Rebel Review 10/4/19

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REBEL REVIEW October 4, 2019

Roncalli High School

Priestly perceptions

A look into the life, faith, and thoughts of Roncalli’s new chaplain, Fr. Doug Hunter

Volume 19:1

Tully triumphs Roncalli legend Bob Tully receives recognition for his dedication to the school with the naming of Bob Tully Field at Roncalli Stadium. More on page 3.

BY JEAN-LUC EUZEN Staff Writer

Feeling dexterous Roncalli math teacher Mr. Andy Niewedde (center) with his dogs Dexter (left) and Colby (right). More on page 4.

PHOTO BY STEFAN WELSH

DEEP DISCERNMENT: Fr. Doug Hunter gives his homily introducing himself to the Roncalli student body. The mass in August was the first all-school mass celebrated by Hunter at Roncalli this school year.

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lthough many students are familiar with Fr. Doug Hunter as the confident homily giver and chaplain of Roncalli, he was not always this way. In fact, in order to reach his current vocation of priesthood, Fr. Hunter spent years of discernment. Before joining the priesthood, Fr. Hunter worked in law enforcement protecting the citizens of Indianapolis and training police men and women to-be in the cadet program. It wasn’t until 12 years after he first thought of becoming a priest that he began to take the call seriously. “God kept tapping me on the shoulder and saying, ‘Hey, I’ve got something bigger and better for you to do,’” Hunter said. “He closed so many other doors so that I had to answer the door that he was knocking on.” Since opening the door, Fr. Hunter’s faith has led him in directions that he could have never predicted. For example, he became the chaplain of the Indianapolis Colts. “I was trying to be this nice, humble, Today’s Weather 65/48 Sunny

quiet little servant, but people seem to find me… I guess it’s intriguing to other people that ‘Hey, you get hang out with the Colts.’ No big deal to me.” Although there have been many changes brought about by his entrance into the priesthood, one constant that has remained throughout Fr. Hunter’s life has been working in an educational environment. “For whatever reason, I’ve always worked with high schoolers,” Hunter states. “Other people are scared of high schoolers; I’m not scared of you. I think it’s funny to work with you guys, see how you interact with people, watch you grow up.” Currently, Fr. Hunter’s role in the world of education has landed him at Roncalli and also at St. Roch as the school’s pastor. As announced by Principal Chuck Weisenbach in this year’s opening-school assembly, one of Roncalli’s goals is to focus on embracing the diversity of students. Fr. Hunter has advice for students regarding this goal.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” -Romans 8:18

“Always keep an open mind and an open heart,” Hunter says. “Don’t look at the exterior, wait to find out about the interior of a person. When you get to know a person, not only is it a blessing for you, but it’s also a unique experience into the aspects of their life. It allows you to find out that there’s not much difference between all of us. And we’re all related in one way or another. As I get older, I realize the world is much smaller than what we realize.” Despite having shown his prowess for preaching and his ability to connect with people with ease to the Roncalli community, Fr. Hunter sometimes doubts himself and his ability to minister to others. “However, it’s in those moments where I minister to someone on the practice field at the Colts complex, or someone here at the high school, or someone in the parish, or being at someone’s bedside, giving them last rites until they go to see the face of Jesus. It’s those rewarding moments that remind me, “Okay, I’m where I need to be.” This day in history: October 4, 1927 Sculptor Gutzon Borglum begins work on Mount Rushmore.

WWW.RONCALLIMEDIA.COM

Bump, set, spike

Senior Elizabeth Origer recently reached 1,000 assists in her volleyball game against Columbus North. Read more about fall sports highlights on page 8.


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