F. Braun, Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Evansville
• Donna Brune, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Poseyville
• Curtis and Jamie Daugherty,St. Francis Xavier Parish, Vincennes
• James and Cheri Durchholz, Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville
• Evelyn Erdly, St. Peter Parish, Linton
• William and Jane Fichter, St. Joseph Parish, Princeton
• Brandon and Kathleen Field, Annunciation of the Lord Parish, Evansville
• Paul Fleck, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Vincennes
• Clara Fromme, St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, Celestine
• Dennis and Beth Ann Gentry, St. Mary Parish, Ireland
• Ruth Goeppner, St. Mary Parish, Ireland
• Alvin and Rita Gries, St. Wendel Parish, St. Wendel
• Wayne and Cynthia Griffith, Holy Rosary Parish, Evansville
• Kay Hagerdon, St. Joseph Parish, Jasper
• John and Diane Hasenour, St. Bernard Parish, Snake Run
• Richard and Sandy Hasenour, Holy Cross Parish, Fort Branch
• Linda Jean Hawkins, St. Joan of Arc Parish, Jasonville
• Fred and Betty Hermann, Holy Rosary Parish, Evansville
• Frank and Sandy Hertel, St. Joseph Parish, Vanderburgh Co.
• Mark and Debra Hoffman, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Daylight
• Peggy Holland, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Washington
• John and Suzanne Jaquemai, St. Joseph Parish, Princeton
• Craig and Kim Johnson, Precious Blood Parish, Jasper
• Frank and Kathy Kanowsky, St. Philip Parish, Posey Co.
• Gary and Jill Keepes, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Petersburg
• Bernie and Karen Keil, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Haubstadt
• Michael Killebrew, St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh
• John and Marcy Knust, Christ the King Parish, Ferdinand
• Rita and John Kohl, Holy Rosary Parish, Evansville
• Thomas and LaDonna Lane, St. Francis Xavier Parish, Vincennes
• Jerry and Diana Liggett, St. Mary Parish, Sullivan
• Alan and Nancy Litteken, Precious Blood Parish, Jasper
• Wade and Kelli Lovell, St. John the Evangelist Parish, Daylight
• Neil Lynch, Holy Family Parish, Jasper
• Jim and Maria Marusek, Holy Name Parish, Bloomfield
• Jeff and Debbie Marx, St. Benedict Cathedral Parish, Evansville
• Rex and Cindy Masterson, Corpus Christi Parish, Evansville
• Donald and Mary Jo Musgrave, St. Philip Parish, Posey Co.
• Robert and Annie Oxley, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Dale
• Chris and Rose Palmer, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Washington
• Patricia Perkinson, St. Philip Neri Parish, Bicknell
• Greg and Dottie Potts, St. John Parish, Loogootee
• Mary Rasler, Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville
• Keith X and Wanda Recker, Divine Mercy Parish, St. Anthony
• Thomas and Bernice Reuber, St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, Celestine
• Archie Sandefur, All Saints Parish, Evansville
• Marjorie Sandleben, Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville
• Pam Sauls, Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville
• Richard and Catherine Scheller, Christ the King Parish, Ferdinand
• Phillip Schmidt, St. Clement Parish, Boonville
• Connie Schnapf, St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh
• Carol Schuetter, St. Joseph Parish, Jasper
• Esther L. Sibrel, St. Bernard Parish, Rockport
• Pam Sisley, St. Martin I Parish, Chrisney
• Scott and Amy Sitzman, Corpus Christi Parish, Evansville
• Sarah Spalding, St. John Parish, Loogootee
• Greg and Julie Steckler, Christ the King Parish, Ferdinand
• Phyllis Stenftenagel, St. Joseph Parish, Jasper
• John and Julie Talley, St. Boniface Parish, Evansville
• Jerry and Charlotte Thomas, St. Matthew Parish, Mount Vernon
• Daniel and Beverly Turnock, St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Dale
• Jerry Vaal, Holy Family Parish, Jasper
• Doug and Nancy Vaught, St. Benedict Parish, Evansville
• Ryan and Renae Verkamp, Divine Mercy Parish, St. Anthony
• Barbara Verley, Blessed Sacrament Parish, Oakland City
• Vincent and Kristi Wagner, All Saints Parish, Evansville
• David Wathen, St. Boniface Parish, Evansville
• Philip and Stacy Weisman, St. Mary Parish, Ireland
• Imelda Whitten, St. Mary Parish, Huntingburg
• Frank and Betty Will, St. Joseph Parish, Vanderburgh Co.
• Bob and Kathy Wuertz, St. Benedict Cathedral Parish, Evansville

X  = deceased