Date of death: 4/20/2021
Saint Meinrad Class: O 1959
Father Herman G Lutz, age 88, of Beech Grove, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, April 20, 2021. Herman will be remembered as a devoted and generous servant of the Lord, a holy and kind brother, uncle, priest, pastor, and friend. Herman was born December 30, 1932 in Indianapolis to Herman John and Mary Catherine Keiffer Lutz. He graduated from St. Anthony Grade School and Cathedral High School class of 1950. Herman worked briefly in the insurance industry before enrolling at St. John’s College in Collegeville, Minnesota, to discern his priestly vocation. He attended St. Meinrad Seminary then went to further his seminary studies at Pontifical North American College in Rome, graduating in 1958. He was ordained on December 20, 1958 in Rome and celebrated his First Holy Mass on December 21, 1958 at St. Peter’s Basilica. Later he said a First Mass at Kaisten, Germany, the birthplace of his father.
Father Herman had a passionate love of God that fueled his ministry and graced those who were blessed to know him. Herman loved saying Mass, praying with people, and celebrating all the special occasions of people’s lives – baptism, first communion, reconciliation, marriage, and anointing of the sick. Through his assignments at parishes throughout the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Herman was an active member and leader of many faith communities, and delighted in encouraging the seeds of faith to grow in all ages within his congregation. Herman was a servant leader with a heart for sharing the Gospel. Herman was also a scholar of Canon Law, and in addition to his parish-based roles he served the Archdiocese as a member of the Metropolitan Tribunal. Even after his retirement, Herman continued in his pastoral ministry by celebrating Mass and bringing sacraments to members of St. Paul Hermitage in Beech Grove and the Altenheim in Indianapolis.
In a priesthood that spanned nearly 63 years, Herman willingly made a sacrifice of his life to serve both the Lord and the people around him. In 1959, Herman was named the assistant pastor at Our Lady of the Greenwood, and started with the Metropolitan Tribunal of the Archdiocese and continued until his retirement. In 1961, he served as the associate pastor at Assumption Catholic Church in Indianapolis. He then returned to Rome to complete graduate studies in Canon Law. In 1963, Herman became assistant pastor at St. Susanna, Plainfield, and in 1971, he became pastor at Mary, Queen of Peace, Danville. In 1973, Herman became co-pastor, St. Catherine, Indianapolis. While continuing with the Tribunal in 1976, he lived in residence at St. Bernadette, Indianapolis, and in 1978, lived in residence at Holy Spirit, Indianapolis. In 1983, Herman was named a judge at the Provincial Appellate Tribunal, and in 1984, he became pastor at St. Paul, Sellersburg. In 1995, he served as archdiocesan judge, Metropolitan Tribunal. In 1996 Herman was named pastor at St. Philip Neri, Indianapolis, and in 1999, he was named pastor, St. Mary, North Vernon.
Herman retired in 2003. After retirement he moved to St. Paul Hermitage and helped with their daily Mass and also held Mass at the Altenheim. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee in 2008 at St. Paul Hermitage.
Father Herman is survived by his sister JoAnn Traub and many nieces and nephews, as well as his extended family in Germany. He is preceded in death by his parents and sisters Jeanette Males, Rose Marie Moos, Thelma Cluggish and Evelyn Lutz.