Father Bernie Etienne Reflects On 25 Years As A Priest
During the 4:30 p.m. Mass at Holy Rosary Parish on June 9, Pastor Father Bernie Etienne told a crowd of worshippers who filled the large sanctuary to capacity that he had felt drawn to the Evansville parish during the first half of his priestly ministry.
“While serving other parishes, I had opportunities to spend time at Holy Rosary for various events,” he said. “Holy Rosary always drew me in.” Father Etienne’s initial assignment after ordination was as associate pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Jasper. He then served as pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Princeton and Blessed Sacrament Parish in Oakland City.
“When Bishop (Gerald A.) Gettelfinger approached me about moving to Evansville, we talked; I mentioned Holy Rosary because of the connection I felt to this parish and its people.”
Father Etienne arrived at Holy Rosary in 2006. That June 9 Mass served as a dual celebration for him and the parish family – first, for 25 years of priestly ministry and service to the Diocese of Evansville. Bishop Gettelfinger ordained him on June 5, 1993. Everyone also celebrated his 60th birthday, which was June 9.
Right after Easter this year, Father Etienne attended a retreat at Mundelein Seminary in Illinois, where he received his priestly formation. “The retreat was for our seminary class,” he said. “I got to spend some time with my classmates from 25 years ago – some of whom I hadn’t seen since we were ordained.”
He was part of a truly international group. He explained that two of his classmates had escaped from Vietnam. Another was a refugee from Europe, and another was from South Korea. He also had classmates from Ecuador and San Salvador.
“We shared out stories,” Father Etienne said, “and some of them have had real struggles. It was clear, however, that all of us are filled with gratitude for the opportunity to serve God’s people; to walk with really good people and be with them in their struggles and joys.
“It is a real blessing to celebrate the Eucharist, to break open the Word and proclaim the kingdom of God,” he added.
Father Etienne also expressed his gratitude to the Holy Rosary staff. “They are tremendously dedicated to our people and each other,” he said.
After Father Etienne gave the final blessing and Deacon Luke Hassler proclaimed the Mass had ended, Holy Rosary Parish Manager Joe Holtz intervened before the recessional hymn began. Holtz talked about the parish family’s desire to do something special for Father Etienne in celebration of his 25th anniversary as a priest and his 60th birthday.
“I called your brother Paul,” Holtz said, referring to Archbishop Paul Etienne of Anchorage, Alaska. “We kicked around some ideas, and he confirmed what we all know, Father Bernie – that you are the most giving man we know.”
Holtz then presented Father Bernie with a check reflecting donations from the parish family that will go a long way toward enabling him to upgrade his 10-year-old vehicle. A reception followed Mass in the Holy Rosary gymnasium.
We join the Holy Rosary family and all of the faithful Father Etienne has served in wishing him a happy priestly anniversary and a happy 60th birthday!
