Prayers for the Repose of the Soul of Father Mel Bennett... including details for his funeral...

I blogged awhile back asking for prayers for a brother priest of mine named Father Mel Bennett. He had been serving as a Senior Associate Pastor at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton Parish in Carmel, IN.

Anyway, last night at our annual Chrism Mass in Lafayette, IN, Bishop Doherty shared with us in his homily that Father Mel had passed away. I saw him just two days ago, shared with him that I was proud of him and that he was a hero of mine. I will never forget the great conversations we had over the years. He provided me with great support in my early years of priesthood. He will certainly be missed by many many people. He was one of the legends of my diocese and served in many wonderful roles throughout his years of priestly ministry. I was sad to hear the news at the Chrism Mass, but then I realized that Father Mel loved the Mass and that he was right there with us in the Eucharist as all his brother priests were gathered together with the people of our diocese. That brought me great peace last night, even in the midst of the storms and rain that delayed my getting back to Zionsville.

To share the great gift Father Mel Bennett was to our diocese, please read this list of all that he did so very faithfully for over 40 years:

Ordained May 24, 1969. 1969, Chaplain, St. Joseph Motherhouse, Tipton; 1970, Associate Pastor, St. Vincent de Paul, Logansport; 1972, Associate Pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Kokomo; 1974, Acting Pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Kokomo; 1974, Pastoral Team, St. Joan of Arc, Kokomo; 1980, Pastor, St. Joan of Arc, Kokomo; 1982, Pastor, St. Bridget, Logansport; 1984, Pastor, St. Alphonsus Liguori, Zionsville; 1988, Vicar for Priests; 1989, Full-time Vicar for Clergy with residence at Emmaus House; 1994, Pastor, St. Bernard, Crawfordsville; 2000, Chaplain, Wabash College Newman Apostolate, Crawfordsville, while continuing as Pastor, St. Bernard, Crawfordsville; 2001, Pastor, St. Bernard, Crawfordsville; 2003, Chaplain, Wabash College Newman Apostolate, Crawfordsville, while continuing as Pastor, St. Bernard, Crawfordsville; 2005, Senior Associate, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Carmel.

Let us remember to pray for Father Mel Bennett. Eternal rest grant unto him. Also, I came across a good prayer which would be fitting to share in this post.

A Prayer for a Deceased Priest
O God, Thou didst raise Thy servant, Father Mel Bennett, to the sacred priesthood of Jesus Christ, according to the Order of Melchisedech, giving him the sublime power to offer the Eternal Sacrifice, to bring the Body and Blood of Thy Son Jesus Christ down upon the altar, and to absolve the sins of men in Thine own Holy Name. We beseech Thee to reward his faithfulness and to forget his faults, admitting him speedily into Thy Holy Presence, there to enjoy forever the recompense of his labors. This we ask through Jesus Christ Thy Son, our Lord. Amen.

Finally, here is the letter we received today from Bishop Doherty:

20 April 2011

Dear Monsignors/Fathers/Deacons:

Father Melvin Bennett, age 69, died at Saint Vincent’s Hospital, Indianapolis on Tuesday, April 19th.

The body of Father Bennett will be received at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish on Monday, April 25th at 11:00 a.m. Visitation will follow until 7:00 p.m. when the Office of the Dead and Vigil will begin.

The Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26th at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish. Bishop Timothy Doherty will be the celebrant with Bishop William Higi and the classmates of Father Bennett as concelebrants along with the priests of the Diocese.

A luncheon will follow the Funeral Mass at Saint Elizabeth Seton parish hall.

Burial will be at St. John’s Cemetery in Earl Park (on or about 4:15/4:30) following the luncheon.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Father Melvin Bennett Spiritual Center on the campus of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton parish.

Let us remember all of our deceased brothers in our prayers. As a reminder, the custom is to celebrate three Masses for the repose of the soul of a deceased brother priest.



Most Reverend Timothy L. Doherty
Bishop of Lafayette-in-Indiana