Diocese of Evansville
Violent intruder bruises, unsettles Sister Leta at Poseyville
By Paul R. Leingang (Message editor)
“I never really felt unsafe before,” said Benedictine Sister Leta Zeller. That was before a man pushed his way into the entrance hallway Sunday, Feb. 17 at her home next to St. Francis Xavier Church in Poseyville, and demanded money.
When she told the intruder she had no money, he shoved her against the wall. She fell to the floor and he ran away.
Sister Leta has “a few bruises” but the larger injury is to her sense of security. When the intruder fled, and she was able to get back up from the floor, she called the Poseyville police department. The investigating officer asked her if she wanted someone to come to stay with her that evening, but she said no. She told the Message in a telephone interview that she intends to conquer her fears and continue her life where she is, “otherwise he wins, and I am not going to have that.”
She also plans to not answer the door after dark.
Sister Leta reported the incident to Father Ed Schnur, pastor of both St. Wendel and St. Francis churches. Father Schnur resides at St. Wendel, and Sister Leta lives in the home at St. Francis.
Sister Leta is a member of the Ferdinand Benedictines, and she also reported what had happened to Sister Kristine Harpenau, prioress at Monastery Immaculate Conception.
“Sister Kris told me to ‘be safe,’” said Sister Leta. She told her prioress that she wouldn’t be answering the door at night from now on. “I didn’t know you were doing that!” said Sister Kristine, as Sister Leta recalled their conversation.
The fact is, St. Francis Church has been a popular place for people to come looking for help, for gas money or food, since it is only a mile from Interstate 64.
“All the churches in the area contribute to a fund, it is called the Good Samaritan Fund,” which is available in the form of vouchers for gasoline or food, said Sister Leta. The Catholic church at Poseyville is the most visible and easiest church in the area to find, so it has become the place where many travelers seek assistance.
Over the time she has been living there, Sister Leta has handed out vouchers, helped people to find lodging, or to buy gasoline or food. “Even the police bring people here,” she said. She recalled a time when the police brought a woman who was afraid to continue to drive in the heavy snow – so Sister Leta put her up for the night.
So on that Sunday, when she heard someone at the door, she was not surprised or afraid. Earlier in the day, a parishioner had said he wanted to borrow a podium – so Sister Leta thought the man at the door might be that parishioner, or someone who needed help.
Sister Leta had just begun to relax after a long and busy day. She was watching the “Funniest Home Videos” on television when she heard the man at the door, and went to meet him.
He had already opened an insecure storm door and pushed his way past Sister Leta when she opened the outer door. He said he wanted “cash money.” Sister Leta offered him a voucher. He insisted though that he wanted “cash money” and Sister Leta was equally insistent that she had no money in the house to give him.
That’s when he grew angry, doubled up his fists, and shoved her. In her house slippers, she fell easily but forcefully against the wall, hard enough to cause damage to it.
She told the investigating police officer that she did not get up in time to see if the man had a car. The last time she saw him he was on foot.
In addition to contacting the police, the pastor and the prioress, Sister Leta also reported the incident to Steve Bagbey, the safety and security coordinator in the Catholic Schools Office for the Diocese of Evansville.
ister Leta said he advised her to get a two-way public address system, so she could talk with people at the door without opening it.
The storm door now has a new knob and lock, and the sad reality is sinking in, that being available to help people in need is just not safe any more.
(Go to the website of the Diocese of Evansville) †