July 8, 2011

Longtime musicians are a staple at several archdiocesan parishes

By Sean Gallagher

Jerry Craney and Charlie and Dianne Gardner, who were featured in a June 17 story in The Criterion, are among a wide array of Catholics across central and southern Indiana who have ministered as pastoral musicians for decades in the archdiocese.

The following is a list of people who have added their musical talents to parish liturgies in the archdiocese for 25 years or more. Some are paid staff members in parishes. Others are volunteers. Some have retired from their ministry in the past year.

  • Loretta Eckstein, St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville, more than 60 years.
  • Janet Brewer, St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Shelby County, 53 years.
  • Theresa Back, St. Michael Parish in Brookville, 43 years.
  • Judy Beard, Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis, 41 years.
  • Laverne Carr, St. Ambrose Parish in Seymour, 37 years.
  • Yvonne Nichols, St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, 36 years.
  • Benadette Linne, St. Pius V Parish in Troy, 31 years.
  • Joan Koors, St. Mary Parish in Greensburg, more than 30 years.
  • Kay Melton, St. Ambrose Parish in Seymour, more than 30 years.
  • Marlene Scharbrough, St. Matthew the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis, 26 years.
  • Jill Robertson, St. Bernard Parish in Frenchtown, more than 25 years.
  • Karen Steilberger, St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis, more than 25 years.
  • John Kirby, Holy Cross Parish in Indianapolis, 25 years.

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