UCA ‘inspires us to act with boldness’ for the sake of others, Archbishop Thompson says

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson speaks with Jim Evrard of St. Mary Parish in Lanesville, left, and Dan and Melissa Coffey of Holy Family Parish in New Albany during an archdiocesan United Catholic Appeal event at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Parish in Floyd County on Oct. 30. (Photo by Leslie Lynch)

By Leslie Lynch

FLOYD COUNTY—A mother flees the cross of domestic violence—and is embraced with the blessing of St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities’ ministries in southern Indiana.

Residents of rural counties, young and old, bear the cross of hunger—and discover the blessing of parish food pantries.

Seminarians seeking to follow God’s call and priests who have poured out their lives in his service carry the cross of poverty—and encounter the blessing of support.

“In many ways, crosses and blessings go hand in hand,” Archbishop Charles C. Thompson noted in “Peace and Unity: A Pastoral Reflection,” released on Aug. 28.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the crosses borne by the needy in our archdiocese when they are met with the blessings made possible by the generosity of those who donate to the United Catholic Appeal (UCA).

Archbishop Thompson spoke with gratitude of works like these and many more made possible through the appeal at a gathering on Oct. 30 at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Parish in Floyd County.

“The theme of this year’s United Catholic Appeal is ‘Go Forth.’ This is how we continue to witness to Jesus—by our lives and our service, our generosity to all in need,” he said.

‘It all goes to the building up of our Church’

In his homily at a Mass celebrated that evening, Archbishop Thompson spoke of his surprise audience with Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican during a U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops-sponsored pilgrimage he led to Italy on Sept. 23-Oct. 2 for the Jubilee for Catechists.

“I was so nervous I don’t know all I said,” the archbishop admitted. “But when Pope Leo said, ‘Tell me about the Church in your archdiocese,’ I shared with him about all we do locally, nationally. As we talked, I realized that everything I mentioned comes down to the United Catholic Appeal. [It] funds all the programs.”

He spoke of the foundational need for relationship with “the person of Jesus Christ,” not simply “knowing about Jesus.” From there, “in thanksgiving we celebrate Jesus, our hope, our salvation … and give witness as we go forth in peace and unity.”

Jolinda Moore, executive director of the archdiocesan Office of Stewardship and Development, spoke during a dinner that followed the liturgy.

“When you give to the United Catholic Appeal, you are extending hope to every corner of our archdiocese,” she said. “Your generosity allows us to provide for our most vulnerable through Catholic Charities … [and] sustains the Church’s work in ways that touch lives of people that you may never meet, but who feel the impact of your generosity every day.

“It’s up to us—each of us today—to ‘go forth’ and shape the future of our Church. What we do now, the seeds we plant, will bear fruit for generations to come.”

In his remarks, Archbishop Thompson said, “The Eucharist is not the end of our worship—it’s the beginning of our mission. Strengthened by Christ’s real presence, we are sent forth from the altar to carry his love, mercy and hope to our communities … going forth in Christ to others in word, witness and service.

“Every dollar raised for the United Catholic Appeal goes directly to ministry. We are so grateful for your support, which enables us to make a difference in the lives of tens of thousands of our friends and neighbors throughout the archdiocese. We are truly blessed.”

In a video about the appeal, Father James Brockmeier, rector of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, says that it is “easy to take those ministries for granted. All of that work that we see—and sometimes we don’t see—is supported by the United Catholic Appeal.”

Later in the video, archdiocesan superintendent of Catholic Schools Brian Disney notes that, “No matter where that money [donations to the UCA] goes, it all goes together to the building up of our Church.”

A chance to say ‘I made a difference’

An aura of joy and celebration marked the event, with some attendees driving more than an hour to hear Archbishop Thompson give his update on ministries made possible through UCA funding.

The smiles of Theresa Adams and Dorothy Beckman, members of St. Mary Parish in Navilleton, radiated their enthusiasm.

“I loved hearing about Archbishop Thompson’s talk with Pope Leo,” said Adams. “It was so exciting!”

Referring to Catholic Charities, Beckman added, “We appreciate all they do for older people.”

Juanita Brockman of St. Michael Parish in Bradford expressed appreciation for the role of the UCA in supporting Catholic Charities food pantries throughout the archdiocese.

She said the Tri-Parish Food Pantry located at St. Michael “has seen double the usage in the past few months. We’ve also seen triple the donations.”

Noting that other local pantries are responding to similar increases in need, “We each just need to do what God has called us to do,” she said.

Several members attended from St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Clarksville, including Galley Collins and his wife Linda.

“We really enjoyed the opportunity to experience Mass and share supper with the archbishop,” said Galley. “It was wonderful to hear about all of the programs supported by the [archdiocese’s] annual appeal.”

Jim Wathen and his wife Rose were excited to have the event at their home parish of St. Mary-of-the-Knobs.

“I used to work for the archdiocese and got to see firsthand how they spent the money,” said Jim. “I was very impressed by Catholic Charities and their work getting people off the streets and into [shelters]. If people in southern Indiana knew how the money was spent, they’d give a lot more.”

The couple’s fellow parishioner, James Andres, appreciates that a large portion of the UCA’s $6.3 million goal will go toward the formation of priests. Donating to the appeal, he said, gives him a chance to say, “I made a difference.”
 

(Leslie Lynch is a freelance reporter for The Criterion and is a member of St. Mary Parish in Lanesville. For more information about the United Catholic Appeal, go to www.acrossthearch.org/uca/home.) †