CATHOLIC CELEBRATIONS IN JENNINGS COUNTY

From the North Vernon Sun

Rev. George L. T. Widerin, pastor of St. Mary's Catholic church, fittingly celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood Wednesday last.
   The solemn high mass was at 10:30, Father Widerin being celebrated and Fathers Byrne and Mcbarron decon and sub-deacon.
   The English sermon was delivered by Father Guthneck, of Madison, and the German sermon by Rev. Schmidt, of Dayton, Ky.
   After the services the visiting clergy and a few friends of Father Widerin (from the city and from a distance) returned to the Kelly Hotel where a delightful dinner was served, at which many short speeches were delivered and many best wishes extended the host.
   Father Orick was master of guests and well did he discharge the arduous duties. The success of the church services, and the banquet are largely due his magnificent management.
   Father Boersig, of Yorkville, was the master of ceremonies at the church.
   The march to the church was most impressing. First in line was the St. Rose Young Ladies' society: next St. Aloysius Young Men's society, followed by St. Mary's and St. Bridget's societies as named. After these came the visiting clergy. Father Widerin bringing up the rear.
   Rev. George L. T. Widerin was born June 20, 1847, at Louisville, Ky., and began the study for the priesthood in 1872, at St. Meinrad's college. He was ordained May 28, 1877, under Bishop de St. Palais, and said first mass at St. Mary's church, at New Albany, June 3, 1877. He was then assigned to the church of Sts. Peter and Paul's, at Haubstadt, Gibson county, Ind., where he remained five years, he was then transferred to North Madison, and remained in charge there until April 3, 1893; he was assigned to his present position, and under him the spiritual welfare of the parishioners has been cared for in a manner that has rebounded to his credit and secured for him the high esteem of his flock. During his early years our subject was engaged in secular occupations, and during the war served for a time as a private in the One Hundred and Forty-fourth regiment of Indiana volunteer infantry.
   St. Mary's church of which Father Widerin has had charge since April, 1893, is one of the best in the Indianapolis diocese.
   Rev. Alphonse Munschina was the first priest who paid regular visits to the Catholics of this city. He was resident pastor of St. Ann's from 1846 to 1854. Rev. J. M. Missi was the first resident priest, and he came here in January 1868 from St. Ann. He died in 1890 and was succeeded by Rev. J. M. Ginnz who resided here for about two years. Following him came Rev. F. X. Hundt and then Father Widerin.
   In the early days Father Missi held services at Nebraska, Scipio and Lexington, but these attended to by others, the North Vernon congregation having grown to such proportions that it is really as much as one man can do to look after its interests without attending missions.
   Under Father Widerin's wise management the church property has been vastly improved. In the last eight years at least $9,000 have been spent in improvements, and today the Catholic church of North Vernon is one of the nicest in the state. Only recently $2,000 were spent on the interior and the shepherd and his flock are indeed proud of their house of worship.
   Following are the priests who were in attendance:
   Rev. J. T. Sondermann, dean of Lawrenceburg.
   Rev. J. B. Scope, dean of Madison.
   Rev. M. Fleischman, Vincennes.
   Rev. Jos. Merkl, New Albany.
   Rev. M. Guthneck, Madison.
   Rev. Schmidt, Dayton, Ky.
   Rev. Henry Boersig, Yorkville, Ind.
   Rev. A. Michael, St. Magdalene, Ind.
   Rev. A. J. Urich, St. Ann.
   Rev. J. Loibl, Hayden, Ind.
   Rev. John Doyle, Washington, Ind.
   Rev. P. Rowan, Montgomery, Ind.
   Rev. Donenhoffer, North Vernon.
   Rev. C. Conrad, Seymour.
   Rev. John McCabe, St. Mary's, Ind.
   Rev. Eugene McBarron, dean of Evansville.
   Rev. Jos. Byrne, Indianapolis.
   Rev. A. Scheideler, V. G. Indianapolis.
   Rev. A. Roell, Richmond.
   Rev. C. Kraemer, Ludlow, Ky.
   Rev. A. Oster, Columbus, Ind.
   Rev. R. Hoeing, North Madison, Ind.
   Rev. Gillig, Zenas.
   Father Urick is pastor of St. Ann, one of the most flourishing of the "country congregations" in Southern Indiana. From a history of the diocese of Vincennes, compiled by Rev. H. Alerding, we take the following regarding the church of St. Ann:
   "The records kept at St. Ann date back to 1840. It appears there were Catholics here as early as 1835, and a small log church was built about that time. Rev. William Chartier's name is the first on the books and for all we know the first priest who visited the Catholics here. Whether the little church in the centre of the forest was built by him does not appear. Rev Vincent Bacquelin was here in 1842 and Rev. P. Mueller, O.P., also in 1842. In 1843 Rev. Julius Delaune, Rev. Roman Weinzeopfel and Rev. J. N. Mullen O.S.A. The church was attended by Father Delaune in 1845 and 1846.
   Rev. Alphonso Munschina was the first reisdent pastor from 1846 to 1854. Rev. P. Kreusch attended in 1854 and 1855. In 1855 to 1856 rev. A. Carius, Father Krensch again, and also Rev. Leonard Brandt visited the people. These priests resided in Madison.
   On July 26, 1859, Rev. B. H. Schulties, who had been the resident pastor since 1856, died suddenly. His grave is in St. Ann's cemetery. Rev. J. M. Missi became the pastor on December 24, 1859, and remained such until January 5, 1868, when his name appears for the last time on the books. It was Father Missi who built the present large and handsome brick church "under the greatest difficulties, spending a good deal of his own money and working with his own hands. The people say that he made more than one-fourth of the bricks in the church." The building was under roof when he left it in 1868, and no debts on it.
   Father Missi's successor was the Rev. Lawrence Osterling, O.M.C. He pushed the good work bravely forward. He had the church plastered, alters and pulpits built and the interior of the church beautifully ornamented. In 1872 he erected a new parsonage. "He was a zealous, pious priest and a true pastor of his flock. He died onthe 9th of february, 1877, consumed by his labors, only 54 years of age. He was buried in the church in front of the Bl. Virgin's altar, and a monument was erected in 1880."
   Rev. F. X. Seegmiller was pastor from August 1877 to June 1879; Rev. John Nep. Wernich took charge in 1880. He was followed by Rev. A. Dannenhoffer from 1884 to 1885 and he by Rev. E. M. Faller who built a school house, enlarged the parsonage and built a steeple all at a cost of $7,000 which he paid out of his private fortune.
   On July 16, 1886, Father A. J. Urick, the present pastor, took charge and under his guidance the congregation has grown to one of the best in Southern Indiana. The church has undergone many improvements under his management, the latest being interior decoration, painting and putting new cross on church.
   Father Urick was born Feb 16, 1883(?) at St. Joseph, Ind., and ordained June 1886 at Ferdinand, Ind.
   The following presents were received by Father Widerin: St. Mary's society, tea set.
   Water set, St. Rose.
   Choir, butter dish.
   St. Aloysius society, ink stand.
   Mr. and Mrs. Lang, Evansville, Pyx case (sick call outfit).
   Smoking set, Miss Lula Dick, Evansville.
   Mr. and Mrs. Winyz, Evansville, Kodak.
   Mr. P. Dick, cigars.
   Siener family, lunch cloth.
   Grandma Seiner, doyle.
   Miss Maggie Dick, onyx top table.
   Mr. and Mrs. Bantz, sugar spoon.
   Wolf Gumble & son, match case.
   Beer & Barth, match case.
   Father Ginnz, amber meerscham pipe.
   Mr. Jacob Fiesz, pipe.
   Lawyers and physicians, nut bowl.
   Challie, Mrs. Echrech, Louisville
   Mr. Will Cassilly, clothes brush.
   Sister Florence, silver wreath.
   Nick Cornet, Versailles, smoking set.
   Mr. and Mrs. Patrick Wade, Madison, carving set.
   Father Michael, St. Magdalene, silver knife and fork and tooth pick.
   Mr. Kline and Mr. Zurin, North Vernon, cigars & etc.
   Pustel & Co., Cincinnati, Statue Good Shepherd.
   Mother Olivia, scroll work.
   Mr. Herbst, New Albany, coat and vest and cigars.
   Mr. Cramer, Vevay, cigars.
   A.S. Chapman, Madison, C.K. of A. sword.
   Needle & Thread Club, hall rack.
   Tripp Bros., J.B. Miller, J.D. Cone, Dr. Firsich, desk.
   Children, alb, surplice, stole and burse gold cloth.
   St. Mary's society, velum.
   Dowd & Co., chair.
   Jubilee quilt containing 1200 names.
   Mrs. Dick, blotter.
   Father Urich, cigars.
   St. Bridget's society, $25 in silver.
   Also other silver presents from Mr. and Mrs. Michael Howard, of Indianapolis, and Philip Gagen and John Reichle, of North Vernon.
   Father Hoeing, crucifix.
   Father Schmidt, Dayton, book and bell.
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Monday, October 10th marked an epoch in the history of the little settlement of St. Ann, when the Right Reverend Albert Daeger. Arcbishop of the province of Santa Fe, New Mexico, the largest Catholic province in the United States celebrated the anniversary of the 25th year of his priesthood.
   Pontifical High Mass was celebrated by the Rev. Archbishop at the church Monday with Rev. Virgil Daeger, O.F.M, a brother of the bishop as assistant priest. Deacons of the mass were Rev. Venabius Stephen O.F.M., of Bloomington, Ill. and Rev. Gaudens Schuster O.F.M. of Hamilton, Ohio - Master of Ceremonies, Rev. Sigismund Pirron O.F.M., of Cincinnati, Ohio. The last three named were classmates of His Reverence.
   The deacons of honer were: Rev. A.J. Urich, of Millhousen and Rev. Geo. A. Pohl of New Alsac Ind., both being former pastors of the St. Ann parish.
   Chaplins to the Right, Rev. Joseph Chartrand D.D. bishop of Indianapolis, were Rev. Guthneck, and Rev. Bilger, both of Madison, Ind.
   Chaplins to Monsignor Roell of Richmond, Ind., were Rev. Gerdes of Middletown, Ohio, and Rev. August Speigler of North Vernon.
   Cross Bearer to His Grace, Rev. Schneidler of St. Magdalene.
   Candle Bearer to His Grace, Rev. Eisenman of Four Corners.
   The very Rev. Provincial of the Cincinnati Province of the Franciscan Fathers, Very Rev. Edmund Klein O.F.M., of Cincinnati, Ohio, and Rev. Peter Englert O.F.M, of Louisville, Ky., novice master of His Grace were also present at the celebration.
   The brothers, William, Joseph, John Leo, Albert, Herman, Frank and Fred sang the mass, while Frank officiated at the organ.
   The interior of the church had been newly frescoed and electric lights installed. It was very prettily decorated with flowers and ferns and designs worked out in silver leaved showing the figure 25 and other appropriate mottoes, and the procession starting from the parsonage was led by Catherine Daeger, niece of the bishop, and Bernard Eder dressed as bride and groom, carried the crozier and mitre, while two flower girls, Marie and Monica Eder strewed flowers in the path of the Most Rev. Bishop.
   After the ceremonies at the church which took up most of the morning, a bountiful dinner was served at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Daeger where all the family and their guests partook of eats that would tempt the heart of any man, and the balance of the day was spent by the family and their friends in discussing the different incidents of the day.
   It was one grand glorious occasion on which will never be forgotten in the lives of any of the participants and one in which the little parish church can well be proud of. The distinction alone of being the birthplace of one, whose name is held in the highest esteem by all the members of the Catholic faith and one whose word is considered an authority by the doctors of the church is one of which many a larger parish would be proud to boast of.
   This not only marked the anniversary of the bishop's entry into the priesthood, but it was also a grand family reunion, all the children being present except Casper of Sash., Canada who was unable to attend. Thirteen children and all living is a record to boast of to the public at large and Mr. and Mrs. Daeger are to be congratulated that among their flock can be numbered on of the most highly respected men in the Catholic clergy.
   Archbishop Daeger is head of the archdiocese of Santa Fe, comprising all of the state of New Mexico, with the exception of the extreme southern counties. Over this he presides in the capacity of a bishop, while the province of Santa Fe, of which the New Mexico prelate is the archbishop comprises the entire state of Colorado, part of Texas included in the diocese of El Paso. The area of his province is the largest in the United States and the province is also the oldest of the church in this country.
   Twenty years ago as plain Father Daeger the archbishop came to New Mexico from Lincoln, Neb., and was stationed at the mission at Pena Blanco, from which point he served many little communities and missions within a radius of many miles.
   He often speaks of his life as being wonderful. Many times he rode a horse for miles at a stretch. He struggled hard and quite often fought with the Indians.
   From Pena Bianca Archbishop Daeger was transferred to Farmington,, and about four years ago to the little town of Jemez from which little charge he was called to Santa Fe, and consecrated archbishop of the province of Santa Fe, the most ancient and largest episcopate of the church in the United States.
   The head of the Catholic church of the southwest is not a large man physically. He has the tanned and healthy complexion of one who has lived out of doors. He speaks earnestly and plainly and is very interesting.
   Of the children of Mr. and Mrs. Daeger, parents of this great man, but one remains at home. This child has the distinction of being the only girl in a family of thirteen. The remainder of the family are either married or employed in different parts of the United States. The oldest the Most Rev. Archbishop is stationed in New Mexico; Casper Daeger of Sashawan Canada; Jacob a prosperous farmer of Taloma, Ill; Rev. Vrgil, O.F.M, is Guardian of the Monastery of Oldenburg; William A. is a salesman in Champaign, Ill., Joseph A. office of Chief Clerk of the railway mail service; John M. is a postal clerk for Uncle Sam; Leo A Daeger employed with a lumber company in Indianapolis; Albert Daeger, farmer near St. Ann neighborhood; Herman, employed in connection with the St. Ritas school in Lockland, Ohio; Frank with the Tire and Rubber Co., at Indianapolis; and Fred with the Tire Repair Co., also of Indianapolis.
   Among the out of town visitors were:
   Mrs. Barbara Gehl, of Indianapolis, Casper Daeger and wife of Peoria, Ill. He is a brother of Mr. George Daeger; Sister Josephine, of Keshena Wis., from the Indian Industrial School; Jake Kirsch, a cousin of the archbishop, Mrs. Anthony Kirsch, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Beck, Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Meseig, and Mrs. Susan Gause all of Indianapolis; Mrs. Joseph Maschino and daughter, of Newport Ky., Mrs. Schmoler and daughter, Mrs. Marie Siler Wood and grandaughter Marie, of Evanston, Ill., August Elsner and wife, Mr. and Mrs. John Machino, Mr. and Mrs. Leo Krackenberger and Lawrence, Anna and Cecilia Krackenberger all of Seymour; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Schoetmer, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. and Mrs. Ferd Mader, of Fort Lorimer, Ohio; and Sister Superior and two sisters from the Oldenburg Convent; Mat Holdrieth, wife and son, also Peter Holdreith, of Detroit Michigan.
   Of the immediate family at the celebration were: Jacob Daeger, wife and two daughters, on from the Oldenburg Convent: Vigil, guardian of the monostary at Oldenburg; Wm. A. Daeger of Champaign; Joseph F. Daeger wife and daughters of Millwaukee, Wis., John M. Daeger wife and children; Leo A. Daeger and wife; Albert Daeger, wife and son; Herman Daeger, of Lockland, Ohio; Frank and Fred of Indianapolis.
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   FYI O.F.M. stands for the Order of Friars Minor, the official title of the Franciscan order. When the initials follow the name of a priest or lay religious, it indicates that the person is a Franciscan. Sometimes you may see O.F.M. followed by a "Cap." or "Conv." These two titles indicate orders within the Franciscan order, respectively the Capuchin order and the Conventual order. For example, the Venerable Fr. Solanus Casey and St. Padre Pio were both Franciscans, but Fr. Casey belonged to the Capuchin branch and Padre Pio to the Conventual branch.
  

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