Autism Awareness

Parishes must move beyond labels, offer a sense of belonging, page 12. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960

CriterionOnline.com April 16, 2021 Vol. LXI, No. 27 75¢ Pope calls all Catholics to be missionaries of God’s mercy ROME (CNS)—Like the disciples, who experienced Jesus’ divine mercy after the resurrection, all Christians are called to become missionaries, sharing the Gospel of God’s love and mercy with others, Pope Francis said. “Today Jesus tells us, too, ‘Peace be with you! You are precious in my eyes. Peace be with you! You are important for me. Peace be with you! Pope Francis You have a mission. No one can take your place. You are irreplaceable. And I believe in you,’ ” the pope said on April 11. Pope Francis celebrated the Mass for Divine Mercy Sunday at the Rome Church of the Holy Spirit, just a block away from St. Peter’s Square. The church is the Rome Shrine of Divine Mercy, a devotion begun by St. Faustina Kowalska and promoted by St. John Paul II. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, fewer than 100 people were present for the Mass, wearing masks and seated only two people to a pew, except if they were Jeff Crittendon, Braelynn Crittendon and Tiffany Underwood pose for a family photo at Holy Angels School in Indianapolis, where Braelynn is members of the same family. attending school with the help of Indiana’s Choice Scholarship Program, more commonly known as the voucher program. (Photo by John Shaughnessy) At the end of the Mass, Pope Francis thanked those invited: nurses and doctors from the hospital next door, refugees, people with disabilities, priests serving as “missionaries of mercy,” inmates In its 10th year, Indiana’s voucher program from several correctional institutes and representatives of Italy’s civil protection aids the dreams of Catholic school families service. The pope told them they represent “realities where mercy becomes concrete, By John Shaughnessy when he compares it to the experience she had in a public draws close and serves those in difficulty.” school in the Indianapolis area. After reciting the “Regina Coeli” prayer There’s a certain blend of joy and emotion that fills parents “We wanted to find the right fit for her. We wanted a with those present, the pope greeted each when they know their child is in a place where he or she is smaller feel, some place where we didn’t feel she was a individual personally, shaking hands, blessing happy and thriving. number. Now there’s an excitement to go to school. It’s them and even posing for a few selfies. Jeff Crittendon exudes that feeling when he describes the drastically improved her ability to learn in the classroom as In his homily at the Mass, Pope Francis education that his 12-year-old daughter Braelynn is getting. well as outside it. From where we came from, this is leaps focused on how, prior to the resurrection, “I feel our child is receiving the love and attention that she and bounds. On a scale of 1 to 10, this is a 10.” the disciples misunderstood so much of needs to grow,” he says. “I feel the education she’s receiving Braelynn confirms her dad’s assessment with a bright smile. what Jesus said and how they abandoned now empowers her for what’s to come in her future.” “It’s fantastic,” she says. “The teachers are nice, and or even denied him at the hour of his Crittendon’s description of Braelynn’s experience at Holy they help me more with my work. They go slow to help passion and death. Angels School in Indianapolis becomes even more powerful See VOUCHERS, page 8 But when the disciples are hovering See MERCY, page 2 As Indiana marks a decade of school choice, legislation would expand innovative program to more families

By Victoria Arthur review would expand eligibility to allow different, and as with everything else even more parents to select the school in life, choices are important. We have Exactly 10 years after the passage of they believe is best for their children—a excellent schools across the state, but it groundbreaking legislation that made move that advocates say is is nearly impossible for them Indiana a national leader in school critical to extend educational to meet every unique need of choice, the opportunities to as many every child. Statehouse is Hoosier families as possible. “While many Hoosier in the spotlight As he was a decade ago, the families already enjoy the again as lawmaker behind the current flexibilities of Indiana’s school lawmakers weigh effort is Rep. Bob Behning choice program, there is still a the first major expansion to the program (R-Indianapolis), chairman large group shut out of these since 2013. of the House Education opportunities,” Behning added. More than 270,000 students have Committee. “When we started looking benefited from Indiana’s Choice “The whole focus on Rep. Bob Behning at the current eligibility Scholarship Program, more commonly what we did in 2011 was requirements, we found a lot known as the voucher program, to put kids first,” Behning said. of hardworking families still could not since it was signed into law by “That is not a condemnation of our send their child to the school of their then-Gov. Mitch Daniels in the spring traditional educational model. It’s just choice.” of 2011. The current legislation under an acknowledgement that people are See ICC, page 8 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021

Public Schedule of Archbishop Charles C. Thompson ______April 16–27, 2021

April 16 – 6 p.m. April 21 – 7 p.m. Legacy Gala Dinner in support of Confirmation Mass for youths of Christ Catholic Charities, archdiocesan the King Parish at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Schools and Bishop Simon Cathedral Bruté College Seminary at JW Marriott Hotel, Indianapolis April 22 – 7 p.m. Confirmation for youths of Nativity April 18 – 2 p.m. of Our Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Confirmation for youths of St. Paul Indianapolis at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Center and St. Charles Cathedral Borromeo Parish, both in Bloomington, at St. Paul Catholic Center, April 24 – 11 a.m. Bloomington Confirmation for youths of Immaculate Conception Parish, Millhousen; April 18– 5 p.m. St. John the Baptist Parish, Osgood; Confirmation Mass for youths of St. Mary Parish, Greensburg; St. Martin of Tours Parish, St. Maurice Parish, Napoleon; and Transitional Deacon Michael Clawson, left, and transitional Deacon Matthew Perronie pose on April 10 Martinsville; St. John the Apostle St. Catherine of Siena Parish, Decatur with Archbishop Charles C. Thompson after a Mass at the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Parish, Bloomington; St. Vincent County, at St. Mary Church, Greensburg Einsiedeln in St. Meinrad during which the deacons and three other men were ordained transitional de Paul Parish, Bedford; St. Mary deacons. Deacon Clawson is a member of Annunciation Parish in Brazil. Deacon Perronie is a Parish, Mitchell; Our Lady of the April 24 – 3 p.m. member of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg. (Photos courtesy of Saint Meinrad Archabbey) Springs Parish, French Lick; and Confirmation Mass for youths of St. Jude the Apostle Parish, Spencer, Holy Family Parish in Oldenburg at at St. John the Apostle Church, Holy Family Church Bloomington Two men are ordained transitional April 27 – 10 a.m. April 20 – 7 p.m. Spring Business Meeting for priests deacons for the archdiocese Confirmation Mass for youths of and parish life coordinators at St. John St. Roch Parish in Indianapolis, at the Apostle Parish, Bloomington During an April 10 Mass at the SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Indianapolis April 27 – 1 p.m. Einsiedeln in St. Meinrad, Archbishop Priest Council meeting at St. John the Charles C. Thompson ordained five men April 21 – 10 a.m. Apostle Parish, Bloomington transitional deacons. Department Heads meeting at Two are seminarians for the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Archdiocese of Indianapolis: Catholic Center, Indianapolis Deacon Michael Clawson of Annunciation Parish in Brazil, and Deacon Matthew Perronie of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg. mercy ... the sweetness of Jesus, who forgives Both deacons are receiving priestly MERCY everything. God forgives everything.” formation at Saint Meinrad Seminary and continued from page 1 When Jesus showed the disciples the School of Theology in St. Meinrad. They wounds of his crucifixion, the pope said, he are expected to be ordained priests for the in fear in the closed room, he noted, the was not simply proving he had risen, but Church in central and southern Indiana in Archbishop Charles C. Thompson ritually lays risen Lord appears to them and “raises also made it possible for them to see and June 2022. hands on seminarian Michael Clawson during them up with his mercy. touch “the fact that God has loved us to the Archbishop Thompson, those ordained an April 10 Mass at the Archabbey Church of “Having received that mercy, they end. He has made our wounds his own and in the liturgy, and those who assisted at Our Lady of Einsiedeln in St. Meinrad in which become merciful in turn,” the pope said. borne our weaknesses in his own body.” it had all previously received full doses Clawson and four other men were ordained “It’s very difficult to be merciful if you The day’s first reading, from the Acts of a coronavirus vaccine. That is why transitional deacons. have not been shown mercy.” of the Apostles, recounted how the early they did not wear facemasks during the Saying, “Peace be with you” (Jn 20:19), Christian community shared everything they liturgy, although they did before and For more information on a vocation to the Jesus sets their troubled hearts at ease had in common. “This is not communism, after the Mass as well as during the priesthood in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, and forgives their failings, he said, lifting but pure Christianity,” the pope said. distribution of Communion. visit www.HearGodsCall.com. † them up and filling them with the courage The disciples “discovered that they they need to be his witnesses. shared the mission, the forgiveness and Seminarian “The disciples were guilty; they the body of Jesus, and so it seemed Matthew Perronie had run away, they had abandoned the natural to share their earthly possessions,” lays prostrate in master,” the pope said. “Sin brings he said. “Their fears had been dispelled prayer during an torment; evil has its price. Our sin, as the by touching the Lord’s wounds, and now April 10 Mass at psalmist says, is always before us. they are unafraid to heal the wounds the Archabbey “Like those disciples, we need to let of those in need, because there they Church of Our ourselves be forgiven,” the pope said. “Let see Jesus. Because Jesus is there in the Lady of Einsiedeln us ask for the grace to accept that gift, wounds of the needy.” in St. Meinrad in to embrace the sacrament of forgiveness. Catholics today, he said, need to ask which he and four And to understand that confession is not themselves if they show others the mercy other men were about ourselves and our sins, but about they have been shown by God and if they ordained transitional God and his mercy. feed the hungry like Jesus feeds them in deacons. “We do not confess to abase ourselves, the Eucharist. but to be raised up,” he said, and “we—all “Let us not remain indifferent,” Pope of us—need this badly.” Francis said. “Let us not live a one-way Speaking to priests, Pope Francis said that faith, a faith that receives but does not anytime they hear someone’s confession, give, a faith that accepts the gift but does they “ought to convey the sweetness of not give it in return.” †

The Criterion NEWS FROM YOU! (ISSN 0574-4350) is The Do you have something exciting or published weekly except Criterion newsworthy you want to be considered the last week of December to be printed in The Criterion? and the first week of TheCriterion 04/16/21 Phone Numbers: E-mail us: January. Main office:...... 317-236-1570 [email protected] Moving? Advertising...... 317-236-1585 1400 N. Meri­dian St. We’ll be there waiting if you give us two weeks’ Toll free:...... 1-800-382-9836, ext. 1570 Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367 advance notice! Circulation:...... 317-236-1585 317-236-1570 Staff: Toll free:...... 1-800-382-9836, ext. 1585 800-382-9836 ext. 1570 Editor: Mike Krokos Name______Price: [email protected] $22.00 per year, 75 cents per copy Assistant Editor: John Shaughnessy E-mail______Reporter: Sean Gallagher Periodical postage paid at Postmaster: New Address______Send address changes to The Criterion, Reporter: Natalie Hoefer Indianapolis, IN. 1400 N. Meri­dian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367 Graphic Designer / Online Editor: Brandon A. Evans Copyright © 2021 City______Executive Assistant: Ann Lewis Web site : www.CriterionOnline.com Criterion Press Inc. State/Zip______New Parish______E-mail: [email protected] POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Effective Date______Published weekly except the last week of December and the first week of January. Criterion Press Inc. Note: If you are receiving duplicate copies please send both labels. Mailing address: 1400 N. Meri­dian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367. Periodical postage paid 1400 N. Meridian St. at ­Indianapolis, IN. Copyright © 2021 Criterion Press Inc. ISSN 0574-4350. Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367 The Criterion • 1400 N. Meridian St. • Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Page 3 Cupich: 30 years ago Cardinal Bernardin developed plan to address abuse WASHINGTON (CNS)—When Cupich said. “Cardinal Bernardin reached and “the priest Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin of Chicago out to his accuser when he recanted, he did not deny it,” developed a comprehensive plan during prayed with the young man as he was the cardinal said. a two-year period, in 1991 and 1992, to dying, and offered him pastoral care The prelate address clerical sexual and reconciliation. His example speaks offered to go abuse issues in the powerfully to me today.” to the parish Illinois archdiocese, The framework of the Chicago where the abuse he provided a copy Archdiocese’s plan nearly 30 years ago had taken place, of those procedures “committed resources to put the child informed police to all his fellow U.S. in the center of the room, figuratively,” and the Vatican, bishops at a meeting Cardinal Cupich said. and notified other at that time. This framework included an Office parishes where “Their response of Victims Assistance—“we believe it is the priest had was decidedly the first of its kind in the United States,” been assigned, Cardinal Blase mixed,” Cardinal Cardinal Cupich said—an independent asking other J. Cupich Blase J. Cupich, Office of Child Abuse Investigations and victims to come Chicago’s current Review, and a Safe Environment Office forward. cardinal-archbishop, said in recounting overseeing prevention efforts and training The episode these efforts by the late prelate. for adults and children. “forced me to The late Chicago Cardinal Joseph L. Bernardin is pictured with children in “Imagine if all the bishops had “Archdiocesan policies have evolved be an adult in a an undated photo. During a two-year period, in 1991 and 1992, the cardinal taken those documents home and fully over the past three decades ... but they are way I had never developed a comprehensive plan to address clergy sexual abuse and shared implemented them in their dioceses, how not a substitute for pastoral care. Faith, experienced,” the plan with his fellow bishops, said Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, Chicago’s much further ahead we would be ... how justice, compassion, recognition of the Cardinal Cupich current archbishop, in an April 9 address for an international symposium on many children might have been spared,” dignity of each person, recognition that said, and it gave clergy sex abuse. (CNS photo/courtesy John H. White) he said. we are all equal siblings children of God,” him a fresh Cardinal Cupich made his remarks as Cardinal Cupich said. insight into “leaders who abuse power and of self—finding a pathway toward part of a quartet of clergy who delivered The cardinal told the story of a expect privilege and protection because of healing,” Rabbi Gerson added. “I separate prerecorded messages during an successful businessman who came to him their status in the Church.” decided religion was never going to be a April 9 session, “The Role of Faith and in his first episcopal assignment. Starting Rabbi Diana Gerson, associate executive roadblock for those who needed our help.” Faith Leaders in Preventing and Healing at age 9, he had been abused by the vice president of the New York Board of Following that sermon, “my Child Sexual Abuse.” parish priest—who, after the abuse, often Rabbis, recalled that, as a newly ordained congregation was shifted. My calendar It was part of an international “walked with the boy, hand in hand,” to rabbi, she counseled a woman even though was full,” Rabbi Gerson said. symposium, “Faith and Flourishing: his house to have dinner with the family. she did not belong to Rabbi Gerson’s Three years ago, she received an e-mail Strategies for Preventing and Healing According to Cardinal Cupich, when synagogue. “As a rabbi, I had a sacred from a man who had heard that 2002 Child Sexual Abuse,” presented on the boy asked his mother if he had to do obligation to help,” but “had never heard sermon. “It was this sermon that changed April 8-10 by the Human Flourishing something the priest wanted him to do, about these issues in the classroom.” his life. He finally had come to terms with Program at Harvard University’s Institute even if he didn’t want to do it, the mother “I realized my voice could make a the clergy sexual abuse he had endured in for Quantitative Social Science. replied—not knowing the nature of the big difference” from this experience, and his youth. He sought out the help that he The event also was sponsored by priest’s requests—“Whatever Father asks so in 2002 for Yom Kippur—the Day of needed. He connected to other resources numerous organizations, including the you to do, you have to do it.” Atonement Rabbi Gerson called “The and survivors,” Rabbi Gerson said. Pontifical Commission for the Protection “And so the child did, for four agonizing Jewish Super Bowl”—she gave a sermon “He shared his story, he sent me photos of Minors and The Catholic Project at The years,” Cardinal Cupich said. “Then the on family violence before 6,000. of his life: ‘I would not be here today, I Catholic University of America. child told the father, and the abuse ended.” “People were shocked. How could I would not have this full and rich life if Cardinal Bernardin “submitted himself When the businessman came forward, talk about this? How could I talk about you had not had the courage to go on the to the archdiocesan review process” when he asked then-Bishop Cupich permission this on this most sacred day?” she said. pulpit and give this sermon that was so he was falsely accused of abuse, Cardinal to “confront the priest” about the abuse, “For me, it was about the forgiveness controversial.’ ” † What role has the Blessed Mother played in your life of faith? Perhaps no saint in heaven is more title, and if so, why? How has beloved, fosters more devotion or she brought you closer to the is called upon more frequently for Lord Jesus Christ? intercession and aid than the Blessed Send your thoughts, experiences Mother Mary. and stories by April 30 to Natalie The month of May is dedicated to Hoefer at [email protected] or the Blessed Mother. To honor her, by mail to The Criterion, attention, “God gives where He finds The Criterion is seeking reader Natalie Hoefer—Mary, 1400 N. responses on the role Mary plays Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN, empty hands.” - St. Augustine in your faith. How has she worked 46202. Please include the name in your life to offer assistance or of your parish and a daytime consolation? Do you have special phone number where you can be devotion to her under a particular reached. †

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Opinion Be Our Guest/Ana Borovecki The Lord will transform us through the love and hope of the Resurrection Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Publisher Greg A. Otolski, Associate Publisher This year, the time of Lent was was witnessed by many of those health Mike Krokos, Editor John F. Fink, Editor Emeritus important for me as a physician and care workers who cared and still care for a person of faith. During this time of the people dying in this pandemic. They pandemic, I embarked saw the suffering of Christ in their fellow on a journey with brothers and sisters and tried as he did in Editorial Jesus the man, his last days and hours to display love and prophet and also understanding for the dying, and patience God. I contemplated for their fears and doubts. Every prayer—including yours— his life following the We may feel sadness as we remember accounts in Scripture. those moments, but we should not be lost When everything in despair. We may feel anguish, but we is needed to increase vocations in our world was in are not without hope, because we know Mark April 25 on your calendar. turmoil—when the that after the suffering comes resurrection. It is the day the Vatican and many COVID-19 pandemic When all our hope seems to be lost, dioceses around the world—including entered its third wave, when all our we are reminded that we have witnessed the Archdiocese of Indianapolis—will human flaws were seen in the countless the suffering of a man who is also God, celebrate the World Day of Prayer for problems we were facing, in our doubts the risen Christ. And the act of his Vocations. and uncertainties and squabbles regarding resurrection brings a new turn in our lives, In a letter to priests and parish life vaccination—I saw him being tempted but also puts us to the test. coordinators, archdiocesan vocations in the desert as we were tempted in our Can our everyday existence, which has director Father Michael Keucher wrote, lives. been plagued so long with the darkness of “The Church in the whole world will However, he was victorious over the the pandemic, really be transformed? Can be storming heaven for God to bless his temptations because he displayed courage, we truly find through our faith in the risen Church with numerous holy vocations!” humility and trust in God, a lesson so Christ love and hope for our fellow men And echoing the words of the late important in these times of pandemic. and women and continue protecting health Franciscan Sister Norma Rocklage, a Letting Jesus be a part of our as a personal and social value? Can his longtime educator at Marian University lives, knowing him as a good friend, patience and humility teach us patience in Indianapolis, he added, “Every prayer experiencing his love in everything and humility in continuing our journey counts.” around us, deepens our faith. It enables us until the end of this pandemic? We’ve editorialized about praying for to meet him, to walk on the water as Peter The message of the risen Christ is religious vocations in the past, and we tried but failed because of his lack of clear: “I am the resurrection and the life” believe those petitions should be offered faith. We must put our trust in God. (Jn 11:25). Let him transform your life, daily, asking for more holy men and I also saw Jesus being transfigured, bringing the good news that love, hope women to minister in our Church. announcing his future glory in eternity. and faith will be victorious. In this time of pandemic, the ministry I saw him raise Lazarus as he has raised In the end, only the love of God will they offer cannot be underestimated or our lives from the ashes and as he has remain, and the path to this love goes unappreciated. We need to offer them A prayer card of St. Joseph is pictured. (Courtesy raised the lives of many who have faced through loving and understanding our thanks for their unwavering commitment of the archdiocesan Office of Vocations) uncertainty, fear and a lack of faith during fellow men and women. to being the hands and feet of Christ to the past year. Let us all hope that, in preparing for so many. to encourage a greater love for and Then as we approached Easter, the Pentecost, the spiritual gifts of wisdom, We understand the challenges priests inspiration from Jesus’ guardian and greatest mystery of our faith, Jesus’ understanding, knowledge, good counsel, and religious currently face, spreading patron of the universal Church. human existence was condensed before fortitude, piety and the fear of the Lord the word of God and being present to As the protector of Jesus and the our eyes. Thirty-three years of a man’s will guide us and enlighten us. those desperately seeking assistance. Church, St. Joseph can be a model for life were put to the test in three last days They serve parishioners, the all vocations, which are meant to be of his earthly existence, culminating in (Ana Borovecki is a physician with the hungry and homeless and others the “ever-active hands of the Father, the three hours of agony on the cross. school of medicine at the University through countless ministries. But outstretched to his children,” the pope In the passion of Jesus and his of Zagreb in Croatia and is a for the past year, COVID-19 has had wrote. suffering on the cross, the mystery of corresponding member of the Pontifical them ministering to an ever-growing St. Joseph has “the heart of a father, our own lives is revealed, precisely as it Academy for Life.) † population—those impacted by the able to give and generate life in the coronavirus—some of them living midst of daily routines,” which is the in nursing homes and assisted living same aim of vocations, he wrote. Be Our Guest/Maureen Pratt facilties, others who are patients in Jesus’ earthly father, the pope said, hospitals, still others staying at home is one of those gentle “saints next door” Faith and autism: Adults and children because they feel safest without having whose “strong witness can guide us on to step outside their comfort zones. the journey.” Pope Francis reminds us vocations to The saint’s heart was always listening need resources and encouragement ordained ministry and religious life are to God, who spoke to him in his dreams, As our churches reopen, we pray trouble understanding what other people all about the gift of being present and the Holy Father added. everyone will return, including children are thinking or feeling, and an inability giving to others. “This applies also to our calling: and adults with autism spectrum disorder. to interpret the social cues of others as “The Lord desires to shape the hearts of God does not like to reveal himself It is fortuitous timing: persons who do not have autism would. fathers and mothers: hearts that are open, in a spectacular way, pressuring our April is National This can make interaction with others capable of great initiatives, generous in freedom,” Pope Francis wrote. “He Autism Awareness difficult. self-giving, compassionate in comforting conveys his plans to us with gentleness,” Month. Or for the “I find that our brain structure anxieties and steadfast in strengthening speaking through one’s thoughts and National Catholic differences,” says Father Schneider, hopes,” the pope wrote in his World Day of feelings, and unveiling “profound and Partnership on “are often like being a foreigner in a Prayer for Vocations message released at unexpected horizons.” Disability, Autism neurotypical [nonautistic] world.” the Vatican on March 19. Like St. Joseph, we each must find the Appreciation Month. Still, as members of the body of Christ, “The priesthood and the consecrated courage to understand and follow God’s This presents all people with autism have unique gifts life greatly need these qualities will. In our vocations, the pope continued, us with a good to bring and a right to a place at the table. nowadays, in times marked by fragility, “there can be no faith without risk.” opportunity to The National Catholic Partnership on but also by the sufferings due to In this Year of St. Joseph, let us each discover more about autism and resources Disability’s (NCPD) decision to use the the pandemic, which has spawned make a concerted effort to pray for that parishes and individuals can use word “appreciation” in regard to autism uncertainties and fears about the future more vocations to the priesthood and for faith formation, spiritual growth and harmonizes beautifully with our faith. and the very meaning of life,” he wrote. consecrated life. more. Charleen Katra, executive director of The Holy Father said religious and There are resources on the Autism spectrum disorder is, according NCPD, explains, “NCPD often highlights priestly life must be filled with the archdiocese’s vocations website at to the Centers for Disease Control and the importance of words and the meanings simple joy of caring every day for what hearsgodscall.com, including videos, Prevention (CDC), a developmental they carry. Hence, in April, NCPD chose really matters—faithful friendship with prayer resources, links and other helpful disorder that affects approximately 1 in 54 to transition from autism ‘awareness’ and God and one another. information. children, as well as adults diagnosed, in ‘acceptance’ to autism ‘appreciation.’ ” “I pray that you will experience As Father Keucher wrote, “The some cases, long after childhood. Persons The NCPD website—www.ncpd.org— this same joy, dear brothers and sisters harvest is plentiful, but the laborers with autism have social, behavioral or offers informational resources on autism who have generously made God the are few; therefore ask the Lord of the communication challenges, which can in English and Spanish and catechetical dream of your lives, serving him in your harvest to send out laborers into the sometimes be quite severe. materials specific to faith formation. It brothers and sisters through a fidelity harvest” (Mt 9:37-38). “Autism is a different brain structure has also produced virtual opportunities for that is a powerful testimony in an age May our faith lead us to plant seeds that creates advantages and disadvantages everyone to hear from important voices in of ephemeral choices and emotions that for religious vocations. And through our for life,” says Legionaries of Christ Father the autism faith community. bring no lasting joy,” Pope Francis wrote. efforts, we pray that more people will Matthew Schneider, who was diagnosed These include a blog post on autism Released on the feast of St. Joseph, risk truly hearing—and following— with autism in 2016. “This brain structure appreciation by Father Mark Nolette, the message was dedicated to the saint God’s call to the priesthood and means that we have less of a filter on who lives with autism, and a bilingual and “the dream of vocation.” The religious life. sensory input, so often need special Facebook event with an autism self- pope declared a special year devoted sensory conditions or need to do things to advocate and an autistic mother of three. to the saint starting on Dec. 8, 2020, —Mike Krokos regulate sensory input.” There have not been many resources Other challenges include having See PRATT, page 10 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Page 5 ARCHBISHOP/ARZOBISPO CHARLES C. THOMPSON

hrist C the Cornerstone

Jesus’ resurrection calms our troubled hearts “Thus it is written that the Christ would was a ghost or some frightful apparition admonishes us, saying: he is no ghost, that he is flesh and bone suffer and rise from the dead on the from the netherworld. Jesus immediately “The author of life you put to as we are, stands before his heavenly third day and that repentance, for the put them at ease: death, but God raised him from the Father, the supreme judge, and pleads forgiveness of sins, would be preached “ ‘Why are you troubled? And why do dead; of this we are witnesses. Now I our cause. Not only that, he offers in his name to all the nations, beginning questions arise in your hearts? Look at know, brothers, that you acted out of himself as “expiation”—which means from Jerusalem” (Lk 24:46-47). my hands and my feet, that it is I myself. ignorance, just as your leaders did; but “the act of making amends or reparation Touch me and see, because a ghost does God has thus brought to fulfillment what for guilt or wrongdoing; atonement The Gospel reading for the Third not have flesh and bones as you can see he had announced beforehand through for the sins of others.” Although we Sunday of Easter (Lk 24:35-48) shows I have.’ And as he said this, he showed the mouth of all the prophets, that his remain accountable for our sins, Jesus how Jesus went out of his way to them his hands and his feet. While they Christ would suffer” (Acts 3:15, 17-18). has suffered and died for us. He has persuade his frightened disciples that he were still incredulous for joy and were All humanity shares in the guilt made it possible for us to avoid the is not a ghost. Yes, his body is different amazed, he asked them, ‘Have you of those who crucified Jesus, but fatal consequences of sin and death by after the resurrection. He appears and anything here to eat?’ They gave him a God’s mercy, which was foretold by becoming one with him as members of disappears unrestrained by the ordinary piece of baked fish; he took it and ate it all the prophets, has transformed our his Body, the Church. limitations of space and time. And he in front of them” (Lk 24:38-43). weakness and our sin. The passion, As we continue our joyful celebration isn’t always recognized even by those Ghosts do not have flesh and bones. death and resurrection of Jesus has of the Easter mystery, let’s pray for who were close to him, including Mary They also do not eat baked fish. Jesus redeemed us and set us free. The joy we the grace to encounter Jesus as he is— Magdalen who mistook him for a wants the disciples to acknowledge experience during this Easter season is truly God and truly one of us. We may gardener, and the two disciples on the him as fully human because once they overwhelming, and we are compelled not recognize him at first, but he has road to Emmaus who thought he was a receive the gift of the Holy Spirit they to share our enthusiasm just as the two assured us that he is present among us, stranger. will be responsible for proclaiming disciples did who encountered the risen especially in our brothers and sisters These same two were telling the other the humanity of the risen Christ “to Christ on the way to Emmaus. who are poor, vulnerable or living on the disciples how their hearts leapt with joy all the nations” (Lk 24:47). They are The second reading from the First margins of society. “as they recognized him in the breaking to be witnesses to the miracle of our Letter of John (1 Jn 2:1-5a) assures As missionary disciples, we have the of bread” (Lk 24:35) when Jesus redemption. In order to succeed in this us that Jesus is our Advocate with the privilege and the awesome responsibility interrupted their story, suddenly standing great missionary task, they must see him, Father. “He is expiation for our sins,” to share our joy with everyone, in their midst, saying “Peace be with touch him and break bread with him. St. John tells us, “and not for our sins beginning with those who are closest you” (Lk 24:36). In the first reading for this Third only but for those of the whole world” to us. Let’s also pray that we can fulfill The sight of Jesus struck terror in the Sunday of Easter from the Acts of the (1 Jn 2:2). our obligation to be missionary disciples hearts of the disciples. They thought he Apostles (Acts 3:13-15, 17-19), St. Peter This same Jesus who assures us that who give witness to all the nations. †

La resurrección de Jesús calma nuestros corazones atribulados “Así está escrito, y así era necesario, inframundo. Jesús los tranquilizó de de la vida, a quien Dios resucitó de juez supremo, y defiende nuestra que el Cristo padeciera y resucitara inmediato: los muertos. De eso nosotros somos causa. No solamente eso, sino que de los muertos al tercer día, y “ ‘¿Por qué se asustan? ¿Por qué testigos. Hermanos, yo sé que tanto se ofrece como “expiación,” lo que en su nombre se predicara el dan cabida a esos pensamientos en ustedes como sus gobernantes lo que significa “el acto de reparar o arrepentimiento y el perdón de su corazón? ¡Miren mis manos y mis negaron por ignorancia, pero Dios enmendar la culpa o la mala acción; pecados en todas las naciones, pies! ¡Soy yo! Tóquenme y véanme: cumplió de esta manera lo que ya la expiación de los pecados de comenzando por Jerusalén” un espíritu no tiene carne ni huesos, había anunciado por medio de todos otros.” Aunque seguimos siendo (Lc 24:46-47). como pueden ver que los tengo yo.’ Y sus profetas, es decir, que su Cristo responsables de nuestros pecados, al decir esto, les mostró las manos y tenía que padecer” (He 3:15, 17-18). Jesús ha sufrido y ha muerto por La lectura del Evangelio del tercer los pies. Y como ellos, por el gozo y Toda la humanidad comparte nosotros. Él ha hecho posible que domingo de Pascua (Lc 24:35-48) la sorpresa que tenían, no le creían, la culpa de los que crucificaron a evitemos las consecuencias fatales muestra cómo Jesús se desvivió Jesús les dijo: ‘¿Tienen aquí algo Jesús, pero la misericordia de Dios, del pecado y de la muerte al unirnos por convencer a sus atemorizados de comer?’ Entonces ellos le dieron anunciada por todos los profetas, a él como miembros de su Cuerpo, la discípulos de que no es un fantasma. parte de un pescado asado, y él lo ha transformado nuestra debilidad y Iglesia. Sí, su cuerpo es diferente después tomó y se lo comió delante de ellos” nuestro pecado. La pasión, muerte Mientras continuamos nuestra de la resurrección. Aparece y (Lc 24:38-43). y resurrección de Jesús nos ha alegre celebración del misterio desaparece sin las limitaciones Los fantasmas no tienen carne redimido y liberado. La alegría que de la Pascua, pidamos la gracia ordinarias del espacio y el tiempo, ni huesos, ni tampoco comen experimentamos durante este tiempo de encontrar a Jesús tal como y ni siquiera los que estaban cerca pescado asado. Jesús quiere que los de Pascua es abrumadora, y nos es: verdaderamente Dios y de él lo reconocían siempre, como discípulos lo reconozcan como vemos obligados a compartir nuestro verdaderamente uno de nosotros. María Magdalena, que lo confundió un ser humano pleno porque, una entusiasmo como hicieron los dos Quizá que no lo reconozcamos al con un jardinero, y los dos discípulos vez que reciban el don del Espíritu discípulos que se encontraron con principio, pero nos ha asegurado de Emaús, que pensaron que era un Santo, serán los encargados de Cristo resucitado en el camino de que está presente entre nosotros, extraño. proclamar la humanidad de Cristo Emaús. especialmente en nuestros hermanos Esos mismos dos discípulos resucitado “a todas las naciones” La segunda lectura de la Primera y hermanas pobres, vulnerables estaban contando a los demás (Lc 24:47). Deben ser testigos Carta de Juan (1 Jn 2:1-5) nos o que viven al margen de la cómo su corazón saltó de alegría del milagro de nuestra redención. asegura que Jesús es nuestro sociedad. “al reconocerle al partir el pan” Para tener éxito en esta gran tarea intercesor ante el Padre. “Y él es la Como discípulos misioneros, (Lc 24:35) cuando Jesús interrumpió misionera, deben verlo, tocarlo y propiciación por nuestros pecados; y tenemos el privilegio y la enorme su relato, poniéndose de repente en partir el pan con él. no solamente por los nuestros, sino responsabilidad de compartir nuestra medio de ellos y diciendo “La paz En la primera lectura de este también por los de todo el mundo” alegría con todos, empezando esté con ustedes” (Lc 24:36). tercer domingo de Pascua de los (1 Jn 2:2). por los más cercanos. Recemos La visión de Jesús infundió terror Hechos de los Apóstoles Este mismo Jesús que nos asegura también para que podamos cumplir en los corazones de los discípulos (He 3:13-15,17-19), san Pedro nos que no es un fantasma, que es de nuestra obligación de ser discípulos poque pensaban que era un fantasma amonesta diciendo: carne y hueso como nosotros, se misioneros que den testimonio a o una espantosa aparición del “Fue así como mataron al Autor presenta ante su Padre celestial, el todas las naciones. † Page 6 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021

For a list of events for the next four weeks as reported to Events Calendar The Criterion, log on to www.archindy.org/events.

April 17-May 1 (virtual), class, 7-8 p.m., series offered April 19: www.roncalli. 10 a.m., “Importance educational, charitable and Ave., Sellersburg. First April 24 (in person) most Thursdays through org/celebration, raffle for of Africentric Catholic social singles—separated, Saturday Marian Devotion, Indianapolis St. Vincent de May 20, no registration $10,000, free. Information and Catechesis,” director of the widowed or divorced—age 8 a.m. rosary, meditation, Paul “Love Your Neighbor needed, free. Upcoming topics: registration: 317-787-8277, Institute for Black Catholic 50 and older, new members prayer; 8:30 a.m. Mass with 5k Run/Walk,” run or walk April 22, “Speaking the Truth [email protected], www. Studies at Xavier University welcome, also call about confessions prior. Information: 5K with two options— in Love;” April 29, “How roncalli.org/celebration. in New Orleans Dr. Kathleen regular Friday night dinner 812-246-3522. Virtual: April 17-May 1 to Fight Fair and Conflict Dorsey Bellow facilitating, events. Information: 317-796- anytime/anywhere. In-person: Resolution,” May 6, “Feelings Our Lady of the Most Holy free. Registration: cutt.ly/ 8605 or 317-243-0777. St. Michael Church, 145 April 24, 9 a.m., White River and the Hurt Spiral,” May 13, Rosary Church, 520 Stevens VDIC. Information: St. Michael Blvd., Brookville. State Park, 801 W. Washington “Forgiveness and Repair.” St., Indianapolis. Faithful Pearlette Springer, May 7 First Saturday Marian St., Indianapolis, paved trail. Go to carmelthirdoption. Citizens Rosary Walk, 10:45- [email protected] or Women’s Care Center, Devotional Prayer Group, Race packet for in-person org/web, click on link at 11:45 a.m., meet in front of 317-236-1474. 4901 W. 86th St., Mass, devotional prayers, participants includes MyLaps top of page. Information: church. Information: faithful. Indianapolis. First Friday rosary, 8 a.m. Information: Chip Timing for live results, carmelthirdoption.org/web, [email protected]. April 25 Mass, 5 p.m., Father James 765-647-5462. pace breakdown and placing. or Keith Ingram, kingram@ The Willows Event Center, Farrell, celebrant, optional Cost: ages 23 and older $35, or aicinvest.com or 317-324-8446. Mount Saint Francis Center for 6729 Westfield Blvd., tour of center to follow. May 12 $30 with no T-shirt; students Spirituality, 101 St. Anthony Indianapolis. Light in Information: 317-829-6800, Catholic Charities ages 6-22 $20, or $15 with Bible Study: St. Paul’s Letter Dr., Mt. St. Francis. 2nd the City Annual Dinner, www.womenscarecenter.org. Bloomington online no T-shirt. Registration and to the Romans, via Zoom, Annual Free Tree Giveaway, benefitting Lumen Christi fundraiser, noon-1 p.m., information: www.svdpindy. sponsored by St. Michael sponsored by the Franciscan Catholic School, 5-9 p.m., Our Lady of the Greenwood success stories in mental org/neighbor.Questions: Parish, Greenfield, 1-2:30 p.m., Earth Care Initiative of the silent auction, bourbon Church, 335 S. Meridian St., health assistance in response [email protected] or series of stand-alone sessions Province or Our Lady of pull, dancing, COVID-19 Greenwood. First Friday to three times the normal 317-924-5769, ext. 238. offered Thursdays through Consolation, 9 a.m.-1 p.m., safety protocols observed, bilingual celebration of requests during the pandemic. May 20, led by graduates of two free seedlings per car, $100 per person or $600 the Most Sacred Heart Event link: www.facebook.com/ April 21 Guadalupe Bible College, free. tree varieties include white for table of six. Tickets: of Jesus, Mass, 5:45 p.m., ccbindiana. Donations: ccbin. Calvary Mausoleum Information and registration: oak, sycamore and river birch, lumenchristi.home.qtego.net. exposition of the Blessed org. Information: cbush@ Chapel, 435 W. Troy Ave., Darlene Davis, ljdarlene@ Information: Debbie Nichols, Information: Bob Collins, Sacrament, following Mass archindy.org or 317-236-1411. Indianapolis. Monthly gmail.com or 317-498-2242. [email protected] 317-632-3174 or bcollins@ until 9 p.m., sacrament of Mass, 2 p.m. Information: or 502-500-3953. lumenchristischool.org. reconciliation available. May 19 317-784-4439 or www. April 24 Information: 317-750-7309, Calvary Mausoleum catholiccemeteries.cc. Celebration Roncalli, via Virtual Dialogue on May 5 [email protected]. Chapel, 435 W. Troy Ave., Zoom, 6:30-8 p.m., fundraiser Intercultural Competency, MCL Cafeteria, 5520 Indianapolis. Monthly April 22, 29, May 6, 13 and silent auction benefitting via Zoom, monthly series, Castleton Corner Lane, May 8 Mass, 2 p.m. Information: The Third Option virtual Roncalli High School, silent sponsored by archdiocesan Indianapolis. Solo Seniors, John Paul II Parish, 317-784-4439 or www. marriage crisis/enrichment auction site open for bidding Black Catholic Ministry, 5:30 p.m., Catholic, St. Paul Chapel, 216 Schellers catholiccemeteries.cc †

For a complete list of retreats as reported to Webinar ‘Cry of the Earth and Cry Retreats and Programs The Criterion, log on to www.archindy.org/retreats. of the Poor’ scheduled for April 22 April 21-June 2 Mt. St. Francis. Painting overnight accommodations, A webinar titled “The Cry of the The webinar will include prayer, Mount Saint Francis with Padre, last Friday $298 per couple. Registration: Earth and the Cry of the Poor: Care an overview of creation care and Center for Spirituality, monthly through May, doors cutt.ly/TOBITRetreat or 317- for God’s Creation and Root Causes of migration, and time for questions and 101 St. Anthony Dr., open 5:30 p.m., painting 545-7681, must also complete Migration” will take place from noon to answers. Reising will present on factors Mt. St. Francis. Plein Air instruction from Conventual “Tobit Required Info Sheet” 1 p.m. on April 22. of migration and how care for creation Classes: Painting the Franciscan Father Vincent at cutt.ly/TOBITForm and The, event hosted by the archdiocesan and care for undocumented persons are Springtime Landscape, Petersen 6-9 p.m., subject email to [email protected]. Catholic Charities - Social Concerns connected. Sister Sheila will offer an Wednesdays 9:30-1:30 a.m. matter changes monthly, Information on program: and CARE (Catholic Accompaniment overview of the recent publication from or 5-7 p.m., learn outdoor cheese and light snacks, cutt.ly/fatimaretreats, 317-545- and Reflection Experience) Ministry the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting painting techniques from bring your own beverage, 7681 x. 106 or cmcsweeney@ in partnership with the ArchIndy Integral Human Development, titled Conventual Franciscan Father $40 per session. Registration: archindy.org. Creation Care Ministry, will explore “Pastoral Orientations on Climate Vincent Petersen, open to all mountsaintfrancis.org/retreats the relationship between care for God’s Displaced People.” levels, bring paints, canvases or 812-923-8817. May 5 creation, migrants and every person. It The event is free, but registration is and brushes; chairs, easels and Contemplative Prayer, will be led by CARE coordinator Simona required. drawing tables provided, April 30-May 2 via Zoom, sponsored by Reising and ArchIndy Creation Care To register, go to creationandmigration. $25 per session. Registration: Our Lady of Fatima Retreat Oldenburg Franciscan Center, Ministry coordinator Benedictine Sister eventbrite.com. For more information or mountsaintfrancis.org/retreats Center, 5353 E. 56th St., 3-4:30 p.m., Franciscan Sheila Fitzpatrick. questions, call 317-236-1457. † or 812-923-8817. Indianapolis. Tobit Marriage Sister Olga Wittekind Preparation Weekend, presenting, free will donation. April 30 7 p.m. Fri.-11:45 a.m. Sun., for Information and registration: Mount Saint Francis engaged couples only, includes 812-933-6437, www. Center for Spirituality, materials, meals, snacks, oldenburgfranciscancenter.org. STEAM team powers to nationals 101 St. Anthony Dr., presentations and separate † edding WANNIVERSARIES Marvin and Ann (Hamilton) Stier  Marvin and Ann (Hamilton) Stier, members of Immaculate Conception Parish in Millhousen, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on April 17. The couple was married in St. Mary Church in Greensburg on April 17, 1971. They have five children: Angie, Kevin, Mark, Pat and Paul Stier. The couple also has 10 grandchildren. †

The Rube Goldberg STEAM Team of St. Louis School in Batesville poses with their “Back 2 the ‘80s” machine. The goal of the machine is to “shake and pour a box of Nerds candy.” It placed in the top 10 for their division, sending the group to the national competition, held virtually this year. While the team did not place in the national competition, they did win first place in an in-person event held in Ripley County on April 10. Starting in the bottom row, the team members are Karsyn Watson, left, Lucy Meyer, Olivia Leising, Avery Austin and Bridget Lohmueller. In the top row are Meg Ritter, left, Sophia Hohenstein, Rachel Suttmann, Ben Announcements for couples celebrating 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 or more years Greiwe, Ethan Rahschulte and Felicity Brelage. (Submitted photo) of marriage are accepted. Go to bit.ly/2M4MQms or call 317-236-1585. The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Page 7 Friend’s wisdom guides a woman during challenging time (Editor’s note: As part of our coverage of The blessings have extended to their “Watching these the ongoing influence that the pandemic faith journey together. priests and Catholic is having on the faith lives of people, “Our faith and praying as a couple programs made clear The Criterion invited our readers to share have expanded,” she says. “We pray for to me that God’s their experiences.) COVID victims, the end of abortion, for natural law is what is our parents, all priests, Pope Francis, perfect for me and all Fifth part of a series world peace and our family members.” people. ‘The Great Her approach of living life with Reset’ has made my By John Shaughnessy intention continues to guide her. faith stronger, my “As I smile while wearing a mask, I am trust in God stronger It’s one of the best pieces of advice that finding God in small miracles, and hope and my love of God Janet Schnorr Tosick has received about to bring peace and love to others.” stronger.” facing the challenges of the pandemic and making the most of one’s life. ‘The Great Reset’ ‘I thank God every The advice came from her friend, Monica Santangelo uses an intriguing night’ Providence Sister Susan Dinnin, who told phrase to describe the impact that Like many people, Tosick, “Don’t worry about doing big COVID-19 has had on her relationship Angela Gilmer has things, but live each day with intention.” with God. needed a connection As part of her connection with the Sisters She calls it “The Great Reset.” with others during of Providence at Saint-Mary-of-the-Woods, There were times this past year of the Tosick recently volunteered in their annual in the past when pandemic. phone-a-thon, contacting potential donors. “all the outside Hoping that She found that Sister Susan’s advice rang distractions” of life connection would also true in many of the calls she made. seemed to make it help her grow in her “There were a few women I’ll never hard for her to get as Catholic faith, Gilmer forget,” says Tosick, a member of St. Paul close to God as she started searching Catholic Center in Bloomington. “There wanted. And then the for an online rosary was a woman who recently lost her pandemic brought its site. After trying husband of 63 years. It was a blessing to own challenges. several that she listen to her stories and share her sadness. Monica Santangelo Churches describes as “sterile “Another woman was lonely for her were closed, and and impersonal,” she grandchildren whom she hadn’t seen in a opportunities to personally receive Christ found just what she Janet and Michael Tosick, members of St. Paul Catholic Center in year because of COVID. Then I heard the in the Eucharist were no longer available. was looking for at Bloomington, have expanded their prayer life during the pandemic. excitement of a woman who had her vaccine So Santangelo searched for ways to www.praytherosary. (Submitted photo) shots and was soon leaving to visit her replace those missing parts of her faith com/live. grandchildren. Another woman entertained life. That search has led her to a deeper “I’m not sure how I even found this “People who are on the site can offer me with stories of her husband. We laughed relationship with God. site, but since October I have prayed every their intentions by posting them on the and shared coincidences in our lives.” “I began watching the Mass on night with this group—every night!” says comment section. Between the decades, Tosick and her husband Michael have YouTube. It was a poor substitute from Gilmer, a member of they read the intentions out loud as we all also used the time of the pandemic to worshiping in person, but it would have to St. Lawrence Parish in watch the postings scroll by and offer our reconnect with people from different do,” says the member of Nativity of Our Indianapolis. “What prayers for them.” points in their lives. Lord Jesus Christ Parish in Indianapolis. separates this rosary Another bonus of the website is that “We had hard times missing friends “I discovered some Catholic programs prayer site is that it’s it offers a monthly retreat via a Zoom and family,” she says. “Recently, I wrote a on YouTube and priests like Father live and interactive. meeting, Gilmer says. list of friends and family to call and pray Mark Goring, Father Mike Schmitz and Starting with the “Because of this website, I have grown for during and after Lent. We are thankful Father James Altman. These priests and national shutdown in in my faith so much deeper. Knowing that we are able to write a note, say ‘I love programs I watch daily. In me, there was March of 2020, two hundreds of people are praying with me you’ and stay in touch. a significant awakening and yearning for men have prayed the from all over the world at the same time “As we continue calling friends, their God and the Mass.” Angela Gilmer rosary daily, live and is comforting and inspiring. I encourage warmth and our excitement in hearing She now prays the rosary daily. She in real time on the all to log on at 9:30 p.m. to experience their voices are beautiful. This has been a says she has also grown to rely upon God internet. They log on at or around this global rosary community. I thank God blessing for me and Michael.” completely. 9:30 p.m. Eastern time. every night that he guided me to it.” † Catholic educators share unexpected lessons of teaching in pandemic WASHINGTON (CNS)—No one has to tell Catholic likely had some “amazing Hail Mary saves” and many supplies, something that will continue in the future, these school teachers how different this past year has been. opportunities to think on their feet. teachers said. At the start of the pandemic last spring, most Catholic When she invited the online participants to respond in They also said they will likely continue Zoom schools adapted to online schooling and continued that the chat section with a few words to describe what they parent-teacher conferences as these were convenient for way until the end of the school year. learned in the past year, responses included “flexibility” both groups, and they would absolutely continue with At the start of this school year, many of these schools (several times), “patience,” “grace,” “humor” and the safety protocols already in place, especially the daily across the country reopened in person, with multiple “adaptability.” cleaning of classroom surfaces. safety protocols in place, or they operated under a hybrid One educator said they had been stretched this year. “We are going to keep up [these practices] for the model with some students attending classes in person and Another said they were tired. coming school year,” said Denise Spells, principal of other students in class virtually. Lia said she has heard a fair amount of criticism from St. Ethelreda School in Chicago, noting that if you change Pandemic learning impacted Catholic preschools to students and parents about busywork homework during policies and then have to go back to them, it is confusing. high schools across the country, and its success seemed to the pandemic and said that going forward, “Google-able” “Let’s just keep working with what’s working for right hinge primarily on the flexibility of students and teachers homework, where students can find the answers online, now,” she said. alike. should be eliminated. “There are so many things you can do, so just drop the That’s why it’s not surprising the topic of pandemic But she also noted: “Technology is here to stay, and negative of what you can’t do and your whole experience learning was a theme of so many of the workshops it can be our friend,” noting students might be able to will be much, much better,” Lisa Abner, a preschool offered during this year’s annual National Catholic attend school virtually if they have a long illness and that teacher at St. Benedict’s School just outside Chicago, told Educational Association (NCEA) convention on April 6-8. parent-teacher conferences, which seemed to work better the online workshop participants. Even the convention, which often draws thousands of on Zoom, also might continue. Amid all the challenges and new ways of doing things participants, was virtual for the second year in a row, due Teaching students who are virtually learning requires for teachers and principals, there have also been lessons to pandemic restrictions. teachers to be very clear about their expectations, which for students that likely won’t come up on any assessment At the start of the online convention with participants of course should also continue, Lia said. tests. joining in from all 50 states, retired Bishop Gerald Another April 6 workshop on pandemic learning Martha Holladay, who teaches Advanced Placement F. Kicanas of Tucson, Ariz., who is chairman of NCEA’s was led by a panel of teachers and principals from the English literature and composition at Padua Academy, board of directors, thanked Catholic educators in a video Chicago Archdiocese and Julie Ramski, director of early a girls Catholic school in Wilmington, Del., said her message for how they “stepped up in the midst of the childhood education for the Archdiocese of Chicago’s students are learning what they need to learn and also are pandemic,” saying their enthusiasm and creativity enabled Office of Catholic Schools. “learning intangibles. many schools to keep going. Ramski said when Chicago Cardinal Blase J. Cupich “They’re learning gifts of the Holy Spirit. They’re Los Angeles Archbishop Jose H. Gomez, president announced last summer that Catholic schools would practicing wisdom, fortitude, self-control, of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), reopen in person in the fall, this initially caused a lot of other-centeredness, resilience. These are all things that we similarly thanked Catholic educators in an April 7 anxiety. want our children to learn, and they are learning it,” she message to convention participants where he noted She said she spent a lot of time doing her own research told Catholic News Service (CNS) on March 30. the challenges of the past year and thanked teachers and talking to teachers to reassure them they could do Holladay, like other teachers at Padua Academy, and principals for their response, which he said was a this. has been teaching a hybrid format since the fall. Some “testimony to your faith.” “I kept saying, ‘if you’re all right, the kids will be students are there in person while others are attending Workshops focused on best practices in the pandemic, all right,’ ” she said, adding she was convinced the best virtually, often by FaceTime on other students’ phones, remote assessment of students, plans for students not place for these students was to be in the classroom, with which are moved around the classroom so the virtual returning next year and learning gaps during COVID-19. schools following numerous safety protocols. students are included in every discussion and activity. One April 6 workshop highlighted what schools might The preschool teachers and elementary school She said if someone told her decades ago she would keep from their virtual learning experiences and what principals told their online audience, many of whom went be teaching this way, she wouldn’t have believed it. But they might not. through much of the same experience, about keeping the experience has taught her “that these girls are flexible, “We’ve had a year,” said presenter Michelle Lia, young students socially distanced and masked. they’re resilient. They want to learn, and they really want co-director of the Greeley Center for Catholic Education For preschoolers, it was important that they had more to be good people. at Loyola University Chicago, reminding educators they personal space and weren’t sharing crayons or other “That encourages me,” she added. “It gives me hope.” † Page 8 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Page 9

Evan and Jo Griffiths pose for a family photo with their School choice myths and facts Great-grandparents, vouchers help three great-grandchildren, Mykiah, 16, Aidan, 14, and The same arguments that opponents of school choice • The top five schools in terms of growth were all change the lives of three children Lola, 13. Members of leveled against Indiana’s voucher program when it was voucher-accepting schools. SS. Francis and Clare of introduced a decade ago are back in the public arena. • In terms of student proficiency, which is measured by By John Shaughnessy and Aidan to a public school. Yet when it was time for Mykiah Assisi Parish in Greenwood, Then and now, one of the leading voices countering pass rates on state standardized tests, findings from the to go to middle school, the Griffiths had concerns about the the Griffiths were able to give those attacks is the Indiana Non-Public Education 2018 ILEARN/ISTEP tests revealed: Jo Griffiths cried when she received the news that option awaiting her. So Jo made a call to SS. Francis and Clare their great-grandchildren a Association (INPEA), the only organization focused • Six of the top seven schools in the state on the she believed would make a dramatic change in the lives of Assisi Catholic School in Greenwood to explore the cost Catholic education at the solely on supporting the 400 non-public schools in the ISTEP 10 were non-public (voucher) schools. of her three great-grandchildren. for Mykiah to attend school there. That’s when the school’s parish school with the help of state. • Twenty-five of the top 50 high schools were Actually, that change had begun years earlier when she principal Betty Popp invited Jo to visit the school. Indiana’s Choice Scholarship “There has been a growing negative narrative in the non-public (voucher) schools. and her husband Evan made a choice about the children. “I could tell that they wanted a good school for Mykiah, but Program, more commonly media from opponents to the proposed school choice • Nineteen of the top 50 grade 3-8 schools were When their granddaughter couldn’t take care of her it would be a question of finances when they inquired about known as the voucher expansions under consideration at the Statehouse,” said non-public (voucher) schools. three children—and no one else in the extended family tuition,” Popp recalls. “Most always, I speak to people about program. (Submitted photo) John Elcesser, executive director of the INPEA. “Let’s stepped forward—the Griffiths chose to welcome the the fact that every parent should have the ability to send their separate fact from fiction. Of course, if you want the MYTH 3: Choice programs do not have the two girls and the boy permanently into their lives. children to a Catholic school if they felt it was important.” full story, take a look beyond the numbers and ask a same accountability as public schools. At that time about 13 years ago, Mykiah and Aidan During the meeting, Popp mentioned Indiana’s parent whose children’s lives have been impacted by the were under the age of 4, and Lola was 9 months old. educational voucher program that provides funds for program.” FACTS: “They don’t throw baby showers for great-grandparents,” economically qualified families to send their children to the The INPEA, whose member schools include Indiana’s • All voucher-accepting non-public schools must be Jo says with a laugh before turning serious. “We had school of their choice. Popp said she would not only check 175 Catholic schools, has compiled a list of common accredited. to buy everything. We had to buy a bigger house and a about that possibility for Mykiah, but Aidan and Lola, too. “There’s a secret sauce at SS. Francis and Clare, and their lives—and will continue to have in the future. myths about school choice—along with the facts that • Voucher-accepting non-public schools must family van.” A short while after that meeting, Popp told the Griffiths maybe at all Catholic schools—the teachers, the atmosphere “They’ll all be able to go out in the world and have refute them. administer the ILEARN test and receive A-F grades like As Joe and Evan have worked to give their that with the help of vouchers and some additional they create, the care and compassion, and the faith in God.” a successful life,” Jo Griffiths says. “They’re all talking all other schools. great-grandchildren a better life, they have also found assistance from the school, all three children could receive Six years have passed since the three children started college, and that’s part of the education in a Catholic MYTH 1: Choice undermines public school • Unlike public schools, voucher-accepting that their lives have been enriched. a Catholic education there. together at SS. Francis and Clare. Now, Mykiah is a school. They set higher standards, and they get more out of funding and costs taxpayers and public non-public schools are subject to consequences if they “It was a lot to take on, but it’s been a blessing for “I cried,” Jo says. “It meant a lot for them to go to a junior at Martinsville High School, Aidan is a freshman them. It’s been such a blessing.” schools. are low academic performers for two years (D- or F-rated everybody—for the kids, for us, for the family,” Jo says. Catholic school—the religion, the top-notch education, at Roncalli High School in Indianapolis, and Lola is a She has a similar regard for Indiana’s voucher program. schools). Still, there was one more blessing the Griffiths hoped the spirituality. There’s a camaraderie there, and they’re seventh-grade student at SS. Francis and Clare. “We couldn’t give them a Catholic education without FACTS: • The truest form of accountability is choice. No one to give their children—a Catholic school education. implementing religion into everyday activities. They’re For all three of them, their great-grandparents see the the vouchers. It provided an opportunity we wouldn’t have • Students who receive a voucher make up 3 percent is automatically assigned to a non-public school. Parents Faced with other expenses, they initially sent Mykiah teaching about what’s right and wrong. impact that their years of Catholic education have had on been able to give them at all.” † of Indiana’s entire K-12 student population, but they have to choose to send their child to one of these schools, receive only 2 percent of the funding allocated for K-12 and they can also choose to leave that school if it is not education. working. A faith-filled path to living a dream “Catholic education has provided me with rich • For the 2019-20 school year, the average voucher Vouchers benefit VOUCHERS At 23, Htoo Thu is among the earliest group of students opportunities to stay connected to the members of my amount in Indiana was $4,707, compared to the average MYTH 4: Choice programs allow for continued from page 1 whose life was changed dramatically by the voucher community and also with God,” Htoo says. “In addition to traditional public-school state tuition support amount of discrimination. Catholic school students system in Indiana. studying theology in the classroom, we live out the mission $6,872 (the amount allocated per student from the state). us understand it better.” In the spring of 2011, she arrived of the Catholic faith through service.” This means that a voucher student receives, on average, FACTS: Now in its 10th year, the voucher program in Crittendon says he wouldn’t have been able to find that in the United States as a refugee from She plans to pursue a life of service to others. Since $2,000 less in state money for his or her education. In • Nine out of 10 national empirical studies show that Indiana has benefitted students and families right fit for his daughter without a voucher from the state Burma (also known as Myanmar), graduating from Marian University in Indianapolis in 2020, addition, voucher students do not receive any federal or choice programs lead to less segregation. seeking a Catholic education in the archdiocese. of Indiana to help pay for her Catholic school education. looking forward to the freedom and she has been working the past year as she prepares to local dollars. • Voucher students are lower-income compared to Here is a breakdown, by school year, of the “It would have been a struggle, definitely,” he says. “The opportunity that her new country continue her education at the Indiana University School of • In the 2019-20 school year, Indiana awarded traditional public school students. Statewide, 70% of number of Catholic school students in central voucher has empowered us to put her in the right place.” offered her and her family. She found Medicine in Indianapolis this fall. approximately $173 million in school vouchers. voucher students are on free and reduced-price lunch and southern Indiana who have received a The voucher program is now in its 10th year in Indiana, that opportunity when her family moved “I hope to serve the medically underserved communities If each of the 36,707 voucher students would compared to 47 percent of public school students. voucher. giving parents across the state a choice in where they want into St. Mark the Evangelist Parish in throughout the Indianapolis region as a doctor.” have attended their district public school instead • Voucher students in Indiana are more racially diverse their children to attend school. Indianapolis, where she started at the She says the foundation of her dream was reinforced of a private school, the state would have spent compared to traditional public school students. 2020-2021 Vouchers 8,333 Having that choice is a reality that many parents of Htoo Thu parish school as an eighth-grade student through her Catholic education—an education made approximately $239 million in tuition support for • Voucher students: 57 percent white, 43 percent Catholic school students in the archdiocese appreciate. in the 2011-12 school year. possible because of the voucher system in Indiana. those students. That’s a savings to the state of about minority 2019-2020 Vouchers 8,463 Of the 20,313 Catholic school students across central “Although we attended a public school back in Burma, “The voucher system was probably the number one $66 million. • Traditional public school students: 68 percent 2018-2019 Vouchers 8,621 and southern Indiana this year, 8,333 of them attend their my siblings and I had always received Catholic education,” factor that allowed my parents and the parents of my fellow white, 32 percent minority. 2017-2018 Vouchers 8,299 school with the help of a voucher. That’s 40% of the she says. “Every morning before school, my mom sent us Burmese students to be able to afford this education.” MYTH 2: Choice does not lead to better enrollment. to our church for a Bible class. That ability to impact a life is why Catholic schools academic outcomes for students. Established in 1974, the INPEA is a leading advocate for 2016-2017 Vouchers 8,042 “We are grateful to live in a state where Indiana Choice “My parents saw St. Mark as a place where we can across the archdiocese are “committed to serving any parents’ ability to choose the best school setting for their 2015-2016 Vouchers 7,712 Scholarships are available for students and their families,” continue the same kind of education, even more so with faith students and families who want to be in our schools,” FACTS: children. The organization has been an important choice 2014-2015 Vouchers 6,775 says Michelle Radomsky, assistant superintendent of embedded in the classrooms. For me, it felt like home away Radomsky says. • Student academic growth scores from the Indiana coalition partner during the 10 years of the Indiana Choice Catholic schools in the archdiocese. from home, because faith was something I had in common “The Indiana Choice Scholarship program allows us to Department of Education, which measure the amount of Scholarship (Voucher) Program and is a key resource for 2013-2014 Vouchers 4,786 “We believe that parents, as the primary educators with my classmates amongst the many differences.” do that for those who may not be able to pay the full amount assessed learning through a one-year period, found that schools, education leaders and public officials. 2012-2013 Vouchers 2,300 of their children, know what is best for them—and that It was the beginning of a faith-filled, educational of tuition,” she says. “The educational future of each of our in 2019: For more information, including access to INPEA includes having the ability to choose the school that fits journey for her that has also included graduating from Catholic school students is our priority, as is preparing the • Eight out of the top 10 schools were voucher- podcasts, position papers and research data, visit 2011-2012 Vouchers 1,058 their children’s needs.” Roncalli High School in Indianapolis in 2016. entire student—mind, body and soul—for life.” † accepting schools. www.inpea.org. †

The bill, which passed out of the House, was not heard reform one of the cornerstones of his agenda. residence with other key players, including Elcesser, who A product of Catholic ICC in committee in the Senate. Instead, efforts to expand “We must begin to honor the parents of Indiana,” took over Tebbe’s former role at the INPEA in 2008. schools, the graduate of Our continued from page 1 school choice are now focused on negotiations over the Daniels had said in his 2011 State of the State address, “Gov. Daniels was very engaged throughout the process,” Lady of Providence High School ‘The question that remains during the final state budget. The House version of the budget included all a few months before passage of the Choice Scholarship Tebbe said. “He put several questions directly at me, making in Clarksville ran for the office days of the 2021 General Assembly session is Behning’s proposed legislation, House Bill 1005, would of the choice language found in Behning’s bill. Meanwhile, legislation. “We must trust them and respect them enough, sure we were going to do our part if he was doing his part.” in 2008 and won, playing a how many more families will be provided that help middle and upper-middle-class families still struggling the recently released Senate version of the budget to decide when, where and how their children can receive The issue of providing support for families to help them critical role in shepherding the same opportunity? We hope our legislators to pay for private school tuition by raising the financial contained a scaled-down version of the expansions. the best education, and therefore the best chance in life. direct their children’s education had been a matter of governor’s ambitious education eligibility requirements for vouchers. Among other Choice advocates are hopeful that the final budget, “For families who cannot find the right traditional long-standing importance to the Catholic Church, reform agenda. In doing so, he will be bold in that decision by providing provisions, it also would increase the scholarship amount through conference committee negotiations, will more public school or the right charter public school for their according to Tebbe. In fact, it was one of the priorities that and others in state government at more opportunities for more families—for the that a voucher student receives in a school year and create closely resemble the House’s version of the choice child, and are not wealthy enough to move near one, justice the ICC took on after its formation in 1966. the time faced fierce opposition betterment of all Hoosier students.’ the Indiana Education Scholarship Account, which would expansions. Two of the strongest supporters of these requires that we help. We should let these families apply An early success came 50 years ago, when the ICC, from teachers’ unions and provide eligible families funding to directly pay for tuition efforts are the Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC) and the dollars that the state spends on their child to the working in partnership with other stakeholders including other organizations—many of —John Elcesser, executive director of the INPEA or other education-related expenses. Indiana Non-Public Education Association (INPEA)—two non-government school of their choice.” Lutherans in the state, built a strong case that non-public the same critics opposing the organizations that were instrumental in the creation and Now, 10 years later, the former governor reflected on schools provided a vital public service and saved Indiana expansion legislation at the passage of the original measure 10 years ago. the initiative. taxpayers at least $78 million annually. History was made on Statehouse today. “Approximately 273,000 Hoosier students have been “Providing poor and minority families the same choice March 12, 1971, when the Indiana House passed the first bill Legal challenges followed the 2011 legislation, but in Daniels administration and remains heavily involved in the blessed with the ability to make an educational choice of schools that their wealthier neighbors enjoy is the purest that would have provided state aid to non-public schools. 2013, the Indiana Supreme Court unanimously ruled the school choice movement, points to this and other evidence because of the Choice Scholarship legislation enacted in example of ‘social justice’ in our society today,” said Although the bill was later voted down by the Senate, program constitutional, arguing that it is the families—not to support the case for school choice. And like other 2011, and I have been privileged to directly hear the Daniels, who has served as president of Purdue University this effort laid the groundwork for future efforts by the the schools—that mainly benefit from it. advocates, she is a staunch supporter of the expansion life-changing stories shared by many of those families,” since completing his second term as governor of Indiana in ICC and its allies, who would see major success in decades Bennett says he is heartened by the fact that since legislation under review at the Statehouse. said John Elcesser, executive director of the INPEA, which 2013. to come. In 2009, also during the Daniels administration, Indiana led the way in 2011 with the most comprehensive “Mitch was always a true believer in education being represents the state’s more than 400 non-public schools, “The baseless and plainly self-interested arguments the state legislature passed the Scholarship Tax Credit school choice program in the nation, so many states the great equalizer,” said Wiley, now president and chief including Indiana’s 175 Catholic schools. made against this program by the usual special interests program, which built momentum for the school choice have passed or are currently considering school choice executive officer of the Institute for Quality Education and “It is heartening that both the Indiana House and only underscore its validity. I will always be proud that legislation that would follow two years later. legislation. Hoosiers for Quality Education. “Having that support at the Senate, too, see the value of providing more educational Indiana has established itself as a national leader in From the beginning of the ICC’s efforts, and now “I believe that what we did has withstood the test very top, combined with the support that our coalition was opportunities as evidenced in their budget commitments expanding opportunity and protecting the interests of its continuing under the leadership of Tebbe’s successor, of time,” said Bennett, who now serves as senior able to put together at the grassroots level is what drove to expand choice in Indiana. The question that remains less fortunate citizens in this critical realm of life.” Angela Espada, partnering with allies has been key. vice president of K12 Inc., the nation’s leading provider of success 10 years ago. during the final days of the 2021 General Assembly “Working collaboratively with others was the model online school curricula. “Indiana’s school choice program “But not every family in Indiana has every option session is how many more families will be provided that ‘Every piece is essential’ from the beginning, and this is how the school choice is still considered the gold standard.” available to them yet,” Wiley continued. “Until that same opportunity? We hope our legislators will be bold For Glenn Tebbe, who served as executive director of legislation eventually passed,” Tebbe said. “It’s like a He and others credit key members of the coalition, happens, we still have more work to do.” in that decision by providing more opportunities for more the ICC during those years, Daniels’ support and influence mosaic. There are a lot of different pieces, and every piece including Robert Enlow, currently president and chief To follow priority legislation of the ICC, visit www. families—for the betterment of all Hoosier students.” cannot be overstated when looking back on what occurred is essential. It’s not a complete picture until that last piece executive officer of education reform organization indianacc.org. This website includes access to I-CAN, The idea that choice would improve all schools, both a decade ago. is in place, and that’s what happened 10 years ago.” EdChoice, with helping to craft the robust public policy the Indiana Catholic Action Network, which offers the public and non-public, and the efforts that culminated in “His commitment was critical to enable it to happen,” case behind the Choice Scholarship legislation. Church’s position on key issues. Those who sign up for Then-Gov. Mitch Daniels signs Celia Ward’s arm following the school the 2011 legislation, were bold from the beginning. For said Tebbe, who retired last May after 16 years at the helm ‘Still the gold standard’ In recent months, The Wall Street Journal has covered I-CAN receive alerts on legislation moving forward and choice bill signing ceremony on May 5, 2011. At the time, Celia was a decades, lawmakers and advocates, including the ICC and of the ICC, the public policy voice of the Catholic Church Another key player—and one who brought experience in school choice extensively, including research from the ways to contact their elected representatives. fourth-grade student at Central Catholic School in Indianapolis, one the INPEA, had been working toward making school choice in Indiana. “[School choice] will always be one of his both private and public school education to the table—was University of Arkansas that reveals better test results and of four schools which now make up the Notre Dame ACE Academies a reality in the state. Those plans finally reached fruition greatest legacies in state government.” Dr. Tony Bennett, who was elected state superintendent of student growth in states offering more school options. (Victoria Arthur, a member of St. Malachy Parish in in Indianapolis. (Criterion file photo courtesy of the Governor’s Office) under the leadership of Daniels, who made education Tebbe recalled strategy sessions at the governor’s public instruction during the Daniels administration. Betsy Wiley, who served as deputy chief of staff in the Brownsburg, is a correspondent for The Criterion.) † Page 10 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Author: Holocaust’s ‘righteous’ need to be remembered, too WASHINGTON (CNS)—The number amounts of that experience,” Jonathan with his father about his of Holocaust survivors is dwindling but Sacerdoti said, recalling that his father experiences as a Jewish so, too, are those “righteous Gentiles” would speak often of his experiences child during the war. “I who saved Jews who in hiding under the religious sister’s have them on tape— were almost certain protection. The mother superior, Maria literally, on tape. So I to perish, according Agnese Tribbioli, the convent’s founder, have that for the next to the son of one such did not tell even the other sisters that the generation—and future survivor. new children in their care were Jews. generations, I guess. He “On my father’s Cesare Sacerdoti, who married an was pleased to tell the side, he and his parents English woman and settled in Great stories, I would say, the and his brother all Britain, returned to Italy about 11 years last 10 or 20 years. He survived in Italy ago with his son to visit the places where seemed reinvigorated, because of the kindness he had been hidden. While there, they re-energized to tell the Jonathan Sacerdoti and bravery and human tracked down a couple of the nuns who story more,” he told CNS. decency of the people had been in the convent during the war. “We knew his gratitude who saved then,” said Jonathan Sacerdoti, “They remembered the same stories to the people who saved In 2009 Cesare Sacerdoti, center, and his brother, Vittorio, traced and a London-based writer and broadcast my father told me about his time in the him.” met Sisters Gennarina and Caterina, who remembered looking after journalist, in an April 9 phone interview with convent,” Jonathan Sacerdoti told CNS. In Others helped the them as children in their convent during the Holocaust. (CNS photo) Catholic News Service (CNS). one instance, little Cesare refused to make Sacerdoti family, Three of those who protected the sign of the cross. The mother superior although their names are time when evil and indifference prevailed. Sacerdoti’s father, uncle and grandparents brushed aside the obstinacy, saying the lost to history. These include the people When faced with the question of what our have been recognized by Yad Vashem, boy was traumatized after having been who ran an orphanage where the Sacerdoti duty is as citizens of the world, each of us Israel’s official memorial to Holocaust forced to leave his home. boys lived for several months when they can choose to make a difference.” victims, as Righteous Among the Nations. Another story a nun corroborated: could no longer stay at the convent. Jonathan Sacerdoti also wrote the They include the mother superior of a Seeing the priest in the sanctuary of the “My father’s overriding memories number of surviving Righteous Among convent who took in the boys, ages 5 convent chapel in his vestments must have of his nine months in the orphanage the Nations has shrunk to 193, as two and 3, in 1943, and their mother; and reminded Cesare’s 3-year-old brother of were of hunger and cold, but also of died during Holy Week. two priests who arranged for new hiding the robes his rabbi father would have worn the warmth of the nuns who protected “They weren’t Jews, but whatever places in Italy when the Nazis got too in the synagogue, for he cried out, “Papa! him—he told us that warmth stayed their backgrounds—nuns or priests in my close for comfort. Papa!” It was a case of mistaken identity. with him all his life,” Jonathan father’s case, peasants in Eastern Europe “It was a traumatic experience, but one Cesare’s mother knew two hairdressers. Sacerdoti wrote in his essay. or Poland, or teachers or industrialist that saved them,” Sacerdoti told CNS. He One was named Licia. “Her husband was “As my father once said, ‘They seemed in the famous case of Oskar Schindler,” wrote an essay, “How should we honor a policeman who told the family to run to appear where and when you needed Sacerdoti told CNS, “even [the recently the ‘angels’ of the Holocaust when they’re away at the right moment and go into them, like angels,’ ” Jonathan Sacerdoti deceased] Prince Philip, the Duke of gone?” for Spectator magazine. The hiding,” Jonathan Sacerdoti said. “Another wrote in the Spectator. “In fact, their Edinburgh; his mother was recognized article was posted on April 8, recognized hairdresser friend of my grandmother’s actions were decidedly human, actively as a Righteous Among the Nations for in Israel as Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust was called Margo. She hid my grandfather choosing to protect their fellow man at a saving people she knew.” † Remembrance Day. in their home. The pharmacist gave Sacerdoti’s father, Cesare, was the son money every month to Margo, who of an Italian rabbi. “This emphasis he put couldn’t afford to keep him” based on her Within the faith family, parishes can on these people is as good people. These meager hairdresser income. PRATT build fellowship with persons with autism are people they should all try to emulate,” All of Cesare’s rescuers, Jonathan continued from page 4 by, for example, providing a sensory- Jonathan Sacerdoti said of his father. Sacerdoti said, had died by the time of friendly environment for prayer or offering “My father had an exceptional memory that visit. Cesare Sacerdoti died in 2019. about Catholic spirituality and autism, but a Catholic social group or Bible study. And in life,” he added. “He remembered But Jonathan Sacerdoti, using his there is some progress. Father Schneider, within Scripture, although there is no direct everything, remembered enormous journalist’s training, recorded interviews familiar to some via his Twitter handles mention of autism, there are verses with @AutisticPriest and @FrMatthewLC, deep meaning all can relate to. explores faith, particularly prayer, and “If I had to pick one verse, it might autism through regular interaction with be 1 Samuel 16:7: ‘The Lord sees not others from around the world on social as man sees; man looks on the outward media. He has also written an upcoming appearance, but the Lord looks at the book, God Looks on the Autistic Mind heart,’ ” says Father Schneider. “Often Your parish missal with Love: 52 Devotions for Autistics, we on the spectrum have pure hearts, Aspies, and Those Who Love Us, slated for but to others we can appear differently. publication by Pauline Books and Media. Nonetheless, God, the relationship that is now available “The first part [of the book],” says really matters, knows our heart.” Father Schneider, “covers how autistics pray differently from neurotypicals, and (Maureen Pratt writes for Catholic the second half has a series of 52 daily News Service. Her website is www. as an app! devotions for autistics.” maureenpratt.com.) †

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A supplement to Catholic newspapers published by Catholic News Service, 3211 Fourth Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20017-1100. All contents are copyrighted © 2021 by FaithAlive! Catholic News Service. Filipino Catholics celebrate 500 years of faith in the island nation

By Fr. Ricky Manalo, C.S.P.

This year is a significant event in the faith lives of Filipino Catholics throughout the world. This year, we celebrate the quincentenary of Christianity in the Philippines. It was 500 years ago, in 1521, that the Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan, representing the Spanish Empire, arrived in the Visayan region of the Philippines. Thus, began the process of European colonization, which eventually led to the establishment of Christianity. To this day, the Philippines remains the only major predominantly Catholic nation in Asia. The background that led up to this monumental event is worth remembering. When news of Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas in 1492 reached Europe, a fervor and thirst for treasures, fame and potential Christian converts took hold of those empires that were navigationally competent to expand beyond their borders. The Spanish and the Portuguese empires were rivals, so the 1494 Treaty of Tordesillas essentially divided the world into two halves: the Americas and Asia. The Spanish Empire was granted exploration rights to the Americas, and the Portuguese Empire was granted these rights to Asia. Enter the Portuguese navigator and explorer Ferdinand Magellan (1480- 1521). From 1505-1513, he sailed for his own Portuguese Empire to the eastern A woman prays during Ash Wednesday Mass at the National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Manila, Philippines on Feb. 26, amid the coronavirus coasts of India and the western coasts pandemic. Church organizers continue with commemorations marking the 500th year of Christianity in the Philippines even as the pandemic continues to of Africa. But after disputes with his affect daily life. (CNS photo/Eloisa Lopez, Reuters) own King Manuel over rewards for his services, he moved to Seville, Spain, and Portuguese arrived there first. to celebrate because two weeks prior to the impact and influence that Catholicism switched allegiance to King Charles I. Thus on Sept. 20, 1519, the most this Mass, during the week of March 20, has and continues to have in the everyday Based on his interpretation of the ambitious exploration began with the goal his fleet had reached the shores of these lives of Filipinos. Treaty of Tordesillas, Magellan convinced of not only claiming the Spice Islands, islands. Today, eight in 10 Filipinos profess the Spanish king that the exploration but also circumventing the entire world, Their discovery simultaneously began Catholicism as their faith. After Brazil and rights to the Spice Islands or Moluccas all for the glory, fame and wealth of the the process of converting the indigenous Mexico, the Philippines boasts the third (located just northeast of Indonesia and Spanish Empire. people to the Christian faith. In large part, largest number of Catholics, followed by south of the Philippines) was debatable. On March 31, 1521, Easter Sunday, their strategy was straightforward: If they the United States. Of course, there was only one way to Magellan and his crew celebrated Mass could convince the chiefs of each island Even beyond numbers, it is easy find out: The king would need to send on a small island off the coast of Leyte, to convert, then everyone else would to experience and appreciate how the someone out there right away and claim just northeast of Cebu in the southern follow suit. So, Magellan set his sights to Catholic faith has been integrated within it for the Spanish Empire, before the region of the Philippines. There was much the island of Cebu (located to the left of the myriad social and spiritual practices Leyte) where Chief Humabon reigned. that mark the everyday lives of Filipinos. At first, both leaders exchanged gifts, These include but are not limited to: with Magellan offering 13 pieces of the sacramental practices that are fostered Spanish iron and Humabon offering 10 within the family systems; the countless pieces of the island gold. Conversations devotions to the saints, especially to about whose God was more powerful Mary, as expressed through daily rosary transpired, but it was the performance of a recitations, novenas and pilgrimages; the miracle that finally convinced the chief to sequence of Advent Masses known as in consider baptism. the native Filipino language of Tagalog His grandson had been ill for two years, as “Simbang Gabi” (“Night Masses”) and after the accompanying chaplain that continues to grow in popularity baptized the young man, resulting in his throughout the U.S.; and the active cure, Humabon was convinced and asked participation of so many Filipinos in their to be baptized himself. And as predicted, local parish liturgies, pastoral outreach more than 2,200 of his people were programs and diocesan social events. baptized afterward. To help celebrate this milestone, a With the success of establishing a website has been created that lists all working relationship with the island the quincentenary festivities that are inhabitants of Cebu, it didn’t take long happening in U.S. dioceses throughout the for Magellan to set his sights on more next 12 months (www.1521stories.com). ambitious and expansive goals by A national celebration is being planned to considering the colonization of the entire cap off this year during the weekend of archipelago, comprising more than 4,400 March 18-20, 2022. islands and islets. Indeed, Filipino Catholics not only However, in his attempts to expand pray in thanksgiving for the gift of our beyond Cebu and other neighboring Catholic faith, but we also look forward to islands, Magellan eventually was struck the next 500 years! by a spear and died during a battle. Alas, Magellan never completed his goal (Paulist Father Ricky Manalo is a of circumventing the entire world, but composer, theologian and author. He is his crew eventually accomplished this the co-author of a new book on Filipino significant feat in his name. American Catholicism, A Treasured The quincentenary that marks the Presence: Filipino American Catholics. A boy carries a Santo Nino statue in Manila, Philippines, prior to Pope Francis’ closing Mass in Rizal introduction of the Catholic faith in the He resides at St. Paul the Apostle Parish Park on Jan. 18, 2015. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn) Philippines cannot go unnoticed, given in New York City.) † Page 12 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Perspectives Worship and Evangelization Outreach/Michael Ware For the Journey/Effie Caldarola Moving beyond labels, offering a sense of belonging Let me be (April is Autism Awareness Month, and to shaping their lives based on the Paul II the Great, St. Theodora Guérin the Office of Worship and Evangelization charisms of that particular order (secular and Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati for your servant invited Michael Ware, a young adult Franciscans, Benedictine oblates, etc.). I inspiration.” Nothing speaks so beautifully to the member of St. Vincent was an oblate at St. Meinrad originally, What advice would you give a parish heart of ministry as “The Servant Song” de Paul Parish in but a friend of mine told me to check or a community that is seeking to be hymn by Richard Gillard. Bedford who serves out the Dominicans in 2015. The rest is a place where people on the autism “Will you let me be as the parish’s history. I read up on anything I could to spectrum can belong and thrive? your servant. … Pray catechetical leader, to learn more, and in 2017 a Dominican laity “I think educating everyone— that I may have the tell his story. Below group began at St. Paul Catholic Center in particularly clergy and seminarians—in grace to let you be my are his answers Bloomington.” psychology with a focus on disabilities servant too.” to the questions What have been some challenges would be huge. Even though there may After a year of we asked. It is our you’ve experienced as you have moved be parents who have children who are isolating because hope that growth forward in formation? autistic in the parish, that doesn’t mean of the COVID-19 in understanding of “The discernment experience has collectively [the faith community] would pandemic and staying autism and other disabilities will lead to been pretty rough. Some vocation know how to approach us. Offering away from many relationships of support and increase a directors and religious don’t completely [times where there is not as much volunteer activities, sense of belonging.) understand what autism is, its variations stimulus or distractions] such as daily people are beginning to get back to normal or how to handle it. Some orders won’t Masses would help people who are routines. One thing they’re evaluating is Would you please tell us a little bit take candidates if they are autistic, autistic focus, relax and appreciate the how they will once again serve others in about yourself? especially if there are no available sacraments.” more person-to-person ministries. “I was born in Bloomington and resources in the seminaries. My goal What advice would you give My friend Sean works at a Catholic diagnosed [with autism] at Riley now is to help priests understand someone who is on the autism hospital as the director of mission Children’s Hospital in Indianapolis when I what we in the autistic community spectrum and is discerning a vocation integration. He guides the hospital in was around 2½ years old. I really became experience. I think we would be or seeking a spiritual “home” as maintaining Catholic identity in ethics, on fire for my Catholic faith at 16, and great priests and religious in the right you seem to have found with the spiritual and pastoral care. I started discerning the priesthood as a circumstances.” Dominicans? Sean told me about the dramatic senior at Indiana State University in Terre What are some areas of growth “[Similar to the words of] Winston changes the pandemic brought to his Haute. Go Sycamores!” you’ve noticed since you began Churchill: Never, ever, ever, ever, ever hospital and mentioned that as everything What drew you to seek formation as formation? give up. Values like perseverance, changed in March 2020, all the hospital a Third Order Dominican? “Humility and empathy for sure, and a patience and honesty have been crucial volunteers were sent home. “Most religious orders have a Third deeper appreciation for devotions such as [to me], along with a great spiritual That’s a huge loss, not just for his Order which consists of laity committed the rosary, and for saints such as St. John See WARE, page 14 hospital. You could hear doors slamming shut across the U.S. as volunteers were let go, both because facilities were closing Amid the Fray/Greg Erlandson to outsiders or because of liability and concern for volunteers’ personal safety. This especially affected that army of With numbers down and ‘nones’ up, where to now? senior citizen volunteers. As if the bishops needed anything more to worry a decline in sacramental marriages and baptisms among Now vaccinations are picking up, and about these days, Gallup released a poll just before Easter Catholics as well, also boding ill for the future. we move timidly forth into this brave new documenting a sharp decline in religious membership among For Catholics, the past two decades span the peak of the post-pandemic world. A return to servant Americans during the past two decades. sexual abuse crisis. The corresponding lack of faith in the ministry beckons. Unfortunately, the percentage decline for institution may be mirroring broader trends in society, however, In what seems like the distant past to Americans belonging to the Catholic Church including a decline across religious faiths and demographic me, in March 2020, I offered my last first was one of the steepest. What this means for groups that suggests strong cultural forces at work. Friday Communion service in the absence the future is a subject of growing concern While the United States remains a religious country of a priest at an assisted living facility. The in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and compared to Europe, for example, the pace of decline in the facility closed to all visitors, and I couldn’t the drop-off in Mass attendance that the past 20 years suggests no quick turnaround in the trend line. visit any longer. Neither could the priest who pandemic forced. Should the decline pick up speed in the wake of the pandemic, offered Mass on Sunday in the recreation Gallup, which has been monitoring business as usual for many churches will not be an option. room, or the scores of volunteers who took Americans’ affiliation with churches, One consequence of this decline may be an intensifying the Eucharist to nursing homes and facilities synagogues and mosques for more than 80 of political divisions. That is the conclusion of Shadi Hamid, all over town and all over the country. years, says that last year was the first time that the membership writing in The Atlantic. He notes the sharp decline in church Now many of these facilities are number has dropped below 50%. membership and the growth in “nones”— people who don’t welcoming volunteers again. According to the polling company, 47% of Americans identify with any religious affiliation. But contrary to what At our parish, volunteer lectors belong to some house of worship, down from 50% in 2018 secularists may hope, he says society may be becoming more and extraordinary ministers of holy and 70% in 1999. The third millennium, far from inspiring divided, not less. Communion are still not used at Masses. a religious revival, has seen a rapid shrinkage in religious “As Christianity’s hold, in particular, has weakened,” he The staff handles all those things. That practice in what has been one of the most religious countries in writes, “ideological intensity and fragmentation have risen. will probably change soon. the developed world. American faith, it turns out, is as fervent as ever; it’s just Previously, our library had a weekly A growing number of Americans are not expressing any that what was once religious belief has now been channeled book sale. Volunteers would sort donated religious preference, and in all age groups, the number that into political belief. Political debates over what America is books and serve as cashiers for purchases. are explicitly saying they are unaffiliated with any church supposed to mean have taken on the character of theological Everyone I saw working at these sales is growing. This includes 31% of millennials and 33% of disputations. This is what religion without religion looks like.” was a senior citizen. Now we haven’t had Generation Z—that is, the future. This has impacted the Catholic Church as well, where the a sale in more than a year. When looked at in terms of religious groups, the largest melding of political ideology with ostensibly religious belief Did those volunteers make it through decline is for Catholics. From 1999 until today, the percentage has meant that the fault lines in the Church increasingly mirror COVID-19? Are they still healthy and of Catholics has declined from 76% to 58%, double the political fault lines. eager to return? Or have their interests and percentage decline for Protestants. Other studies have noted See ERLANDSON, page 14 intentions shifted during this crazy year? I think it’s one aspect of the pandemic we haven’t considered, this forced exodus Guest Column/Richard Etienne of volunteers, many of them retirees, from the good work of service to others. We ‘should and ought’ to remember God is always with us COVID-19 did present some new opportunities. My 83-year-old friend in How many times a day do you find seem to be much “unfinished” business? and therefore can’t be “everything” for Ireland still helps with her beloved yourself thinking, “I should have called This fact points to another important everyone. St. Vincent de Paul Society ministry, but her.” Or, “I ought to take them some axiom that was passed on to me: “God In the Book of Psalms, we hear, “I now she makes phone calls for them. My food.” Or, “I should will provide the grace needed for each relieved their shoulders of the burden; parish asked for people to phone those have offered to help.” day.” their hands put down the basket” who needed a friend through the pandemic, A wise person once When each day is finished, we must (Ps 81:7). so I did some regular calling. And many told me that a person say: “The rest is up to you, O God,” and And in the Gospel of Matthew, we younger people picked up the slack, can “should and ought “tomorrow is another day” when we can read, “Come to me, all you who labor and including my friend Lisa, who volunteered themselves to death.” start once again. are burdened, and I will give you rest. to deliver lunches to low-income citizens, a Yes, there is great Our task is to be faithful to God’s Take my yoke upon you. … For my yoke job formerly done by a senior. value in examining action in our life—to stay alert to what is easy, and my burden light” (Mt 11:28- But now, fully vaccinated, millions of your conscience. There may come, and to stay open to pursuing 29, 30). people are venturing back into the realm are many times when it. And in the end, doesn’t it often seem to God will give us the grace necessary of service, allowing those they serve to be the Spirit’s urgings come back to self-awareness? for each day. As Jesus said, “Do not Christ for them, all in a more personal way. must be acted upon. In many instances, it does seem too worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will Have our priorities changed? Do we But when there are too many shoulds easy to fall into a “messiah complex,” take care of itself” (Mt 6:34). want to try something new? Do we look and oughts in your life at one time, it can where a person feels that they alone must Are there any burdens that you need forward eagerly to getting out? Or has become paralyzing. save everyone around them and personally to lay down today? Do you need to find isolation appealed to the introvert in some A person can only do so much and fix every situation that needs correcting in some time with the Lord to determine of us? How should we serve now? does nobody any favors—especially their surroundings. what needs to be laid aside? Those are the questions we ponder this those people who are closest to them—by I must remind myself that there was Easter season. failing to maintain healthy boundaries and one Messiah and the rest of us play a (Richard Etienne is a member of St. John a healthy sense of balance in life. And at secondary role in God’s story. I also must the Baptist Parish in Newburgh, Ind., in (Effie Caldarola writes for Catholic News the end of each day, doesn’t there always remember that I am only one human the Evansville Diocese.) † Service.) † The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Page 13

Third Sunday of Easter/Msgr. Owen F. Campion Daily Readings The Sunday Readings Monday, April 19 Friday, April 23 Acts 6:8-15 St. George, martyr Sunday, April 18, 2021 Psalm 119:23-24, 26-27, 29-30 St. Adalbert, bishop and martyr • Acts of the Apostles 3:13-15, 17-19 John 6:22-29 Acts 9:1-20 • 1 John 2:1-5a Psalm 117:1bc, 2 Tuesday, April 20 John 6:52-59 • Luke 24:35-48 Acts 7:51-8:1a Psalm 31:3cd-4, 6, 7b, 8a, 17, 21ab Saturday, April 24 The Acts of the Apostles again St. Luke’s Gospel provides the last John 6:30-35 St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, priest and furnishes the first biblical reading for reading. martyr Mass this weekend. Almost every Sunday It is another Resurrection narrative, Wednesday, April 21 Acts 9:31-42 in the Easter season and it looks back to the Emmaus story, St. Anselm, bishop and doctor of the Psalm 116:12-17 features a reading which reports the walk to a small town Church John 6:60-69 from this book of the outside Jerusalem by two disciples and Acts 8:1b-8 New Testament. by the risen Lord, and the disciples’ Psalm 66:1-3a, 4-7a Sunday, April 25 In this reading, recognizing Jesus in the “breaking of the John 6:35-40 Fourth Sunday of Easter St. Peter preaches to bread” or Eucharist (Lk 24:35). Acts 4:8-12 a crowd in Jerusalem. As this group of disciples was talking, Thursday, April 22 Psalm 118:1, 8-9, 21-23, 26, 28, 29 Americans are Jesus stood in their midst. He was no Acts 8:26-40 1 John 3:1-2 very accustomed longer bound by location or time. Risen Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20 John 10:11-18 to impassioned from earthly life, victorious over sin, Jesus John 6:44-51 preaching. They hear now lived in the fullness of eternity—still it in their own churches and on the radio, in the Incarnation, true God and true man. television and online. Preaching about He showed them his pierced hands salvation and God’s mercy is common. and feet. Indeed, these disciples were Actually, to preach is to assume a encountering the Crucified, but the Question Corner/Fr. Kenneth Doyle mighty role and a great responsibility. Crucified had overcome death and lived! Preaching, after all, by definition, is not Eastern Catholics may receive simply lecturing or speaking aloud. It is Reflection speaking in the very name of God. The Church continues to summon us Those who preached by ancient Jewish to the joy of Easter celebration. He lives! sacraments in the Latin Church standards were privileged people in this The readings once more this week exclaim I know a family originally from As to baptism, a valid baptism in the sense. None chose to be a preacher. Rather, the Church’s great trust in and excitement QJordan, but who are now U.S. Latin Church is recognized as a valid God selected each preacher. Peter stood about the Resurrection. As St. Paul said, the citizens. They are members of a local baptism in the Eastern Churches, and vice before this Jerusalem crowd after having Resurrection is the bedrock of our belief. Eastern Catholic versa. been called to preach. Most importantly, In these readings, the Church calls parish. They would But I do have a couple of questions: though, he spoke in the place of Jesus. us to the fact that our redemption is in like to get their First of all, why is it the grandparents He preached the words of Jesus, on Jesus. He rescues us from death, from the 5-year-old grandson who are deciding about the baptism? behalf of him. This reading makes three living death of sin and hopelessness, from baptized in the Latin Normally it is the parents of the child points. First, it establishes the identity of eternal death. Church. who make that determination, and in fact Peter. He is an Apostle. Second, clearly, As did the Lord, all people, including Also, they said that the Code of Canon Law provides that “for he is the chief of the Apostles. He speaks believers, must die. As Jesus rose, they, while a relative who an infant to be baptized licitly, the parents in the name of them all. too, will rise if they do not relent in their is an Eastern Catholic or at least one of them or the person Finally, through Peter and the other love of and obedience to God. Thus, all nun was visiting here who legitimately takes their place must Apostles, the salvation given by Jesus believers can anticipate and provide for from Jordan, she consent” (#868). still reaches humanity. They continue the eternal life in God. was refused holy Communion at a Latin And second, in which Church is the Lord’s work. Christians further can rejoice in the church. child going to be brought up? If the boy The First Epistle of St. John provides fact that salvation did not pass away when So, I have two questions: What are the is going to be raised and formed as an the second reading. The epistles of John Jesus, who lived for a time on Earth, rules for receiving Communion if you are Eastern Catholic, doesn’t it make sense are alike in their eloquence and splendid ascended into heaven. His mercy and an Eastern Catholic? And how should I to begin his sacramental path in the language. They are alike in the depth of power remain. His words endure. God has advise her about her grandson’s baptism? particular Eastern Catholic Church in their theology and revelation. provided for us, so that we, too, may have (Virginia) which he would grow up? This reading proclaims the majesty salvation. We may encounter Jesus. We of Jesus the Savior. It cautions, however, may hear the Lord’s words. First, as to holy Communion, which My boyfriend and I are starting to that accepting Jesus as Lord is more than We learn of the risen Jesus from the Ais the easier part, Eastern Catholics Qhave conversations about marriage. lip service. It is the actual living of the Apostles. The Church carefully protects are in full communion with Rome and I am a Catholic; he is a Baptist. I have commandments, by which and through and echoes the words of Jesus as the Vatican and are, of course, welcome not felt called to have children and which humans realize the perfection, repeated by the Apostles. He lives for to receive the Eucharist in any Catholic have health issues that will make it love, order and peace of life in God. each of us! † church. difficult to get pregnant. My boyfriend is not primarily interested in having kids. My Journey to God I know that to be married in the Catholic Church, couples are expected to be open to having children. Is it possible to get married in the Church if you’re not open to having kids? From Darkness into Light (Location withheld) By Cathy Lamperski Dearing Your understanding of the Church’s Aview of marriage is correct. If a I saw how a flower grew couple enters into marriage consciously From seed to bloom intending never to have children, that From darkness into light would make the marriage, in the Church’s And I knew that could happen eyes, invalid. To our world too The Church sees being open to This growing in children as an essential part of marriage. And emerging from⎯ This is reflected in the Catechism of the Darkness into Light: Catholic Church: A Light that illuminates “The matrimonial covenant, by Hope; which a man and a woman establish Whose beams radiate between themselves a partnership of the Healing, Renewal, and whole of life, is by its nature ordered Transformation; toward the good of the spouses and the Whose rays shine procreation and education of offspring” On the promise (#1601). Of Life again. This understanding is written right into the ritual of the marriage ceremony And what of our world? itself, where the priest asks the couple, It will be flowering “Are you prepared to accept children For all to see! lovingly from God and to bring them up according to the law of Christ and his (Cathy Lamperski Dearing is a Church?” member of St. Barnabas Parish in Why not talk over your situation with a Indianapolis. Photo: New buds of priest whom you know? purple pasque bloom in the early morning light in Trnava, Czech (Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth Republic.) (Photo by Ales Maze on Doyle at [email protected] and unsplash.com) 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, New York 12203.) † Page 14 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021

KARNATZ, Marilyn F., 75, Christ the King, Indianapolis, March 29. KRAUS, Joyce M., 67, Rest in St. Anthony of Padua, Morris, April 6. Wife of Albert Kraus. Sunset in England Mother of Krystle Follick, peace Carrie Gerth, Lea Henson and Keith Kraus. Sister of Dorita Hodges, Betty Hoff, Jim, Please submit in writing Joe, Leroy and Paul Hountz. to our office by 10 a.m. Grandmother of 11. Thursday before the week of publication; be sure to state LEE, John J., 90, St. Pius X, date of death. Obituaries of Indianapolis, March 26. archdiocesan priests serving Husband of Martha Lee. our archdiocese are listed Father of David, James, elsewhere in The Criterion. Kenneth and Steve Lee. Order priests and religious Brother of Marianne Kirkhoff, sisters and brothers are Patricia Mattick, Bob, Gary, included here, unless they are Richard and Tom Lee. natives of the archdiocese or Grandfather of five. Step- have other connec­tions to it; grandfather of four. Great- those are separate obituaries grandfather of two. Step-great- on this page. grandfather of two. MCDONALD, Nancy, 79, Prince of Peace, Madison, BAUGH, Theresa M., 56, March 30. Wife of Aaron St. Bartholomew, Columbus, McDonald. Mother of Victoria April 1. Wife of Paul Baugh. Cottle. Grandmother of one. Mother of Brittany, Derrick, Great-grandmother of two. Logan and Travis Thrash. Stepmother of Shelby and Paul NAVARRA, Jr., Michael Baugh. Sister of Dot Canoles, A., 59, Our Lady of the Most Debbie Ernest, Pat Keppley, Holy Rosary, Indianapolis, Mary Muir and Kathleen March 24. Father of Gina Phillips. Grandmother of one. Green, Angela and Laura Step-grandmother of five. Navarra. Son of Frances Navarra. Brother of Theresa BEACH, William, 83, Holy Halvorson, Francie O’Mahony, Family, New Albany, April 2. Michele Roth, Mary Ann Husband of Juanita Beach. Swiss, Anthony, Charles and Father of Vickie Batliner, Gus Navarra. Grandfather of Cheryl Korb and Kathleen two. Kruer. Grandfather of four. PATTERSON, Lois A., 87, Great-grandfather of eight. A swan swims on Caldecotte Lake at sunset in Milton Keynes, England, on April 6. (CNS photo/Andrew Boyers, Reuters) St. Bartholomew, Columbus, BRYANT, Sarah A., 75, March 27. Mother of Alan St. Vincent de Paul, Bedford, Patterson. SOUTHERN, James, 53, Trevey and Richard Weafer, III. WILSON, Donald R., 91, ZINKAN, Sharon, 86, March 3. Mother of Aaron RECEVEUR, Cletus A., 78, St. Vincent de Paul, Bedford, Son of Lillian Gentry. Stepson St. Pius X, Indianapolis, St. Anne, New Castle, April Bryant. Sister of Louise March 19. Father of Josie of Norman Gentry. Brother of March 22. Father of Cynthia 1. Mother of Pamela Ottinger, Morgan and James Zuttarelli. St. Mary-of-the-Knobs, Floyd County, March 30. Husband Southern Sanders. Brother of Janice Baker, Barbara Cecil, Mattingly, Charles and Katherine Paul, Diane Grandmother of five. Great- Linda Flanders, Susan Rinne, Reenee Fogle, Lucy Goetz, Matthew Wilson. Grandfather Personett and Lisa Zinkan. grandmother of five. of Rose Receveur. Father of Mindy Brockwell, Melanie Thomas and Tony Southern. Denis, Jimi, Mike and Steve of five. Great-grandfather of Grandmother of six. Great- DIRBIN, Tonya, 27, Roberts and Adam Receveur. SPELLACY, Patricia, 86, Weafer. Grandfather of five. six. grandmother of six. † St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Brother of Evelyn Graf and St. Michael the Archangel, Cambridge City, March 25. Doris Klein. Grandfather of Indianapolis, April 2. Mother Daughter of Joseph Durbin four. of Kerry Bender, Colleen and Teresa Jo Riall. Sister Cline, Meghan MacKelly, of Emily Jo Durbin. RIHA, Edward C., 83, St. Pius X, Indianapolis, Kathleen Scaletty, Mary Clare, Providence Sister Florence Norton served Granddaughter of Marilyn Daniel, Kevin, Patrick and Riall. March 21. Father of Barbara Bohling, Christine Kassebnia, Shawn Spellacy. Grandmother in education, as a missionary in Peru GILL, Scott, 60, All Saints of 16. Great-grandmother of Patricia Yeager, Edward, Providence Sister Florence Norton, a schools in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. Parish, Dearborn County, Michael, Steven and Thomas one. April 1. Husband of Sandy member of the Sisters of Providence of Saint In 1968, she began seven years of service Riha. Grandfather of 14. THOMAS, James D., 71, Mary-of-the-Woods in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, as a missionary with other members of Gill. Father of Brooklynn, Great-grandfather of nine. Christ the King, Indianapolis, died on April 2 at Mother Theodore Hall on her community at the Colegio San Jose in Courtney, Serena and Tyler. March 25. Husband of Linda Brother of Joyce Hillard and SCHEBLER, Edgar W., 80, the campus of her religious community’s Arequipa, Peru. St. Louis, Batesville, April 3. Thomas. Father of Sarah Michael Gill. Lashley and Amy Thomas. motherhouse. She was 94. Upon returning to the U.S., Sister Florence Husband of Joyce Schebler. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a served in schools and parishes with a growing HADLEY, Irma, 96, Father of Marty Owens and Brother of John and Morris virtual funeral service was held on April 8. Hispanic population in Chicago. She returned St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Rob Schebler. Brother of Thomas. Burial followed at the sisters’ cemetery. to the motherhouse in 2010 and volunteered Richmond, April 1. Mother Carolyn Heppner, Alvin, VERRY, John D., 95, Holy of Donna DeCamp, Mary Kevin, Randy and Wilber Spirit, Indianapolis, March 23. Sister Florence was born on July 16, in many ministries. In 2019, Sister Florence Gadd, Julie Taborn and David Schebler. Grandfather of four. Husband of Rose Verry. Father 1926, in Chicago. She entered the Sisters of dedicated herself entirely to prayer. Hadley. Grandmother of six. of Carol Ann Lovelace and Providence on Jan. 10, 1944, and professed In the archdiocese, Sister Florence served Great-grandmother of five. SHEEHY, Kathleen, 83, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Mark Verry. Grandfather of final vows on Aug. 15, 1951. in Indianapolis at St. Thomas Aquinas School HARRISON, Marion E., 93, Richmond, April 5. Wife four. Great-grandfather of four. Sister Florence earned a bachelor’s degree at from 1946-50 and at the former St. Catherine of St. Bartholomew, Columbus, of Ron Sheehy. Mother of WEAFER, Jr., Richard Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and a master’s Siena School from 1950-52. March 31. Mother of Merri Jo Barb Clayton, Julie Hann, E., 57, St. Bartholomew, degree at St. Louis University in St. Louis. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Sisters of Sims. Sister of James Preuss. Chris Price and Jeff Fox. Columbus, April 1. Husband During her 77 years as a member of Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence Road, Saint Grandmother of five. Great- Grandmother of 12. Great- of Dorothy Weafer. Father of the Sisters of Providence, Sister Florence Mary-of-the-Woods, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN grandmother of four. grandmother of four. Misty McQueary, Amanda ministered as an educator for 24 years in 47876. †

“It’s hard enough being a young adult Catholic. Online Lay Ministry Formation WARE Having autism can be complicated and ostracizing at The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has partnered with the continued from page 12 times. I only hope my witness as a whole, especially my University of Notre Dame and Catholic Distance University (CDU) to offer not-for-credit online theology classes: work in my parish, being a future lay Dominican and director. I’ve been very blessed in relationships being involved in other ministries will help everyone in • Earn certificate in Lay Ministry • Complete 12 courses online with ND STEP program with great priests in our archdiocese like [the late] the archdiocese understand how to handle situations like • CDU offers classes on Catechism of the Catholic Church Father Richard Eldred, our own Archbishop Charles mine.” • 20% discount for all employees, volunteers, and parishioners C. Thompson, Father Daniel Bedel my spiritual director, Father John Hollowell and [Dominican] (Michael Ware serves on the Council on Intellectual and For more information, please log on to Father Patrick Hyde. I’m also extremely blessed Developmental Disabilities for the National Catholic www.archindy.org/layministry to work with Father Jegan Peter, our administrator Partnership on Disability. For additional information at St. Vincent de Paul Parish in Bedford. In terms about ministry with persons with disabilities in the of a specific religious order, that depends on the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, visit our website individual and their charisms, but having a good www.archindy.org/specialneeds or e-mail catechesis@ REPORT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT NOW spiritual director is a great start. archindy.org.) † If you are a victim of sexual misconduct by a person ministering on behalf of the Church, or if you know of anyone who has been a victim of such misconduct, please contact the archdiocesan victim assistance How Church leaders will steer their dioceses between coordinator. There are two ways to make a report: ERLANDSON these twin temptations, what the Church of the future Ethics Point continued from page 12 will look like and how Christians will bear witness in 1 Confidential, Online Reporting www.archdioceseofindianapolis.ethicspoint.com or 888-393-6810 an increasingly fractious secular culture are the stark Carla Hill, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Victim Assistance Coordinator The polarization of the faithful has been accompanied by challenges of this millennium’s first century. 2 P.O. Box 1410, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1410 an apocalyptic retreat to “a smaller and purer Church,” on 317-236-1548 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1548 the one hand, and a willingness to embrace unhesitatingly (Greg Erlandson, director and editor-in-chief of [email protected] the trends and values of a larger culture increasingly Catholic News Service, can be reached at gerlandson@ unmoored from Christian teaching on the other. catholicnews.com.) † The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021 Page 15 Virtual series seeks to explain, discuss, find ways to address systemic racism

By Natalie Hoefer Catholic faith transcends all bounds the Archdiocese of Milwaukee; and some whites are afraid of mis-speaking of ethnicity, language, culture and Deacon Royce Winters, director of and being called racist. The archdiocesan Black Catholic society. Racism strikes against our African American Pastoral Ministries “That’s not what the talks are about. Ministry is offering monthly Zoom understanding of what it means to for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. We’re not here to accuse. We’re here to sessions for all Catholics of central be members of the body of Christ, Upcoming topics include “The say, ‘This is the problem—let’s work and southern brothers and sisters Importance of toward a solution.’ We all grew up in this Indiana on the topic in him.” Africentric Catholic society. We have to break the status quo, of intercultural Springer agreed Catechesis,” “The because it’s the status quo keeping things competency. with the archbishop’s Legacy of Racism the way they are.” The goal of wish. and the Emerging The sessions are scheduled for an the series is “to “But I was Immigrant Church,” hour and a half, but often go longer discuss intercultural thinking that some and “The Catholic “because people want to continue competency and parishes may not Church: Do Black talking,” Springer noted. While people how we can address have a clue where Lives Really can choose to leave at any time, “I systemic and to start,” she said. Matter?” don’t want to say a session is over [if Pearlette Springer structural racism Dr. Kathleen Dorsey “These Zoom Fessahaye The series has people are still discussing] because through dialogue Bellow sessions are not Mebrahtu enjoyed good these are conversations I want them to and action,” said Pearlette Springer, only an opportunity participation from have.” coordinator of Black Catholic Ministry in for people to engage in an overview Catholics around the archdiocese, said Such discussions among those of the archdiocese. of information, but also to engage in Springer. various races are necessary, she believes, The need for the series evolved from conversation to the point where they’ll “The participants have been engaged, because “racism affects us all. The main the death of George Floyd, a Black man, feel more comfortable in engaging in open-minded and diverse in ethnicity,” she thing is to figure out how to help people under the knee of a white police officer conversations in their parishes.” said. “They’ve been very positive in their understand how it’s affecting them, in Minneapolis on May 25, 2020, and The monthly suggestions of how we can engage [in and then for all of us to work toward the following national outcry to address sessions, which began such discussions] at a deeper level in the addressing systemic racism in our Church systemic racism. in January, include Church.” and our nation.” Last year, Archbishop Charles prayer and worship, While the response to the series C. Thompson expressed to Springer a and feature leaders has been positive, the comfort level of (To register for one or more of the desire for parishes to dialogue about from around the participants has not always been so. monthly sessions, go to cutt.ly/ racism. country. “Nobody that comes to the InterculturalCompetency. For questions “Addressing the evil of racism is Upcoming conversation comes to find comfort,” or more information, contact Pearlette obviously a matter of respecting life, speakers include Springer said. “Blacks are not Springer at 317-236-1474 or pspringer@ upholding the dignity of every person Dr. Kathleen comfortable talking about racism, and archindy.org.) † from the moment of conception to natural Deacon Royce Dorsey Bellow, death, which is part of Catholic social Winters director of the teaching,” he said. Institute for Black “As implied in our profession of Catholic Studies at Xavier University the four marks of the Church—as in New Orleans; Fessahaye Mebrahtu, Classified Directory one, holy, catholic and apostolic—the director of Ethnic Ministries for Call For advertising rates call Home Improvement (317) 236-1585. 317-236-1585 Employment D & S ROOFING 24-hour service! Special Care Rubber, torch downs, hot tar roofs, TO ADVERTISE IN reroof and tearoffs. • Any large or small repairs • Wind or hail damage repairs The Criterion Administrative Coordinator Call Dale for free estimates! 317-357-4341 Licensed • Bonded • Insured This position is a full-time position (35-40 hours per week) and reports to the Trusted and Compassionate Care 47 years experience • References available

rector of the Bishop Bruté College Seminary. Qualified applicants will have Serving people with Autism & a bachelor’s degree with experience in administration and accounting and Developmental Disabilities Construction a high skill level working with Microsoft Office software, including database ∙ Medicaid Waiver ( CIH & FSW) and spreadsheet management, as well as the skills to collaborate with the ∙ Residential, Community, Respite Archdiocesan development staff who lay-out and design newsletters, brochures and PAC Services ∙ Staff screened and trained and other promotional materials. Applicants must have the proven ability to work with people in a wide variety of situations in a friendly and professional Kathy and Terry Huser manner and safeguard confidential information. Success in this position (317) 255-5700 www.HuserSpecialCare.com requires working independently and taking initiative when appropriate. The Career Opportunities Available seminary is a historic building, so the individual will need to be able to walk up and down stairs and occasionally decorate/prepare for events, such as seminary graduation and seminary board meetings. Employment Responsibilities include: ST. THEODORE GUERIN HIGH SCHOOL • Maintain the seminary office to support of seminary staff in an efficient and PRESIDENT SEARCH professional manner. • Provide customer service and interact with potential students, families, St. Theodore Guerin High School is a diocesan, college vendors, priests, Marian University, and (arch) diocesan officials. preparatory high school serving approximately 750 students in • Handle correspondence on behalf of the seminary and the rector and vice grades 9-12. The school is dedicated to its mission of educating rector. students from diverse backgrounds and preparing them to be • Plan, coordinate and implement seminary events (4-5 per year). servant leaders through faith formation, academic excellence and • Negotiate with vendors on contracts and pricing. student life. Nationally recognized as one of the Top 50 Catholic • Purchase food for the seminary kitchen and janitorial supplies for High Schools in the country, Guerin Catholic is located in the maintenance of the seminary. Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, and serves several communities • Prepare annual budget in conjunction with the Office of Priest Personnel in and around Noblesville, IN. and the Archdiocesan Accounting Office. Essential Duties • Process all check requests and expense reports on a weekly basis. l Ensures the Catholic mission of the school is developed and promoted • Maintain employee personnel files and complete new hire paperwork. among all stakeholders; embodies the expression of Catholic identity • Invoice seminarians and dioceses for seminarian. meals/housing and l Serves as the CEO, overseeing all fiscal, advancement and supervisory formation fees (fall and spring each academic year). operations • Provide administrative support for annual summer camp as needed to assist l Articulates the mission of the school to alumni, parents, faculty, staff and the Vocations office (Bishop Bruté Days). wider community • Process all files for admission for seminarians. l Inspires collaboration from all internal and external constituent groups, using • Maintain alumni database. exceptional relationship-building, interpersonal, and communication skills • Serve as a liaison to many diocesan vocations offices and personnel. l Develops and updates the strategic plan for the future of the school • Work with the Archdiocesan webmaster/development office to keep the l Serves as an administrative officer of both the Hamilton County Catholic High seminary website information updated and accurate. School Corporation Board and the School Governing Board • Create and update the seminary calendar and seminary handbook. • Perform other duties as assigned by the seminary rector. Qualifications l Practicing Roman Catholic in good standing with the Catholic Church Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and list of references, in confidence, to: l Proven success in advancing the mission of a business, nonprofit, or school l Strong Advancement experience and financial acumen Ed Isakson l Transformational leader with innovative vision Director, Human Resources l Leads with humility, serves with love, trusts in Providence Archdiocese of Indianapolis The anticipated start date of the President position is July 1, 2021. 1400 N. Meridian St. The President Profile and further information for this position can be found at Indianapolis, IN 46202 www.guerincatholic.org E-mail: [email protected] Guerin Catholic High School Equal Opportunity Employer 15300 Gray Road l Noblesville, IN 46062 l (317) 582-0120 l GuerinCatholic.org St. Theodore Guerin High School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Page 16 The Criterion Friday, April 16, 2021

JOIN US VIRTUALLY Legacy Friday, April 16, 2021 | 6:30 pm GalaKeeping in Step EVENT LINK: with the Spirit www.archindy.org/LegacyGala2021 “If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.” Galatians 5:25

CATHOLIC CHARITIES CATHOLIC SCHOOLS SEMINARIAN EDUCATION THIS IS AN EVENT YOU WON’T WANT TO MISS! Here’s What You Can Expect... Fun | Music by The Doo | Amazing Auction Items | Honoring Mickey Lentz The Best Emcee - Rafael Sanchez (WRTV6) | Hear from Archbishop Thompson Watch Impactful Ministry Stories | And Much, Much More!

It’s FREE to join! Simply visit this link on April 16 at 6:30 pm: www.archindy.org/LegacyGala2021. REGISTER AND BID EARLY ON AUCTION ITEMS! SIMPLY TEXT LEGACYGALA2021 TO 243725.

Who likes blooper highlights? We thought we should share a quick segment of some funny moments with Rafael and Mickey.

So, what is this event all about? In an effort to be good stewards of its people, resources and our donors’ time, OUR 2021 LEGACY GALA HONOREE IS... the Archdiocese of Indianapolis has made the decision to combine the Celebrating Catholic School Values and Spirit of Service events. In doing so, we are Annette “Mickey” Lentz establishing the inaugural Legacy Gala as a way to garner support among the Celebrate with us as we honor Mickey Lentz for her Catholic community for three vital archdiocesan ministries: 60 years of service to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis. Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools and Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING WITH YOU! A very special THANK YOU to our sponsors for making this virtual event possible!