By Megan Erbacher, The Message editor
Bishop Joseph M. Siegel told about 150 faithful gathered Oct. 20 in the gymnasium of the St. Joseph Parish Center in Jasper that one of his favorite saints, St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta, was fond of saying that God doesn’t necessarily expect us to do great, flashy things for him, but to do small things with great love.
Bishop Siegel continued and said that’s a mission of hope we can all fulfill as pilgrims and missionaries of hope in our world starting in our families, in our parishes and our communities.
Bishop Siegel was one of many presenters for the East Deanery’s 23rd Annual Wisdom Day Oct. 20 at St. Joseph Parish in Jasper. Wisdom Day is an annual event that celebrates adults aged 55 and older in the Diocese of Evansville to offer a space for faith, fellowship and enrichment. It includes prayer, speakers, food and entertainment, and it aims to recognize the gifts and wisdom of the senior community.
The annual event is coordinated with assistance from the Diocese of Evansville Office of Marriage, Family and Life.
The theme of the East Deanery’s 23rd Wisdom Day was “Hope” taken from Romans 12:12. The program for the day stated: “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.”
In Jasper, the day began with Mass in St Joseph Church, followed by registration and a light breakfast. East Deanery Wisdom Day General Chairperson Clara Fromme welcomed attendees before introducing Pat Koch, who served as Mistress of Ceremonies. Koch is a founding member of Wisdom Day in Vincennes.
Before lunch, Bishop Siegel told attendees that it’s always an honor to be with them, and he feels blessed to have served as bishop for almost eight years. He offered a State of the Diocese for 2025, and he noted that there are many blessings and so much good news to report.
Of course, Bishop Siegel said we still have much work to do to fulfill our mission of the salvation of souls and to make disciples here in our 12 counties, which we do by carrying out the Great Commission Christ gave us to teach the Gospel. He said we do it in many different ways, and each one of us — parishes, clergy and lay leaders — do our part to fulfill this mission.
We are all called to be apostles, Bishop Siegel explained, and are sent forth to share the good work of our local Church, which can be done through volunteering in your parish or other charitable endeavors, sharing your faith with your grandchildren and babies, or remembering the ministry of your priest, deacons and bishop in your daily prayers.
Bishop Siegel said he had a blessed and brief meeting with Pope Leo during the Diocesan Jubilee Pilgrimage to Rome in September. For those few seconds he had with Pope Leo, Bishop Siegel assured him of the prayers of our local Church for him and his ministry, and Bishop Siegel said the Pope told him that he really counts on those prayers.
Bishop Siegel also invited all to the Diocese of Evansville’s Jubilee Year event on Dec. 6 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. Encounter Hope / Encuentro de Esperanza are two diocesan-wide gatherings dedicated to building Christ-centered families and set as a capstone of our diocesan observance of the Jubilee Year of Hope.
Following lunch, those in attendance participated in chair exercises with Connie Egloff, who focused on the health of the mind, body and spirit. Egloff said she loves everything about her Catholic faith.
“The Catholic Church gives us a lot of movement during Mass,” she said. “So we’re going to work on that; we’re going to practice standing and sitting.
“If you know me, you know I don’t sit still … I’m all over the place, but I want to focus in church. I really want to pay attention to the readings and I really, really want to listen to what is being said in the homily, because I need all the help I can get.”
Other speakers for Wisdom Day included Father Christian Raab; Father John Brosmer; Diocesan Director of the Office of Marriage, Family and Life Megan Knies; Dr. Steve Hopf; and Jim Arvin; as well as entertainment by Celebration Singers.