The Brute' Society
Membership in the Bruté Society is in recognition of a superior commitment in living a life of Christian stewardship. This award is named after Servant of God Bishop Simon Bruté, the first bishop of the historic Diocese of Vincennes, part of which is now the Diocese of Evansville. As our first shepherd, Bishop Bruté established and nurtured this young Church on the frontier of the Northwest Territory by giving completely of himself even to death.
This prestigious honor is is bestowed on those whose lives reflect the same selflessness exemplified by the saintly Bishop Bruté. Their generous sharing of time, talent and treasure with their parish sets them apart and continues the spirit of Bishop Bruté. Their faithful witness keeps our diocesan Church flourishing.
This prestigious honor is is bestowed on those whose lives reflect the same selflessness exemplified by the saintly Bishop Bruté. Their generous sharing of time, talent and treasure with their parish sets them apart and continues the spirit of Bishop Bruté. Their faithful witness keeps our diocesan Church flourishing.
The Bruté Society was established to accomplish several related purposes:
Eligibility for Membership
Criteria for Selection
Since many parishioners possess these qualities, each Parish Council should seek out those few parishioners who stand out from the rest: those whose devotion and dedication to the parish can best and simply be described as “extraordinary.”
Timing of Nominations and Awards
Nominations are typically made by parishes over the course of the summer, with a deadline of mid August.
The Bishop notifies all those nominated and invites them to participate in the Mass and Solemn Ceremony of Induction held at St. Benedict Cathedral in November.
Since 1990, more than 2,400 individuals and couples have been inducted into the Brute' Society.
- To acknowledge and give thanks to God for exemplary Catholic stewardship demonstrated by individual members of the parishes of the Diocese of Evansville.
- To promote an ever-deepening commitment to stewardship as the way of life for all Catholics in southwestern Indiana.
- To give public witness to the unity of all parishes of the Diocese of Evansville.
- To provide an annual inspirational celebration for the Catholic Church in southwestern Indiana.
Eligibility for Membership
- Membership in The Bruté Society is limited to lay persons who are registered members of one of the parishes of the Diocese of Evansville. Ordained clergy and religious are not eligible.
- Under ordinary circumstances, the Parish Council is responsible for selecting its parish candidate or candidates for membership, subject to the approval of the pastor. Each Parish is responsible for establishing its own process for selecting its candidates.
Criteria for Selection
- Any individual or couple whom a Parish Council would consider to nominate for membership in The Bruté Society should possess these qualities and characteristics:
- A lifestyle that is in harmony with the teachings of the Catholic faith.
- An exceptional commitment to the principles of good stewardship. This is usually shown over a period of time through selfless giving of time, talent, and/or treasure to the life and work of a parish.
- An individual or couple whom fellow parishioners would be proud to have represent their parish by being accepted as members of The Bruté Society.
Since many parishioners possess these qualities, each Parish Council should seek out those few parishioners who stand out from the rest: those whose devotion and dedication to the parish can best and simply be described as “extraordinary.”
Timing of Nominations and Awards
Nominations are typically made by parishes over the course of the summer, with a deadline of mid August.
The Bishop notifies all those nominated and invites them to participate in the Mass and Solemn Ceremony of Induction held at St. Benedict Cathedral in November.
Since 1990, more than 2,400 individuals and couples have been inducted into the Brute' Society.
Brute' Mass and Award Instructions for Recipients.
Please be sure to read all the way through.
Congratulations on your nomination for membership in the Brute’ Society. You are cordially invited to attend the 2022 Mass and Solemn Ceremony of Induction which will be held on November 6, 2022, at 2:00 pm Central time at St. Benedict Cathedral, 1328 Lincoln Avenue, in Evansville.
Please RSVP using the form on this page or call (812) 424-5536 no later than Thursday, October 20, 2022 and let us know if you will be attending.
If you would like to bring guests, please consider that there are 129 nominees and only 600 seats in the cathedral. While we want you to celebrate your award with those closest to you, we ask that you keep your invitations to a reasonable number.
On the day of your induction, we ask that you arrive at the Cathedral by 1:15 pm Central standard time. When you arrive, please make your way to the school cafeteria, which is just north of the Cathedral. We will have signs showing where to go. You will be greeted at the entrance by one of our staff who will provide you with a program for the event and a name card. The name card will have the name you requested to be shown on your certificate and will be used to announce you to Bishop Siegel as he presents you with your medal. Please keep this handy as you will need it during Mass.
Just before Mass, we will make our way to the Cathedral where we will process in together. If you need assistance getting to the Cathedral from Woodward Center, or if it would just be easier for you to meet at the Cathedral, let me know and we can make that happen.
Bishop Siegel will be the celebrant for Mass. At the time for the awards to be made, we will have you come up much like you would for Communion. You will give your name card to me so that I may announce it to those in attendance. From there you will go to receive your medal from Bishop Siegel. After you have received your medal from Bishop Siegel, please return to your seat.
Immediately following Mass, we will return to the cafeteria for a reception with Bishop Siegel and your fellow Brute’ award winners. Plan on attending and enjoying the conversation and hors d’oeuvres. Your certificate, which will have your name on it and be signed by Bishop Siegel, will be on a table near the cafeteria entrance and should be picked up at that time.
Tim Lilley, Editor of The Message, will be in attendance and taking photos of the event, including the presentation of your award by Bishop Siegel. He will make the photos available to you a short time after the ceremony. The photos will be on a Google photo sharing site where you will be able to access them and download them for your personal use. There is no cost to you for this service. Please thank Tim for his work.
If you have not already done so, please return the information form sent to you with your nomination letter from Bishop Siegel right away. This very important. If you would like to email the information to me, send it to mpotter@evdio.org
If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or suggestions, don’t hesitate for a minute to contact me at one of the following:
I can’t begin to express the joy I feel in honoring you for your modeling of stewardship to your parish, your diocese, and God. I am really looking forward to the ceremony in November when we can acknowledge your life of stewardship to the world!
Peace
Matthew N. Potter, CFP®
Office of Stewardship
Please RSVP using the form on this page or call (812) 424-5536 no later than Thursday, October 20, 2022 and let us know if you will be attending.
If you would like to bring guests, please consider that there are 129 nominees and only 600 seats in the cathedral. While we want you to celebrate your award with those closest to you, we ask that you keep your invitations to a reasonable number.
On the day of your induction, we ask that you arrive at the Cathedral by 1:15 pm Central standard time. When you arrive, please make your way to the school cafeteria, which is just north of the Cathedral. We will have signs showing where to go. You will be greeted at the entrance by one of our staff who will provide you with a program for the event and a name card. The name card will have the name you requested to be shown on your certificate and will be used to announce you to Bishop Siegel as he presents you with your medal. Please keep this handy as you will need it during Mass.
Just before Mass, we will make our way to the Cathedral where we will process in together. If you need assistance getting to the Cathedral from Woodward Center, or if it would just be easier for you to meet at the Cathedral, let me know and we can make that happen.
Bishop Siegel will be the celebrant for Mass. At the time for the awards to be made, we will have you come up much like you would for Communion. You will give your name card to me so that I may announce it to those in attendance. From there you will go to receive your medal from Bishop Siegel. After you have received your medal from Bishop Siegel, please return to your seat.
Immediately following Mass, we will return to the cafeteria for a reception with Bishop Siegel and your fellow Brute’ award winners. Plan on attending and enjoying the conversation and hors d’oeuvres. Your certificate, which will have your name on it and be signed by Bishop Siegel, will be on a table near the cafeteria entrance and should be picked up at that time.
Tim Lilley, Editor of The Message, will be in attendance and taking photos of the event, including the presentation of your award by Bishop Siegel. He will make the photos available to you a short time after the ceremony. The photos will be on a Google photo sharing site where you will be able to access them and download them for your personal use. There is no cost to you for this service. Please thank Tim for his work.
If you have not already done so, please return the information form sent to you with your nomination letter from Bishop Siegel right away. This very important. If you would like to email the information to me, send it to mpotter@evdio.org
If you have any questions, concerns, comments, or suggestions, don’t hesitate for a minute to contact me at one of the following:
- (307) 220-6608. My cell phone. Call or text. I answer both.
- mpotter@evdio.org. My email
I can’t begin to express the joy I feel in honoring you for your modeling of stewardship to your parish, your diocese, and God. I am really looking forward to the ceremony in November when we can acknowledge your life of stewardship to the world!
Peace
Matthew N. Potter, CFP®
Office of Stewardship