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The Southwestern Indiana’s Catholic MESSAGE Community Newspaper January 22, 2021 Volume 51, Number 20 www.evdiomessage.org ‘Come and See’ during National Catholic Schools Week BY DR. DARYL HAGAN strategies must be adhered to during Superintendent of the open house. Catholic Schools Why choose a Catholic National Catholic Schools Week (Jan. school for your child? 31-Feb. 6, 2021) recognizes the value of Here are some reasons for your Catholic education in developing our consideration: young people so they can reach their • We provide a safe and welcom- full potential. We acknowledge the vital ing environment for all role of parishes, pastors, administrators, • We offer an education that com- faculty, staff and volunteers in this bines Catholic faith and teachings effort. Moreover, we celebrate our stu- with academic excellence dents as they are formed in the faith and • We partner with parents in the acquire the skills needed for the 21st faith formation of your children century. A key event each year is ‘Come • We set high standards for stu- and See.’ The students and faculty of dent achievement and help them our 26 Catholic schools invite prospec- succeed tive families to an open house from 5-7 • We prepare students to be pro- p.m. local time on Thursday, Feb. 4, ductive citizens and future leaders 2021. • We teach children respect of self The “Come and See” event has been and others reimagined this year to provide a safe • We instill in students the value and welcoming event to all prospective of service to others families. While current students will not • We use technology effectively to be present this year as student ambassa- enhance education dors, their community, academic and • Tuition is affordable by provid- extra-curricular achievements will be ing tuition assistance through the displayed. Families will tour independ- ent of other families and all mitigation See SCHOOLS, page 2 Diocese offering Church Project Rachel ministry encourages use BY ERIC GIRTEN number above or send Director of Family and Life an email, and someone of vaccines, masks Special to The Message will respond. The first step down the path of “Project Rachel is a ministry of healing is often the for the common good the Catholic Church in the U.S. to most difficult. Project those who have been involved in Rachel associates are BY VICTORIA ARTHUR abortion. It is a diocesan-based net- here to help make it Statehouse Correspondent for work of specially trained priests, easier. Calls and emails Indiana’s Catholic Newspapers religious, counselors, and layper- are confidential. sons who provide a team response If you or someone As the new COVID-19 vaccines gain more widespread of care for those suffering in the you know carries the use, they are provoking debate among Indiana lawmakers aftermath of abortion. In addition weight of abortion- and the public while also prompting questions by the to referring for Sacramental related grief, please Catholic faithful. Reconciliation, the ministry pro- pray about contacting the Project Rachel community. At the same time, even face masks — nearly universal vides an integrated network of Project Rachel ministry. There Many women and men who in their presence since the global coronavirus pandemic services, including pastoral coun- are many ways that Project have sought healing after abor- began — proved to be a source of contention at the seling, support groups, retreats Rachel can help: You can speak tion speak about guilt, anxiety, Statehouse in Indianapolis earlier this month. and referrals to licensed mental with one of the Project Rachel depression, the inability to for- Dozens of people who gathered there to testify in favor health professionals.” phone ministers, find spiritual give, the impact on relation- of a vaccination-related bill on Jan. 14 defied Statehouse — USCCB healing through the Sacrament ships; and they speak of the guidelines by refusing to mask once inside the building, of Reconciliation, speak with a feelings of peace, comfort, joy causing others — mostly opponents of the potential legis- The Diocese of Evansville Project Rachel counselor, and love after having taken lation — to leave before having a chance to testify. Senate now offers this healing min- receive literature and resources that first step toward healing. Bill 74 would prohibit Indiana companies from requiring istry in Southwest Indiana. A to help you get started or con- Take the step. employees or prospective employees to receive immu- unique Project Rachel phone tinue on your path toward Call 812-483-7812 or email nizations of any type if doing so would compromise their number (812-483-7812) and healing, get information on the [email protected]. health or violate their conscience. email address (projectrachel@ nearest post-abortion healing The Indiana Catholic Conference emphasizes that evdio.org) have been created retreats, find information Project Rachel is a part of the Catholic social teaching on the common good should specifically for persons whose regarding Days of Healing, be Office of Family and Life in the underscore decision-making in all of these areas. lives have been touched by placed (confidentially) on the Diocese of Evansville. For program “While the COVID-19 vaccines cannot be mandated, the abortion. To speak with a Project Rachel prayer team list, information or to volunteer, con- Project Rachel associate, call the and become a part of the tact [email protected]. See ICC, page 2 2 The Message JANUARY 22, 2021 Watch the Mass for Life! Bishop Joseph M. Siegel will celebrate a Mass for Life at 5:30 p.m. CST on Jan. 29 at St. Benedict Cathedral in Evansville. You can watch the Mass via livestream on the St. CNS photo by Tyler Orsburn Benedict Cathedral Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ March for Life goes virtual saintbenedictcathedral. In addition, the Diocese of Evansville offices of Catechesis, Education, Family Life, People walk up Constitution Avenue headed toward the U.S. Supreme Court while partici- Hispanic Ministry, and Youth and Young Adult Ministry pating in the 47th annual March for Life in Washington Jan. 24, 2020. The 2021 March for have collaborated on resources you can use to Stand for Life in Washington will be held virtually because of the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing Life. In lieu of a 2021 Pilgrimage for Life, and as a way of political unrest in the nation’s capital. See related story at right. expanding prayerful participation in pro-life activities, these offices have developed prayers, videos and other elements that anyone can download and use — including a link to EWTN’s live coverage of the March for Life in Washington, D.C. They are available now at evdio.org, the ICC homepage of the Diocese of Evansville. Continued from page 1 morally compromised cell “We encourage people to lines,” the bishops’ statement wear masks in this time of Catholic Church has made it reads. “Receiving one of the global crisis to protect them- clear that it is not only morally COVID-19 vaccines ought to selves and others because it’s acceptable to receive the vac- be understood as an act of the right thing to do,” she said. cines but encouraged as a charity toward the other mem- “If anyone wants to testify means of turning the tide on bers of our community. In this during this legislative session this deadly pandemic,” said way, being vaccinated safely on issues important to the ICC Angela Espada, executive against COVID-19 should be — and we certainly encourage director of the ICC, the public considered an act of love of people to do so — they should policy voice of the Catholic our neighbor and part of our always wear masks.” Church in Indiana. moral responsibility for the It was an uneventful week As has been widely report- common good.” on the legislative front. All ed, Pope Francis and Pope The bishops found the third government offices were Emeritus Benedict XVI — both COVID-19 vaccine, developed closed Jan. 18 for Martin at high risk for complications by pharmaceutical giant Luther King Jr. Day. In addi- from the virus because of their AstraZeneca and not yet tion, the Indiana General age — received their first approved by the U.S. Food and Assembly cancelled all legisla- doses of the vaccine earlier Drug Administration, to be tive activity for the entire this month. “more morally compromised” week — and Gov. Eric Espada also pointed to the than the others and concluded Holcomb closed the state gov- recent statement on ethical that it “should be avoided” if ernment complex for most of considerations related to the alternatives are available. In all the week. This was out of an vaccines by the United States cases, the bishops urged abundance of caution sur- Conference of Catholic Catholics to remain “on guard rounding threats to state capi- Bishops, co-authored by so that the new COVID-19 vac- tols related to the Jan. 6 assault Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades of cines do not desensitize us or on the U.S. Capitol and the the Diocese of Fort Wayne- weaken our determination to Jan. 20 inauguration of South Bend. Bishop Rhoades oppose the evil of abortion President Joe Biden. serves as chairman of the com- itself and the subsequent use The General Assembly is mittee on doctrine for the of fetal cells in research.” expected to resume its busi- USCCB. Espada praised Bishop ness on Jan. 25. In the document, he and Rhoades for his leadership on Archbishop Joseph F. this issue. To follow priority legislation of Naumann of Kansas City, “It is wonderful that one of the ICC, visit www.indianacc.org. Kansas, chairman of the Indiana’s own is at the fore- This website includes access to USCCB’s committee on pro- front of these important ethical I-CAN, the Indiana Catholic life activities, addressed the discussions,” Espada said.