By John Rohlf
The Message assistant editor
A large crowd filled the Huntingburg Events Center for the annual Priests, Deacons and Religious Vocations Appreciation Dinner.
The Blessed Father Michael McGivney dinner was sponsored by the Knights of Columbus councils from Dubois and Spencer Counties. Clergy and religious sisters from the Diocese of Evansville’s east deanery attended the dinner, which was held Oct. 29.
Knights of Columbus Field Agent Chad Lueken noted the Knights of Columbus was founded in 1882 by Blessed McGivney to protect Catholic families from financial devastation at the loss of a breadwinner and to prevent Catholics from leaving their faith for social upward mobility.
“Blessed McGivney is the quintessential first-generation American,” Lueken said. “The quintessential parish priest. His story and legacy is one of paramount importance to American church history.”
Keynote speaker Daniel Schachle detailed the importance of the intercession of Blessed McGivney on his family. When Daniel and Michelle Schachle were expecting their 13th child, they learned during the pregnancy that their unborn son had a deadly case of fetal hydrops and had zero chance of living, according to doctors.
“There was a lot of stress in the family. A lot of upset because we were told he wasn’t going to make it,” Schachle said. “And kind of had an Agony in the Garden moment. Let this cup pass from me and Father McGivney, if it’s God’s will pray for him and if you do, we’ll name him after you.”
Schachle said the next morning, he sent out emails to family and friends, requesting their prayers ahead of their trip to Fatima to pray through the intercession of Father McGivney for their son.
Upon returning from the trip to Fatima, the Schachles received completely different news after an ultrasound. At the ultrasound, a new doctor confirmed all of the hydrops was gone.
“When we came back versus when we left, it was a completely different child almost on the ultrasound,” Schachle said. “All the fluid was gone. And there was no explanation for it.”
Daniel and Michelle’s 13th child, Michael, was born on May 15 of that year. Schachle noted Council 1 of the Knights of Columbus was founded May 15.
For nearly 20 years, Daniel Schachle has served on the Knights of Columbus Insurance Field Force to follow in the footsteps of Blessed McGivney. In his mission, he currently serves the members of the Knights of Columbus in Tennessee and Kentucky as a general agent through his 16 field agents and investment advisor representatives.
Schachle said one question he gets is why he would go to an unproven person in asking for the intercession of now Blessed Father McGivney. Blessed Father McGivney was not beatified until 2020.
“The first time I was asked that question, it was almost shocking to me because I had been going to him for so long,” Schachle said. “And I knew that the success of my business and taking care of my family and everything already was in due large part to his prayers for us. And Michelle named our homeschool Father McGivney Academy. So our whole family had a devotion.”
At the conclusion of the dinner, donations were presented to the Sisters of St. Benedict Vocations Office, St. Meinrad Archabbey and the Diocese of Evansville Vocations. The Sisters of St. Benedict Vocations Office and St. Meinrad Archabbey received $1,000 check donations courtesy of the Father Michael McGivney Fund from the Dubois County Community Foundation. The Diocese of Evansville Vocations received $500 donations for both the House of Formation and House of Discernment.
