Giving thanks to God—and you: Blessings are numerous for local Church in 2008
Dominican Sister Diana Dorlorita, a catechetical minister in Curacao in the Netherlands Antilles, receives Communion on March 25 from Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel, vicar general, during the opening Mass of the National Catholic Educational Association’s annual convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. (File photo by Sean Gallagher)
Criterion staff report
Once again this Thanksgiving, most people will bow their heads for a moment and give thanks to God for the blessings in their lives. Looking back upon the past year, the archdiocese can also count its blessings in many ways.
As we list some of the remarkable blessings for the Church in central and southern Indiana in the past year, we start with a heartfelt thanks to each of you for the faith you have and the faith you live. We wish you and your family a happy and blessed Thanksgiving and a joyful Advent.
Here are 10 reasons to give thanks as an archdiocese for what has truly been a special year:
Sharing a legacy
Anna Molloy was a 12-year-old girl who helped the poor from her wheelchair.
Ninety-three-year-old Lucious Newsom spent the last 20 years of his life feeding the needy in Indianapolis and nourishing the souls of the volunteers who helped him.
Joan Byrum was a 74-year-old woman who dedicated 20 years of her life as the volunteer president of Right to Life of Indianapolis.
Those three members of the archdiocese died in the past year, leaving a touching legacy of the difference that each child, woman and man can make in the world.
Making history, offering a future
In March, the archdiocese welcomed 7,000 Catholic educators from across the country to the National Catholic Educational Association Convention—the first time in the 105-year history of the association that the convention was held in Indianapolis.
Yet even more important are the daily efforts of the 1,900 staff members who educate the more than 23,000 students in the 71 Catholic schools in the archdiocese, and the sacrifice of the parents who make it possible for their children to attend Catholic schools.
Beginning a new era
On June 28, history was made at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis when Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein ordained 25 men from central and southern Indiana as the first class of permanent deacons in the archdiocese’s history.
They will be able to baptize, witness marriages and preside over funeral services. The deacons can also preach, share the Gospel, teach the faith, and take part in and lead many ministries of charity.
Giving from the heart
In September, the archdiocese celebrated the success of the archdiocesan capital campaign that is known as Legacy for Our Mission: For Our Children and the Future. More than 33,000 Catholics in the archdiocese pledged $104 million to the campaign, which involved about 14,000 volunteers. Another $10 million was pledged by corporations and foundations.
Taking one for the team
Once again, just as it has done for nearly 70 years, the Catholic Youth Organization has helped shape the lives of children and teenagers through sports, science fairs and music contests—thanks to the help of about 2,500 volunteers who dedicate their time and talents to about 20,000 boys and girls each year. All that, plus you can get a drink and popcorn for about $2 at many school gymnasiums.
Going the extra mile
The commitment of young people is often inspiring, especially when they literally “go the extra mile” to live their faith. Several hundred teenagers from the archdiocese participated in the 35th annual March for Life in Washington, D.C., in January to show their support for the unborn. And 44 youths set aside proms, sports and other commitments to travel to New York to see Pope Benedict XVI in April.
Carrying the torch
This year, six archdiocesan priests celebrated 50 years in the priesthood: Father Francis Eckstein, Msgr. Harold Knueven, Father Herman Lutz, Father J. Joseph McNally, Father William Munshower and Father Harold Ripperger.
We remember two priests who died, Father Charles Chesebrough and Msgr. Bernard Schmitz, and take note of their lifetime of service to the archdiocese.
This year, two priests were ordained in June: Father Aaron Jenkins and Father Joseph Newton.
Extending a hand
When floods devastated many communities in southern and central Indiana in June, officials from Catholic Charities and volunteers from many parishes rushed to help.
As the faltering economy continues to hurt families, the volunteers at the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry in Indianapolis continue to serve more than 2,100 households each week.
They’re just two examples of a reality that continues to inspire: When there are others in need, the ones who often step forward to help are the people who realize just how blessed their own lives are.
Passing the baton
One era of faith opened the door for another era of faith in the archdiocese this summer.
For more than 75 years, the cloistered Carmelite nuns lived in the Monastery of the Resurrection in Indianapolis, offering their gift of contemplative prayer for the world. At the end of June, they moved to the motherhouse grounds of the Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis in Oldenburg.
Later in the summer, seminarians moved onto the campus left behind by the Carmelites as the Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary opened there.
Celebrating the journey
In September, the archdiocese began the celebration of its 175th anniversary when Archbishop Buechlein led a pilgrimage to the Holy Land.
Before the journey, the archbishop shared these words of thanksgiving for the past and hope for the future: “It is fitting that we begin the observance of our 175th anniversary with a pilgrimage to the place where Jesus was born, and where our Catholic faith and Church have their roots.
“We will be keeping all of the members of our local Church in our thoughts and our prayers as we make this journey to thank God for all of the blessings we have received and to ask him to guide us through the next 175 years.”
Happy Thanksgiving. †
