Region priest remembered as motivator, builder

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BY DAN HINKEL
dhinkel@nwitimes.com
219.933.4183 | Wednesday, July 30, 2008 | (16 comment(s))

Irene Hartline envisions the Rev. Richard Ameling, the Merrillville priest who died Tuesday, in the role of St. Simon of Cyrene, who was said in the Bible to have shouldered Jesus' cross for part of the torturous walk to Calvary.

Ameling, the pastor of St. Andrew the Apostle Church in Merrillville and founder of St. Maria Goretti Church in Dyer, was relentless in his work for the church, and supportive of his parishioners, Hartline said. Ameling motivated Hartline to continue running the church's children's programs, she said.

"If I was discouraged by anything, he always encouraged me," Hartline said.

Church custodian Bob Bielak felt the sting of Ameling's loss Tuesday. Ameling was the engine behind an in-progress church remodeling project, Bielak said.

"It just ain't fair," Bielak said.

Ameling, 67, died Tuesday afternoon of pulmonary fibrosis, four months after a successful cancer surgery, said Ameling's brother, John Ameling, of Sunnyvale, Calif.

Richard Ameling, a Merrillville native, was so impressed with his Catholic priest uncle, the Rev. Henry Ameling, that he decided to enter the priesthood.

"Probably from the time that he was 4, he only talked about wanting to be a priest," John Ameling said.

After elementary school, Richard Ameling went to seminaries in Indiana and Ohio. He was ordained May 28, 1966, John Ameling said. Richard Ameling served as a chaplain for the Indiana National Guard from 1970 to 1976, John Ameling said.

Richard Ameling founded St. Maria Goretti in 1977. Ameling raised a congregation before the church had any buildings, said the Rev. Charles Niblick, now the church's pastor. The church's rectory -- in which Ameling lived and Niblick still lives -- was built by parishioners with lumber from the defunct Nike Missile Defense System barracks, Niblick said.

"He built this parish out of nothing, and he built people first," Niblick said.

Richard Ameling was transferred to Notre Dame Church in Michigan City in 1994, John Ameling said. The priest came to St. Andrew in 2003.

Richard Ameling enjoyed skiing, fishing, photography and woodworking, John Ameling said.

Funeral services are slated for 10 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew, with a visitation from 2 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the church.

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A friend from SMG wrote on Aug 2, 2008 8:40 PM:

" So many kind words have been said about Fr. Ameling and yet it is so hard to say enough about him. He was truly a man of grace and honor.His sincerity, his friendship, his faith-filled life, his gentleness and his soft smile made him stand out in any crowd. His homilies were "something to take home" and that is hard to find today. I know I speak for many when I say, "Thank you, Father for being a part of our lives. We love you!" "

Robert Hidalgo wrote on Aug 1, 2008 11:50 PM:

" I remember Father Ameling as a priest deeply devoted to Jesus's Mom, Mary. When he was at St. Maria Goretti, he caused many parishioners to deepen their prayer lives to Jesus by engaging a devotion to the life of Mary. He gave our Rosary Making group much financial support and was happy to promote Marian devotions during some of the darkest times in faith in the Gary Diocese, when it was not cool to like Mary. He was a very hands-on kind of guy who stressed not just personal conversion, but also communal conversion. He is definitely going to be of happy memory, but sad for us because another great priest has left us for the kingdom. "

Johnna Murphy wrote on Jul 31, 2008 11:09 PM:

" My daughters Laurel and Mary attended school where Fr. Ameling was priest. He was always cheerful and funny and happy. He was a great priest for the children and loved to give homilies. My kids loved him and learned alot from him. Even though we have moved from the Region, he will still be missed. "

Annie wrote on Jul 31, 2008 9:17 PM:

" I am 18 years old, and I attended Notre Dame School. Father Ameling was the priest there for most of my childhood. He was the best children's priest. Somehow he had a way of getting the all of us kids involved in every mass. He would carry around a "bag of tricks," and really encourage us to understand the scriptures. I can remember him being everywhere at Notre Dame; always in and out of every preschool-8th grade classroom. He was a magical person, and really touched everyone's lives. My whole family is currently crying upon hearing of his death, and we haven't even had contact with him in six years. That is what a special person he was. "

Penny Vesely-Sweeney wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:16 PM:

" Father Ameling shared with each of us the Faith he lived and loved. His wit and wisdom touched a countless number of individuals during his priestly vocation. He will long be remembered for a life of devotion and dedication to our God and God's people. May what he began in each of us live on and continue to grow to fruition. He now rejoices and will eternally enjoy all the fruits of his labors. God has blessed him and each of us who had the privilege of knowing him. We thank our God for blessing us through His beloved Priest. He will live in our hearts forever. Peace is yours eternally, dear Father Ameling. "

Joe from Dyer wrote on Jul 30, 2008 9:14 PM:

" Father Ameling will be sorely missed through out Dyer by those who really knew him. When I had my cancer some years ago, he led me to a journey that taught me to thank God every morning for the gifts I had. I found peace through my Family and Friends. There are very few Servants today that can do the things this man done. He has found his salvation through his constant work in this world. Thanks and God Bless you Father, you will always be missed. "

Kathy Mulroe Grommet wrote on Jul 30, 2008 5:18 PM:

" Fr. Ameling was a great individual. He was at St. Maria Goretti and both my daughters had him during CCD years. What an honor to have known him. His family had "Amelings Grocery Store" back in the 60's by St. Peter and Paul School in Merrillville, IN. Great memories! Deepest sympathy to his family. "

Annette B. wrote on Jul 30, 2008 3:58 PM:

" Fr. Ameling was a profound Shepherd. He will be sorely missed by his flock for many years to come. His message each week, if heeded, made all of us more caring, loving individuals. He suffered a great deal during his recent ordeal, but he is now at peace, a peace we all hope to enjoy one day. "

Rob Peterson wrote on Jul 30, 2008 3:01 PM:

" I've happily known Fr. Ameling since he first arrived at SMG what seems like yesterday. As a child, my memories are of a man who took time to "explain" things to us the way we could understand. Through the years, from First Communion, to serving at the Consecration Mass at SMG, Easter Vigils, and the eventual funerals of my parents, he transcended the title of "pastor"...and embodied the concept of "Father".
I find hope and comfort within the promise that those who are faithful will be welcomed into Heaven...those who knew him know where he is right now...undoubtedly wondering what all of the fuss is about.
While we've lost a "Father" here on earth, let's honor him by remembering and practicing the lessons he vigilantly taught us. "

Memories... wrote on Jul 30, 2008 1:05 PM:

" I was baptized by Fr. Ameling in April 1978...and as a small child I remember the excitment of building the new St. M.Goretti. Fr. Ameling was an amazing man...he made even the youngest parishoner feel extremely important!Knowing he could see me during mass was enough to make me behave! Unfortunatly we changed parishes when I was 5, but in that short time he made a big impact on my life... "

Lisa Slawson wrote on Jul 30, 2008 11:14 AM:

" I was very sorry to hear the Fr. Ameling passed away. Fr. Ameling spoke at my high school graduation and was a wonderful leader at St.Maria Goretti. He was all that a caring loving priest should be. Prayers go out to his family. "

Peggy Snelson wrote on Jul 30, 2008 10:10 AM:

" At one of the preschool/kindergarten dismissals last year during mass, a little girl asked if Jesus on the wall by the altar was mad. Father Ameling bent down next to her and said "Jesus isn't mad. Look, he is holding out his arms to hug you." Jesus is hugging Father Ameling today. I, too, am humbled to have had the opportunity to have worshiped and worked with him for the past five years. "

Lois LaFever wrote on Jul 30, 2008 9:35 AM:

" The Church has lost a great and willing servant. He always put his parishoners first and was willing to help when someone called.
I am humbled to have had him as a pastor these past 5 years. "

Lasting Impression wrote on Jul 30, 2008 9:28 AM:

" Fr. Ameling was a man of great compassion and love. He truly was the model of what a priest should be and he will never be forgotten. Thank you father and enjoy salvation! "

Paul Jarzembowski wrote on Jul 30, 2008 9:10 AM:

" I was baptized by Fr. Ameling and took his name (Richard) as my confirmation name because he had such a profound influence on my life. Because of his inspiration, I decided to work for the Church first in parish life and now as a diocesan ministry director. I try every single day to walk in his footsteps. I am quite sad by this news. The world will be just a little more empty now without him. "

We will always remember wrote on Jul 30, 2008 7:31 AM:

" Fr. Ameling made a lasting impression on us at St. M. Goretti. Prayers go out to his family. He was a dedicated man of God. "

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