CINCINNATI, Ohio — Father August "Gus" Guppenberger, 81, a native of Batavia, N.Y., and a Glenmary Home Missioner for 59 years, died Nov. 6, 2016, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Father Gus brought his outgoing personality to missions and ministries in five states: Ohio, North Carolina, Texas, Georgia and Kentucky. Along with his ministerial efforts, Father Gus was known for his white beard and a joyful demeanor that allowed him to play Santa Claus for children each winter.
Father Gus was a man who bestowed and received the joy of the Gospel," Glenmary president Father Chet Artysiewicz said. "He delighted that he was able to elicit joyful responses through his Santa Claus portrayal. And throughout his travels, the people and customs he encountered touched him with joyful gratitude."
Reception of the body will take place at 4:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 14, 2016, at Our Lady of the Fields Chapel, 4085 Glenmary Trace, Fairfield, Ohio. Visitation will follow, and a wake service will begin at 7 p.m.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov.15, 2016, at St. Matthias Church, 1050 W. Kemper Road, Cincinnati, Ohio.
Father Gus professed his first oath as a Glenmarian in 1957 and was ordained a priest in 1961.
His pastoral year was served in Buck Creek, N.C. From there he became part-time (and later full-time) associate pastor in Dahlonega, Ga. In 1963 he became associate pastor in Statesboro, Ga., and late in 1964 he returned to Cincinnati to work in promotions.
After a time in Jefferson, Texas, as associate pastor, Father Gus was named pastor of St. Mary of the Woods mission in Franklin, Ky., on April 1, 1966. He was called back to serve in Cincinnati for a time in promotions and as local superior, but returned to Franklin from 1972 until 1975.
His next pastorate was at Holy Redeemer Church in Andrews from 1976 to 1986. He then administered parishes in West Liberty, Ky., and Waynesboro, Ga., before becoming pastor of the Waynesboro mission in 1987. Father Gus served as associate pastor in Cleveland, Ga., in 1989. He also served in Sylvania, Ga.
In 1990 he returned to Cincinnati to serve in the mission office. For years after serving in this capacity, Father Gus held the record for most mission appeals by any Glenmary missioner. From 1998 until 2004 he served as assistant house director of the Glenmary residence. His last assignment before taking senior membership in late 2004 was as Mission Cooperation Program Coordinator for the Mission Education Ministry Office.
Father Gus was the sixth of seven children born to August and Mary Guppenberger. His parents preceded him in death. He is survived by brothers Francis (Carol), James and Joseph Guppenberger; sisters Mary (John W.) Yunker, Helene (Bob) Beuler, Lois (John) Gringer and Barbara Guppenberger; fellow missioners and friends.
Memorials may be made to Glenmary Home Missioners, P.O. Box 465618, Cincinnati, Ohio 45246, or at www.glenmary.org.
— Catholic News Herald
BELMONT — Sister Joseph Marie Perez, a Sister of Mercy for 69 years, died Nov. 6, 2016, at Marian Center, Sacred Heart Convent in Belmont, after an extended illness.
The welcoming ceremony and prayer service will be held at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, in the Cardinal Gibbons Chapel at Sacred Heart Convent.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Nov.10, 2016, in the chapel, followed by interment at Belmont Abbey Cemetery in Belmont.
A native of Agana, Guam, Josefina Perez was born May 15, 1930, the third of nine children of Vicente Borja Perez and his wife Maria Pangelinan. Growing up during the Japanese occupation in World War II, she was profoundly affected by the experiences of suffering, hunger and uncertainty. However, she was grateful for the liberation of Guam and American efforts to rebuild. After the war, she attended public schools in Agana and Sinajana and George Washington High School in Mongmong and recalled the struggle to catch up academically with her peers.
When the Sisters of Mercy came to Guam in 1946, she was attracted to the sisters’ way of life. She entered the fledging community with the second group of postulants on Dec. 12, 1947. She received the habit and a new name, Sister Joseph Marie, on Dec. 6, 1948, and professed final vows at the cathedral in Agana on Aug.13, 1956.
Sister Joseph Marie’s mentor, Sister Inez Underwood, noticed her ability to learn languages and encouraged her to pursue Latin. She was sent to Mount Mercy College in Pittsburgh, Pa., where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Latin with minors in education and biology. She later earned a master’s degree in educational supervision and administration from the University of Guam.
Sister Joseph Marie ministered as a teacher at the Academy of Our Lady in Agana, St. Anthony School in Tamuning, and at Santa Barbara School in Dededo as a teacher and principal. She also did pastoral ministry at St. Joseph’s Parish in Inarajan and worked at the Richard F. Taitano Micronesian Area Research Center at the University of Guam and at Infant of Prague Nursery and Kindergarten in Mangilao.
Sister Joseph Marie was well known for her cooking and baking skills which fulfilled her desire to serve others. She also enjoyed writing poetry, painting, gardening and playing the piano.
She had lived at Marian Center in Belmont since March 2015.
Sister Joseph Marie’s life is summed up in her ring motto: “O Crux Dulcis, Adoro Te, Amo’ Te” or “O Sweet Cross of Jesus, I adore You, I love You!”
Sister Joseph Marie is survived by her brothers Ignacio and Eddie, her sisters-in-law, Sylvia and Remedio, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.
— Catholic News Herald