August 23, 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
No briefs available this week
(For 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
No briefs available this week
(For news from the Diocese of Gary, log on to the website of the Northwest Indiana Catholic at www.nwicatholic.com)
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
Seminarians learn about Catholic Charities programs
By Sean Gallagher
For several years, the seminarians of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis have gone on a pilgrimage together shortly before they return to their seminaries for another year of priestly formation.
They have usually traveled to historic churches or shrines in the archdiocese to pray at places where some of the first Catholics in central and southern Indiana came to worship.
This year, archdiocesan vocations director Father Eric Johnson instead arranged for the seminarians to visit a number of programs operated by Catholic Charities Indianapolis.
Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein accompanied the 24 seminarians on part of their Aug. 11 trip.
“It’s another way of informing them of the mission of charity,” Archbishop Buechlein said. “A priest is, in some ways, a mediator not only of the sacraments and proclaiming the Word, but also in inspiring people in the mission of charity.”
Archbishop Buechlein reflected on the connection of priestly ministry and the work of charity after the seminarians heard a presentation on Catholic Charities Indianapolis’ Refugee Resettlement program.
Joseph Trimble, who became an archdiocesan seminarian earlier this year, was interested in learning about how the local Church helps refugees from around the world start a new life in central Indiana.
He had been involved in a variety of charitable ministries in Maryland, where he taught at Catholic high schools for many years.
Earlier in the day, when the seminarians were visiting Catholic Charities Indianapolis’ Crisis Office and Christmas Store, Father Johnson spoke about the importance of the seminarians learning about the way the mission of charity at times goes beyond what happens at the parish level.
“As men who are studying to be priests in this archdiocese, I think it’s important for them to be familiar with the mission and the ministries of the local Church as a whole,” Father Johnson said. “And Catholic Charities plays a very big part in that.”
(For this story and more news from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, log on to the website of The Criterion at www.CriterionOnline.com)
Diocese of Lafayette
Seminarians lead retreat for Local Church youth
By Kevin Cullen
CARMEL — Ben Bussick didn’t know what to expect when his mom signed him up for the first annual “Called to Duty” vocations retreat at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School.
He was among 25 seventh-, eighth- and ninth-grade boys from several parishes who shared a weekend of prayer, sports, competition and fellowship with six diocesan seminarians.
The event was staged July 30-Aug. 1. When they weren’t mixing it up with the younger kids on the basketball court, the future priests led discussions on prayer, fraternity, virtue and other subjects.
The boys attended Masses celebrated by vocations director Father Brian Doerr, and “camped out” indoors in sleeping bags.
“I wasn’t really looking forward to it, but when I came it was really fun. I hope to come back next year,” said Bussick, 12, an incoming seventh-grader at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School.
His uncle is a priest, but Bussick had the wrong impression about seminarians.
“I thought they just read the Bible all day, but they have fun,” he said.
He said he enjoyed the talks, “and it was a good teaching experience for the seminarians, too. ... It is practice for them when they get into church.”
The event was organized by Chris Helle, a college senior at Mount St. Mary’s Seminary in Maryland. It was sponsored by the diocesan vocations office. Planning began in December 2009.
High-school students attend all sorts of retreats, such as The Call, J-Fest and Destination Jesus, Helle said, but there wasn’t much available in the diocese for younger boys.
“That is such an instrumental time for them as they approach high school. This is when their faith is challenged and when they start to ask questions,” he said. “Our goal is to lay a spiritual foundation of prayer, fraternity and the Eucharist.
“We want to make sure that in their own way they understand that the Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, and of this retreat, too,” said Helle, whose home parish is St. John Vianney, Fishers.
Bernie's Buffet serves up 'a meal of great fellowship'
By Caroline B. Mooney
CRAWFORDSVILLE — “Bernie’s Buffet,” a free weekly meal that began in February at St. Bernard Church here, now serves more than 100 people each Wednesday.
Edlawn Warner said he brings his daughter, Elizabeth Warner, age 5, to the dinner two to three times a month.
“The food is excellent — there are some good chefs,” he said. “This is a real blessing to me. Things are hard and I would love to take care of my girls a little better. God has opened doors for me and the Catholic Church has helped me.”
“People have really stepped up to the plate,” said Sister Jeanne Marie Greenen, CSJ, St. Bernard’s director of pastoral outreach. “When we asked parishioners to help, we had 278 volunteers. This is a wonderful thing that has pulled the parish alive.”
She said that the parish has helped in Haiti and New Orleans for years, and “we needed a new challenge. Feeding the hungry was a good idea. When we asked for volunteers, we asked if people could provide food and money, cook and help serve the meal. We didn’t ask for prayers because that is an easy out. We will all pray.”
The parish has a collection on the first Sunday of every month for the effort.
“People wear Bernie’s aprons and collect money after Mass,” Sister Jeanne Marie said. “We have averaged $1,000, which is enough to keep us going each month. We have also had people stop in the parish office and give donations.
“This is good for the parish,” she said. “People are getting to know each other and making new friends. We are getting more families in to eat each week, which we are so happy about.”
Twelve teams of approximately 20 volunteers organize each week’s meal. Sister Rosemary Eyler, SP, parish administrator to senior citizens, said individuals work about four times each year.
(For these stories and more news from the Diocese of Lafayette, log on to the website of The Catholic Moment at www.thecatholicmoment.org)