By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Father Kenneth Betz was honored June 1 at a Mass and subsequent celebration of his Diamond Jubilee at St. James Parish in Haubstadt.
Father Betz celebrated the 9 a.m. Mass at St. James. Father Tony Ernst, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Parish in Vincennes and St. Philip Neri Parish in Bicknell, concelebrated the Mass and delivered the homily.
The Mass and celebration was held five days after the 60th anniversary of Father Betz’s ordination to the priesthood. Father Betz was ordained on May 27, 1965.
During his homily, Father Ernst said Father Betz was ordained at the age of 25, after spending 12 years at St. Meinrad Seminary. He went to seminary after his eighth grade year, Father Ernst said.
“We’re so thankful God called him and he said yes,” Father Ernst said. “He’s changed our lives. He’s a simple, faithful, country priest. And that’s all the man ever wanted to be.”
Father Ernst said for the past 60 years, Father Betz has served faithfully as a holy priest.
Father Ernst, who was previously the pastor at St. James Parish in Haubstadt, said he has known Father Betz since Father Ernst was in high school. In the years of knowing Father Betz, Father Ernst appreciated how he relatable Father Betz was and still is.
“One of the things I appreciated about Father Betz was you could understand him,” Father Ernst said. “I was a young kid and I could understand him. And that’s the thing about this man. Everybody can understand him. You can relate to him. You still can… He’s always been relatable. He can connect with people. And that’s bene important to Father Betz.”
Father Ernst said Father Betz begins working on his homilies early in the week and works on them all week long “because it’s important to him.” He works hard so he can connect with and inspire people, Father Ernst said.
Father Ernst believes Father Betz’s preaching flows out of his spiritually. Father Betz has always been an inspiration because he loves the spiritual life and it has never gotten old to him, Father Ernst said.
“That’s a great lesson for me and for all of you,” Father Ernst said. “The spiritual life should never get old. You’ve got to keep reading, keep reflecting.”
The Solemnity of our Lord’s Ascension, which was celebrated at the June 1 Mass, reminds us that when Jesus left, he entrusted his church to his apostles and to those who would follow him, Father Ernst noted. He said during his homily that they give thanks for Father Betz, who has done and is still doing work to extend the kingdom of God and to build up the church.
“Father, you’ve inspired so many people in 60 years. And we want you to know how grateful we are… We want to give him thanks and praise for what God has done in his life and what he continues to do. What an incredible blessing.”
A celebration for Father Betz was held from noon to 2 p.m. June 1.