European Stars And Stripes (Newspaper) - April 19, 1962, Darmstadt, Hesse A r c n it "., 3 a a " Ray Wright staff writers a photos by Gene Bane it he Bishop of Babenhausen is really Al just an Ordinary . Army chaplain in Germany doing his everyday Job to the Best of his ability. Anyway that his reality chaplain r Fritz Klein called the chaplains off de to ask for some army help on a Tow project and lie asked to speak to thet the Euphi omnibus nickname Bishop Joof Bajt Haasen stttek.? at Whf Mayer met tar people of Babenhausen Sooh after his arrival in june 1957. Father Anthony Schubert pastor of St. Joseph s Church invited him to assist with services of a feast Day. His knowledge of German was a opening wedge and Dur tog i five Yaff on Post he has helped with countless civic projects. He s never too Busy to wangle a Bulldozer a wrecker or extra hands whatever is needed for a Buu of project carnival or chaplain recounts two High Points of Hla stay in Germany. The first was when Klein retired As mayor of babes Tausett in August 1080. During his retire Teneni ceremony Klein presented father Mayer with a plaque carved with Babenhausen i coat of arms and bearing a i legend thanking the priest for All the. Good things he had done for the com 1 Mun Tyi Babenhausen villagers say of fatties Mayer Keine Feier Ohne Mayer no Celebration without Mayer. The second High Point says the Chap lain was when i made major i july 1961. I was asked whom i would like to have pin on my new Oak leaves. I chose sex Berger Mehter Klein. It was a touch ing moment for both of us. Klein said when he pinned on my Oak leaves now major Mayer the Ursul might promote you to colonel or a five Star general but la our hearts you will always remain the honorable and Good Bishop of Babenhausen " chaplain Mayer s fluency in German which has helped Bridge Many a Gap be tween army Post and townspeople i traceable to his grandparents who Chi grated from Germany to Wisconsin. His parents spoke both German and English in their Home. Besides this he had fou years of German in school. The Bishop was born in Kewaskum,wis., a town 36 Miles Northwest of Mil Waukee. He attended parochial school i Kewaskum studied for the Priesthood at St. Francis Seminary and was ordained priest at St John s Cathedral Milwaukee nov. 30, 1943. He was an assistant pastor for a time at Milwaukee s St Agnes Church then became pastor of St Monica a Whitefish Bay. He later served St Anthony s Parish Milwaukee for nine years. In 1954 father Mayer received Permis Sion to join the army reserves and in 1956 went on Active duty. He took the Basic chaplain s course at it Slocum n.y., and was assigned to it Jackson s.c., be fore coming to Germany in 1957, reihe chaplain has outlasted five com Al manding officers at Babenhausen. Each time his name came up for Transfer a request would go through asking for his Extension. He expects to be transferred for sure in september. Father Mayer designed the Sanctuary in the Post Chapel in 1957it is modernistic yet Graceful and has indirect Light ing. The priest is on Call night and Day Andis eager to help in any Way possible whether it s a Serviceman seeking counsel a dependent with a problem or just some one who wants to say hello. He has a stack of humorous printed cards covering almost any occasion which he likes to pass outto visitors if the occasion in t too serious. Sometimes the humorous message Speaks louder and clearer than a Long Sermon he priest s favorite ruse to put troubled visitors at ease is when you come into my office the omy thing that counts is that Cross. You Are so used to saluting a officer that you forget i m different see this Cross i m a chaplain that s Why you re Here not because of my rank. So sit Down and what s the problem the Field of activity is boundless say father Mayer. There s an orphanage that needs help Coffee hour for the old people s Home Bulldozer for a playground a never damage to be assessed Economy housing for a newly arrived dependent family visits to hospitals Christma parties for German and american children Trees for the Cavern a translation for the German police department requests for help from As far As Aura in the spess Artand Hoechst in the the tall 200-Pound extrovert is a competent Bowler with a 170 average but above All he s an ardent Hunter. He live Sand breathes Hunting and although his Job does t require it he has qualified Asan expert with them a carbine my Rifle and .45-Cal revolver. The priest s rectory Walls Are lined wit Hunting trophies. He Hunts anything but especially likes to shoot wild boar Rehbock and pheasant his gun collection numbers around 300 but Only a dozen Are Here wit him in Germany. Of them All. His favorite is a 44-40 Colt single action revolver which he believes was made around 1900. He also collects Wood carvings and has a Fin sampling of Oberammergau work. Father Mayer s Hunting experience shave made him so familiar with the Babenhausen area that the local Fanner Scall on him for advice on settlement of damage claims against the army follow ing Maneu vers or Field problems. The Bishop sometimes packs a Shille Lagh gift of a Soldier leaving for the states. He confesses he has never had Touse it but carries it just in Case when he pokes around crowded payday night storm centers. His idea is to keep his men from getting into trouble and he encourages them to go Back to their billets before they be had too much he play Down this facet of his work but the fact remains he s always in there looking after his out for 0 stroll with the motor Center on4 the stars and stripes
