Around The Diocese For Feb. 20

Congratulations

“Please join me in congratulating Joel Padgett, the coordinator for Immigration Legal Services for Catholic Charities, who received accreditation from the Board of Immigration Appeals earlier this week,” writes Sharon Burns, diocesan director of Catholic Charities and Hispanic Ministry.

“This means he can directly serve clients in need of immigration legal services (documentation, DACA and DAPA applications, citizenship applications, etc).

“As you know Catholic Charities is the ONLY BIA recognized provider of low-cost, legal immigration services in Southwest Indiana. We serve individuals out of three offices: Evansville, Huntingburg and Washington.

“Clients drive from as far as Bloomington, Western Kentucky and Southeastern Illinois to receive our services. Please let your immigrant friends, families, colleagues and clients know that we are just a phone call away -- 812-423-6155.  Callers may ask to speak to Cesilie or Joel and schedule appointments at any of the locations through just one number.”

Happy Birthday!

Father Ralph Schipp, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, celebrates his birthday March 2.

Father August Busch of Evansville, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, celebrates his birthday March 4.

Anniversary of ordination

Father Jean Vogler, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, was ordained to the priesthood Feb. 28, 1970.

Father Kenneth Herr, a retired priest of the Diocese of Evansville, was ordained to the priesthood March 2, 1968.

Father Lowell Will, pastor of St. Clement Parish, Boonville, was ordained to the priesthood March 2, 1968.

Anniversaries at St. Joseph

Congratulations to couples at St. Joseph Parish in Jasper celebrating February wedding anniversaries: James and Marilyn Jahn, 45 years; Robert and Beverly Morton, 45 years; Gerald and Doris Gutzweiler, 60 years; David and Barbara Berger, 55 years; John and Lucille Bies, 61 years; Otto and Mary Lee Kress, 72 years; Larry and Lucinda Jones, 40 years; Joseph and Jeanne Knies, 40 years.

Music awards

Students at Good Shepherd School in Evansville who received gold ratings in the recent band solo contest include Sarah Fruit, Jackson Gries, Alex Hardesty, Gregory Naas, Emma Nathan, Mariah Fulton, Sammy Gerteisen, Taylor Schuler and Sam Syroney. Eric Burris received a silver rating.

Award winner

Seth Hein, a parishioner at Holy Family Parish in Jasper is the winner of the American Legion Americanism and Government Testing program sponsored by American Legion Post 147.

He is also the American Legion’s 8th district winner; the district is comprised of 11 counties in southern Indiana including Dubois, Pike, Posey, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Spencer, Perry, Crawford, Harrison, Clark and Floyd.

Target field trip grant

Andrea Lodato Dickel, principal at St. Philip School in Posey County, writes, “Congratulations to Ellie Naas, grade one teacher, and Michelle Vanover for writing and receiving a Target Field Trip Grant for the amount of $700!”

Staff members from Wesselman Woods Nature Center will come to the classroom in February to teach the students about the adaptations and behaviors that allow wild animals to survive and thrive in the winter.

In April, staff members from the nature center will bring an “Insect Investigation” to the classroom allowing students to learn about the insects and use their scientific skills to investigate insects.

In May the students will explore Wesselman Woods Nature Center. “This will let them see a variety of habitats and allow them to witness a wide range of plants, animals and insects in their natural homes. They will discover the elements of a habitat and why the animals live there.

The impact of humans on the habitats will be discussed, and suggestions will be made on how to minimize that impact.

The grant will cover the cost of all three programs and also provide 75 new books from the Let’s Read and Find Out Science series for the classroom! “A special thanks to Michelle Vanover for helping Ellie Naas with this grant!”

Youth salute

Kya Weatherhold has received the Youth Salute in the parish newsletter for the Catholic Community of North Spencer. She is a middle school student, and helps out at the parish on Sundays with the Children’s Liturgy of the Word.

Gold awards

Katarina Emmert, Grant Emmert, Keri Steckler and Ryan Steckler received gold ratings at the recent solo and ensemble contest. They are students at St. James School in Haubstadt.