Father Mullen Greets Students, Invites Them To Thank Father Gregory

            The final all-school Mass of the year for St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville, students, which was held May 17, served as an opportunity for students to meet Father Godfrey Mullen, pastor of St. Mary Church in Huntingburg. Father Mullen has been appointed rector of St. Benedict Cathedral by Bishop Charles C. Thompson, effective June 12.

            Father Gregory Chamberlain, the current rector of St. Benedict Cathedral, is retiring on June 12 due to health concerns. He was on hand for the May 17 Mass, which he concelebrated with Father Mullen.

            “You all are very blessed because for a long, long time there’s been somebody here who has taught us all that loving follows a belief in Jesus,” Father Mullen told the students during his homily. “There’s nobody that Father Gregory loves more than the people who are in this church right now. He has loved you, day after day, and for that, we ought to be grateful and thankful.”

            Father Mullen then invited all those in attendance to show their appreciation for Father Gregory, which led to more than 40 straight seconds of applause.

            Father Mullen told the students that his appointment as St. Benedict Cathedral rector represents a homecoming.

            “I was a priest here waaay back in the Middle Ages – 1994 and 1995,” he said. “So in some ways, it’s my homecoming to come back to where I started. And I’m looking forward to it.”