Oh What A Glorious Day!
A year ago, organizers developed the Feast of Booths as a way to kick off the Year of Faith and celebrate the many sacrifices made to unveil God’s love for all of us in Indiana – especially in the Diocese of Evansville. It focused on sharing the rich history in our diocese through the oldest church in Indiana, the Basilica of St. Francis Xavier, also known as the Old Cathedral; and our first bishop, Servant of God Bishop Simon Gabriel Brute. As the Nov. 24 conclusion of the Year of Faith approaches, the 2013 Feast of Booths offered witness to all of the gratitude we have for faith and our religious freedom to practice it.
Ministries with booths at this year’s feast included Daughters of Isabella, Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Kairos Prison Ministry, March of Dimes, Christ Renews His Parish, St. John Choir, Sacred Heart Religious Education, Good Shepherd Prayer Apostolate, Loaves and Fishes, Sacred Heart Pro Life Group, Teens Encounter Christ, Natural Blessings, Brothers and Sisters of Charity, Little Portion Retreat House, Simon Brute Seminary, St. Joseph Holy Family, and The Micah 6:8 Project, which was raising funds for a mission trip to Ghana, Africa.
St. Francis Xavier Pastor Fr. John Schipp, who was celebrasting his 75th birthday, led opening prayer; and Master of Ceremonies Mark Hill kicked off a day full of opportunities for faith-sharing and learning:
* The multi-faith music group “One Voice” performed praise and worship music.
* Dennis Stroughmatt of Albion, Ill., shared stories of the French residents of Vincennes in the 1730s, and also performed French Creole music on his fiddle.
* Local Park Ranger Pamela Nolan gave a presentation on the life of Bishop Brute.
* Dr. Mark Ginter portrayed Fr. Joseph Kundek, a missionary priest with a lasting legacy in the diocese.
* There were tours offered of the Old Cathedral and the Brute Library.
* Eucharistic Adoration occurred throughout the day in St. Rose Chapel in the Courtyard.
* The Sacrament of Reconciliation also was available throughout the day.
* Many in attendance gathered at Noon to pray the Rosary to Our Lady of Fatima on the eve the 96th anniversary of the Miracle of the Sun.
* Well-known apologist and speaker Tim Staples from Catholic Answers gave three presentations during the day, and he answered questions and visited with attendees throughout the day in the “Catholic 101” tent with Deacon Vince Bernardin from Newburgh; Steve Leugers of Jasper; and Keven Lents of Loogootee.
* Fr. Schipp concelebrated Mass in the Old Cathedral with Fr. Dave Fleck of St. John the Baptist and St. Vincent de Paul parishes in Vincennes, Fr. Dave Martin of Sacred Heart parish in Vincennes, Fr. Bob Nemergut, and Fr. Bob Robeson from Simon Brute Academy. Deacons Vince Bernardin, Earl Ruppel and Cletus Yochum assisted, and seminarians Fletcher Kitchell and Andrew Thomas participated.
* Well-known Christian musician John Michael Talbot performed in concert at Vincennes University’s Red Skelton Theater.
The Old Testament Book of Baruch includes reference to the Feast of Booths, during which the people offered a public prayer of penitence and petition.
Vincennes welcomed visitors from Terre Haute and Indianapolis, from a number of Illinois communities, and from across the Diocese of Evansville to the celebration.
I hope each person who attended this day walked away with a new song in their hearts for Jesus, an appreciation for the sacrifices made for religious freedom, and the means to become better defenders of the faith. The Lord has made His salvation known; it is up to us to share the good news. No matter what property or space we are permitted to use, God’s righteousness will always be revealed in the hearts of the willing, in full sight of all nations. Amen!
