August 7, 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.
CYO Camp Rancho Framasa reaches out to include children with disabilities
By JOHN SHAUGHNESSY
The Criterion,
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
BROWN COUNTY, Ind. — At 10, Marissa Pate splashes in the swimming pool at Catholic Youth Organization Camp Rancho Framasa, smiling and squealing with delight as she plays amid the other smiling and squealing campers.
It’s the dream moment that Nancy Pate has always wanted for her daughter, a child with autism whose disability often leads her to struggle to find her place in the world.
“We want her to keep going forward in life and become as independent as possible,” says Nancy Pate, Marissa’s mother. “This is her first overnight camp. She’s just a fun person. She can get frustrated easily and she’s busy, but I’ll tell you what, she brings a smile to your face. I’m just excited and honored that she was approached and invited by the archdiocese to do this.”
For about 15 years, the Camp Rancho Framasa staff have consciously worked to make an inclusive camp experience possible for children with disabilities, according to Mary Beth O’Brien, the assistant camp director.
(For the complete story and more news from the Archdiocese of Indi-anapolis, log on to the website of The Criterion at www.CriterionOnline.com)
Burmese receive support through skills program
By LAUREN CAGGIANO
Today’s Catholic,
Fort Wayne-South Bend
FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A special program through Catholic Charities has more Burmese people learning to assimilate to American culture.
Professional skills are key to landing and maintaining a good job — something that refugees often lack. Since April, the job readiness classes at the former St. Henry School have catered to this large group of Burmese refugees. The six-week sessions taught in Burmese instruct these people on a variety of topics, such as how to apply for a job and appropriately answer the phone. Catholic Charities staff even conduct mock interviews to help them prepare. Books are provided to help them follow along.
Burmese-born Nyein Chan, Catholic Charities’ resettlement services director, has been ins-trumental in the success of the program.
(For the complete story and more news from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, log on to the website of Today’s Catholic at www.diocesefwsb.org/today)
Helping the homeless, family by family
By CAROLINE B. MOONEY
The Catholic Moment,
Diocese of Lafayette
CARMEL, Ind. — The new face of homelessness is families with husbands, wives and children, says Sharon Glenn, executive director of the Interfaith Hospitality Network.
“In the past, it was single moms and kids, but we are seeing hardworking fathers and husbands having to move into shelters,” she says.
Through IHN, faith communities work to help homeless families get back on their feet. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church hosted three families July 5-12.
“We found ourselves without a home, and IHN has been a tremendous blessing,” Larry Collins said.
Collins, his wife, Mary, son Levi, 6, and daughter Cheyenne, 3, were on a waiting list for IHN for six weeks. They were in their fourth week in the program while at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton.
Homelessness in Indianapolis has risen by 78 percent from 2008 to 2009, according to the Coalition for Homelessness In-tervention and Prevention. Forty-one percent of the homeless are members of homeless families.
IHN, founded in 1986, is ac-tive in 39 states. St. Elizabeth Ann Seton joined in 1994. Twen-ty churches in Greater Indian-apolis take turns hosting homeless families for one to two weeks at a time.
Volunteers at each church donate food for meals. They cook, set up beds, and serve as activity hosts, overnight hosts and van drivers. Guest families stay overnight at each church and are driven to the IHN day center every morning.
About 80 volunteers are involved at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, said coordinator Todd Vanderohe.
“That’s evangelization. And who doesn’t like gelato?”
By KATY HARRISON
TROXELL
The Catholic Moment,
Diocese of Lafayette
WESTFIELD, Ind. — One local parish has found a way to honor its patroness, reach out and share with the community, and enjoy food, fun and family the Italian way.
St. Maria Goretti held its first Italian festival in July 1997, while the faith community was still a mission of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel in Carmel.
In recent years, 2,000 tp 2,500 people have showed up.
The Italian festival is not a fund-raiser; the event is purely for fellowship and evangelization. With donations, food vendors, and the sale of tickets and T-shirts, the event pays for itself.
(For the complete stories and more news from the Diocese of Lafayette, log on to the website of The Catholic Moment at www.thecatholicmoment.org)