March 30, 2016 // Uncategorized

Around the Diocese: April 3, 2016

Todays Catholic

FBLA team state leadership conference announces winners

SOUTH BEND — Eighteen students on the Saint Joseph High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) team took  first place in either a team or individual event for the State Leadership Conference. Garrett Loitz finished his term as the Indiana FBLA president and was awarded the Indiana FBLA Scholarship for $1,000.

First place winners are:

Emily Anderson — business ethics and entrepreneurship, team; Stephen Benchik — computer game and simulation programming and emerging business issues, team; Matthew Brach — business calculations emerging business issues, team, economics marketing, individual and marketing, team; Scott Coyne — help desk, performance, help desk,  objective test, and mobile application development; Ashley Decker — global business, individual; Kelly Decker — business plan entrepreneurship, team; Colleen Dosch — marketing, team; Stephen Grisoli — banking and financial, team; Cole Kasnia — business financial plan, team; Brian Lenyo — business financial plan, team; Betty Lin — client service; Garrett Loitz — impromptu speaking, personal finance, and Who’s Who in FBLA; Colin Mackey — digital video production, team, management information systems, individual, and management information systems, team; Mitch Murphy — banking and financial, team;  banking and financial, individual; Danny O’Neil — digital video production, team and management information systems, team; Love Osunnuga — emerging business issues, team, health care administration, and marketing, team; Taylor Rock —business law, business ethics, team, entrepreneurship, team, entrepreneurship, individual, and sales presentation; Kristian Wieschhaus — digital video  production, team.

Kneipp-Sylvan Springs on the road to landmark status

ROME CITY – Indiana Landmarks has awarded a grant to Our Lady, Mother of Mercy Center and Sylvan Cellars to begin their application to the National Registry of Historic Places for the Kneipp Springs Historic District. This grant is the first step in applying with the state of Indiana and then the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Parks Services.

“Our Lady, Mother of Mercy is very proud to be collaborating with Sylvan Cellars in working towards this important designation,” stated executive director of Our Lady, Mother of Mercy Center, Sheri McBride. “It is particularly relevant in light of the bicentennial of Indiana, 50th anniversary of the founding of Rome City, and our own 100th anniversary of the laying on the cornerstone of our chapel this year.”

The architectural significance of the Kneipp Springs Historic district, as well as its association with health and medicine during the first half of the 20th century raises the level of importance for the district above its religious association. The Kneipp Springs Historic District is continuing to apply to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

SJHS announces retirement of Al Gutierrez 

MISHAWAKA — Saint Joseph Health System (SJHS) is announcing the formal retirement of its President and CEO, Al Gutierrez, effective December 31, 2016. Gutierrez’s retirement follows five years of achievement and steadfast commitment to SJHS’s mission — leaving the organization strong and well-positioned for the future as a result of his leadership. As the coming months unfold, Trinity Health will work with Gutierrez to determine the system-level projects he can support after he retires, to continue to utilize Gutierrez’s many gifts.

“My time at Saint Joseph Health System has been very rewarding, having been able to play a role in fostering the growth and continued successes of this strong, faith-based organization,” said Al Gutierrez, President and CEO of Saint Joseph Health System. “We have worked hard to establish an incredible team of committed professionals and top-of-the-line resources and protocols to ensure we are doing everything possible to provide the best care to the communities we serve. I will retire later this year with the excitement and anticipation of watching this organization thrive and excel in the years to come.”

Since joining SJHS in 2010, Gutierrez has proven an exemplary leader, innovator and strategist for the organization and the people it serves. In fact, SJHS received national recognition as a top system several times under Gutierrez’s tenure. Gutierrez established a strong regional brand in SJHS and built an engaged, high-performance team to serve the community better.

Gutierrez has also served as a pioneer in establishing education sites to build enrollment for health insurance exchanges in Indiana, engineering master affiliation agreements with St. Vincent’s in Indianapolis for maternal/child service enhancements and with Loyola Medical Center for stroke care.

Gutierrez has been in the health care industry for more than 40 years and, during that time, has been a leader on health care diversity. In 2012, Modern Healthcare named Gutierrez as one of the nation’s Top 25 Minority Executives. Gutierrez also received the Trinity Health Father Basil Antoine Moreau CEO Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award, and continues to remain active in the Latino community, including serving on the Advisory Board of the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame.

Gutierrez also serves on the finance council for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend.

SJHS plans to ensure a smooth transition during this leadership change. Abe Marcus, chairman of the SJHS board, will lead the search committee to find the best candidates for this role. The executive search is anticipated to be completed by December. It will involve a multi-stakeholder search, including physicians and others. The first candidates considered will be internal colleagues. Gutierrez will support the search, while continuing to lead the regional ministry’s pursuit of its People-Centered 2020 strategic plan.

“Locating SJHS’ next President and CEO is an undertaking that the organization will move forward with in a very deliberate manner — to ensure we are able to identify the right candidate who will be able to continue SJHS’ mission — and continue to provide the best care possible to those in our community,” said Abe Marcus, chairman of the SJHS board. “Al will be a tough act to follow — but this community deserves the best – so we plan to work hard to find the best leader for this organization.”

For information, contact Kathy Mutka at 312-218-5654 or [email protected].

Lecture to examine ideas of Levinas

FORT WAYNE — The University of Saint Francis Department of Philosophy and Theology presents a special lecture event on Wednesday, April 6, at 7 p.m. in the Brookside Ballroom on the USF campus, 2701 Spring Street. The lecture, titled “Emmanuel Levinas on Ethics as First Philosophy,” will be delivered by USF Assistant Professor of Philosophy Dr. Vincent Wargo.

Emmanuel Levinas was one of the most influential Continental philosophers of the last century. A student of Husserl and Heidegger, he questioned the ontological suppositions of their thought. He argued that philosophical thought must begin with the experience of the responsibility for the other.

For information, contact Angie Springer, 260-399-8066.

Plenary indulgence sought by pilgrimage

SOUTH BEND – Saint Joseph High School faculty, staff, and students participated in a pilgrimage from the high school to the Basilica of the Sacred Heart to obtain a plenary indulgence.

“Ever since the Pope announced the Year of Mercy and the opening of Holy Doors around the world I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to make a pilgrimage,” said Tami Goy, Director of Campus Ministry. “I read there would be a plenary indulgence, under the normal conditions, associated with a pilgrimage and knew this would be a great teaching moment for our community.”

Members of Saint Joseph High School gathered after school and walked from the high school to prayerfully pass through the Holy Doors of Mercy at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at Notre Dame, had the opportunity for confession, prayed for the pope and his intentions and attended Mass. Afterwards, the group met for a simple meal of soup, salad, and bread together.

“I hope that participants are able to reflect on the great mercy, the great love of God for us all. Having this during Holy Week takes on even more meaning,” said Goy.

Haiti Hustle 5k run/walk 

WARSAW — The Haiti Hustle 5k Run/Walk, will be Saturday, May 14, at 9 a.m. at Sacred Heart Parish. With a 70’s theme, awards, refreshments and door prizes will be offered. Award for the best 70’s gear. Pre-register for  $15 at runsignup.com or $20 the day of the event. Email Terry Powers  [email protected] for information.

Proceeds go to teens from the Sacred Heart youth group traveling to Haiti in June on a mission trip to St. Nicholas in Kenscoff, Haiti.

Patriot 5k for St. Vincent American Heritage Girls 

FORT WAYNE — The St. Vincent American Heritage Girls will have a 5k and 1 mile kids’ run Sunday, May 15, at 4 p.m.

More details can be found at www.AHGPatriout5KFunRun
andWalk.itsyourrace.com. All proceeds directly support the St. Vincent American Heritage Girl program. Special entertainment from Sweetcakes Comedy and contest for most Patriotic participant.

Free-throw contest winner

Isabelle Hogan won the 2016 Knights of Columbus State Free Throw Contest for 12-year-old girls.  She was representing St. Jude Knights of Columbus Council #16065 in Fort Wayne. She was one of six girls at the finals shooting 19 out of 25 baskets. Other participants from the diocese included Max Carey, Garrett; Braeden Messenger, Osceola; Matt DeShone, Elkhart; and Xavier Allen, Fort Wayne.