Catholic News Around Indiana
Compiled by Brandon A. Evans
Diocese of Evansville
Bishop appoints Superintendent of Catholic Schools, two assistants
By PAUL R. LEINGANG and MARY ANN HUGHES
It is a new name, a new face, a new title. Catholic schools in the Diocese of Evansville have a new leader, appointed by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger and announced on May 6.
Daryl C. Hagan, principal at Holy Name School in Henderson, Ky., and a long time figure in Catholic education in western Kentucky, has been named Superintendent of Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Evansville.
Catholic schools are located in eight of the 12 counties of the diocese and include schools in Evansville, Newburgh, Mount Vernon, St, Philip, Haubstadt, Fort Branch, Princeton, Vincennes, Washington, Rockport and Jasper.
Hagan has served as principal of Holy Name School in Henderson since 1997. Hagan was named Director of Schools for the Owensboro Catholic Schools in 1993, and continued in that position until 1997. The consolidated school system, of Owensboro Catholic Schools, included five elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, with a total of 2,300 students and a staff of over 200 teachers and staff. The system served 15 Catholic parishes.
Michelle Priar, named assistant superintendent, has served as principal at St. James School in Haubstadt since 2003. She has 20 years of teaching and administrative experience in the Diocese of Evansville.
In her application for the, she described herself as a “positive person,” someone who sees the “glass half full rather than half empty.” When faced with challenges, she says she is able to see “possibilities rather than barriers.”
She began her teaching career in the diocese as a science teacher at St. Theresa School, Evansville, in 1991.
Donna Halverson, also named assistant superintendent, served as interim director of Catholic schools following the retirement of Phyllis Beshears, who held the position of director for 19 years. Halverson had served nine years as assistant director, and agreed to the interim leadership for one year.
The search for a permanent director was suspended in 2009, as part of cost savings measures, and Halverson again stepped forward into the director’s office.
Halverson did not seek the permanent position, but has indicated her willingness to continue for two years as assistant director, providing valuable continuity for the office.
Becoming more effective parents - Strengthening families: Building family strengths
Six families have completed a 10-week “Strengthening Families Program — Ages Six to Nine” in Spanish at the Guadalupe Center in Huntingburg.
“This free program helps youth and their families to build on family strengths, while learning new skills,” said Benedictine Sister Karen Durliat, diocesan director of the Spanish-speaking ministry.
She said the emphasis of the program was “learning to communicate as a family. Parents learned the importance of spending time with their children, together, not just in the same room. They learned ways to reward their children for good behavior with social rewards, like praise and doing activities with their children.
“Children learned the importance of listening, saying ‘no’ to stay out of trouble, steps to problem solving, and dealing with feelings.
“The families were encouraged to set aside time for family meetings and activities.”
Each session also offered time for fun interactive activities for the families.
“An added advantage for the Hispanic community is that the program provides time for parents to talk to other parents whose children understand the language and culture of the United States better than they (the parents) do,” Sister Karen said. “They help each other to find ways to be more effective parents.”
Father Kurt Stasiak named prior
Benedictine Father Kurt Stasiak has been appointed as prior (second in leadership) at St. Meinrad Archabbey, effective July 9. He succeeds Benedictine Father Tobias Colgan, who has held the position since 1997.
Father Kurt is the director of spiritual formation for St. Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology, a work of St. Meinrad Archabbey. He has been a Benedictine monk of St. Meinrad since 1974.
He attended St. Meinrad College, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. He earned a Master of Divinity from St. Meinrad School of Theology and was ordained to the priesthood in 1980. He then attended the Pontifical Anthenaeum of Sant’ Anselmo in Rome, where he earned advanced degrees in sacramental theology.
Father Kurt has been a member of the Seminary and School of Theology faculty since 1986. He will continue in his capacity as a professor of sacramental/liturgical theology.
Other assignments have included provost-vice rector of the School of Theology, vocation director for St. Meinrad Archabbey, chair of the Archabbey Church Renovation Com-mittee and assistant novice-junior master for the Archabbey.
Father Kurt is the author of several books, including “A Confessor’s Handbook” (Paulist Press, 2011, revised and expanded; and 1999); “Sacramental Theology: Means of Grace, Ways of Life” (Loyola, 2002); and “Return to Grace: A Theology for Infant Baptism” (Liturgical Press-A Pueblo Book, 1996). He has written numerous articles and book reviews for a variety of publications.
In August, Father Tobias will join the staff of the Seminary and School of Theology as director of the Together in One Place celibacy formation program. He will also work in the school’s English as a Second Language program and oversee the Spanish liturgy practicum.
(For these stories and more news from the Diocese of Evansville, log on to the website of The Message at www.themessageonline.org)
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Panel discusses homelessness in Fort Wayne
By Lauren Caggiano
FORT WAYNE — What is the face of homelessness?
A group of local experts on the topic attempted to answer questions like this at a panel session April 29 at St. Jude Catholic Church.
The panel was presented as an educational offering from the St. Jude Social Action Committee. This committee, headed by Shelia Bruening, invites parishioners to learn about social issues and participate in the corporal works of mercy through various efforts like this panel.
The event took place in the church basement and was open to the public. Panelists included Dr. Phyllis Agness, Indiana University-Purdue University/Charis House; Dr. Terry Anderson, director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network; Dottie Carpenter, founder of Ave Marie House; Mollie Cripe, YWCA/Allen County Housing and Homeless Task Force; and Ann Helmke, director of Vincent Village.
Mollie Cripe opened the discussion with a look at how the homeless are counted annually, as mandated by the government. This population, she noted, is rather hard to count due to various factors, therefore it is difficult to ascertain an accurate number. What’s more, she noted a sad reality: There are a lot of “first-time homeless.” These are hardworking people who might have lost their homes due to the weak economy.
Terry Anderson is director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network, whose mission is to serve homeless families by uniting faith community volunteers and local agencies in a cooperative effort to provide shelter, meals and compassionate ongoing assistance. St. Jude’s is a member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
The minister debunked some myths about the homeless. The stereotype of the unkempt, drug addicted man is not always the reality. First of all, he cited a statistic that 36 percent of the homeless are families. Sadly, children under 18 are the fastest growing segment in the United States. In short, Anderson called to mind a “new face of homelessness … people like you and I.”
Photo caption: Dr. Phyllis Agness, of Indiana University-Purdue University/Charis House, and Dottie Carpenter, founder of Ave Marie House, answer questions from the crowd at a panel discussion on homelessness on April 29 at St. Jude Catholic Church.
Bishop Rhoades to bless new Redeemer Radio facilities
FORT WAYNE — Redeemer Radio, Catholic Radio AM 1450, announced that Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades will bless the new studio facilities of Redeemer Radio on May 11 at 10 a.m. The station’s new home will be located at 4618 E. State St. (East State Professional Office Park), between Reed and Coliseum. The public is invited to attend.
Bishop Rhoades has been a supporter of Redeemer Radio since his arrival as the new bishop of the diocese in January of this year and serves as honorary co-chair of “Building Faith, Sharing Christ: The Campaign for Redeemer Radio” with Bishop John M. D’Arcy, his predecessor. Bishop Rhoades recently said, “Redeemer Radio is a great means of evangelization and catechesis. … It has my blessing and my strong support.”
The bishop will be joined by Msgr. Robert Schulte, the vicar general of the diocese, and Jim Fitzpatrick, the episcopal master of ceremonies. Msgr. Schulte, a member of the Redeemer Radio Campaign Cabinet, is scheduled to offer the opening prayer.
The leadership of Redeemer Radio expressed its gratitude to Bishop Rhoades, both for his support and for giving of his time to bless the facilities. Redeemer Radio Board Chairman Mike Kelly noted, “Though we are an independent apostolate, we serve at the pleasure of Bishop Rhoades and strive to do everything possible to assist him in his goals and the diocese in its work.”
The new station studios were made possible through the generous gifts donated during the initial silent phase of the campaign. Campaign Co-Chair Lona Pritchard describes the new studios as “one of the first fruits that demonstrates the success of the initial phase of the capital campaign.”
The blessing of the new facilities marks a new chapter in the life of the rapidly growing Catholic radio station, and the relocation is concurrent with the announcement of the public phase of the capital campaign.
(For these stories and more news from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, log on to the website of Today’s Catholic at www.todayscatholicnews.org)
Diocese of Gary
Portrait of a Fighter: Young bride takes on rare form of cancer
Story by Tim Hunt
HIGHLAND — Katie Dergo and her new husband, Ryan Stage, were supposed to spend their honeymoon in the Smoky Mountains — sightseeing, eating southern barbecue, and celebrating the new life they started together. Instead, Katie spent the first weeks of her marriage undergoing chemotherapy, surgeries, and fighting for her life.
After experiencing severe abdominal pain three weeks before her wedding, Katie’s learned that she was diagnosed with the Sertoli-Leydig cell tumor, a rare form of ovarian cancer, and that it had possibly reached stage 4 plus terminal.
She contemplated calling off the wedding.
“I didn’t want to be married for a few weeks or months not knowing if I would die,” she said.
Eventually, after discussing it with doctors and family, the young couple did decide to carry on with the ceremony at St. Mary Church in Griffith. It was a very emotional day, “By the time we got to the father-daughter dance there wasn’t a dry eye in the house,” Katie said.
Wanting to remember everything on her special day, Katie forwent her medication and spent the entire day concealing her pain. “The pain was pretty bad and I wasn’t able to enjoy myself as much as I wanted to,” she said. “I’m 28. This is the time you’re supposed to be enjoying yourself, hanging out with friends, not getting cancer and wondering if you’re going to die. Death was definitely on my mind.”
The following weeks were spent with trips to Loyola University Hospital in Illinois for treatment. The couple’s honeymoon was filled with surgeries and chemotherapy. Two tumors — one the size of a grapefruit, the other the size of a fist — were removed and painful PICC (peripherally inserted central catheter) lines that caused bruising were inserted.
Soon, it became difficult for the two to spend time with each other. Medical bills began piling up to a staggering $65,000 after insurance, and Katie was terminated from her dental assistant job the day immediately following her time
off from the Family Medical Leave Act. With Katie unable to work, Ryan was forced to take a second job to make ends meet. “It’s unfair how much you have to pay and what you have to go through just to receive the treatment you need to live,” she said.
But Katie is a fighter. “I’m not done living. I want to spend more time with my husband and my family,” she said. Sadly, this is a fight that Katie is all too familiar with in her young life as this is her third battle with cancer.
Photo caption: Katie Stage with her husband, Ryan, as she shares the story of her fight with cancer. (Tim Hunt photo)
(For this story and more news from the Diocese of Gary, log on to the website of the Northwest Indiana Catholic at www.nwicatholic.com)
Diocese of Lafayette
Fishers parishioner head to national b-e-e
By Kevin Cullen
FISHERS — Don’t ever think you can outspell 12-year-old Gina Solomito.
You can’t.
A member of St. John Vianney Parish in Fishers, the homeschooled seventh-grader from Indianapolis won the 2008 Marion County Regional Spelling Bee, then competed in the Scripps National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C.
In March, she won the regional crown again, and another expenses-paid trip to Washington. After some sightseeing with her parents, she will compete against more than 270 of the country’s top spellers in the 2010 Scripps National Spelling Bee June 2-4.
“You have to have some talent to do it, but talent only gets you so far,” said Gina, the daughter of Al and Michelle Solomito. “You have to work at it.”
Gina, who has one sister and three brothers, was reading shortly after her fourth birthday. Her mother taught her phonics for several years, but when it comes to spelling Gina clearly has something “extra.”
“She has a strong sense that a large part of this is a gift from God,” said Mrs. Solomito, a former nurse.
The Scripps National Spelling Bee, launched in 1925, is the nation’s largest and longest-running educational promotion.
Contestants practice spelling more than 25,000 words that have been used at Scripps National Spelling Bees over the last 50 years. A few of the mind-bending selections from past lists include: meticulosity, eudaemonic, ratoon, elucubrate, odontalgia, logorrhea and succedaneum.
Mrs. Solomito said that Gina began competing in spelling bees when she was in kindergarten. She always won. Through the years, her vocabulary blossomed, and as her memory developed so did her ability to spell almost any word given to her.
“We just kind of discovered that she was really good,” Mrs. Solomito said. “At 8, she was in a spelling bee with 13- and 14-year-olds, spelling words they couldn’t spell.”
Gina’s passion for words was encouraged by Mrs. Solomito and her husband, who is an emergency room physician. Both of them work with her and support her.
Photo caption: Gina Solomito won the Marion County Regional Spelling Bee in March. (Photo provided)
St. Maria Goretti teacher to explore Amish way of life
By Caroline B. Mooney
WESTFIELD — Immersion into the Amish lifestyle will give first-grade teacher Jane Shine new skills to share with her students and the rest of St. Maria Goretti School.
Shine is recipient of a 2010 Teacher Creativity Fellowship grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. Her accepted grant proposal, “Plain Jane: A Journey into the Simple Life,” calls for her to live among several Amish communities for six weeks this summer, learning herb and vegetable gardening skills, canning techniques and quilting methods.
“I heard about the grant and wanted to learn other ways to utilize skills,” she said. “I hope to learn a lot about doing things without technology.”
Shine is a quilter and has taught her students to quilt. Past classroom-made quilts have gone to a student’s relative who is a monk, as well as to sick children and the elderly.
She hopes to use her new gardening skills at school, too.
“Over the last few years I have had my students participate in some small garden projects,” Shine said. “I think it’s a neat idea for the class, to teach them to be environmentally concerned. I have students plan a garden and plant seeds in the classroom. Then, I put those plants in my home garden and have the class come to my house to harvest everything. Last year, I canned a lot of the food and gave some to a local food bank.
“I plan to expand this project by learning how to plant, maintain and harvest a garden without lots of technology,” she said. “Our principal (Rebecca Hammel) and I have discussed using this information to plant a school garden. We would like to see the produce from the garden donated to our parish food bank.”
Photo caption: First-grade teacher Jane Shine received a Lilly Endowment grant for her proposal “Plain Jane: A Journey into the Simple Life.” (Photo by Caroline B. Mooney)
(For these stories and more news from the Diocese of Lafayette, log on to the website of The Catholic Moment at www.thecatholicmoment.org)