July 31, 2009
Catholic news around Indiana — From diocesan newspapers
Editor’s note: The articles and items on this page have been compiled by Brandon A. Evans, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, as a service to collaborating newspapers serving the Catholic Church in Indiana. Items have been edited for brevity.
Archbishop Buechlein to have shoulder replacement surgery
Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein writes:
On Aug. 4, I am scheduled to have surgery to replace my left shoulder. I have been putting off this surgery for some time, and my doctors tell me it can wait no longer.
This surgery is not related in any way to the Hodgkin’s lymphoma that I was diagnosed with and treated for last year.
In fact, there are no longer any signs of cancer in my body and my health has been good except for the shoulder problems I have had.
I would appreciate your prayers, and please know that I will continue to pray for all of you.
Harry Potter and Catholicism: Shedding light on Catholic themes in Hogwarts
By KAMILLA BENKO (The Criterion)
Harry Potter, the immensely popular book series by J.K. Rowling, continues to create opportunities for discussion about the Catholic faith.
In the past, the Vatican has been reluctant to endorse a series with witches and wizards as the main characters.
But with the recent release of the new Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano states that the latest movie installment clearly shows that good should overcome evil, “and that sometimes this requires costs and sacrifice.”
However, there is still public debate on whether the Harry Potter series should be promoted for its Christian elements.
(For more news from the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, log on to the website of The Criterion at www.CriterionOnline.com.)
Bishop promulgates norms for tabernacle placement
From the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, Bishop John M. D’Arcy writes:
The presence of Jesus Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is at the center of our faith and of the devotional life of our Catholic people.
In recent years, the place of the tabernacle in our churches has become a source of controversy. This should not be.
Because of my responsibility to foster the devotional life of our people, and to keep it sound, I have asked our Office of Worship to prepare norms for the placement and design of the tabernacle in this diocese.
(For more news from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, log on to the website of Today’s Catholic at www.diocesefwsb.org/today.)
St. Mary’s College to participate in Yellow Ribbon Program
NOTRE DAME — St. Mary’s College will participate this fall in the Yellow Ribbon Program, a new federal program administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that helps veterans attend college and/or graduate school.
The program was created through the Post-Sept. 11 Veter-ans Educational Assistance Act of 2008.
(For more news from the Diocese of Gary, log on to the website of the Northwest Indiana Catholic at www.nwicatholic.com.)
Scout’s project transforms empty lot into playground
By KEVIN CULLEN (The Catholic Moment)
INDIANAPOLIS — What was once a weedy inner-city lot is now an inviting playground and community garden, thanks to an Eagle Scout service pro-ject spearheaded by 13-year-old Charlie Cummings of Our Lady of Grace Church, Noblesville.
“Charlie is a pretty amazing young man,” said Julie Molloy, director of The Lord’s Pantry at Anna’s House, which now has a playground for the children of its clients. “This child put his mind to it, then started e-mailing people and networking through his church. He got his Scout buddies together to help.
“It was not an easy task. Those poor boys … they took it on full-force, and it looks wonderful.”
(For complete story and more news from the Diocese of Lafayette, log on to the website of The Catholic Moment at www.thecatholicmoment.org.)