By John Rohlf, The Message assistant editor
Father Jack Durchholz “did not know how good he was,” Father William Traylor, senior priest of the diocese, said during the July 20 Mass of Christian Burial for Father Durchholz.
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel celebrated the Mass of Christian Burial July 20 at Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville. Fifty-four priests concelebrated the Mass, including several senior priests.
Father Durchholz, 69, died July 14. He was ordained March 18, 1995, at Good Shepherd Parish in Evansville, by Bishop Gerald A. Gettelfinger. He served the diocese in many ways, including most recently as pastor of St. Clement Parish in Boonville, before retiring from active ministry Feb. 11.
Prior to the final commendation, Bishop Siegel said on behalf of the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Diocese of Evansville, he extended his deepest sympathy and condolences to Father Durchholz’s family, friends and parishioners. Bishop Siegel said he heard many descriptions of Father Jack on the morning of July 20, with one striking him was Father Jack’s humility. Perhaps, as that farmer, Bishop Siegel said, Father Durchholz knew the value of being authentic and that salt of the earth type of person. Bishop Siegel said that carried out in his ministry, his relationship with his brother priests, his parishioners, and he is sure, also his family.
During the Words of Remembrance, Jim Durchholz, Father Jack’s twin brother, said Father Jack struggled a lot with the plan to become a priest but after he made up his mind for the priesthood, he seemed so relieved.
“He was so happy,” Jim Durchholz said. “I’ve never seen him that happy. He had finally said no to himself and yes to God. God was right. He knew what he was doing. Made Jack to be a priest.”
Father Traylor delivered the homily during the Mass. He had the privilege of being with Father Jack at St. Clement Parish in Boonville the weekend Father Durchholz retired. Knowing that he was no longer able to serve as the people deserved, with tears, the shepherd put down his staff, Father Traylor said.
“He loved the people he served,” he said.
Jim Durchholz said with Father Jack’s health issues over the past few years and all the pain and uncertainty he endured, Father Jack told Jim the thing that hurt him the most was being separated from his parish family.
“He felt he was letting them down,” Jim Durchholz said. “I believe this spoke to how he devoted his life to God and in service to his people.”
Father Traylor said Father Durchholz “was so very proud of his family.” He recognized how important his parents had been in forming him. Father Jack’s siblings and other family were dear to him, Father Traylor said.
Father Traylor added Father Jack “was a man of faith.”
“He trusted that the God who had washed him clean in the waters of baptism, this God who had fed him repeatedly at the Eucharistic table and who had called him to serve as a priest, would sustain him both in life and now in death,” Father Traylor said. “He belonged to the Lord. Christ shared his yoke with Jack. And Jack accepted that yoke and for him, it was light and not a burden.”
Father Traylor said Father Durchholz assisted so many of us the days before he died.
“He was ready and so ready,” Father Traylor said. “And this readiness brought us who came to visit him a very strong sense of calm and peace. So much so, it was tangible. He was the man of faith and service who provided us with an amazing example of how to die.”
Father Traylor stressed Father Jack “did not know how good he was.” He was ready to put himself down, not give himself credit where deserved and not appreciate the grace he embodied, Father Traylor said.
“My friends, what I ask you to do today is pray,” Father Traylor said. “Pray for Jack. Pray that whatever judgment he faces, and we all have to face judgment, that this judgment will be merciful and quick. And may he come to know how precious he’s been and is in God’s sight.”