June 7, 1991 The Message -- for Catholics of Southwestern Indiana
Bishop's Forum
III
11
By BISHOP
GERALD A.
GETrELFINGER
Retired priests, religious-
Gifts given and gifts shared
GIFTS GIVEN - GIFTS SHARED
Last week I wrote of the shortage of priests
and its potential impact on our diocese. I men-
tioned, too, the fact many of our priests who are
eligible for retirement continue to serve in as-
signed responsibilities. For this we must all be
grateful.
There are many men and women rendering
untiring service to our diocese. They are the re-
tirees of the ranks of clergy, religious and laity.
These members of our church have not ceased
being Catholic and active in their faith life just
because they have retired. They continue to
share their many gifts of time and talent with the
greatest of generosity. These are golden years of
service. They are indeed an inspiration to me as
I am sure they are to you.
In the past couple of years I have made refer-
ence to the priests' retirement fund and to the
new residence for retired priests. I have said lit-
fie about how they continue to serve with the fi-
delity they pledged on the day of their ordination.
Early in the decade of the seventies when re-
tirement for priests became a reality, many priests
of "the specified retirement age" felt like throw-
away priests. This was not surprising in that re-
tirement was unheard of for priests ordained prior
its arrival. We clearly understood that we were to
serve in an assigned responsibility for life. Inept
communication of the concept compounded the
feelings of abandonment and uselessness on the
part of retired priests. Happily that has changed.
Priests now anticipate and prepare for retirement,
or exercise the option to continue in assignments
beyond sixty-five years of age.
There has been a change of climate. Our re-
tired priests bear witness to that change by re-
sponding daily to calls for assistance. They offer
Holy Mass and administer the sacraments of Eu-
charist, Reconciliation, and Anointing of the Sick.
Some are so busy they have to curtail their work
schedule to find time for "retirement." Without
exception, when health permits, these men an-
swer such calls with the greatest generosity.
They continue to serve in many capacities.
Some assist as temporary replacement for a priest
away on sabbatical. Others provide weekend
coverage when a priest is sick. They make it pos-
sible for their assigned brothers to go on vaca-
tions. One commits himself to offering Holy Mass
every weekend during the camping season at Pa-
toka Lake to accommodate families on holiday.
Still others make themselves available to our
Clergy Assistance Pool that regularly provides
priests to those of our parishes that have pastoral
administrators other than priests.
Indeed retired priests join their lay and reli-
gious counterparts in continuing to serve us.
Joined together, these faithful men and w6men
model the life of Christ in the modern world
today.
I am most grateful.
[ Continued from page 7 Memorial's
| of the Wish Upon a Star organi-
Zation Lynnette, who suffers yearbook staff
orn bone cancer, received new
.bedroom furniture from the cnar- The 1991-92 yearbook staff at
Memorial High School,
|ltable organization. She is the Evansville will include: Angie
hter of Steven and Diana Northenor, Brian Kerr, Holly
of Evansville. Schnapf, Vicki Ritzert, Dolly
"NOBODY Beats Our Service
After The Sale!"
1991 Buick Skylark
Schutte, Heidi Fisher, Chris San-
ford, Melanie Pulcini, Greg La-
Grange, Maria Stransky, and
Angela Stucke. Lindsey Reed
and Jama Williamson will co-
edit the 1992 yearbook
Mater Dei
students in
state contest
Three students from Mater Dei
High School, Evansville, partici-
pated in a state math contest at
the University of Southern Indi-
ana. Matt Weber scored the third
highest score on the written test
in geometry, Aaron Couture had
the top score on the written test.
Shawn Arendt tied for top hon-
ors for the site award which is a
combination of the written test
and a group problem solving
competition.
Bacon Center. Winners included:
Nichole Sammet, Kari Koressel,
Erica Martin, second place; Clint
Reine, Jason Marsh, second run-
ner-up; Becky Schenk, Kate
Epley, Julie Russler, Tennille
Knapp, third runner-up.
Officers at
Holy Spirit
Recently-elected officers of the
Education Commission at Holy
Spirit School, Evansville, are Jim
Redman, Joe Rennie, Kathy
Stewart and Suzie Willis.
Newly-elected officers are Rita
Fairchild,president; Joe Rennie,
vice-president; Joan Otis, secre-
tary.
Incoming PTA officers will be
Bonnie Wink, president; Rhonda
Schroeder, vice-president; Pat
Rennie, secretary, and Mary Lou
Bradley, treasurer.
Poster contest Music competition
Eighth graders at Corpus Students from Holy Spirit
Christi School, Evansville, par- School, Evansville, who partici-
ticipated in a poster contest ated in the National Federation
sponsored by Albion Fellow Music Competition at the Uni-
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versity of Evansville were
Nathan Redman, 2 superiors, 1
excellent; Katie Bradley, 3 supe-
riors, 1 superior plus; Amanda
Wilhite, 2 superiors, 2 excel-
lents.
Officers for
Mater Dei-ville
Dan Gelarden will serve as
mayor of Mater Dei-ville, the stu-
dent government at Mater Dei
High School, Evansville, during
1991-92. Eric Folz will be judge
and Laura Schenk will be
mayor.
Council persons will be Brad
Horstman, Matt Render, seniors;
Stacey Adler, junior; Rachel
Moll, sophomore.
Religion contest
at Resurrection
Students at Resurrection
School, Evansville recently par-
ticipated in a religion contest.
They were asked a variety of
questions about the command-
ments, liturgical feasts and the
bible. The winners included:
Second grade Chris Stratman,
first; Anthony Epkey, Sara
Kiesler, second; Molly Topper,
Dax Miller, Nick Austin, third;
Third grade Laura Knapp,
first; Nick Weinzapfel, second;
Kristina Hunt, Julia Schenk,
third;
Fourth grade Brittny Wan-
emuehler, Pat Lamble, first;
Seth Weber, John Reis, second;
enny Effinger, Tony Unified,
fird;
Fifth grade Meaghan Topper,
first; Jeremy Herrmann, second;
Meg Liffick, Adam Schnarr,
third;
Sixth grade - Ann Weber, first;
Kevin Niemeier, second; Brian
Knapp, third;
Seventh grade Brendan
Anslinger, first; Andy Effinger,
second; Joe Armentano, third;
Eighth grade Angie Knapp.
first; Emily Liffick, second;
Theresa Garrand, third.
