Ten priests recognized for years of service

Ten priests were honored at the annual Presbyteral Jubilee Mass May 16 at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Pictured from left are: Fathers David Zettel, Eugene Scheich (seated), Timothy A. Hogan, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Father John D. Deatrick, Passionist Father Eric Meyer and Father J. Mark Spalding. (Record Photo by Jessica Able)
Ten priests were honored at the annual Presbyteral Jubilee Mass May 16 at the Cathedral of the Assumption. Pictured from left are: Fathers David Zettel, Eugene Scheich (seated), Timothy A. Hogan, Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz, Father John D. Deatrick, Passionist Father Eric Meyer and Father J. Mark Spalding. (Record Photo by Jessica Able)

By Jessica Able, Record Staff Writer

Priests of the Archdiocese of Louisville gathered at the Cathedral of the Assumption May 16 to honor 10 priests at the Presbyteral Jubilee Mass.

The annual liturgy celebrates priests marking 25th, 50th and 60th anniversaries of ordination.

Priests celebrating 60 years include Fathers Albert J. Hartlage and Gerald L. Timmel and Resurrectionist Father John A. Lesousky.

Priests marking their golden jubilees are Fathers John D. Deatrick, Timothy A. Hogan, Eugene Scheich and David H. Zettel and Passionist Fathers Ronald Corl and Eric Meyer.

Father J. Mark Spalding celebrated his 25th anniversary.

Father Spalding, who gave the homily at the annual Mass, said it was good for him and his brother priests “to be with and for each other.”

He mentioned four priests, whom he said had a profound impact on his early priesthood: Father Patrick Creed, Bishop William F. Medley, Bishop Charles C. Thompson and Father B.J. Breen — all of whom he served under as associate pastor.

“I thank God for what those men taught me as a priest,” he said, calling them “men of great wisdom and courage.”

“May God continue to bless this presbyterate with many gifts of wisdom, courage, understanding, right judgment and all those other great gifts of the spirit so our church can continue to serve so well,” he said.

Father Spalding currently serves as vicar general of the Archdiocese of Louisville, pastor of Holy Trinity Church and presbyteral moderator of Holy Family Church.

He was ordained Aug. 3, 1991. He served as associate pastor of the Basilica of St. Joseph Proto-Cathedral in Bardstown, Ky., St. Augustine Church in Lebanon, Ky., and St. Margaret Mary Church.

He was also chaplain at Bethlehem High School, administrator and pastor of Immaculate Conception Church in La Grange, Ky., and administrator pro tempore of St. Margaret Mary Church.

Following is information on the other jubilarians honored at the liturgy:

60 years

Father Albert J. Hartlage, ordained May 26, 1956, has served as an associate pastor, chaplain and pastor. He served as associate pastor of St. Columba Church, St. Stephen Martyr Church, St. Michael Church in Fairfield, Ky., and All Saints Church in Taylorsville, Ky. Beginning in 1967, Father Hartlage served for 20 years as a chaplain in the U.S. Army, including service in the Vietnam War. He also served as a chaplain at Frazier Rehab Center, Kosair Children’s Hospital and Sts. Mary & Elizabeth Hospital. He retired in 1999.

Resurrectionist Father John A. Lesousky, ordained July 1, 1956, served as an educator, assistant pastor and pastor. He taught at St. Mary’s College from 1964 to 1976. He was assistant pastor of Resurrection and St. Cecilia churches. He served as pastor of St. Theresa’s Cathedral and St. Patrick Church in Bermuda. He also served as pastor of the Church of the Annunciation in Shelbyville, Ky.; St. John Chrysostom Church in Eminence, Ky.; and St. Cecilia. He retired in 1999.

Father Gerald L. Timmel, ordained May 26, 1956, has served as an associate pastor and pastor. He was associate pastor of St. Helen, St. Pius X and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton churches. He served as pastor of St. Mildred Church in Somerset, Ky., St. Helen Church and Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. He retired in 1999. During his retirement he has worked with deacons and their wives in their ministry at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul.

50 years

Passionist Father Ronald Corl, ordained April 28, 1966, has served as a retreat team leader, a pastor and in leadership positions in numerous states. In the Archdiocese of Louisville, he served as parochial administrator of St. Agnes Church. He also served as a retreat team leader at Passionist retreat centers in Missouri, California, Michigan and Texas.

Father John D. Deatrick, ordained May 14, 1966, has served as an assistant and associate pastor, chaplain and pastor. He was assistant pastor at St. Augustine and St. Edward churches. He served as associate pastor of Our Mother of Sorrows, St. Leonard and St. Martha churches. He served as the associate director of the Vocation Office and was the chaplain at then-Bellarmine College, St. Xavier High School and for the Knights of Columbus of Kentucky. He was pastor of Holy Family and St. Martha churches. He retired in 2004. In his retirement, he has served as a senior associate at St. Martha.

Father Timothy A. Hogan, ordained May 14, 1966, has served as an associate pastor, pastor and campus minister. He has also served in administrative roles for the archdiocese and Catholic Charities USA. He was associate pastor of St. Gregory Church in Samuels, Ky.; St. Augustine, the old St. Basil, St. Patrick (W. Market Street) and St. John churches and St. Martin of Tours Church. He was an assistant chaplain at the Sisters of Charity of Nazareth Motherhouse and chaplain for the Carmelite Sisters.

He served as pastor of St. Philip Neri and St. Boniface churches. He also served as the director of the Schuhmann Center and as executive director of Catholic Charities of Louisville. He also served as chair of the board of trustees for Catholic Charities USA. In addition, he founded Nativity Academy at St. Boniface. He retired in 2010.

Passionist Father Eric Meyer, ordained April 28, 1966, has served as an educator, campus minister, associate pastor and pastor. He taught theology at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago and at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. He served in campus ministry in Carbondale, Ill., and as an associate pastor and pastor in Chicago. Since 2014, he has resided in Louisville and assists in ministries as needed.

Father Eugene Scheich, ordained May 14, 1966, has served as an assistant pastor, associate pastor, administrator and pastor. He was assistant pastor of Holy Family Church; associate pastor of Sts. Simon and Jude, Holy Trinity and St. Jerome churches. He served as administrator and pastor of St. Augustine and St. Matthias churches. He retired in 2005.

Father David H. Zettel, ordained May 14, 1966, has served as an assistant pastor, teacher and chaplain. He was assistant pastor of St. James Church in Elizabethtown, Ky., and St. Barnabas Church. He served as a teacher, counselor, assistant principal and chaplain during his 46-year career at Trinity High School. He retired in 2011.

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