500 patrons in evening gowns, tuxedos and military dress uniform joined our grey-habited friars for the annual Deimel Legacy Ball at Fort Benning. The friars featured here serve in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church (left to right) Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv. – Pastor, Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar and Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. – Parochial Vicar.
The 14th Annual Deimel Legacy Ball was held on Saturday, January 26, 2019, at the National Infantry Museum. The black tie optional event proceeds support tuition assistance at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School, the parochial school affiliated with three of our newest pastoral ministries and hosted by Diocese of Savannah Bishop Most Reverend Gregory J. Hartmayer, OFM Conv., a friar of our province. The event is supported by the entire Columbus (GA) deanery of the Diocese of Savannah, which includes: Christ the King, Holy Family, Our Lady of Lourdes, St. Anne, and St. Benedict the Moor parishes. The celebration of the Catholic Faith, was also attended by Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. and our friars serving in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church, Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church and St. Benedict the Moor Parish.
On Sunday, January 27th, Bishop Gregory served as the main celebrant and homilist at St. Anne’s parish Mass – joined by our friars serving in Columbus and Fr. James, who remained in Columbus in order to visit with Fr. Robert Schlageter, OFM Conv., Fr. Mark David Skura, OFM Conv., Fr. Emanuel “Manny” Vasconcelos, OFM Conv. (all in pastoral ministry at St. Anne Catholic Church), Fr. Bob Benko, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church) and Fr. Noel Danielewicz, OFM Conv. (in pastoral ministry at St. Benedict the Moor Parish).
This visit also afforded Fr. James the opportunity to celebrate the 9:30 a.m. Catholic School’s Week all school (PreK through 12th grade) Mass, on Monday, January 28, 2019, at St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. Monday was a day devoted to celebration Vocations & Volunteers and also included Primary Grade Students decorating prayer rocks to use to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Students in grades 3-5 will engaging in a special presentation on Benediction with Friar Manny, Middle School Students enjoying vocationally-themed activities in their Religion classes, High School Students playing lunchtime games that celebrate vocations, and all St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School Volunteers receiving a special treat via email.
Our Minister Provincial, the Very Reverend Fr. James McCurry, OFM Conv. launched “Catholic Schools Week” in Columbus, Georgia, on January 28th, as main celebrant and homilist at Mass for the whole student body (numbering over 700) of St. Anne-Pacelli Catholic School. This largest school in the Savannah Diocese enrolls pupils from pre-K through 12th grade.
