Around The Diocese For Dec. 5
Scapulars
“You may have wondered, ‘Why do Catholics wear scapulars?’” writes Father Eugene Schmitt in the bulletin at St. Peter Celestine Parish in Celestine and St. Raphael Parish in Dubois.
“Catholics wear scapulars because they were given to us by the Blessed Mother with a promise.
“According to Catholic tradition, Our Lady gave the scapular to St. Simon Stock, the Father General of the Carmelite order, in the thirteenth century. Mary appeared to St. Simon in a vision, held out a scapular and said to him, ‘He who dies in this will not suffer eternal fire.’
“Does this mean if you wear the scapular you get into heaven no matter what your actions? Of course not!
“The scapular is not a ‘get out of hell free’ card or a magical charm. It is an exterior sign of an interior fidelity to Christ and trust in his Mother’s love and intercession for her children.”
Father Schmitt added, “When Catholics wear a scapular they are showing outwardly their love of Mary and commitment to Christ.”
Happy Birthday!
Father Paul Ferguson, pastor at Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville, celebrates his birthday Dec. 11.
Deacon Earl Ruppel, pastoral life coordinator at St. Thomas Parish, Vincennes, celebrates his birthday Dec. 16.
Deacon anniversary
Deacon Thomas Lambert, St. Clement Parish, Boonville, was ordained Dec. 12, 1992.
Student teacher
Micha Seng is student teaching at Sts. Peter and Paul School in Haubstadat.
Welcome seminarians
The parish newsletter at Sts. Peter and Paul in Haubstadt notes, “We are again blessed to have seminarians from St. Meinrad.
“Deacon Hiep will assist Father Tony and Father Sudhakar at the weekend Masses. Deacon Hiep will be ordained a priest in May 2015.
“Taryn Whittington, a third year seminarian from the Diocese of Little Rock, Ark., is teaching and observing in our religious education program.”
Special visitor with a special message
Dan Gilbert, principal at St. Joseph School in Princeton, writes, “Former I.U. basketball standout and football player for the Cincinnati Bengals, Ken Johnson, visited St. Joseph to speak to students about making good choices and leading a faith-filled life.
“His inspiring message encouraged kids to be a chooser and not a loser.”
Design winners
The PTO at St. Benedict Cathedral School, with help from Regent Promotions, sponsored a t-shirt design contest. Alyssa Schulz and Drew Early each designed the winning shirts.
A profit of $495
The PTA at St. James School in Haubstadt has raised $495 through the recent Snickerdoodle Art fundraiser. “Lots of beautiful artwork and many smiling faces resulted from this fun afternoon,” writes Angie Johnson, principal.
