• October 2, 1987
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View Point
The Message -- for Catholics of Southwestern Indiana
13
Bishop Francis
R. Shea
Bishop of
Diocese of Evansville
Thoughts of one bishop while on
pilgrimage to see John Paul II
I have discovered that when airplanes are
scheduled for early morning departure (7:10 a.m.}
they generally leave on time. The same is not
always true later in the day.
Airline deregulation has not increased the leg
room on any flights I have taken in the last
months. The attendants are faithful in warning me
to watch my head as I board the plane. They com-
pletely lose interest in the rest of me as I try to fit
into the minuscule space "reserved" for the rest of
me.
I never cease to wonder at the carry-on luggage.
On this trip, two lacrosse players brought aboard
all their equipment, including the long-handled
webbed rackets used for carrying the ball and,
from what I have heard, whacking players on the
other team. So far, no vaulting poles.
In today's impersonal world, many people ex-
press the wish for more intimacy and closer rela-
tionships. Having spent four hours strapped into
three small seats with two other rather substantial
people nervously trying their first flight, I think
there is something to be said for a little
liebesreum.
We landed at the Los Angeles Airport, which
had a certain familiar look. However, since nobody
chased a fugitive through the lobby or fired any
shots or shouted "freeze" I began to wonder if we
really had arrived at our proper desination. Maybe
Tuesdays are off days in Hollywood.
The wonderful local organization for the visit of
the Holy Father became evident at once. Friendly,
courteous young ladies and gentlemen were on
hand to welcome the arriving guests of the arch-
diocese. We were escorted to the nearby hotel and
loaded down with souvenirs at the registration
table. Since it was before noon, many rooms were
not ready for occupancy. This is not such bad
news with a nearby lounge available equipped
with a large-screen TV, lots of easy chairs and cof-
fee and Danish rolls in abundance. At last, the
liebesranm I had been craving. Even as Garfield
says, "I need my space."
SINCE I NEVER served in the armed forces, the
slogan, "Hurry up and wait" had no great [
significance to me. After the day of our visit with
t
the Holy Father and the concelebrated Mass at
Dodger Stadium, it now has great personal
resonance. When large groups have to be
transported and the element of security is very im-
portant, the afore-mentioned large groups get a full
course in "hurry up and wait." It was all coor-
dinated very skillfully but it did take a while. By
the way, one of the secret service men noticed by
badge and told me he was born in Evansville. I
think he said his name was Hahn.
The San Fernando Mission is a beautiful and
sacred spot. When we entered the church for
morning prayer the historical background of the
place helped greatly to focus our minds on the en-
during prescence of Catholicism as a sanctifying
and civilizing force. St. Peter's words on Mt.
Tabor, "Lord, it is good for us to be here," came
quickly to mind and remained throughout the day.
As we gathered in the dining room, our Holy
Father stood in a central spot and greeted each of
us individually. Despite the rigorous schedule he
had followed from Miami to Los Angeles, Pope
John Paul appeared fresh and vigorous.
A four-hour meeting with three hundred bishops
was all business, about which you have heard.
However, his tone of voice, his obvious references
to "we" not "you" when he made strong
statements served to preserve the ambience of col-
legiality rather than the woodshed which some
reporters tried to present. We do have serious pro-
blems of which Pope John Paul II is fully aware
and so are the bishops of the United States. Jesus
referred to himself as the "bread of life" and the
necessity for his followers to eat of it. Some who
heard him say this found it a hard statement to ac-
cept. So do many today with the teachings of the
Church. Since Jesus did not rephrase nor retract
his statement, neither camJohn Paul II, nor can we.
The beauty of the Mass at Dodger Stadium had
to be seen and heard to be fully appreciated. My
powers of description are inadequate to do it
justice.
PRIOR TO THE Mass a program of sacred music
was offered by local artists of which there seemed
to be a veritable multitude. The background of
thousands of the faithful occupying stadium seats,
which rise to five tiers surrounding the infield,
provided everyone with a fine view. Other seats
were on ground level covering the entire playing
field except for the area of the huge platform for
the altar and concelebrants. "Grand scale" is the
most apt description I can give. The crowd
numbered 63,000 people.
When the Holy Father arrived there was great
jubilation. The Popemobile circled the stadium and
cheers followed every wave of his hand. Los
Angeles is made up of the most d/verse gathering
of people, perhaps in the world. Native costumes
were everywhere and hymns and songs in many
languages greeted the Pope's presence. A large
number of young Koreans were directly behind
where I was seated. They were a most enthusiastic
and happy group and their joy at being there was
beautiful to behold.
When the Mass concluded, the bishops were
treated to a nice dinner in the Stadium Club and
transported once more back to the hotel by bus.
After a good night's sleep we had a concelebrated
Mass in a large room at the hotel and began the
long trip home. The part from Los Angeles to In-
dianapolis went very smoothly and the seat next to
mine was vacant. In the Indianapolis airport,
things began to unravel. The flight I was supposed
to take no longer exists. Tickets purchased in May
in order to save money are not to he trusted in
September. I finally arrived in Evansville about
10:40 p.m. I was about to feel sorry for myself un.
til I remembered the Holy Father had to visit
Monterey, San Francisco and Detroit before he
could sleep in his own bed. It helped to put things
in perspective, which is where they belong.
The trip was physically tiring butspiritually
refreshing and firming. May God continue to
bless Pope Job., Paul II. He is a great and holy
man.
St. Simon
Continued from page 11
move his residence from Mon-
tgomery to Washington and to
found a parish there which was
to be named St. Simon, patron
saint of both the Bishop and
Father Simon."
The bishop died before
fulfilling a promise to dedicate
the new brick church in
Washington. Father Lalumiere
was still pastor on November 6,
1842, when Bishop Celestine de
la Hailandiere of Vincennes
dedicated the church.
The first school was started,
in file basement of the church,
on 1847. It was taught by
Brothers of St. Joseph. In 1857,
three Sisters of Providence
opened a school in
Washington.
Catholic school continues to
be of significance to the
Catholic community, in
Washington, according to the
current pastor at St. Simon,
Father James E. Koressel. He
says the consolidated school
system has produced a bond for
all of the Catholics in the two
parishes of St. Simon and St.
Mary in Washington. The
schools were consolidated in
1973, and Father Koressel
believes the willingness to
work for the school has grown
to include a willingness to work
toward other parish and com-
munity projects.
Father Koressel and Father
Robert A Temme serve the
parish of almost 1,800 people.
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Sister Agnes Marie Dauby serve
at St. Mary, Washington, a
parish of more than 1,200 peo-
ple. Father Koressel says the
two parishes really work well
together.
St. Simon used to be the
"Irish parish," while St. Mary
was the "German parish," ac-
cording to Father Koressel, but
now there is interaction for the
"Catholic community of
Washington," he says. "There
used to be a rift, but we are see-
ing it made narrower and
narrower. ' '
Father Koressel is convinced
that the future of the Catholic
church in Washington will de-
mand working together as a
community, as the community
. has already worked together for
the school system. Considering
the loss of industry over the last
10 years, says Father Koressel,
and the increase in the numbers
of retired people who are
parishioners, you have to
marvel at the commitment to
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Catholic education this com-
munity has made, to support a
Kindergarten through 12th
grade Catholic school system.
"There is a real good spirit in
the parish today," says Father
Koressel. Among the latest
developments were liturgical
workshops held during
September, a new effort to
minister to the divorced and
separated, and an active youth
board.
The goal for the future, says
the pastor, "is to have more and
more people taking on ministry
to one another."
Tenth Street School
Price set for Jasper grade school
By MARY ANN HUGHES
Message Staff Writer
A price of $390,000 has been
set for the possible purchase of
the Tenth Street School, Jasper,
according to Father John David-
son, pastor of St. Joseph
Church, Jasper. The school is
being offered for sale to the
Greater Jasper Consolidated
School Corporation
"This price has the approval
of the St. Joseph parish council
and Bishop Francis R. Shed,"
Father Davidson said.
Currently,. the two school
buildings and adjoining proper-
ty, which are owned by St.
Joseph parish, are being leased
to the corporation.
The parish is now waiting for
the corporation to make a deci-
sion about purchasing the pro-
perty, which includes the two
buildings, one built in 1925 and
the second built in 1959, and
the 11 acres of land.
One condition was added to
the offer -- that if the building
• is not used as a school --
ownership would revert back to
the present owner, Father
Davidson said.
