Sacred Objects: Diocesan Priests Share Stories Behind Special Items

We all have objects in our lives that carry cherished, personal stories: a grandmother’s wedding ring, a father’s military badge, an old book given by a beloved friend. For many of our priests, the items carrying such special stories also have sacred purposes.

A priest’s sets of vestments, chalices, and other sacramentals are often gifts from family members; are passed down by other clergy; or serve as reminders in some way of a priest’s personal faith journey. As a result, tucked into their details are favorite memories and stories. Recently, four diocesan priests shared the stories behind their favorite sacred objects with The Message.  

Father John Boeglin

Father Boeglin, pastor of Holy Family Parish in Jasper, shared the story of a ring that carries a host of symbolic meanings and personal connections. In 2014, he traveled to Einsiedeln, Switzerland, for the ordination of two priests who had studied for a year at St. Meinrad. Our Lady of Einsiedeln Abbey— built at the site where St. Meinrad himself made his hermitage—is the “home” of St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad; monks from Einsiedeln founded the abbey in Indiana.  

Father Boeglin had visited Einsiedeln before, but his 2014 visit was special not only because of the ordinations, but also because it occurred on the Feast of St. Francis, one of his favorite saints. “Our Pope has made (the name) all the more meaningful because of how he models the priesthood for us,” he said.  

While visiting the Abbey gift shop, Father Boeglin came to a case of rings that he had admired on a previous visit, later wishing he had purchased one. On this day, he decided to buy a stainless steel ring to remind him of his devotion to St. Francis and his commitment to his own vocation. “I decided from that day on, I would wear a ring to signify my vow to the priesthood,” he said. Because he bought the ring in Switzerland, it also serves as a reminder of his own family’s Swiss heritage.

While the surface of the ring is unadorned, reminding Father Boeglin of the importance of simplicity, engraved on the inside are the words Danke Gott, German for “Thank you, God.” Father Boeglin said that the German engraving is special to him because of his Swiss ancestry and because he studied theology in Innsbruck, Austria—another German-speaking nation. Finally, Father Boeglin said that the words themselves remind him every day of his priestly calling; as he put it, “I wear the ring to thank God for my vocation to the priesthood.” Thus, in Father Boeglin’s simple band are reminders of his family history, his faith role models, his own journey to the priesthood and his daily calling to serve God as a priest. “It’s all connected,” he said.     

Father Tony Ernst

The story of two chalices owned by Father Ernst – pastor of Sts. Peter and Paul and St. James parishes in Haubstadt, and Holy Cross parish in Fort Branch – began during his childhood; but he didn’t know it at the time.

While growing up on a farm in Jasper, Father Ernst was aware that on a neighboring farm lived a family with four sons, three of whom were priests. “They were talked about all the time, but I just knew they were neighbors,” he said. Two of the brothers, Father Francis Schroering and Father Raymond Schroering, served the Diocese of Evansville as diocesan priests.  

Though they had lived a quarter-mile apart for years, Father Francis and Father Ernst did not become close until Father Ernst entered the seminary, and Father Francis became his mentor. The two remained dear friends for years, growing especially close near the end of Father Francis’ life. Upon his death, he passed his chalice down to Father Ernst.  

During his friendship with Father Francis, Father Ernst also became close with Francis’ brother, Father Raymond. Several years after his brother’s death, Father Raymond passed away, also passing his chalice down to Father Ernst.  

Father Francis’ chalice, from Innsbruck, Austria, is “kind of from a different era,” Father Ernst said. “It’s very unique.” The surface is primarily bright red, and on the bottom are engraved the names of Father Francis’ parents. Also around the bottom are the names of his siblings. Father Raymond’s chalice is golden and more slender; on the bottom is an engraving commemorating Father Raymond’s ordination date, as well as an in memoriam for his aunt and godmother.  

Father Ernst is grateful to be the keeper of both chalices, keeping them together and reminding him of the brothers who helped shape his own vocation. He said that the chalices are most meaningful because Father Francis and Father Raymond “were close to my family, and always loved by our neighborhood.” He added, “They were both such fine men who loved the priesthood. They were really good models.”

Now, Father Ernst is able to remember the brothers and their love for the community and the Lord whenever he celebrates Mass. “I always think of what an honor it is every time I use those chalices,” he said.  

Father Paul Ferguson

Before attending seminary, Father Ferguson, pastor of Our Lady of Hope Parish in Washington, was a member of Holy Name Parish in Bloomfield. There, he was under the guidance of Father Hilary Vieck. “We had been side by side for years,” Father Ferguson said.  

When he returned to Holy Name for his first Mass as an ordained priest, Father Ferguson discovered that parishioners had seen to it that he was completely outfitted for the priesthood. Parishioners gave him not just one set of vestments, but, as Father Ferguson said, “My parish had, unbeknownst to me, decided to get a whole set of vestments – four chasubles, four stoles, and so on.”  

While all of the vestments coordinate in style and embellishment, each of the four sets is a different color, each suitable for a different liturgical season. Father Ferguson noted that he still wears these vestments weekly.    

Also at Father Ferguson’s first Mass, Father Vieck and Benedictine Sister Diane Fischer (at the time Pastoral Life Coordinator at Holy Name) presented him with his first chalice, a gift from the Knights of Columbus in Linton. Father Ferguson had been a member of the Knights since before he entered the seminary, and he had grown close with the members. Much like his vestments, this gift was a surprise. The chalice is engraved with his ordination date, and the base bears the Knights of Columbus seal.  

Father Ferguson said that the vestments and chalice are meaningful to him primarily because they reflect the encouragement and generosity of his parishioners even before he assumed his priestly role. “It comes from my home parish, and it’s something I wasn’t expecting them to do,” he said. “During my time in the seminary they were very supportive of me. It was heartwarming to know they were supportive of my vocation.”

Father Tyler Tenbarge

Father Tenbarge, associate pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish in Newburgh, was ordained to the priesthood on June 11; he received his first vestments and chalice for the occasion. The chasuble he wore during his June 12 Mass of Thanksgiving at his home parish, Sts. Peter and Paul in Haubstadt, was a gift from his parents. On the inside is a patch with their names and the date of his ordination. The matching cope (a long mantle that clasps in the front) was a gift from his extended family. Father Tenbarge noted, “Over 25 people chipped in on that one!”    

He will soon also acquire vestments from the Knights of Columbus, a group of families from his home parish, and Father Ernst – his home pastor. Finally, he will receive a gold vestment from India—a gift from Father Sudhakar Bhastati, who served as associate pastor at Sts. Peter and Paul. Father Bhastati is now associate pastor of St. Philip Parish in Posey County and Corpus Christi Parish in Evansville.

Father Tenbarge’s chalice originally belonged to an Italian missionary priest in the 1800s. The chalice is silver with gold plating, and it has blue stones in the base. Around the base are eight vignettes from the Gospels, including the Annunciation, the Crucifixion, and the Wedding at Cana. Around the chalice stem are the four Evangelists. The chalice was given to a local priest a few years ago, with directions to pass it to the next priest to be ordained in the diocese. At the time, Father Tenbarge was the next seminarian scheduled for ordination.  

Reflecting on his collection of vestments and sacramentals, Father Tenbarge said, “I guess you could say that my family, friends and Church family is clothing me for ministry. The colors I wear and the Masses I celebrate will show forth the love of my family and friends, and the love of the Church in Evansville for one of her new priests.”