By Father Tyler Tenbarge
Special to The Message
The development and spread of COVID-19 has changed plans for us all. The Father Deydier House of Discernment has felt changes, too.
Our men discerning priesthood for the Diocese of Evansville have ceased their formation for the spring. Instead, like many students, they are doing their studies online. Three seminarians have moved into the House of Discernment: Garrett Braun (St. John the Baptist Parish, Newburgh), Bradley Gehlhausen (St. Mary Parish, Ireland) and Keith Hart (St. Peter Parish, Montgomery). They join House of Discernment residents Michael Mosbey (Good Shepherd Parish, Evansville) and Chase Riecker (St. Isidore the Farmer Parish, Celestine) for the remainder of the spring.
Savio Night was held in January and February before the coronavirus forced most of us into ‘sheltering in place.’ Nearly 100 young men from nearly half of the parishes in the diocese have attended one of our monthly faith-formation gatherings this school year. If health concerns don’t permit future gatherings this spring, stay tuned for updates about Savio Night kicking off again in August.
Our weekly Monday Night “Holy Hour & Mass for Vocations” at Sacred Heart has likewise been postponed until further notice.
New windows have been installed in all resident rooms, thanks to the generosity of several donors to the House. The residents have already enjoyed being able to open their windows on a few warmer days, and they say that the traffic noise is down now that the 100-year-old windows have been replaced. Thank you to our donors!
Applications for the coming year at the House of Discernment are currently being accepted. Four men have already received applications for 2020-2021, and two have turned applications in for the coming year. If you know of a young man (age 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]). Men who are discerning benefit from this place.
Former House resident Craig Wilmes (Holy Redeemer Parish, Evansville) discerned the Lord was calling him to another path this spring, and he has moved on in his vocational journey. Craig is a great example of what the House of Discernment is for – it allows men to find where the Lord is calling and the freedom to go when the time is right, without the commitments of housing contracts or semester tuition.
Follow us on Facebook: “Father Deydier House of Discernment” to keep up with what’s happening at the House.