February 27, 2026

‘Cultures in Communion’ series highlights Church’s cultural diversity in archdiocese

By Natalie Hoefer

The early history of the Church in central and southern Indiana is a story largely written by the Catholic immigrants who settled the land in the 16th- through the 19th centuries, most of them from Europe: French, Germans, Irish, Italians, Swiss and more.

Today, Catholics from other countries continue to add to that story.

They come from points around the globe: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and Central and South America.

What brought them here? What parish or parishes does each call their faith home? What unique and traditional expressions of the faith did they bring with them from their countries? What does it mean for them to have opportunities to worship in their native language while still being part of their larger parish community?

These questions will be explored in a new series in The Criterion called “Cultures in Communion.” Each occasional article will feature a different international Catholic community based in one or more parishes in the archdiocese.

Each community is unique.

But the word “catholic” means “universal.” All Catholics—regardless of native country, language, traditions or forms of worship—share the beliefs expressed in the Nicene Creed.

Together, we are “one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.”

Together, we are all “Cultures in Communion.” †

Related story: ‘At home’ in Indy parish, Eritreans and Ethiopians also find joy in native Ge’ez rite

Local site Links: