August 16, 2010
Catholic News Around Indiana
Compiled by Brandon A. Evans
Begin reading, or choose a diocese: Fort Wayne-South Bend | Gary | Indianapolis | Lafayette
Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
Seminarian numbers make an upward leap
By Tim Johnson
FORT WAYNE — One of the greatest fruits for the Year for Priests just may be the increase in the number of young men interested in discerning the priesthood. The numbers have increased by eight this year, bringing the total to 23 men studying for the priesthood, and more are interested.
“This is the largest entering class in 25 years,” says Msgr. Bernard Galic, diocesan director of the Office of Vocations. Msgr. Galic credits the increase to the Year for Priests.
“The Year for Priests awakened an awareness of the people to pray for vocations,” Msgr. Galic says.
Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades tells Today’s Catholic, “I think the increasing number of seminarians is due to the prayers of so many of our people who are asking the Lord to send ‘more laborers into His harvest.’ I also attribute the increase to the example of our priests, the strong catechetical and youth ministry programs in our diocese, including our Catholic schools. And, of course, the ’seedbed’ of vocations — the faith and devotion of parents and families.”
Inquiries from young men came throughout the Year for Priests and interest has not waned since the close of the Year for Priests in June. Msgr. Galic says he expects several more men will enter seminary in the fall of 2011 as the interview and interest continues.
Associate Director of Vocations Father Jacob Runyon notes, “While it is true that we have a large number of seminarians entering this year, we have actually had pretty good numbers the last few years.”
He adds, “But I do think we could attribute the spike this year to the fact that it was the Year for Priests. There has been much discussion and prayer about and for the priesthood, I think that could be part of it.”
Father Runyon reports that the Andrew Dinners and the discernment retreats have been well attended, “thanks to the support of our priests.”
This year, 10 diocesan seminarians will begin their studies at Mouth Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Md., the seminary where Bishop Rhoades once served as rector. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend will be one of the largest delegations at Mount Saint Mary’s, Msgr. Galic says.
Catholic high schools working to attract Latino students
By Tim Johnson
FORT WAYNE — All four diocesan high schools have recognized the importance of welcoming Hispanic students in their communities. Bishop Luers High School, on Fort Wayne’s south side, already boasts diversity as a school strength. Of the 546 students at the school, about 25 to 30 are Hispanic, according to Principal Mary Keefer.
But Keefer and the school’s marketing team are making it a goal to make “all families feel welcome from the moment they walk in our doors.”
Keefer and the school’s marketing people recently attended an Alliance for Catholic Education (ACE) workshop called “To Nurture the Soul of a Nation: Latino Families, Catholic Schools, and Educational Opportunity.”
Keefer told Today’s Catholic, “Each family is looking for something different from a school. If families come to our door, we already know that ‘Catholic’ education is a priority. Quality academics, safety, care, nurture, socialization are all parental needs for their children. Bishop Luers High School must continue to learn to meet all families’ needs, regardless of their cultural background.”
Keefer feels the Hispanic students enhance the Luers’ community. “Education is always a two way street. The word catholic (small ‘c’) means all inclusive; all are welcome. Bishop Luers High School must be a small community that reflects the larger community.”
She adds, “Our world is not made up of people who look the same, act the same, celebrate the same. Our school must teach our young people to embrace all, to see God in all. When you have a locker beside someone who is different from you and they cry when they are sad, they rejoice when they earned an ‘A’ on a difficult exam, they fall in love, they pray, just like you do, the realization sets in that we are all God’s children. Prejudice is wiped away when friendships form. Our world must learn to embrace difference and we must learn to live together.”
Fort Wayne, Arcola parishioners have breakfast with a cardinal
By Mark Weber
FORT WAYNE — Because of Christ’s instruction “to go, teach and heal,” an Indian cardinal finds himself in the United States as part of the foothills to a mountainous project he is undertaking at home in Ranchi, Jharkhand, India.
Cardinal Telesphore P. Toppo, archbishop of Ranchi, has assumed the leadership role in establishing a new medical college and hospital in Ranchi to reach the marginalized sick people, with greater partnership within the Church network and with like-minded groups.
Planning for the Ranchi medical center and hospital began in 2008 with two rounds of talks in India involving experts from Georgetown University and a third meeting at Georgetown in Washington, D.C.
The cardinal’s present visit was for further planning with Loyola University in Chicago where rapport was established for further collaboration. Plans also call for participation from Johns Hopkins University and School of Medicine.
The outreach to these leading medical institutions and the Catholic Relief Services, CRS, and other professional planning groups is to establish a master plan for the Ranchi Medical Center.
Cardinal Toppo has included Fort Wayne in his American visit to Father Cyril Fernandes, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, Fort Wayne, and Father Alex Dodrai, pastor of St. Patrick Parish, Arcola. Father Cyril’s uncle is the vicar general of the Ranchi Diocese and the rector of the major seminary.
Cardinal Toppo was the main celebrant at 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday at St. John the Baptist, Fort Wayne, concelebrating with Father Fernandes, Father Dodrai and Father Peter Raposo, former secretary to the cardinal, who is in this country to get a masters degree in communications at DePaul University in Chicago.
In his homily, Cardinal Toppo described his experience as an papal elector when Cardinal Ratzinger became Benedict XVI on April 19, 2005.
At a reception following Mass, parishioners from St. John the Baptist and St. Patrick chatted with Cardinal Toppo, who graciously posed for many photos and expressed genuine interest in meeting strangers who have the common bond of the Catholic faith.
(For these stories and more 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
Bishop Noll: Modeled after the best
HAMMOND—Bishop Noll Institute Principal Colleen McCoy-Cejka puts it this way: “We’ve got a lot going on.” From a revamped entrance to new scheduling, the 90-year-old school is getting a new look. Fortunately in these tough economic times, much of the physical work is being donated. Those physical changes include a revamp of the main entryway.
To give the area a more welcoming look, the outdoor overhang will receive a metal roof in blue with the school’s name in front. Leaky and rusty areas will be replaced with corrugated metal.
As part of a three-phase plumbing project over the next three years, the Noll swimming pool will be filled in with stone and cement and covered with a rubberized floor.
The now-closed poolroom will host retreats, meetings, and athletic events. Also, rusty pipes in the first-floor locker room area will be replaced.
In addition, student commons areas will be developed in the main lobby and sections of the cafeteria and library. These will include more computer stations.
This project, the principal said, required some “serious revamping” of existing space. Space has been allotted for computers and furniture. Going along with these department centers is the second aspect of Noll’s improvement plan — commitment to the school’s college preparatory mission. McCoy-Cejka said that while BNI traditionally boasts a high percentage (high 90s) of students going on to college, “there is room for improvement.”
To further prepare students for the next level, Noll is introducing a rotating modular schedule.
“We have built a schedule that is customized to fit the needs of our students and our school,” McCoy-Cejka said. “Based on our research, the best schools in the country are moving toward customized educational plans, and if we aim to be the best, we must model ourselves after the best.”
(For this story and more news from the Diocese of Gary, log on to the website of the Northwest Indiana Catholic at www.nwicatholic.com)
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
No briefs available this week
(For news from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, log on to the website of The Criterion at www.CriterionOnline.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)