Around The Diocese For May 3

Leading by example

“I’ve been hearing stories about some groups complaining about our new pope, Francis,” writes Deacon Dave Seibert, pastoral life coordinator at St. Theresa Parish in Evansville.

“The security people complain that he doesn’t follow safe practices and instead goes out into the crowds to interact directly with the people. The old timers complain that he didn’t wear all the formal regalia when he came out on the balcony for his first public appearance. He has shunned much of the ritualistic pomp that was a part of the papacy.”

He added, “Don’t misunderstand me. I think the rituals and the pageantry are important and have their place. But it seems that for some people this is what being Catholic means. We’ve forgotten that being Catholic really means feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, in other words being Catholic means being a person of mercy and compassion, not someone who can perfectly perform some ritual. The formality of our Catholic liturgy and traditions are there to support and teach us this important lesson. They’re the means to an end, not the end themselves.

“It would appear that Pope Francis is determined to model true Christianity to us without regard for the criticism. I think it’s refreshing to see someone stand in opposition to popular culture.

“In this case, Pope Francis is leading by example and giving us the opportunity to learn by doing.”

Happy Birthday!

Deacon James King, St. Ferdinand Parish, Ferdinand, celebrates his birthday May 8.

Father Robert Nemergut, chaplain at Wabash Valley Correctional Facility celebrates his birthday May 13. His address is P.O. Box 432; Carlisle IN 47838.

Anniversaries of ordination

Father Tony Ernst, director of newly ordained priests and pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Haubstadt, Holy Cross Parish, Fort Branch, and St. Bernard Parish, Snake Run, was ordained to the priesthood May 9, 1998.

Father Adolph Egloff, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, was ordained to the priesthood May 14, 1940. He resides at 2017 N. Second Street, Vincennes, IN 47591.

Father David Martin, associate pastor of St. Philip Neri Parish, Bicknell, and Sacred Heart Parish, Vincennes, was ordained to the priesthood May 14, 1976.

Deacon anniversaries

Deacon Richard Preske, St. Boniface Parish, Evansville, was ordained May 9, 1981.

Deacon Lancaster Dow Jr. was ordained May 14, 1978.

World language academic bowl

The Mater Dei High School German team of Chelsea Schlitt, Jacob Mishcler, Alex Johnson and Nathan Egler have placed third in the World Language Academic Bowl held at the University of Southern Indiana.

Recognition

Teachers at St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon have earned recognition for “outstanding performance in advance reading practice and proficiency,” according to Andrea Lodato Dickel, principal.

“Ellie Naas and Karen Stewart, first grade teachers; Carrie Boehman and Greg Brinkmeyer, second grade teachers, Jenny Burris and Krystal Knust, third grade teachers, and Katie Cummings, fourth and fifth grade language arts teacher were awarded Accelerated Reader Model and/or Master  Classroom Certification by Renaissance Learning, a Wisconsin Rapids, Wis., based company.

Model and Classroom Certification acknowledge that these teachers’ efforts to promote personalized reading practice, assess comprehension, and monitor progress have resulted in measurable improvements in reading proficiency.

Champion

Congratulations to fifth grade student Logan Lively for winning the Chess Club chess tournament at Good Shepherd School in Evansville. He is also the winner of a marble chess set donated by parishioner John Greenwell. Manning Elpers, Evan Harding, and Matthew Fulton were also finalists in the tournament.

Time to celebrate

Students at Washington Catholic Elementary School in Washington celebrated reaching their goal of reading 2,000 books with a fun day last week.

Jeanne Heltzel, said, “The day is called, READ! R is for rejoicing at our success, E is for eating ice pops at the end of the day, A is for a surprise animal visitor, and D is for dressing up as your favorite character in a book.”

Family Life

Between now and the end of the school year, the kindergarten through fifth graders will be spending two or three weeks in religion class using a supplemental program called “Family Life,” writes Vickie Wannemuehler, principal at St. Matthew School in Mount Vernon.

“This program presents skills and virtues for Christian family living, communication, healthy relationships, morality and child safety. The series focuses on five themes: God’s Gift of Family, God’s Gift of Self, God’s Gift of Life, God’s Gift of Love, and God’s Gifts of Community.”

New School Board members

Barbara Rexing and Les Kiesel are joining the School Board at St. James School in Haubstadt this May.