By Megan Erbacher, The Message editor
Nearly 200 members of the Diocese of Evansville Deo Gratias Society gathered April 19 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville for Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph M. Siegel. Father Alex Zenthoefer, Father Tyler Tenbarge and Father Ray Brenner concelebrated Mass with Bishop Siegel.
The fourth annual event began with Mass, followed by a catered reception and brief program in St. Benedict Cathedral’s Woodward Center. Benedictine Sister Jeana Visel served as the featured speaker during the reception.
The Deo Gratias Society was established in 2021 to recognize those who have financially invested in the mission of Jesus Christ in the Diocese of Evansville. Members are those who give annual, unrestricted gifts of $1,000 or more toward the Catholic Ministries Appeal.
Deo Gratias is Latin for “thanks be to God.” This name is appropriate, organizers explained, as “we give thanks to God for those people who, having recognized all the gifts that the Lord has bestowed on them, have expressed their gratitude to him by generously supporting the needs of our local Church. They are partners in a shared commitment to ensure that the Diocese will continue to have the resources to effectively bring the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people in our 12 counties.”
At the reception and program following Mass, Diocesan Director of Vocations Father Tyler Tenbarge served as the Master of Ceremonies and introduced Benedictine Sister Jeana, who then gave a presentation on iconography.
Sister Jeana is a sister of Monastery Immaculate Conception in Ferdinand, Indiana, where she entered in 2003, made first profession in 2006 and perpetual profession in 2010. According to her biography, her research and teaching interests include Church art, especially iconography, and monastic studies. She also serves as a cantor and assists with St. Meinrad’s chant offerings.
Sister Jeana’s first book, “Icons in the Western Church: Toward a More Sacramental Encounter,” was published by Liturgical Press in 2016.
Sister Jeana said it’s always a delight to talk about the beautiful things of the church, including praying with icons.
“When we talk about what an icon is, we tend to have a certain thing in mind, but literally the Greek word for icon just means image, portrait or representation,” she said.
There’s no real darkness in icons, she explained, because they’re created with layers of light.
“These are images that are created in prayer and for the sake of prayer,” Sister Jeana said. “So the artist is praying while he or she is working, but they’re also meant to help facilitate our relationship with God, and (they’re) not really used for decoration. So we’re trying to create a space where you can encounter the saint and have a deeper relationship.”
Sister Jeana came to St. Meinrad in 2013 as the Director of Assessment and Orders Documentarian. For eight years, she was Director of Graduate Theology Programs, and since 2015, she has served as Dean of the School of Theology Programs.
Bishop Siegel told attendees it was great to be present with them. Bishop thanked members of the Deo Gratias Society for their generosity and support of the Catholic Ministries Appeal, and he shared highlights of the good things happening across the Diocese, which are possible because of their kindness.
It has been such a blessing to be able to see what’s going on in our Diocese, Bishop Siegel noted, and witness Jesus Christ through your style of stewardship. I want to thank you for your testimony, he told society members, and how you live out your baptismal faith, your Catholic faith, and share your time, gifts, talents, as well as your financial support to both your parish and the Diocese.
He prayed for God to continue to bless Deo Gratias members for their generosity, and he asked them to pray for the work of the diocese.
Father Tyler offered examples of people answering their call from God, and he said none of it would be possible without the support of Deo Gratias Society members.
“So, as we have this Deo Gratias Society … (we) give thanks to God for the kindness of your hearts and your generosity as stewards of the gifts he’s given you to pass on to those who can’t come back to say thank you, so this afternoon, we get to do that,” he said.
The Deo Gratias Society consists of two donor levels: Caritas Christi gives $5,000 and above, Lux Mundi gives $1,000-$4,999. For more information about the Deo Gratias Society, visit https://www.evdio.org/deo-gratias-society.html.