May 22, 2009

Father James Rogers celebrates 70th anniversary of ordination

Father James Rogers, a resident of St. Paul Hermitage in Beech Grove, is celebrating the 70th anniversary of his priestly ordination this year.

He was ordained on May 30, 1939, for the then-Diocese of Indianapolis. He was ministering in southwestern Indiana five years later when the Diocese of Evansville was created and so became a priest of that diocese.

Father Rogers was born on Aug. 25, 1914, in Beech Grove, and grew up as a member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish there.

He received his priestly formation at the former Saint Meinrad Seminary.

In addition to ministering at parishes in the Evansville Diocese, Father Rogers served as a missionary in South America from 1969-71. He is fluent is five languages.

After retiring from active ministry, he returned to Indianapolis, where he frequently ministered at St. John the Evangelist Parish and other parishes around the city.

Father Rogers began residing at St. Paul Hermitage in 2006. †

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