Marian High School in Mishawaka, Indiana has apparently fired Mrs. Nan Gilbert, their lunch lady, for being a member of the PNCC. Mrs. Gilbert apparently failed to acquiesce to a demand that she become a Roman Catholic. And here I thought forced conversion was a thing of the past… ‘You vill convert madam or ve vill fire you.’

This report comes from a post on It’s Good to Know That Lifeteen is Dangerous. As this is the sole source of this information I am attempting to confirm it.

For those wishing to inquire (with all Christian charity please) you might contact:

• The Ordinary of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Bishop John M. D’Arcy at (260) 422-4611.
• The Superintendent of Schools by sending an E-mail to: Rev. Stephen Kempinger, CSC or call at (260) 422-4611 or (574) 255-1387.
• The Associate Superintendent of Personnel by sending an E-mail to: Mrs. Rebecca Elswerky or call at (260) 422-4611 or (574) 255-1387.
• The Principal of Marian High School by E-mail to: Mr. Carl Loesch or call at (574) 259-5257.
• The Assistant Principal by E-mail to: Mr. James Kryder or call at (574) 259-5257.
• The Director of the Diocesan Ecumenical Office by E-mail to: Rev. Robert Schulte or call at (574) 291-6404.

You can show your prayerful support for Mrs. Gilbert and for a speedy resolution of the matter at St. Mary’s National Catholic Church (PNCC), 1601 W. Sample Street, South Bend, Indiana on Sunday’s at 9am. For more information you can telephone the parish at (574) 287-9381 or just stop by and talk with Fr. Charles, his wife, and children.

Yesterday I cited an article that now seems ironic. It was about bringing people into the Church. In a poll (unscientific) most respondents said that free food would do the trick. If this report is true, Marian High School has neither the food (they fired the lunch lady) nor the witness to bring people to the faith.