Around The Diocese For 10-25

A message from Father Godfrey

Benedictine Father Godfrey Mullen, rector, writes in the newsletter at St. Benedict Cathedral School in Evansville:

"Dear friends in Christ, as the first quarter of the school year came to an end recently and no doubt progress reports will follow soon, this is a good opportunity for a few other checks, not only children in school. As I’ve said before (and will no doubt say again), we at Saint Benedict Cathedral Parish count it a privilege that parents have trusted us with helping them fulfill their responsibility of raising children in the faith. We have a century of tradition behind us, always seeing that one of our primary works here in the parish is passing on the faith in the education of our young people, both in the school and religious education program. So, I invite you to 'grade' your leadership in this enterprise.

"Do you agree with the importance of bringing your children to Sunday Mass, so that what they’re learning in the classroom and what they see modeled on the weekends is consistent instead of confusing? Do you also set the example that while paying tuition is an important part of support (for which we’re very grateful), financial support beyond tuition is necessary for the parish to offer all its programs and outreach? Have we all been willing to exercise our faith by giving of our time and talent to make this place better? Saint Ben’s isn’t interested at all in providing merely a “private” school experience or a venue where I simply get my faith-needs met (only taking and not giving)! We’re interested in partnering with you to use God’s numerous gifts to build a community wherein every member not only has rights and benefits respected and received, but responsibilities as well."

Happy birthday!

Father Kenneth Betz, pastor of St. James Parish, Haubstadt, celebrates his birthday Oct. 31.

Father Timothy Tenbarge, pastor of St. Anthony Parish, St. Anthony, and Sacred Heart Parish, Schnellville, celebrates his birthday Nov. 4.

Father Henry Kuykendall, pastor of Nativity Parish, Evansville, celebrates his birthday Nov. 4.

Father Eugene Schmitt, pastor at St. Raphael Parish, Dubois, and St. Peter Celestine Parish, Celestine, celebrates his birthday Nov. 5.

Deacon William Consley, St. John Parish, Loogootee; St. Joseph Parish, Bramble; St. Mary Parish, Shoals, St. Martin Parish, Shoals, celebrates his birthday Nov. 5

Visiting seminarian

Adam Ahern, a third year theology student at St. Meinrad Seminary, is helping with faith formations programs at Holy Family Parish in Jasper.

He is studying for the priesthood for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

He writes in the parish newsletter, "I am 33 years old. I grew up in Cincinnati, but moved to Indiana while in high school. I enlisted in the army after graduation and served for 8.5 years. I was stationed at Fort Bragg, N.C., and deployed to Afghanistan in 2002.

"After that, I was stationed in Washington, D.C., and worked at the White House for 4.5 years from 2003 to 2008. After leaving the army, I entered Bishop Simon Brute College Seminary, and I am currently in my third year of theology at St. Meinrad."

Happy birthday!

Marty Horning, parish catechetical leader at St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville, celebrates her birthday Nov. 3

Michelle Gondi, parish catechetical leader at St. Matthew Parish, Mount Vernon, celebrates her birthday Nov. 5.

Martha Schmitt, parish catechetical leader at St. Mary Parish, Ireland, celebrates her birthday Nov. 5.