Catholic News Around Indiana
Compiled by Brandon A. Evans
Diocese of Evansville
Volunteers in Vincennes have made over 5,000 rosaries
By MARY ANN HUGHES (Message staff writer)
They say when God closes a door, he opens a window.
Maybe that’s what he did for Max and Mary Barmes.
The couple lives in rural Knox County, and for years Max spent his leisure time crafting toys. Then, because of health problems, he couldn’t spend time in his workshop, and, as Mary explains, “We had to do something with our time.”
She read a story in the Message about a mother and daughter who made rosaries together, and she thought, “We could do that!”
Lita Matlick was giving lessons on making rosaries in Vincennes, and “We took it from there,” Mary said.
“We just loved it. We just couldn’t stop. I don’t know if it was the Holy Spirit or the Blessed Mother or the Lord himself that led us.”
She ordered a $20 kit which was filled with enough beads, string and crucifixes to make 50 rosaries.
She went to her pastor, Father David Fleck at St. John the Baptist Church in Vincennes, and asked if the parish could help defray the cost of purchasing the kits. “He donated $50 out of his pocket to keep us going for a while.”
She also began giving lessons on making the rosaries. “I taught about 30 people,” she said. Of that group, six volunteered to make rosaries for the missions.
They have been averaging about 380 rosaries a month. When she can fill a box, Mary sends the rosaries on to the Universal Living Rosary Association which forwards them to missions in India, Zambia, Tanzania, Brazil, the Philippines, Ghana, Haiti, Kenya and Botswana.
It costs nearly $11 to ship a box filled with rosaries, and she has received donations from the Altar Societies in Vincennes, and from the Knights of Columbus and the women’s auxiliary.
“That’s what keeps us going,” she said. “Some help us with shipping, and some with supplies.”
The Texas organization suggests that “the more color the better,” she said, adding that they suggest “the rosary fits over your head, because many people don’t have pockets in their clothes. Every picture I’ve seen of children, they have them around their necks.”
Photo caption: Mary Barmes displays a rosary she has made for the missions. Mary, her husband Max, and other volunteers from the Vincennes area have made and shipped over 5,000 rosaries which have been sent to missionaries throughout the world. (Message photo by Mary Ann Hughes)
(For news from the Diocese of Evansville, log on to the website of The Message at www.themessageonline.org)
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
The Felician Sisters serve with joy in South Bend
By Karen Clifford
SOUTH BEND — Coworkers and associates of a small group of women who live in South Bend use many adjectives to describe this unique unit. Humble, hard working, loving, faithful, kind, strong, organized, humorous and the Italian word “felice” (happy) are among the many attributes these ladies bring to others on a daily basis.
The Felician Sisters, who are officially known as the Congregation of Sisters of St. Felix of Cantalice Third Order Regular of St. Francis of Assisi (CSSF), have four of their joyful community residing in South Bend. Sister Joan Marie Shillinger and Sister Mary Annelle Krych are associated with Holy Family Parish, with Sister Mary Anthony Kubat and Sister Catherine Ryzewicz at St. Adalbert.
Ministries within the order have evolved since its inception and include care of the aged, child care, diocesan work, domestic service, education, evangelization, foreign missions, health care, renewal programs, retreats, social services and youth ministry. There are nearly 1,800 Felician Sisters worldwide, according to Valerie Oltmanns, executive director of Strategic Communications of the Felician Sisters of North America.
Sister Anthony, a pastoral minister at St. Adalbert, recalls her initial reason for joining the Felician community. “I joined the order late in life after both of my parents had passed away. I fell in love with Mother Angela, our foundress, and her commitment to working with the poor, orphans, older women and displaced people.”
As an administrative assistant at St. Adalbert School, Sister Catherine comes into contact with many people. Being around Felician Sisters as a child at school was part of her decision to choose a religious vocation.
“They were fun friends for me. I saw a lot of joy in what they were doing and thought that is the kind of life I want, not truly realizing the inspiration was Christ Himself. My desire to be a sister comes from trying to strengthen that relationship,” Sister Catherine emphasized.
Photo caption: Sister Annelle of Holy Family School tutors first-grade students, from left, Taeshon Hunt and Nathan Hyduk.
(For news from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, log on to the website of Today’s Catholic at www.todayscatholicnews.org)
Diocese of Gary
No briefs available this week
(For news from the Diocese of Gary, log on to the website of the Northwest Indiana Catholic at www.nwicatholic.com)
Diocese of Lafayette
No briefs available this week
(For news from the Diocese of Lafayette, log on to the website of The Catholic Moment at www.thecatholicmoment.org)