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50¢ May 28, 2006 Volume 81, No. 22 www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY Serving the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend TTODAYODAY’’SS CCATHOLICATHOLIC Father Steve Kempinger named Fifty year commitment superintendent of Catholic schools to Christ St. John the Baptist celebrates anniversary BY ANN CAREY Pages 11-13 NOTRE DAME — When Holy Cross Father Steve Kempinger was a sophomore geology major at the University of Notre Dame, he volunteered to tutor children through a neighborhood study program at Priesthood is a gift Saint Mary’s College. That experience hooked him on a career in education that now has taken him to Msgr. William Faber, 97, the top education job in the diocese-superintendent of schools. celebrates 70 years of ministry Bishop John M. D’Arcy has appointed Father Page 8 Kempinger to the position, effective July 1. He will be the first Holy Cross priest to serve the diocese as superintendent of schools, although diocesan priests have served in that role previously. He will replace outgoing superintendent Michelle Hitte, who is Faith and Fertility retiring after 25 years with the diocese — first as a teacher, then principal, and then superintendent. Moral principles involved Father Kempinger has been her associate super- intendent for the past two years and credits Hitte in treating infertility with handing over a school system that is in excel- Page 10 lent condition. “We always look for improvement,” Father Kempinger said, “but I think we have a very sound school system, and I really appreciate the good shape it’s in.” No publication Father Kempinger has followed a similar career path in education as Hitte. While studying geology ANN CAREY next week at Notre Dame, he also took education courses at Holy Cross Father Steve Kempinger will split his time as superintendent of schools between Saint Mary’s College, and when he graduated from the South Bend and Fort Wayne schools offices. He is pictured here on the grounds of Moreau Seminary at Notre Dame, which will remain his primary residence, although he Next issue June 11 SUPER, PAGE 3 plans to spend a couple of nights a week in quarters in Fort Wayne. BISHOP LUERS CELEBRATES St. Martin de Porres CLASS OF 2006 Diocesan offices will renovation continues be closed Monday, May 29 moving both to the expanded church. BY DENISE FEDOROW “Everything was to be in one building — one central location — which would have SYRACUSE — The unique “overturned been much better,” List said. boat” architecture of St. Martin de Porres The modified plans do not include any Church in Syracuse was built in 1966 and, improvements to the rectory and four of the according to the administrative associate religious education classes will remain in and director of religious education, Liz List, the current building outside the church. “nothing has been done since.” Parish members were hoping to remove that That is until last September, when con- building to gain parking. struction on a renovation project began. The List said there were two driving factors renovation, by Kaiser-Spraker in South that spurred the renovation project. “Over Bend, is basically doubling the square the years the parish was concerned about footage on two levels as the expansion the elderly not being able to go downstairs wraps around the existing church. to enjoy festivities — such as our Ash “The architect said it was challenging in Wednesday soup and salad luncheon, so all aspects,” according to List. “They didn’t we’ve been trying to get an elevator,” she want to take away the uniqueness of the said. “The parish council has also decided church with the capsized boat design for the the way we handle our religious education lake area.” is not feasible anymore. Four classes are TIM JOHNSON List said the price tag for the original held in the (church) basement and they’re project was 2.2 million. The project was just storage rooms, so we decided it’s time Bishop John M. D’Arcy leads graduates of dovetailed on the Annual Bishop’s Appeal to do something about it.” the Bishop Luers High School class of and the goal for the parish was to raise $1 With the building project a religious edu- million, but she said they were only able to cation wing will be added in the addition 2006 from the Cathedral of the raise $800,000, causing them to modify the towards the lake. Only the top floor will be Immaculate Conception after the bac- original plans. Initially plans called for a finished with classrooms at this time. new rectory and tearing down the existing calaureate Mass on May 19. religious education-parish office building DE PORRES, PAGE 5 2 TODAY’ S CATHOLIC MAY 28, 2006 TODAY’S CATHOLIC Official newspaper of the Graduation, anniversary events Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend P.O. Box 11169 Fort Wayne, IN 46856 fill calendar in last weeks of May PUBLISHER: Bishop John M. D’Arcy The coming of graduations Old Testament, who previously taught at Harvard. He is a convert to the Catholic EDITOR: Tim Johnson It began as it always does, with morning faith, and a great deal of his focus is on the ASSISTANT EDITOR: Don Clemmer Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Book of Genesis. He had been an ordained STAFF WRITER: Kay Cozad Conception for Bishop Luers’ class of 2006. pastor in the Methodist community before NEWS What a joy to realize that we now have two becoming a Catholic. He is a real treasure, Editorial Department deacons who are at the last step of their and it was a joy to be at his home with priestly formation, both of whom are gradu- Gary and his wife, Lisa, and their two sons PAGE DESIGNER: Francie Hogan &NOTES ates of Bishop Luers High School. Anthony FREELANCE WRITERS: Ann Carey, and so many devoted to the pursuit of Steinacker (Luers Class of 1991). Tony will “Faith seeking Understanding.” Especially Michelle Castleman, Elmer J. Danch, BISHOP JOHN M. D’ARCY soon be receiving an assignment as deacon, moving, was to see these exemplary young Michelle Donaghey, Bonnie Elberson, which will probably continue into the early men and women who have become drawn Denise Fedorow, Sr. Margie Lavonis, years of his priesthood. He has completed to the study of theology, and I was so CSC, Jennifer Ochstein,Theresa his academic work at the Pontifical pleased to be in the presence of many mem- The history of our diocese Josephinum Seminary in Columbus, Ohio. Thomas, Kristi Ward Among the interesting meetings last bers of the theology faculty, and to experi- The second Bishop Luers’ graduate is ence first hand their good work. week, was one with Joseph White, Ph.D., Jason Freiburger (Luers Class of 1996), a Business Department who is currently writing the history of our member of St. Therese Parish. Although a BUSINESS MANAGER: Kathy Denice diocese. Joe has a doctorate in history from deacon, he has one more year of studies at A golden jubilarian AD GRAPHICS DIRECTOR: Mark Weber the University of Notre Dame, and he is the Josephinum before being assigned to a After the visit with the graduating theol- BOOKKEEPING/CIRCULATION: Kathy Voirol nearing completion of this work, which will parish in preparation for his ordination to be several hundred pages. I have read some the priesthood. ogy majors, I was able to make a stop at St. of it and find it altogether fascinating. The Shortly after this baccalaureate Mass, I Joseph Church, Mishawaka, and the golden committee members who recommended headed north. I celebrated, I believe for the jubilee Mass of Father Robert Yast. Father Advertising Sales him were present. A problem has arisen, 22nd time, the baccalaureate Mass of Saint Bob is an exemplary priest — beloved Carol Eifert (Fort Wayne area) and maybe you, dear reader, can help us. Mary’s College. In my homily I focused on wherever he has been stationed; such as, St. (260) 456-2824 This, after all, is the history of the past 150 the encyclical, “Deus Caritas Est,” of Pope Anthony, South Bend; St. Patrick, Judy Kearns (South Bend area) years commissioned for our jubilee, so we Benedict XVI and was pleased to hear the Walkerton; St. Joseph, Mishawaka; and St. (574) 234-0687 need to bring it up to the present. The only positive reaction. Saturday afternoon I Peter, Fort Wayne. He came a little late to the priesthood, having served in the United Web site: www.diocesefwsb.org/TODAY problem is that the bishop of the last 21 attended the always beautiful baccalaureate years is still quite active, and as far as we Mass at Sacred Heart Basilica, Notre Dame, States Army. He is known for his self-dep- Published weekly except the last can tell, pretty much alive. Historians are and said my usual words at the end of recating wit, but also his devotion to the Sunday in June, second and fourth always reluctant, understandably so, to Mass. On Sunday, I attended the graduation sick and the dying in hospitals all through- weeks in July, second week in August write a history of a contemporary time. Joe at the University of Notre Dame; and while out the diocese, especially in the South and last week in December by the White told me that he found the last 20 it is always beautiful, it was marked by Bend area. Father Bob, realizing the serious Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, years quite interesting, with so many new something special this year — the singing situation we have in our diocese, stayed on 1103 S. Calhoun St., P.O.

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