By Megan Erbacher, The Message editor
More than 200 faithful from across the diocese gathered April 21 for the annual Wisdom Day celebration at St. John the Evangelist Parish in Daylight.
Wisdom Day returned to Evansville in 2025 for the South and West Deaneries after a several-year hiatus. It’s a day of fun, food and fellowship, specifically celebrating individuals aged 55 and older.
According to the organizers, Wisdom Days began in 2000 by Catholic Charities for senior citizens. The mission of Wisdom Day, as it was established, is “to honor and serve the Catholic senior citizens of the Diocese of Evansville. Through sharing and celebrating the memories, perspectives and gifts of the older generation, the lives of Catholics of all ages will be enriched. The program will further the understanding that seniors are an integral part of the successful future of the Catholic Church in Southwestern Indiana.”
The day began with Mass celebrated by Bishop Joseph M. Siegel at St. John Parish in Daylight.
Doug Knies, planning committee chairman, served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
Father Chris Forler, pastor of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Daylight and St. Bernard Parish in Snake Run, welcomed the faithful to Wisdom Day and offered an opening prayer. Father Forler thanked everyone for attending the event and said it was a “great privilege” to host.
“The speakers today each have their own particular expertise in wisdom,” he said. “We’re very glad to have this great panel here today.”
Father Forler said he hoped that the day would be a “great refresh for you in your faith and also a sign of hope for all of you that, even as some of us may be a little bit past the halfway point in our lives, that we are far from done.”
Diocesan Chancellor and Chief Operating Officer Dean Happe spoke about “The Church in our Diocese today.” During his presentation, Happe provided updates and a vision for the diocese.
“My goal for our time together is to share some things that I hope you will find interesting, helpful and encouraging about what’s going on in our diocese because there are some really encouraging things going on,” he said.
“Our diocese and all of our parishes exist to administer the sacraments, to form all of us more fully in our Catholic faith and to work toward the salvation of souls,” Happe continued. “But it takes a whole lot of stuff for that to happen, and sometimes that stuff is behind the scenes and is kind of business-y … but it’s important.”
Happe shared some statistics, including that we have about 70,000 Catholics in 45 parishes across about 5,000 square miles in 12 counties. We have 79 priests, with 50 in active ministry. For the third consecutive year, 16 seminarians are studying for the priesthood, and during those three years, seven men have been ordained priests, and we have still held consistent with 16 men each year.
The diocese has 64 permanent deacons, he said, as well as 16 men who are currently in formation for the permanent diaconate, with an anticipated ordination in August.
The diocese employs about 1,400 people, making it one of the top 10 employers in Southwestern Indiana, Happe said, as well as more than 6,000 volunteers.
Happe said as a diocese, we work toward the salvation of souls. He quoted Mother Teresa, and then used her quote to remind those in attendance: “Each one of you is a drop in our diocesan ocean, and without each of you, we would be empty and dry in our diocese. So never forget how important you are. We are very grateful for all that you do in your parishes and for our diocese.”
Benedictine Archabbot Kurt Stasiak of St. Meinrad Archabbey spoke to attendees about The Rule of St. Benedict and explained how it’s not only for monks. Archabbot Stasiak brought with him the book, “The Holy Rule of Our Holy Father Saint Benedict, The Saint Meinrad Translation” during his presentation.
Archabbot Stasiak professed vows as a Benedictine monk in 1975. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1980 and has been a member of the School of Theology faculty since 1986. He has authored several books and many articles. He was elected the archabbot of St. Meinrad Archabbey on June 2, 2016.
Other presenters for the day included Dr. James P. Ware, professor emeritus of religion and classics at the University of Evansville. Dr. Ware’s presentation was titled, “The Mystery of the Christian Hope Unveiled.” Pat Koch, a co-founder of Wisdom Day for the Diocese of Evansville, spoke about “Witness of Discipleship.” Her speech included ways to continue saying yes while making an impact in every season of life.
At the end of the event, Diocesan Director of Marriage, Family and Life Megan Knies awarded attendance prizes and delivered closing remarks before Deacon Rocky Mattingly of St. Boniface Parish offered a closing blessing.