October 14, 2018

My Dear Parishioners,
     Eternal rest grant unto our beloved Bishop Emeritus Eugene Gerber and to all our deceased families, friends and parishioners.  Bishop Gerber was the 8th bishop of our diocese.  He was retired in 2001.  God called him to eternal life on Saturday, Sept. 29th, at the age of 87.  His funeral Mass was held last Tuesday at the Cathedral.  He was put to rest at Ascension Cemetery.
     Bishop was born in Kingman on April 30, 1931.  His parents were Cornelius and Lena Tiesmeyer Gerber.  He was the fourth of seven children and they lived on a farm near Kingman.  He was baptized Catholic.  In 1945, he began high school studies at Conception Seminary in Missouri.  Due to a football injury, he returned home and finished his high school education in Kingman.  He graduated in 1949 and entered college at Wichita State University.  He then studied for the priesthood at Conception Seminary in Missouri, and at St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, CO.  He was ordained to the priesthood on May 19, 1959 by Bishop Mark Carroll. 
     As a priest, he served many years as an associate pastor at many churches in Wichita before he became a pastor.  He was a vice chancellor in 1961 and a chancellor in 1975.  He then taught religion at Mt. Carmel Academy.  He also served as business manager for the Catholic Advance.  Bishop Maloney sent him to study theology and scripture in Rome where he received his licentiate in theology.
     At the age of 45, he was appointed the third bishop of the Dodge City diocese in 1976.   He was the first native of Kansas to lead this diocese.  After six years in Dodge City, he was appointed bishop of the Wichita diocese and was installed on Feb. 9, 1983.  He was best known for his oversight of the stewardship way of life, and the establishment of The Lord’s Diner that has served over 5 million meals to the poor in our diocese.  Bishop Gerber loves the poor and may he now enjoy their friendship with our Lord in heaven among all the angels and saints.  “… And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is My disciple, truly I tell you, he will never lose his reward,” Matthew 10:42.
 
God bless his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, Fr. Hien
 
PS1: Have you registered with our parish yet?  Forms are available in the pews, in the gathering area and online waiting for you.  We would love to have you and your family with us.
PS2: Please be sure to pick a day and time to have your family picture taken for our church’s picture directory and for your family photos.  Make your reservations after Mass and online at any time.  Dates and times are available, first come first serve.
PS3: Please don’t be late to Mass so that we can count/click everyone entering church for our weekend Masses.  This is a request from the diocese.  Thank you for your cooperation!
PS4: Have you noticed our new parking lot west of our church?  There will be six stalls for parking for those who will be coming for adoration and for daily Mass (more details coming).  The new concrete needs about a week to cure before we can use it.