By Megan Erbacher
The Message editor
“I love being old,” Pat Koch exclaimed to nearly 100 faithful who gathered Aug. 27 for the Diocese of Evansville’s 2024 Wisdom Day in Vincennes at the Knights of Columbus.
Koch, 93, explained she has to wear tennis shoes because she’s had both hips replaced and a broken pelvis, she’s battled cancer and been in remission for 14 years, and now she has glaucoma.
“I get something every year,” she said with a chuckle. “But it’s OK. It’s OK to wear tennis shoes. It’s OK if you have a little smudge on your clothes. You just didn’t see it, right? It really and truly doesn’t matter and people who really love you won’t mind.
“I read this the other day, we are in the EGE Club — Everything Goes Eventually — that’s what I’ve found out. But if the brain and our hearts are still intact, we’re OK.”
Wisdom Day is an over-55 fellowship including prayer, speakers, food and entertainment. Organizers explain that it’s aimed to help create fellowship and education regarding the need for mental, physical and spiritual health at all ages.
Retired Deacon Earl Ruppel served as master of ceremonies for the day.
Father Garrett Braun offered the opening prayer at Wisdom Day. He serves as parochial vicar of St. Francis Xavier in Vincennes, St. Philip Neri in Bicknell and part-time campus minister for Vincennes University.
Other speakers for the event included Bishop Joseph M. Siegel, Diocesan Chancellor/Chief Operating Officer Dean Happe, Diocesan Director of Marriage, Family and Life Megan Knies, Vincennes Mayor Joe Yochum, and Zoe Cannon, who spoke about “Our need for God.” Cannon also writes the column “Gratitude for the Gift of Faith” for The Message.
Koch has achieved many accomplishments in her lifetime, including being involved in the development of Holiday World and Splashin’ Safari in Santa Claus, Indiana, with her husband Bill; being a nurse; earning a master’s degree in pastoral ministry at 70 years old; completing a history book of Santa Claus; and serving as chief elf, coordinating volunteers who answer children’s letters to Santa Claus.
Koch, along with her friend Donna, was also vital in establishing Wisdom Day in Vincennes after they attended a similar event in the Diocese of Owensboro, Kentucky.
“I have learned, in my 93 years, so much,” Koch said. “The most important thing, I think, that I hope I always remember is that we are servants. We are here to serve others. We’re not that important at all, but if we give our lives in service, that is important. I have also learned that you are rewarded over and over and over again for being a servant. … We have to bury our pride and our feelings, and try to make the world a better place.”
Bishop Siegel said he always looks forward to Wisdom Day in Vincennes, the northern kingdom of the Diocese. He said he believed it was providential all were gathered for the event on the Feast Day of St. Monica, a wise, faithful and holy woman.
Bishop Siegel shared St. Monica’s story, including that she was a spouse, mother, and grandmother. She is known for being the mother of St. Augustine of Hippo. Despite the almost 1,800 years that separate her from our time, Bishop Siegel said the problems, challenges and heartbreak she had to endure are the same as many Catholic spouses, parents and grandparents today. Amidst all her trials, Bishop Siegel said she recognized her need for God, as we must also do.
As a young girl, Monica learned the importance of prayer and helping others, he explained. It’s clear that in Monica’s story, faith was her greatest strength.
Bishop Siegel said she prayed daily and trusted God in every situation. She truly believed that prayer could change hearts, and she saw many prayers answered in her life, although perhaps not as quickly as she would’ve hoped, he said.
Monica’s prayers were often accompanied by tears, showing her deep concern for her loved ones and her passion for them to come into the faith. She never lost hope, Bishop Siegel stressed, even when things seemed impossible.
Monica’s faith was tested many times — but she remained steadfast — whether dealing with a difficult marriage, a harsh home life, a rebellious son who wandered from the church or criticism from others — Monica always turned to God. Bishop Siegel said she trusted that he had a plan, even if she couldn’t see it immediately.
That’s why Monica’s faith inspires many, Bishop Siegel explained, because she showed even ordinary people can have extraordinary faith and her life teaches us the importance of prayer, patience and trust.