Patricia Etling—mom of 10 and servant leader—earns archdiocese’s Legacy Award
Archbishop Charles C. Thompson presents the archdiocese’s Legacy Award to Patricia Etling during the Legacy Gala at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis on Feb. 6. (Photo courtesy of Denis Ryan Kelly Jr.)
By John Shaughnessy
If there is ever a doubt that children pay more attention to their parents’ actions than their words, listen to a few of the 10 children of Patricia Etling talk about their mother.
Joe Etling describes their mom’s 53-year commitment to Catholic Charities Terre Haute in this way: “There isn’t a place I go to that people don’t ask about my mother. And some of them, I can’t even fathom how they even know her. ‘Your mom could sure throw around those pallets up at the food bank.’ She was still doing that, I’m certain, well into her 70s, maybe her 80s.”
Jeff Etling nods and adds, “Giving of herself throughout her life, whether it was to her family, to her community, to her faith, to others that are strangers that she’s meeting for the first time, she was always giving, not looking for her own needs.”
And John C. Etling’s face beams as he notes about his parents, “We never went without the basic essentials of life. In addition to that, there was a lot of love. I think for both my mom and dad, Catholic Charities provided a way for them to put their energy into service.”
There is no greater reward for a mother than the praise, gratitude and love of her children. At the same time, the archdiocese also recognized the tremendous impact that the 93-year-old Etling has had on countless children and families through the years, honoring her with its Legacy Award during the archdiocese’s Legacy Gala at the JW Marriott in Indianapolis on Feb. 6. (Related story: Connections of hope: Gala highlights three ministries that touch people’s lives)
Her joy in receiving the honor showed during the gala and also in a video that was shared during the event which was attended by about 1,100 people.
“I’m a blessed woman,” Etling said. “When you can help others and do for others, it certainly makes you see how lucky you are. And in the success stories you see—in front of you with people—how they can turn their lives around and do so much more.”
That “do so much more” approach to life guided the marriage of Patricia and the late John E. Etling, who were wed in 1956.
The commitment they made to each other and their children also became a commitment to care for people in need.
“John taught art in public schools,” his wife recalled. “He saw so much poverty in some of the schools during his time. We had several children at home. He thought every child should be entitled to food and clothing and a good education. John said, “Why can’t we have Catholic Charities in Terre Haute?’ ”
The Catholic Charities agency in Terre Haute became a reality in 1973, and for the next 32 years John served as its director while Patricia helped and supported all the efforts along the way, including her years as its chief financial officer and program director for its food bank.
“There was an agency phone line in their bedroom,” Joe Etling recalls. “And therefore, they could receive calls 24/7.”
Fifty-three years later, that family dedication is just as strong through the food bank, Ryves Youth Center, the Christmas Store, the Bethany House temporary emergency shelter and other programs of Catholic Charities Terre Haute. Their son, John, has overseen the agency as its director for 21 years.
“The food bank has now become such the cornerstone of our agency here,” John said. “We reach out to seven counties. We have 100 partners and effectively touch about 44,000 people [a year] through that program of providing food.”
The impact of Catholic Charities Terre Haute during its 53 years has been impressive and life changing.
“More than 1.35 million unduplicated people have been served,” John said.
In its seventh year, the archdiocese’s Legacy Gala is a celebration of the gifts that the archdiocese shares with many people across central and southern Indiana—through its 69 Catholic schools, the extensive outreach of its six Catholic Charities agencies that serve more than 400,000 people each year, and its formation of seminarians at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, where young men are prepared to become the next generation of priests.
The impact of these three ministries was eloquently summed up by Clare LeMark, a senior at Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis, during her remarks to the people at the gala.
“My experiences at Chatard have taught me to see Christ in everyone I encounter and to trust in God’s timing,” she began, before soon turning her focus to the three ministries.
“I’m here tonight to share that your support makes an impact in the areas that I’ve been taught are key elements of our community and faith—educating and forming young men who are considering the sacramental vocation of becoming a priest, supporting the leaders of our schools who are dedicated to my success, not just today but always, and caring for those who turn to the Church to have their basic needs met because they have nowhere else to turn.”
Clare’s words helped the gala raise $600,000 to assist the three ministries. So did the intense bidding for two special auction items connected to the national championship that the football team of Indiana University won in January.
A football signed by IU head football coach, Curt Cignetti, raised $5,000. And the spirited bidding was even more intense for a helmet autographed by IU’s quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza.
Bids for the prized helmet increased by $1,000 quickly, ultimately raising $14,000.
Beyond being an evening marked by generosity, it was also an evening filled with joy, a joy that came to life musically with an uplifting performance by the Sounds of Silas Choir of Bishop Chatard High School.
Their performance inspired the gala’s emcee, Grace Trahan-Rodecap, to note that young people are often viewed as the future of the Church.
“But I would counter that and say that young people are the Church right now,” said Trahan-Rodecap, director of marketing for Cathedral High School in Indianapolis. “And what a blessing it is to watch them right now as they continue to develop, and they continue to form stewardship and leadership within the Church and develop their faith.”
All the joy, generosity and sharing of gifts that marked the evening fittingly led to the spotlight being focused on Patricia Etling, who has strived to live her life with those qualities.
In its Legacy Award, the archdiocese celebrates people who have made outstanding contributions to living the faith and sharing the faith in a way that has touched the lives of so many.
As Archbishop Charles C. Thompson presented the award to Etling, the gala audience rose to a standing ovation for her.
The archbishop then praised Patricia and John Etling for all they have done for others, individually and together.
“It is a joy to gather this evening and to celebrate Pat’s remarkable dedication to serving the Church and her community,” the archbishop said. “When she and her late husband John made the decision to feed the hungry in Terre Haute, they did far more than respond to a physical need.
“They laid a foundation, solid and strong, creating a place where people are known, where care for one another is tangible, and where no one is reduced to their need alone, easing hunger and strengthening the human spirit.
“On behalf of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and all those whose lives you have touched through your steadfast faith and generous heart, thank you, Pat. You are a blessing to our Church and to our world.”
Archbishop Thompson then extended his thanks to everyone at the gala.
“We gather in a spirit of communion and shared commitment this evening, resolved to build a Church that continues to be a beacon of hope, love and service to all,” he said. “Thank you for your presence and your witness of faith.”
The archbishop also made a point of stressing the importance of the archdiocese’s latest commitment to helping lead people to a personal encounter with Christ.
“The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has recently released a new pastoral plan, one that calls us to further develop vibrant parishes where missionary disciples are called [and] formed through a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.”
That personal encounter with Christ is the true focal point of our faith and our life, he noted.
“Everything this night has to be centered on him,” the archbishop told the gala audience. “No other ego. No other personality but him. That’s why we honor Pat tonight—for living a Christ-centered life.”
Returning to the importance of the new pastoral plan, he said, “The plan, which also introduces our new logo, is meant to strengthen our shared vision and unity as one community with one mission: to joyfully proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ by living his mission of mercy, hope and salvation.”
He closed his remarks with two touches of gratitude—to emcee Trahan-Rodecap for her “poise, warmth and joy” and to the people at the gala and across the archdiocese.
“Thank you for walking this journey with us, for your generosity, and for the hope you continue to bring to life in our Church and in our world,” the archbishop said.
Patricia Etling embraced that same spirit of gratitude— for the Church, for people who help others in need, and for the life, service and love she shared with her husband.
“I think the Church is in good hands,” she said. “I hope the next generation stays in the Church and carries on the work of charity.
“I am absolutely thrilled and privileged to receive this honor. And I know that John is smiling in heaven. I just want to say thank you—to my family, my kids, all my friends. Thank you.” †
If you would like to contribute to the work of Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools and Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary, visit www.archindy.org/LegacyGala.
Want to nominate someone to be the 2027 Legacy Gala Honoree? Click here to do so!
