January 5, 2024 // Bishop
Around the Diocese: January 7, 2024
On Thursday, December 21, employees who work in the Curia of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend and the offices of Catholic Charities of Fort Wayne-South Bend gathered in Warsaw for worship and fellowship ahead of the Christmas season. First, those who work in the diocesan offices – the Archbishop Noll Center in Fort Wayne and the St. John Paul II Center in Mishawaka – attended Mass at Sacred Heart Church in Warsaw. The Mass was celebrated by Bishop Rhoades, who was assisted by the priests who hold curial positions in the diocese: Father Mark Gurtner, Vicar General; Father Jacob Runyon, Judicial Vicar; Father Matthew Coonan, Episcopal Vicar for Clergy; Father Jonathan Norton, Diocesan Director of Seminarians; and Father Daniel Niezer, Diocesan Promoter of Priestly Vocations. Following Mass, dozens of diocesan and Catholic Charities employees, including CEO Dan Florin, gathered for a catered lunch at Westminster Hall on the campus of Grace College. During lunch, Bishop Rhoades hosted a trivia game where he quizzed those in attendance on diocesan history. Bishop Rhoades thanked the employees for helping the Church in the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend serve its mission of bringing Christ to those within its boundaries. – Photos by Scott Warden
Ruth Chronister Retires after 31 Years
Joshua Schipper
After 31 years of service, Ruth Chronister celebrated her final day at Good Shepherd Books and Gifts with a special celebration of treats and 31-percent off on one item for all customers. The Good Shepherd Bookstore is located in the Archbishop Noll Center, downtown Fort Wayne.
Father Stephen Felicichia Honored
for Artillery Service
Provided by Steve Lutz
On Thursday, December 7, Father Stephen Felicichia, Pastor of St. Mary of the Lake Parish in Culver, was recognized with the Honorable Order of St. Barbara at a ceremony at the Indiana Army National Guard Armory in Fort Wayne. This “Honorable Order” award is presented through the U.S. Field Artillery Association (USFAA), a worldwide professional organization of U.S. Army and Marine Corps Artillerymen/Veterans headquartered at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. The St. Barbara award recognizes excellence in service to the artillery, outstanding professionalism, selfless service, and contributions to the promotion of the Field Artillery. Father Felicichia graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 2008 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery. He served two separate one-year tours in Afghanistan. After his service ended, he began his priestly formation and was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend in June of 2021. The event at the armory drew about 150 actively serving military members and families, as well as veterans.
St. Pius X Students Sing in Rome
Twenty-three members of the children’s choir at St. Pius X Parish in Granger flew to Rome to participate in the 44th International Congress of Pueri Cantores. Held every five years, the congress gathers children’s choirs from around the world for a weeklong celebration of sacred music. To kick off the event, the St. Pius X choir performed at the Basilica di Sant’Andrea della Valle. The children were scheduled to perform at a Mass celebrated by Pope Francis in St. Peter’s Basilica on Monday, January 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. – Provided by St. Pius X
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