After Mass but before the induction ceremony, Bishop Siegel sprinkles holy water on the Bruté Society medals after offering a prayer to bless them. Diocesan Director of Stewardship Joe Paul Hayden stands to the left of Bishop Siegel, as Diocesan Director of Worship Matt Miller assists and served as master of ceremonies during Mass. The Message photo by Megan Erbacher
By John Rohlf
The Message assistant editor
The 2024 inductees into the Bruté Society were honored during a Mass and induction ceremony.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel honored the Diocese of Evansville’s new members of the Bruté Society by celebrating Mass and with an induction ceremony Nov. 17 at St. Benedict Cathedral.
One-hundred twenty recipients were recognized during the induction ceremony after Mass at St. Benedict Cathedral. The recipients were recognized both as couples and individually. They were nominated by their fellow parishioners, who regard them as outstanding witnesses of Christian stewardship, Diocese of Evansville Director of Stewardship Joe Paul Hayden said.
“They all have a long history of giving generously of their very selves to strengthen the work of the church within their parishes,” Hayden said. “They are known to be a people of deep faith. Not a passive faith but one that comes alive in their dedication to and support of the mission of Jesus Christ both local and universal.”
The Bruté Society annually recognizes parishioners in the Diocese of Evansville for their ongoing commitment to stewardship. It was established in 1990 as an official activity of the diocese. It is named for Servant of God Bishop Simon Bruté, who was appointed the first bishop of Vincennes in 1834. Membership is limited to laypersons who are registered members of a diocesan parish.
Prior to the induction of the new members to the Bruté Society, Bishop Siegel celebrated Mass. More than 20 priests of the diocese concelebrated the Mass. Transitional Deacons Keith Hart and Aaron Herrenbruck were Deacons of the Mass. The servers were seminarians of the Diocese of Evansville. Diocesan Director of Worship Matt Miller served as Master of Ceremonies.
Bishop Siegel in his homily said as they celebrated the Mass for the induction of the new members into the Bruté Society, they recognized the men and women from around the diocese who, with God’s grace, have taken the gospel to heart. Bishop Siegel said they also celebrated current living members of the Bruté Society, who continue to do outstanding work in their parishes in the diocese. They also called to mind members of the Bruté Society who have died. Bishop Siegel said while they are no longer with us, the memory of their faith, example and service remains a blessing for their families and parishes.
Bishop Siegel said it was the task of all those present to be good stewards of their own blessings and talents and, with God’s help, to use them to support the mission Christ gave to his church to proclaim the kingdom by teaching his word, celebrating the sacraments, passing on the faith to the next generation and being of service to our brothers and sisters. He said in this, may they be inspired by the example and strengthened by the prayers of Servant of God Bishop Simon Bruté.
After all inductees were honored after Mass, Bishop Siegel delivered a blessing for the Bruté Society inductees. After Mass and the induction ceremony, all were invited to a reception in the St. Benedict Cathedral School’s cafeteria. Since 1990, more than 2,400 individuals and couples have been inducted into the Bruté Society. For more information on the Bruté Society, visit: https://www.evdio.org/the-bruteacute-society.html.
More than 20 priests of the Diocese of Evansville joined Bishop Joseph M. Siegel at St. Benedict Cathedral Nov. 17 to concelebrate the 2024 Bruté Society Mass. Honorees were inducted into the Bruté Society immediately following Mass. The Message photo by Megan Erbacher
2024 Inductees of the Bruté Society
Roy and Laura Ackerman, All Saints, Evansville; Rene and Maria Angeles, Our Lady of Hope, Washington; Carolyn Arvin, St. John the Evangelist, Loogootee; Kimberly Balbach, St. Francis of Assisi, Dale; Jose Barco, St. Francis of Assisi, Dale; Dean and Lori Baumeyer, St. John the Evangelist, Daylight; Sheridan Michael and Donna K. Beard, Jr., St. Boniface, Evansville; Kenneth Beckman, St. Isidore the Farmer, Celestine; Kurt and Margaret Brescher, St. Mary, Ireland; Elizabeth Casteel, Annunciation of the Lord, Evansville; Richard and Emma Jean Couture, All Saints, Evansville; Josh and Cassie Cowan, St. Philip, Mt. Vernon; Leslie Croce, St. John the Evangelist, Daylight; Gary and Rita Daunhauer, Holy Family, Jasper; Terry Davis, Holy Rosary, Evansville; Brett and Jenny DeVault, Resurrection, Evansville; Gene and Chris Dobrzynski, St. John the Baptist, Newburgh; Tony and Jessica Fehrenbacher, Good Shepherd, Evansville; Phil and Debbie Fischer, St Mary, Huntingburg; Mike and Patty Fuhs, St. Peter, Montgomery; Deb Funk, St. Clement, Boonville;
Bonita Gehlhausen-Matheis, St. Joseph, Jasper; Jeanette Gill, St Mary, Sullivan; Gordon and Patricia Green, St. Matthew, Mt. Vernon; Bill and Sylvia Groves, Holy Rosary, Evansville; Kay Hedrick, St. John the Evangelist, Loogootee; David and Rebecca Heerdink, St. Benedict Cathedral, Evansville; John and Jo Rean Hoffman, St. Joseph, Jasper; Clifton and Pamella Howard, St. Joseph, Jasper; Jeff and Connie Huff, St. James, Haubstadt; Ron and Doris Hulsman, St. Mary, Ireland; Marianne Jessee, St. Bernard, Rockport; Mike Keen, Holy Redeemer, Evansville; Eugene and +Bonnie Kerstiens, Christ the King, Ferdinand; Jason and Kristy Kruger, Sts. Peter & Paul, Haubstadt; Kathryn Sue Lawson, Our Lady of Hope, Washington; Andrew Lubbehusen, St. Martin I, Chrisney; Tom and Jodie Memmer, St. Joseph, Princeton; Daniel and Karen Meny, St. Wendel, Posey County; Matt and Sherry Monesmith, Precious Blood, Jasper; Pam Muensterman, St. Wendel, Posey County; Rita Muller, St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes; Mary Nowaskie, St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes; Michael and Carol O’Conner, St. Philip Neri, Bicknell;
Steve and Ann Piper, Good Shepherd, Evansville; Dennis and LaVerne Prechtel, Annunciation of the Lord, Evansville; Clarence and Sharon Reckelhoff, St. Isidore the Farmer, Celestine; Jenny Relleke, St. John the Baptist, Newburgh; George and Ingrid Robinson, Holy Cross, Ft. Branch; Tim and Stacey Runyon, Good Shepherd, Evansville; Bradley and Tammy Rust, St. John the Baptist, Newburgh; Theresa Sanchez, St Mary, Huntingburg; Larry and Marilee Sargent, Precious Blood, Jasper; Susie Schapker, St. Joe, Vand. County; William Schmitt, Saint Francis Xavier, Poseyville; Dave and Sandy Schmitt, St. Joe, Vand. County; Jennifer Schmitz, Resurrection, Evansville; Gary and Karen Schueler, Divine Mercy, St. Anthony; Shirley Schum, Sts. Peter & Paul, Petersburg; Susan Smith, St. Bernard, Snake Run; Mark Steckler, Christ the King, Ferdinand;
Vikki Trout, Holy Family, Jasper; John Truelove, St. Francis Xavier, Vincennes; Matt Turner, Blessed Sacrament, Oakland City; Edward Uebelhor, Divine Mercy, St. Anthony; Ross and Jennifer Vaughn, St. Boniface, Evansville; Leah Vaughn, Corpus Christi, Evansville; Jim and Joyce Wagner, St. Philip, Mt. Vernon; Judy Walker, St. John the Evangelist, Loogootee; Susan Walters, St. Joan of Arc, Jasonville; +Dan and Kathy Weinzapfel, Sts. Mary & John, Evansville; Shelley Weiss, Sts. Peter & Paul, Haubstadt; Eugene and Barbara Welp, Christ the King, Ferdinand; Russell and Linda Winkler, St. Francis of Assisi, Dale; Reggie and Angie Wulff, Corpus Christi, Evansville; Lloyd and Julie Young, Holy Rosary, Evansville; Joe and Karen Ziliak, St. James, Haubstadt.