House of Discernment begins new year

By Father Tyler Tenbarge

Special to The Message

The spring semester is underway for college students across our diocese as we begin the new year. Likewise, the formation and discernment for the three residents at the Father Deydier House of Discernment has begun. Craig Wilmes (Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville), Michael Mosbey (Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville) and Chase Riecker (St. Isidore Parish, Celestine) are each moving forward in their prayer and decision-making as they seek to hear and follow the voice of Jesus Christ in their lives.

Here are some other things that have happened this winter:

• On Dec. 21, the Sunday before Christmas, about 20 young men gathered at the House of Discernment for “Man Christmas.” Dinner and games preceded a white-elephant-style gift exchange, which included protein bars, razors, tools and other things guys enjoy. The evening concluded with prayer in the House Chapel. Over Christmas break, many of the seminarians of the Diocese of Evansville stayed at the House to pray, study and to be together.
• The monthly “Savio Night” gatherings of faith formation for teenage guys have grown so large that the group has now been split into two. Sixth- and seventh-grade boys keep the title “Savio” and gather at the House before prayer and faith formation at Sacred Heart Church; and the older group, now called “Giorgio” after Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, joins for the overlapping prayer and faith formation time. Then, the older group gathers at the House as the younger group departs. Eighty-eight young men from 18 parishes have attended the gatherings this school year.

• Our Monday Night “Holy Hour & Mass for Vocations” continues to grow. A Christmas gathering co-sponsored by Annunciation Parish’s “Made for More” young adult ministry brought more than 300 men, women and children to pray in the presence of the Lord on Dec. 30.

Applications for the coming year at the House of Discernment are currently being accepted. If you know of a young man (18-30) who might benefit from a Catholic community of prayer and fraternity while continuing his career or college, please have him contact House Director Father Tyler Tenbarge ([email protected]).

If you would like to support the House by your prayers, please join House residents on Monday nights at Sacred Heart Church. Adoration is at 6:30 p.m. (Confession is available), and Mass is at 7:30 p.m. If you would like to support the work of the House financially, please contact Father Tyler.

Bishop Joseph M. Siegel has appointed Father Tyler Tenbarge as diocesan Director of Vocations, effective Jan. 25 (see Official Notice on page 5 of this issue). He also serves as chaplain and director of the Father Deydier House of Discernment. Father Tenbarge also is part-time parochial vicar of Corpus Christi Parish, Evansville.