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It’s All Good Social media is unnecessary to be present to others, writes columnist Patti Lamb, page 12. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com August 2, 2019 Vol. LIX, No. 42 75¢ Enhancing spirituality, vitality of Catholic families are focus of symposium SOUTH BEND, Ind. (CNS)—Thirty experts in theology, social sciences and family life gathered for a symposium at the University of Notre Dame in mid-July to discuss ideas for enhancing the spirituality and vitality of Catholic families worldwide. Titled “Exploring the Unique Role of Catholic Families in Growing the Faith,” the symposium touched on issues such as: keeping children Catholic; bringing nontraditional families into the life of the parish; helping parents catechize their children; ministering to Catholics of all ethnic and racial backgrounds; and evangelizing through the family. Another topic was helping Catholic families function as the “domestic Church.” It was a theme that permeated the July 19-21 symposium. That concept of “domestic Church” was introduced by the Second Vatican Council’s Dogmatic Constitution on the Church (“Lumen Gentium”). Not only are parents like pastors to their children, but also “the Christian family constitutes a specific revelation and realization of ecclesial communion,” according to St. John Paul II, writing in A chaplain distributes Communion to a death-row inmate at Indiana State Prison in Michigan City, Ind. The U.S. Department of Justice on July 25 his 1981 apostolic exhortation “Familiaris announced that it is reinstating the federal death penalty, with five executions scheduled to take place at the U.S. Penitentiary in Terre Haute in Consortio,” on the role of the Christian December and January. (CNS file photo/Karen Callaway, Northwest Indiana Catholic) family in the world. Several speakers indicated that since Vatican II (1962-65), the Catholic Church Archbishop Thompson, other Catholic leaders has not done much to develop that concept of “domestic Church” and help parents understand and embrace their role of object to reinstatement of federal death penalty evangelizing and “being” Church as well as WASHINGTON (CNS)—The July 25 of Catholic Mobilizing Network, a group Archbishop Thompson, who has attending church. announcement by the Justice Department that champions restorative justice and an visited inmates on death row and Social scientist Mark Gray, a senior that it is reinstating the federal death end to the death penalty. celebrated Mass at the Terre Haute research associate for the Center for penalty for the first time in 16 years was News of the reinstated federal death facility, said there are stories of the Applied Research in the Apostolate unwelcome news penalty was also disappointing for conversion of some inmates, those “who (CARA) at Georgetown University, cited an for Catholic leaders Archbishop Charles C. Thompson of desire to repent of anything they have alarming picture of Catholic demographics who have advocated Indianapolis. The executions are slated done wrong.” in this country. against capital to take place within the archdiocese’s But families of the victims need to be He noted that recent polls show that punishment. boundaries at the U.S. Penitentiary in remembered as well, he said. in the 1970s, more than 70 percent of “The United Terre Haute. “At the same time, we need to pray Catholics got married in the Church; States’ death penalty “When I read the news, I knew for families of the victims of violence today it is less than 20 percent. Further, system is tragically we’d have to do something soon,” he and families of the perpetrators of 68 percent of Catholic children receive all flawed. Resuming said. “Pope Francis violence,” Archbishop Thompson said. their religious education in the home, not in federal executions— See related made it very clear in “We have to continue to cultivate Catholic schools or catechetical programs. Archbishop Charles especially by an editorial, page 4. August of 2018 when a culture of life, as St. John Paul II See CONFERENCE, page 10 C. Thompson administration he called the death articulated so often,” he continued. “We that identifies penalty ‘inadmissible’ need to continue to pray—at home, in itself as ‘pro-life’—is wrongheaded when he was updating the catechism groups, with peaceful public protests. We and unconscionable,” said Krisanne with stronger language on the death need to have our priests preach on the Vaillancourt Murphy, executive director penalty.” See DEATH, page 8 Clergy, religious in central and southern Indiana feel called to minister on death row in Terre Haute By Sean Gallagher courts will not change his approach to the SCU and minister elsewhere at the serving the men there. complex. And members of St. Benedict Deacon Steven Gretencord has “I want to be there for them completely and St. Joseph University parishes, both ministered among men on death row in as is,” said Deacon Gretencord. “I can’t in Terre Haute, also take part in ministry the “special confinement unit” (SCU) do more than [that].” at the federal corrections facility. at the Federal He isn’t the only Catholic who At present, Deacon Gretencord Corrections Complex ministers at the prison complex. only ministers to men on death row. (FCC) in Terre Haute Father Varghese Maliakkal celebrates While the crimes for which they have for eight years. Mass, with Deacon Gretencord assisting, been convicted were often grisly, However, the for men in the SCU twice a month. Deacon Gretencord doesn’t allow their announcement of the Benedictine Father Mark O’Keefe, dark past to color his approach to them. U.S. Department of chaplain for the Carmelite Monastery “I’m not concerned with what was, Justice on July 25 of St. Joseph in Terre Haute, celebrates only with what is and their lives in that executions will Mass weekly for inmates at another relation to God into the future,” he said. resume for those facility. Members of the Sisters of Those who receive Communion at the Deacon Steven given the death Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Mass at which he assists do so kneeling Gretencord sentence in federal meet regularly with some inmates in See EXECUTION, page 8 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, August 2, 2019 Evangelization, catechesis event Public Schedule of to feature ways ‘God draws us in’ Archbishop Charles C. Thompson __________ By Natalie Hoefer Because there are several ways to seek Christ, says Ogorek, “catechists August 3 – 10 2019 The archdiocesan Secretariat for and evangelizers employ all of these Worship and Evangelization’s annual [approaches] in their ministry, knowing August 3 – 4 p.m. August 6 – 11 a.m. Gathering of Disciples event will that each of them—at various points in a Mass and reception for 100th anniversary College of Deans meeting at take place at Roncalli High School, person’s life—can help draw her or him in of St. Rita Parish, Indianapolis Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara 3300 Prague Road, in Indianapolis, from to a relationship with our Lord Jesus.” Catholic Center, Indianapolis 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sept. 7. The keynote address, “How August 4 – 11:30 a.m. The yearly event provides formation Beauty Evangelizes and Draws Us to Blessing of new St. Nicholas School, August 6 – 3 p.m. CST and training for those Discipleship—by God’s Grace,” will be Sunman (Ripley County) Presentation to Louisville Province in parish and school presented in English and translated for tribunals in Lake Cumberland, Ky. ministry—for example, Spanish-speakers. Breakout sessions will August 4 – 2 p.m. catechists, school be offered in both languages. Confirmation for youths of All Saints August 8 – 8 a.m. teachers, liturgical The breakout sessions in English include: Parish at St. Joseph Campus, Judicatories meeting at Indiana ministers, parish • “Lesson Planning with Scripture;” West Harrison Interchurch Center, Indianapolis evangelization teams • “Using Art in Lesson Planning: a and those interested in Practical Workshop for Catechists;” August 4 – 5 p.m. August 8 – 10 a.m. evangelization. • “Starting (or Jump-Starting) Your Confirmation for youths of St. Teresa Leadership Team meeting at Archbishop The theme for Parish Evangelization Team;” Benedicta of the Cross Parish in Bright; Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center Sr. Johanna Paruch, this year’s Gathering The breakout sessions in Spanish include: St. Lawrence Parish in Lawrenceburg; F.S.G.M. of Disciples is • “Lesson Planning with Scripture;” and St. Mary Parish in Aurora, at August 10 – 10 a.m. “Beauty, Goodness and Truth: Drawn • “ ‘That’s Just Your Opinion’: St. Lawrence Marriage Enrichment Conference at to Discipleship.” The keynote speaker is Teaching about Truth and Goodness in a Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish, St. Francis of the Martyr George Sister Relativistic Society;” August 5 – noon Greenwood Johanna Paruch, associate professor of • “ ‘10 Things a Disciple of Jesus Seminarian convocation at Our Lady of theology at Franciscan University of Does’: an Evangelization Resource.” Fatima Retreat House, Indianapolis August 10 – 6 p.m. Steubenville in Steubenville, Ohio. Both tracks will also include a liturgy Marriage in Focus meeting at Goodness, beauty and truth are “three workshop and a retreat/renewal workshop. St. Monica Parish, Indianapolis transcendentals ways God uses to draw The day will end with a panel discussion (Schedule subject to change.) us toward himself throughout our lives,” of local Catholic artists discussing how explains Ken Ogorek, archdiocesan their medium draws them closer to God. director of catechesis. “Some folks are The panel will include a poet, fiction writer, struck by beauty, and this experience painter, musician and dramatist. ‘Positio’ for Father Flanagan’s cause encourages them to ponder God. The cost, which includes light morning “Others focus on the goodness of refreshments and lunch, is $30 for those in disciples, including that of the saints, and Indianapolis deaneries, and $25 for all others.