Around The Diocese For June 28

From the desk of

Father Erbacher

Father Joseph Erbacher writes in the bulletins at his four parishes, “On May 23, I talked with Bishop Thompson via phone. As you know I had requested a new assignment. He has asked that I remain as pastor of the Martin County Catholic Churches for another year, and so, at the request of the bishop, I will continue to be your pastor.

“Not that I am not enjoying and pleased to be your pastor, I just felt with the planning process, it was time to let you have a new pastor be assigned. Therefore, the challenge I accept but I need to tell you that the probable eventual plan is for the merger of the four parishes into one.  There will be changes made, boards and councils all revamped, and more and more combining of existing programs and services.

“To date, the combined families for the four parishes is 967, with a total of 2,289 parishioners. For the upcoming year, I still am very pleased to have the weekend assistance of both Father Leo [Kiesel] and Father Walker, and hopefully the services of a permanent deacon.

“Yes, I am the first to admit, ‘CHANGE’ is difficult, and so please realize everyone and everybody is not always going to get what they want and what time they want services. Hopefully the staff and I will be able to be respectful to your needs and requests, but it will not always be possible. My nine years (June, 2004) with all of you has been a rewarding, prayerful experience; we have together accomplished much, and now more is asked.

“Let us pray for the guidance of The Holy Spirit to continue the path of the Lord Jesus – we can, and no reason why we cannot do this!  God Bless You – pray for me as I daily pray for all of you, my parishioners.”

Father Erbacher is pastor at St. John Parish in Loogootee, St. Joseph Parish in Bramble, St. Mary Parish in Shoals, and St. Martin Parish in Whitfield.

Happy Birthday!

Deacon David Franklin, St. Boniface Parish, Evansville, celebrates his birthday July 4.

Deacon Michael Jones of St. Peter Parish, Montgomery, and All Saints Parish, Cannelburg, celebrates his birthday July 6.

Deacon anniversaries

The following deacons celebrate their anniversaries on July 9:

• Vince Bernardin, St. John the Baptist, Newburgh;

• William Brandle, Sts. Peter and Paul Parish, Haubstadt;

• David Cook, St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville;

• James Flynn, St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville;

• Gerald Gagne, Precious Blood Parish, Jasper;

• Thomas Goebel, Corpus Christi Parish, Evansville;

• Michael Helfter, Holy Family Parish, Jasper;

• Dennis Hilderbrand, Our Lady of Hope Parish, Washington;

• Kenneth Johanning, Sacred Heart Parish in Schnellville and St. Anthony Parish in St. Anthony;

• Charles Koressel, St. Philip, Posey County;

• Thomas Lehman, Sacred Heart Parish, Evansville;

• David Mayer, Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville;

• David Rice, St. John Parish, Daylight, and Associate Clergy Personnel Director;

• Earl Ruppel, pastoral life coordinator, St. Thomas Parish, Vincennes;

• Levi Schnellenberger, St. Joseph Parish, Jasper;

• David Seibert, pastoral life coordinator at St. Theresa Parish, Evansville, and director of the diocesan Office of the Permanent Diaconate;

• Michael Seibert, St. Peter Celestine Parish, Celestine and St. Raphael Parish, Dubois;

• Joe Stofleth;

• Michael Waninger, St. Martin Parish in Chrisney and St. Bernard Parish in Rockport, and pastoral life coordinator at St. John Chrysostom Parish, New Boston;

• James Woebkenberg, St. Joseph Parish, Dale, and St. Nicholas Parish, Santa Claus, and pastoral life coordinator at Mary, Help of Christians Parish, Mariah Hill;

• Donald Yochum, St. Theresa Parish, Evansville.

Happy Birthday!

Michelle Fischer, parish catechetical leader at St. Mary Parish, Huntingburg, celebrates her birthday July 2.