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CriterionOnline.com February 26, 2021 Vol. LXI, No. 20 75¢ Pope, Holocaust ‘I just try to remember that survivor talk about God has a plan for all of us’ the importance of remembering ROME (CNS)—A month after reading an interview in the Vatican newspaper with Edith Bruck, an author and Holocaust survivor, Pope Francis decided to pay her a visit at her home in the center of Rome. “I could never have imagined such a thing. When I opened the door, I burst out in tears and we embraced. We were both overcome with emotion,” Bruck told Vatican News after Pope Francis the pope left on Feb. 20. Bruck, 88, was born in Hungary to a poor Jewish family. In April 1944, they and their Jewish neighbors were rounded up and taken to the Nazi ghetto in Budapest and later that year sent to Auschwitz, where her mother died. Then they were sent to Dachau, where her father died, and on to Bergen-Belsen, which was liberated by the Allies in 1945. She moved to Rome in 1954 and has lived there since. Her latest book, Il Pane Perduto (The Lost Bread) was published on Jan. 20. In connection with the book’s publication and the annual commemoration of Holocaust Remembrance Day, Jan. 27, L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, published a long interview with her, recounting the horrors of the Shoah, but also the tiny points of light—small gestures of humanity—she experienced during her ordeal. Bruck said that during the pope’s visit, which lasted almost two hours, she shared her story with him, including the “five Young woman follows her dream to fulfill lights” she experienced in the camps. But the pope knew all about them. “He knew my book almost line by line.” wishes of children, youths facing cancer According to the Vatican press office, “The conversation with the pope covered those By John Shaughnessy Other wishes are beautiful and heartbreaking at the same moments of light sprinkled in the experience time, including one that a teenager had for his family. of the hell of the concentration camp,” and the Like a young fairy godmother, 27-year-old Liz Niemiec See LITTLE WISH, page 8 two spoke of “their fears and hopes for the has helped grant more than 2,500 wishes to children and time we are living in, underlining the value teenagers battling cancer in the past 11 years. In this 2019 photo, a girl reacts with surprise as she hears about the of remembrance and the role of elders in Many of the wishes evoke touches of joy, including gift she is receiving from the Little Wish Foundation, a non-profit cultivating and passing it on.” the ones where a child’s wish of getting a dog leads to a foundation that Liz Niemiec, right, started when she was 16 to grant “I have come to thank you for your beaming smile for the boy or girl. wishes to children and teenagers battling cancer. (Submitted photo) witness and to pay homage to the people martyred by the insanity of Nazism,” the See POPE, page 7 Parishes should plan now how best to welcome back parishioners to church

WASHINGTON (CNS)—Even with the recent hopeful signs of vaccinations and the reduction in the number of COVID-19 cases, there is no certain date on which the coronavirus pandemic will be declared over. That should not stop parishes from planning now to welcome back parishioners to Mass in the future. “You can’t be thinking, ‘What will we do after the pandemic?’ You have to be doing it now,” said Dominican Sister Teresa Rickard, president and executive director of Renew International, which has been offering parish renewal programs since 1976. “I would be doing things leading up to the fall and going into next Christmas,” Sister Dominican Sister Teresa Teresa added. “People have to be creative, Rickard, president and innovating. It can’t be about maintenance. It’s executive director of Renew got to be about mission.” International, is seen in this “Don’t dwell on what you can’t do, 2018 file photo. (CNS photo/ See PANDEMIC, page 7 courtesy RENEW International) Page 2 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021

Fight temptation with faith, prayer, Public Schedule of Archbishop Charles C. Thompson penance, pope says at Angelus ______VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Christians Although Jesus ultimately overcame February 27 – March 9, 2021 must never engage in dialogue with the the devil’s temptations, Pope Francis said devil, but instead must fight against his true victory came after his crucifixion February 27 – 11 a.m. March 4 – 5 p.m. temptations with and death. Confirmation Mass for youths of United States Conference of Catholic the same spiritual “In reality, death was the last ‘desert’ St. Michael Parish in Brookville and Bishops (USCCB) virtual National weapons Jesus used to cross in order to finally defeat Satan St. Nicholas Parish in Ripley County at Advisory Council meeting in the desert, Pope and free us all from his power. And in this St. Louis Church, Batesville Francis said. way Jesus won in the desert of death, so March 5 – 11 a.m. The Gospel account as to win in the resurrection,” the pope February 27 – 2 p.m. USCCB virtual National Advisory of Jesus’ temptation in said. Confirmation Mass for youths of Council meeting the desert, read each Nevertheless, while faith, prayer St. Louis Parish in Batesville and year at the beginning and penance are needed to overcome St. Anthony of Padua Parish in Morris March 5 – 1 p.m. of Lent, is a reminder temptation, the pope said it was also at St. Louis Church, Batesville USCCB Committee on Clergy, Pope Francis that following in the important for Christians to imitate Jesus Consecrated Life and Vocations virtual Lord’s footsteps “is who never entered “into dialogue with the February 28 – 9 a.m. meeting a battle against the spirit of evil,” in the devil; never!” Mass at St. Mary-of-the-Woods pope said on Feb. 21 during his Sunday While it may seem that there is a Church, St. Mary-of-the-Woods March 6 – 11 a.m. Angelus address. dialogue in the Gospel, he added, Jesus USCCB virtual National Advisory “We must be aware of the presence “does not respond with his words,” but March 2 – 10 a.m. Council meeting of this astute enemy, who seeks our rather with the word of God. Clergy Lenten Day of Prayer at eternal condemnation, our failure, and “If we enter into dialogue with the Our Lady of the Greenwood Parish, March 7 – noon prepare to defend ourselves against devil, we will be defeated,” the pope said. Greenwood USCCB virtual National Advisory him and to combat him,” he said. “The “Keep this in your head and in your heart: Council meeting grace of God assures us—with faith, you can never enter into dialogue with the March 3 – 10:30 a.m. prayer and penance—of our victory devil, no dialogue is possible. Only the Visit to Our Lady of Providence High March 9 – 10:30 a.m. over the enemy.” word of God.” School, Clarksville Priest Personnel Board meeting at The Gospel says Jesus spent 40 days Pope Francis encouraged Christians to Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara and 40 nights in the desert, which is “not be afraid of the desert” but instead, March 4 – 10 a.m. Catholic Center an important “natural and symbolic to seek moments of more prayer and Leadership Team meeting at environment” where God “speaks to the silence. Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara heart of the human person,” the pope said “Do not be afraid. We are called to Catholic Center, Indianapolis However, he said, it is also a “place of walk in God’s footsteps, renewing our trial and temptation” where the devil takes baptismal promises: renouncing Satan, advantage of one’s “human frailty and and all his works and all his empty needs,” and offers an alternative to God’s promises,” the pope said. “The enemy voice “that makes you see another road, a is crouching there; beware. But never Pope marks 90th anniversary of road of deception.” dialogue with him.” † Divine Mercy apparition How has the COVID-19 pandemic VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Marking emanated two rays of light. She said the 90th anniversary of the apparition Christ demanded to have this image of Jesus to St. Faustina Kowalska, painted—along with the words “Jesus, had an impact on your faith? Pope Francis wrote a letter to Catholics I trust in you”—and venerated. A year ago, the COVID-19 pandemic to share your thoughts, experiences and in Poland expressing his hope that Her sainthood cause was opened began to have a dramatic and often stories of how the COVID-19 crisis has Christ’s message in 1965 by then- devastating impact on every aspect of affected your faith—the way you live of divine mercy Archbishop Karol life in the United States and around the your faith, the way you celebrate your would remain “alive Wojtyla of Krakow, world. A significant part of that impact faith, and whether it has deepened or in the hearts of the who—after his extended to the faith lives of people— weakened your faith. faithful.” election to the and their faith communities. It’s an Send your thoughts, experiences and According to a papacy—would impact that continues today and will stories to John Shaughnessy by e-mail at statement released go on to beatify undoubtedly continue into the future. [email protected] or by mail in by the Polish her in 1993 and As part of our coverage of the care of The Criterion, 1400 N. Meridian bishops’ conference preside over her ongoing influence that the pandemic is St., Indianapolis, IN 46202. Please on Feb. 22, the canonization in having on the faith lives of people, include your parish and a daytime phone St. Faustina anniversary of the St. John Paul II 2000. The Criterion invites you, our readers, number where you can be reached. † Kowalska apparition, the pope Recalling said he was united St. John Paul II’s devotion to in prayer with those commemorating St. Faustina Kowalska and Christ’s the anniversary at the Divine Mercy message of divine mercy, the pope In this ‘Year of St. Joseph,’ tell us how he Shrine in Krakow and encouraged them said his predecessor was “the Apostle to ask Jesus “for the gift of mercy.” of mercy” who “wanted the message has influenced your life and your faith “Let us have the courage to come of God’s merciful love to reach all back to Jesus to meet his love and inhabitants of Earth.” Pope Francis has proclaimed this you or served as a role model in your mercy in the sacraments,” he said. “Let Pope Francis also marked the year as the “Year of St. Joseph,” faith, your family, your marriage, your us feel his closeness and tenderness, anniversary of the apparition during his honoring him for his faithfulness to fatherhood, your work. and then we will also be more capable Sunday Angelus address on Feb. 21. God, his dignity as a worker, and his Send your submissions to of mercy, patience, forgiveness and “Through St. John Paul II, this love and devotion as a husband to John Shaughnessy by e-mail at love.” message reached the entire world, and Mary and as a foster father to Jesus. [email protected] or by mail In her diary, St. Faustina wrote that it is none other than the Gospel of With St. Joseph’s feast day approaching in care of The Criterion, 1400 she had witnessed a vision of Jesus on Jesus Christ, who died and rose again, on March 19, The Criterion invites you to N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN Feb. 22, 1931, while she was living at and who gives us his Father’s mercy,” share your thoughts and stories about how 46202. Please include your parish and a convent in Plock, Poland. the pope said. St. Joseph has influenced your life. Let a daytime phone number where you Christ, she wrote, had one hand “Let us open our heart, saying us know how he has inspired you, guided can be reached. † raised in benediction and the other with faith, ‘Jesus, I trust in you,’ ” resting on his breast, from which he added. †

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Meridian St. • Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Page 3 Climate is mixed for environmental issues important to Church By Victoria Arthur insignificant, but it’s really so connected to everything we hold dear—from the wildlife Catholics concerned about the that lives there to the water that’s filtrated ‘Wetlands are a deeply important ecological environment are tracking a number of and purified through it. resource that protect our communities from bills at the Indiana Statehouse through “So many things are dependent upon flooding, help ensure the quality of our drinking the lens of “Laudato Si’: On Care for Our a strong ecosystem, and wetlands are a Common Home,” significant piece of that.” water, and provide a necessary home for the groundbreaking Senate Bill 389 is opposed by more countless species. We have to recognize how encyclical by than 50 environmental and conservation necessary wetlands are for our human flourishing Pope Francis organizations, as well as the Indiana and for the flourishing of all creation.’ that continues to Catholic Conference (ICC). influence the landscape nearly six years “The Church’s rich tradition of —Alexander Mingus, associate director of the Indiana after its release. environmental stewardship and care for Catholic Conference Legislation that would repeal all of creation form the basis of our opposition to Indiana’s protections for state-regulated this bill,” said Alexander Mingus, associate wetlands is a particular cause for alarm, director of the ICC, the public policy according to members of the Creation voice of the Catholic Church in Indiana. “This bill encourages preservation related to the environment, Shierling Care Commission of the Archdiocese “Wetlands are a deeply important ecological of private woodlands as well as ways looks toward a long history of Catholic of Indianapolis. Senate Bill 389, which resource that protect our communities from for farmers to not depend on chemical social teaching on caring for the earth, passed the Senate on a 29-19 vote and is flooding, help ensure the quality of our treatments so much,” said Joe Shierling, a which Pope Francis distilled in his now awaiting action in the Indiana House drinking water and provide a necessary member of the commission who grew up revolutionary encyclical. of Representatives, would eliminate home for countless species. We have to on a farm in Randolph County. “ ‘Laudato Si’ is so important to me safeguards for up to 90% of the state’s recognize how necessary wetlands are Members of his family still own the because it calls on each person in the wetlands. for our human flourishing and for the 70-acre parcel of land, consisting of 20 world to look at our own lives and how Only about 10% of Indiana’s flourishing of all creation.” acres of forest and 50 acres of farmland we can lessen our negative effects on the wetlands—those that are connected to a The ICC urges Catholics to reach out to rented to a local farmer. Shierling said he environment,” said Shierling, a convert navigable body of water, such as a lake their elected representatives in the House and his family encourage the farmer to to Catholicism who has been a member or a river—fall under federal jurisdiction to oppose the bill. adopt natural practices that promote the of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral Parish in and would remain unaffected. The rest, By contrast, another environmental bill preservation of carbon, such as planting Indianapolis for more than 30 years. “We known as isolated wetlands, are under at the Statehouse has received unanimous cover crops in the winter to increase all have a role to play.” state control and would become subject to support by the ICC and other advocates. nutrients in the soil. To follow priority legislation of the ICC, development without any permit process Senate Bill 373, Carbon Credit Programs, “Considering what’s going forward visit www.indianacc.org. This website if Senate Bill 389 were to become law. would offer financial incentives to farmers in the Senate with the wetlands bill, it’s includes access to I-CAN, the Indiana “This is a giant step backward,” said to manage their lands in environmentally encouraging that [legislators] are looking Catholic Action Network, which offers the Benedictine Sister Sheila Marie Fitzpatrick, responsible ways. positively at something that protects Church’s position on key issues. Those one of the founding members of the Creation The legislation would allow Indiana to forests and looks at a different way of who sign up for I-CAN receive alerts on Care Commission and a member of Our join other states that operate in the carbon farming,” said Shierling, who spent an legislation moving forward and ways to Lady of Grace Monastery in Beech Grove. “market,” which involves companies across entire career working for the state of contact their elected representatives. “We need to do a lot more education and the nation seeking to reduce their carbon Indiana in various capacities. To learn more about the work of build awareness among all constituents to footprint and thereby curb global warming. He and other advocates, including the the Creation Care Commission of the help people realize the value of wetlands.” These companies offset their environmental ICC, also support Senate Bill 367 and Archdiocese of Indianapolis, visit Education and advocacy are at the root impacts by paying private farmers and House Bill 1469, which would require www.ourcommonhome.org. of the Creation Care Commission, which landowners to preserve trees and conserve coal companies to properly dispose of was formed in 2015 in response to the carbon in the soil, among other methods of coal ash and other residuals, thereby (Victoria Arthur, a member of St. Malachy pope’s encyclical. In “Laudato Si’,” Pope “sequestering” carbon dioxide. protecting Indiana’s waterways. Parish in Brownsburg, is a correspondent Francis calls for dialogue and swift action Senate Bill 373 awaits further action For guidance in this and in everything for The Criterion.) † worldwide to protect the environment, at the Statehouse following its initial curb irresponsible development and committee passage. U.S. Sen. Mike Braun respect God’s creation. of Indiana is proposing similar legislation “One of the main points of ‘Laudato Si’ at the federal level. is that everything is connected,” said Sister “This is a very reasonable step in Sheila, who holds a degree in chemistry addressing the causes of climate change from the University of Illinois and serves and one that has broad bipartisan as director of facilities for the Benedict Inn support,” Mingus said. Hope Retreat and Conference Center in Beech Members of the archdiocese’s Creation for tomorrow Grove. “When we look at something Care Commission are equally enthusiastic like an isolated wetland, it may seem about Senate Bill 373.

Pope’s prayer intention for March UNITED CATHOLIC APPEAL FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS • Sacrament of Reconciliation—Let us pray WHAT IS THE UNITED CATHOLIC APPEAL? that we may experience the sacrament of 1 The United Catholic Appeal is a unified effort in which all parishioners are asked to reconciliation with renewed depth, to taste provide critical, financial support to archdiocesan ministries that serve thousands of the infinite mercy of God. people in need across central and southern Indiana.

See Pope Francis’ monthly intentions at archindy.org/popesintentions. WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR ME TO SUPPORT THE APPEAL? 2 Your participation helps those whose needs are the greatest - the poor, the vulnerable, those on the margins. It shows your commitment to Catholic education. It shows that you are fighting for the unborn. Your support says “thank you” to our retired priests who have given their lives in service to the Church. It affords counseling to children, people struggling with addiction, those who grieve, and helps strenghten struggling The families. It affords homeless families hot meals and a safe place to rest. It says “we believe in you” to our seminarians who are answering the call to the priesthood. It INFORMED helps prepare future deacons who serve our parishes. Your gift provides hope. way to Buy or HOW DOES MY PARISH BENEFIT FROM THE APPEAL? Sell a HOME! 3 100% of gifts made to the United Catholic Appeal go to support archdiocesan programs and ministries which in turn provide services that no one parish can offer on its own. Serving our friends and customers for over 30 years in IS IT BETTER TO MAKE A PLEDGE OR A ONE-TIME GIFT? Central Indiana. Specializing 4 Making a pledge allows you to spread your gift over 12 months, making it easier for Tom McNulty in Brokerage, Legal and you to budget, and may also allow you to give a larger gift. Investment Services for all BROKER/ATTORNEY 317.507.0688 types of real estate transactions. HOW DO I MAKE A PLEDGE TO THE UNITED CATHOLIC APPEAL? [email protected] 5 You can make your pledge easily and securely online at www.archindy.org/UCA. Simply click on “Donate to UCA” in the top, right-hand corner and then follow the MCNULTYRE.COM prompts. Questions? Call our office at (317) 236-1425. We are here to help! www.archindy.org/UCA Page 4 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021

Opinion Be Our Guest/Roberto Dell’Oro A humanism bursts from God’s love for his people during the pandemic Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, Publisher Greg A. Otolski, Associate Publisher During the past year, the Pontifical Certain key categories have become Mike Krokos, Editor John F. Fink, Editor Emeritus Academy for Life has invested central to the ethical discourse of considerable thinking and action into the the academy, such as the notion of issues generated by “pharmaceutical marginality,” the COVID-19, addressing “universal destination of goods,” the Editorial the challenges of the overcoming of the logic of “vaccine pandemic from several nationalism,” and so on. With its Nearly 50 pro-life different angles. I documents, the academy has provided advocates gather would summarize the both the Catholic Church and the for the 40 Days for contribution of the international community with an ethical Life fall campaign academy as threefold: framework to address all the different kickoff event outside ethical, existential and phases of the pandemic. the Indianapolis spiritual. I think of its effort as an act of Planned Parenthood First, with its intellectual solidarity with which, abortion facility on documents in March and July 2020, and speaking on behalf of the Church, the Sept. 26, 2018. (File most recently with a joint statement with academy contributes to the universality of photo by Natalie Hoefer) the Vatican COVID-19 Commission, the ethical discourse and a call for action on academy has tackled all the major ethical behalf of the most poor and vulnerable. issues generated by the pandemic. While There is also an existential component in the beginning problems of clinical to the statements of the academy. They ethics were dominant—for example, the offer an invitation to reflect, sharing need to articulate criteria for resource in the universality of the puzzlement rationing in intensive care units—issues brought about by the pandemic, without of public health became progressively any attitude of assertive superiority. The 40 Days for Life campaign more relevant, especially with respect to Church is made of human beings who the equitable distribution of the vaccine. experience, with other human beings, the Relying upon a matrix of ethical vulnerability of the human condition. can be a season of hope considerations grounded in the principles Choosing a meditative style, Are you a person of hope? As in years past, there are 40 Days of justice, solidarity and inclusiveness, the together with more overtly normative That question, which recently came for Life sites located in central and statements of the academy speak to a global recommendations, the academy has to mind after reflecting on a homily, is a southern Indiana and around the perspective, asking for rich countries in reminded all people of goodwill, on simple one. But for many of us, there is surrounding region for those interested the West to measure their own perception behalf of the Church, that the pandemic no simple answer. in prayerfully standing up for life. All and response to the problems raised by the has brought into relief the limits of our Perpetual turmoil appears to be the campaigns are in need of volunteers to pandemic with the predicament of poorer freedom and the ambiguous character of norm on the political landscape in our sign up to pray. countries in the global south. our autonomous pretentions, recognizing nation’s capital—and in several states In Bloomington, the campaign Though all rich and poor nations have the universal dimension of our human across the U.S. for that matter. Many are will take place outside of the Planned been vulnerable to the virus, the latter frailty. still concerned about the civil unrest that Parenthood abortion center at 421 have paid the highest price, bearing the The Church knows how to listen, in occurred in many cities last summer, S. College Ave. To participate, call long-term consequences from the lack of addition to exercising its responsibility and in Washington at the U.S. Capitol in your parish to see if there is a 40 cooperation and failure of international to teach. Other human beings are early January. And we continue to hope Days for Life coordinator, or go to solidarity. The pandemic has worsened fellow travelers in the journey of life, and pray we make positive strides as we www.40daysforlife.com/bloomington to the inequalities already associated with companions in that search for truth God’s battle the COVID-19 pandemic, which sign up. For more information, contact processes of globalization, making more Spirit sustains with its universal presence. has left more than 500,000 Americans Deacon Russell Woodard of Holy people vulnerable and marginalized Finally, the spiritual dimension. dead and many families reeling that Trinity Parish in Edinburgh at 317-759- without health care, employment and Although in its texts the academy does have been adversely impacted by the 1225 or [email protected]. social safety nets. See GUEST, page 13 illness. The Central Indiana 40 Days for Some may ask: How can “hope” be Life campaign will take place on the a part of any conversation when we are public right-of-way outside of the Be Our Guest/Stephen Kappes dealing with so much turmoil? Planned Parenthood abortion facility at The Lenten season is a time of 8590 Georgetown Road in Indianapolis. Thanks to all who helped with Mass prayer, fasting and almsgiving, a time A midpoint rally will be held there to closely examine our lives of faith and from 1-2 p.m. on March 7. Parking is remembering 2,400-plus unborn children how we can become more Christ-like in available on the shoulder on both sides all we say and do. of Georgetown Road, just south of the On Feb. 12 at Holy Name of Jesus Anne Varick, archdiocesan Office of But maybe this year it can also Planned Parenthood facility. Do not park Church in Beech Grove, a 15-decade Human Life and Dignity coordinator; become a season of hope through our in the lots of neighboring businesses, rosary was prayed prior to a memorial Eric Slaughter of Catholics United for the actions and prayers. including Women’s Care Center. Mass marking the one-year anniversary Faith; Richard Santangelo of the Knights Our faith teaches us we are to be a This year, the Indianapolis campaign of the burial of 2,411 aborted babies, of Columbus; Larry Timko of the Serra people of hope. And the 40 Days for is offering 24-hour coverage by inviting whose remains were interred in Southlawn Club of Indianapolis; and John F. Fink of Life campaign happening now offers us participants to sign up for an hour to pray Cemetery in South Bend, Ind. the Knights of Malta. a unique opportunity to plant seeds of at home between 7 p.m.-7 a.m. on Monday The babies had been aborted between Thanks also to Tom Monaghan, faith, hope and love where the unborn through Saturday, and 7 p.m. on Saturday 2000 and 2003 by the late Dr. Ulrich founder of Ave Maria University for are concerned. through noon on Sunday. This is a great “George” Klopfer, who operated abortion the Legatus message; Raymond Arroyo We’ve heard the statistics, and they option for seniors, those who are sick, centers in Indiana starting in the 1970s. He of EWTN; Father Frank Pavone of are staggering: Since the U.S. Supreme those who don’t drive and those who are performed an estimated 30,000 abortions Priests for Life; Father Shenan Boquet Court legalized abortion on demand concerned about being exposed to others before having his license revoked in 2016. of Human Life International; Judie in 1973, more than 62 million unborn due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The medically preserved remains Brown of the American Life League; babies have been aborted. To participate either in-person or at of those fetuses had been transported Carroll and Judy Lanning of Guardian The 40 Days for Life spring home, call your parish to see if there across state lines and stored for years on Angel Preservation Organization; Holy campaign, which runs from Feb. 17- is a 40 Days for Life coordinator, or Klopfer’s Illinois property, in his garage Name parishioners Margaret Hartman March 28, is an international effort that sign up at www.40daysforlife.com/ and in the trunk of a car. and Roberta Hannon; and Holy Name’s seeks to end abortion through peaceful indianapolis. For more information, The grisly discovery of the remains was Respect Life Committee. prayer vigils at abortion centers, and contact Tim O’Donnell at 317-372-0040 made after his death in early September Also thank you to Bob Kelly, to raise community awareness of the or [email protected]. 2019. Members of the Will County, Ill., who notified Knight of Columbus consequences of abortion. An annual For more information or to sign up Sheriff’s Department discovered the Msgr. Downey Council 3660, and 40 Days for Life campaign also occurs at sites outside of the archdiocese, go more than 2,400 human remains from the Ancient Order of Hibernians; the each fall. to www.40daysforlife.com and click on Indiana after fielding a telephone call from Daughters of Mary Mother of Mercy; During the 40-day campaigns, “Find a Campaign.” the attorney of Klopfer’s wife after her Helen Deppe of the Daughters of Isabella; individuals silently pray during one-hour Those who take part in 40 Days husband’s death. Mr. and Mrs. Steph Cooper and family of time slots in front of abortion centers for Life campaigns are encouraged to Marc Tuttle, director of Right to Life the Archdiocese of Indianapolis Division around the world. follow the COVID-19 protocols in their of Indianapolis, spoke at the Feb. 12 of the Blue Army; Dennis Buckley, mayor For those who think these petitions local area. For most, that will mean liturgy. He addressed the more than of Beech Grove; U.S. Sen. Todd Young; don’t make a difference, think again: wearing a mask and keeping 6 feet apart 50 people gathered and was followed by Angela Espada, executive director of According to 40 Days for Life officials, to adhere to social distancing guidelines. Linda Kile, director of the Great Lakes the Indiana Catholic Conference; Father since 2007 when the campaign began, Through our prayers and actions Gabriel Project, a pro-life organization Robert Robeson, pastor of Holy Name of 18,017 lives have been saved, 211 during the 40 Days for Life campaign, that helps women in unexpected Jesus Parish; and Archbishop Charles abortion workers have quit and 109 we can bring tremendous hope by being pregnancies choose life. Father Binu C. Thompson. abortion centers have closed. And voices for the voiceless this spring. Mathew, parochial vicar of Holy Name Their networking on such short notice since the 40 Days for Life campaign And in the process, God willing, of Jesus Parish, also provided a soul- led to our large group being able to began last week, 15 unborn babies have change minds and hearts. lifting homily during the Mass. represent these unborn children. already been saved from the tragedy of We wanted to offer a thank-you to abortion—thanks be to God! —Mike Krokos all who helped promote this gathering, (Stephen Kappes is a member of Holy including Catholic Radio Indy; Brie Name of Jesus Parish in Beech Grove.) † The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Page 5 ARCHBISHOP/ARZOBISPO CHARLES C. THOMPSON

hrist C the Cornerstone

The essential connection between love and sacrifice The Scripture readings for the Second we must be prepared to make sacrifices, even strangers or enemies. As many God’s sacrificial love is what has Sunday in Lent speak to us about God’s to give up our own needs and desires of Jesus’ parables illustrate, there set us free from the bondage of sin sacrificial love for us. God did not for the sake of another. is something truly liberating about and death. Jesus’ acceptance of his spare his own Son, St. Paul tells us in This is true of the little things in life sacrificing our own desires for the mission—to suffer and die for us, to the second reading (Rom 8:31b-34), such as choosing not to go out with benefit of others. surrender everything for our salvation— but handed him over to the powers of friends, which we would really like to The Gospel reading for the Second confirms that he truly is God’s Son and darkness and death for our sake. This do, so that we can spend time at home Sunday in Lent tells the story of Jesus’ that we are called to imitate his echoes the popular verse in St. John’s with our spouse and children. But it’s transfiguration. As St. Mark says: self-sacrificing love. Gospel: “For God so loved the world also true of life’s bigger moments such “Jesus took Peter, James, and John Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice that he gave his only Son, so that as the decision to move to another and led them up a high mountain apart his son to the Lord is rewarded by everyone who believes in him might not city, which we really do not want to by themselves. And he was transfigured God’s promise: perish but might have eternal life” do, because our husband or wife has a before them, and his clothes became “I will bless you abundantly and (Jn 3:16). once-in-a-lifetime career opportunity. dazzling white, such as no fuller on make your descendants as countless as This same sacrificial love is what Sacrifice and love go hand in hand. Earth could bleach them. Then Elijah the stars of the sky and the sands of the God demanded of Abraham in the first There is no such thing as selfish or appeared to them along with Moses, seashore; your descendants shall take reading (Gn 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18). self-centered love in spite of what we and they were conversing with Jesus” possession of the gates of their enemies, Even knowing that God relents in the are told by our culture. Love means (Mk 9:2-4). and in your descendants all the nations end and spares Isaac from becoming a letting go of our own desires for the The conclusion to this powerful of the Earth shall find blessing—all this human sacrifice at the hand of his own good of others. It means making reading helps us to better understand because you obeyed my command” father, we still shudder at the thought sacrifices for the greater good. what the Transfiguration means. After (Gn 22:17-18). that God would ask anyone—let alone This does not mean that lovers are God the Father expresses his complete And as Abraham proved, the his most faithful servant—to give up dreary, unhappy people who are always confidence in his beloved Son, and the willingness to sacrifice what we love his own son in the most brutal way giving in to the whims of others. On terrified Apostles are reassured that for the greater good, even when we imaginable. Yet this is exactly what the contrary, genuine love is joyous and all will be well, Jesus swears them to don’t understand it, is all that God asks God the Father himself did when he free. secrecy. “As they were coming down of us. sent his only Son to suffer and die for We might even say that love from the mountain, he charged them not Jesus demonstrates by his own words us. transfigures us from people who to relate what they had seen to anyone, and actions that love, which requires In our contemporary culture, we are slaves of our own desires into except when the Son of Man had risen sacrifice, is its own reward. “For God tend to forget that there is an essential people who are intimately connected from the dead. So they kept the matter so loved the world that he gave his only connection between “love” and with other people, including family to themselves, questioning what rising Son, so that we might have eternal life” “sacrifice.” To really love someone else, members, friends and neighbors and from the dead meant” (Mk 9:9-10). (Jn 3:16). †

La conexión esencial entre el amor y el sacrificio Las lecturas de las Escrituras para dispuestos a hacer sacrificios, los extraños o los enemigos. Como muertos” (Mc 9:9-10). el segundo domingo de Cuaresma a renunciar a nuestras propias ilustran muchas de las parábolas El amor sacrificado de Dios es lo nos hablan del amor sacrificado de necesidades y deseos por el bien del de Jesús, hay algo verdaderamente que nos ha liberado de la esclavitud Dios por nosotros. En la segunda otro. liberador en sacrificar nuestros del pecado y de la muerte. La lectura (Rom 8:31b-34), san Pablo Esto se aplica a las pequeñas propios deseos para beneficio de los aceptación por parte de Jesús de su nos dice que Dios no perdonó a su cosas de la vida, como elegir no salir demás. misión de sufrir y morir por nosotros propio Hijo sino que lo entregó a con los amigos, algo que realmente La lectura del Evangelio del y entregarlo todo por nuestra los poderes de las tinieblas y de la nos gustaría hacer, para poder pasar segundo domingo de Cuaresma relata salvación, confirma que realmente muerte por nosotros. Esto refleja el tiempo en casa con nuestro cónyuge la historia de la transfiguración de es el Hijo de Dios y que estamos popular verso del Evangelio de san e hijos. Pero también es cierto en Jesús. Tal como narra san Marcos: llamados a imitar su amor abnegado. Juan: “Porque de tal manera amó los momentos más importantes de la “Jesús tomó consigo a Pedro, a La voluntad de Abraham de Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su vida, como la decisión de mudarse Jacobo y a Juan, y les hizo subir sacrificar a su hijo al Señor es Hijo unigénito para que todo aquel a otra ciudad, a pesar de que en aparte, a solas, a un monte alto, recompensada con la promesa de que en él cree no se pierda mas tenga verdad no lo queramos, porque y fue transfigurado delante de Dios: vida eterna” (Jn 3:16). nuestro marido o esposa tiene una ellos. Sus vestiduras se hicieron “De cierto te bendeciré y en gran Este mismo amor sacrificado es oportunidad profesional única en la resplandecientes, muy blancas, tanto manera multiplicaré tu descendencia el que Dios exigió a Abraham en la vida. que ningún lavandero en la tierra como las estrellas del cielo y como primera lectura (Gn 22:1-2; 9; 10-13; El sacrificio y el amor van de la las puede dejar tan blancas. Y les la arena que está en la orilla del mar. 15-18). Incluso sabiendo que Dios mano. A pesar de lo que nos dice apareció Elías con Moisés, y estaban Tu descendencia poseerá las ciudades cede al final y evita que Isaac se nuestra cultura, el amor egoísta hablando con Jesús” (Mc 9:2-4). de sus enemigos. En tu descendencia convierta en un sacrificio humano a o egocéntrico no existe. El amor La conclusión de esta poderosa serán benditas todas las naciones de manos de su propio padre, seguimos significa dejar de lado nuestros lectura nos ayuda a comprender la tierra, por cuanto obedeciste mi estremeciéndonos ante la idea de que propios deseos por el bien de los mejor lo que significa la voz” (Gn 22:17-18). Dios le pida a cualquiera—mucho demás. Significa hacer sacrificios por Transfiguración. Después de que Y como demostró Abraham, la menos a su siervo más fiel—que un bien superior. Dios Padre expresó su total confianza voluntad de sacrificar lo que amamos entregue a su propio hijo de la forma Esto no implica que las parejas en su amado Hijo, y de que los por un bien superior, incluso cuando más brutal que se pueda imaginar. sean personas sombrías e infelices aterrorizados Apóstoles estuvieran no lo entendemos, es lo único que Sin embargo, esto es exactamente que siempre ceden a los caprichos de seguros de que todo iría bien, Jesús Dios nos pide. lo que hizo el propio Dios Padre los demás; por el contrario: el amor les jura guardar el secreto. “Mientras Jesús demuestra con sus propias cuando envió a su único Hijo a sufrir genuino es alegre y libre. descendían ellos del monte, Jesús les palabras y acciones que el amor, y morir por nosotros. Podríamos incluso decir que el ordenó que no contaran a nadie lo que requiere sacrificio, es su propia En nuestra cultura contemporánea, amor nos transfigura de personas que habían visto sino cuando el Hijo recompensa. “Porque de tal manera tendemos a olvidar que existe una esclavas de nuestros propios deseos del Hombre resucitara de entre los amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado conexión esencial entre “amor” y en personas íntimamente conectadas muertos. Y ellos guardaron la palabra a su Hijo unigénito para que todo “sacrificio.” Para amar realmente con los demás, incluidos nuestros entre sí, discutiendo qué significaría aquel que en él cree no se pierda mas a otra persona, debemos estar parientes, amigos y vecinos e incluso aquello de resucitar de entre los tenga vida eterna” (Jn 3:16). † Page 6 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 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.

March 3 Greenwood. First Friday March 6 College, free. Information and 317-784-4439 or www. only, includes baked or fried MCL Cafeteria, 5520 bilingual celebration of the John Paul II Parish, registration: Darlene Davis, catholiccemeteries.cc. fish, oysters and shrimp, two Castleton Corner Lane, Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Paul Chapel, 216 [email protected]. sides, adult dinners $7.50- Indianapolis. Solo Seniors, Mass, 5:45 p.m., exposition Schellers Ave., Sellersburg. March 18 $9.50, 5 p.m., Catholic, educational, of the Blessed Sacrament, First Saturday Marian March 12 St. Joseph Church, 1401 children’s dinners $3-$5. charitable and social singles— following Mass until 9 p.m., Devotion, 8 a.m. rosary, St. Anthony of Padua Parish, S. Mickley Ave., Indianapolis. Information: parish.office@ separated, widowed or sacrament of reconciliation meditation, prayer; 8:30 a.m. 316 N. Sherwood Ave., Third Thursday Adoration, stanthony-clarksville.com or divorced—age 50 and older, available. Information: Mass with confessions prior. Clarksville. Men’s Club interceding for women 812-282-2290. new members welcome, also 317-750-7309, msross1@ Information: 812-246-3522. Annual Fish Fry, Fridays experiencing crisis pregnancy, call about regular Friday night hotmail.com. through March 19, 5-7:30 p.m., 11 a.m.-7 p.m., with Mass at St. Thomas the Apostle dinner events. Information: 317- St. Michael Church, 145 take out only, includes baked 5:45 p.m. Parish Knights of Columbus 796-8605 or 317-243-0777. St. Anthony of Padua Parish, St. Michael Blvd., Brookville. or fried fish, oysters and #15712, 523 S. Merrill St., 316 N. Sherwood Ave., First Saturday Marian shrimp, two sides, adult Our Lady of Peace Cemetery Fortville. Friday Night March 4 Clarksville. Men’s Club Devotional Prayer Group, dinners $7.50-$9.50, children’s and Mausoleum, 9001 Lenten Fish Fry, Fridays The Eucharist Source and Annual Fish Fry, Fridays Mass, devotional prayers, dinners $3-$5. Information: Haverstick Road, Indianapolis. during Lent and Holy Week Summit of Faith, through through march 19 (March 12 rosary, 8 a.m. Information: parish.office@stanthony- Monthly Mass, 2 p.m. (March 26, April 2), Old Testament and the and 19), 5-7:30 p.m., take out 765-647-5462. clarksville.com or Information: 317-574-8898 or 5 p.m. until supplies last, Gospels, via Zoom, sponsored only, includes baked or fried 812-282-2290. www.catholiccemeteries.cc. includes fish sandwich, by St. Michael Parish, fish, oysters and shrimp, two March 9 steak fries, coleslaw, Greenfield, 1-2:30 p.m., third sides, adult dinners $7.50- Monthly Virtual Taizé St. Thomas the Apostle Parish The Eucharist, Source and dessert, $10. Information: of six stand-alone sessions $9.50, children’s dinners Prayer Service, 7-8 p.m., Knights of Columbus #15712, Summit of Faith, through [email protected] (March 11, 18, and 25), led by $3-$5. Information: parish. silent and spoken prayers, 523 S. Merrill St., Fortville. Old Testament and the or 317-485-5102. graduates of Guadalupe Bible office@stanthony-clarksville. simple music, silence. Link: Friday Night Lenten Fish Gospels, via Zoom, sponsored College, free. Information and com or 812-282-2290. Taize.SistersofProvidence.org. Fry, Fridays during Lent and by St. Michael Parish, registration: Darlene Davis, Information: 812-535-2952, Holy Week (March 19, 26, Greenfield, 1-2:30 p.m., March 25 [email protected]. St. Thomas the Apostle Parish [email protected]. April 2), 5 p.m. until supplies fifth of six stand-alone The Eucharist, Source and Knights of Columbus #15712, last, includes fish sandwich, sessions (March 25), led by Summit of Faith, through March 5 523 S. Merrill St., Fortville. March 11 steak fries, coleslaw, graduates of Guadalupe Bible Old Testament and the Women’s Care Center, 4901 Friday Night Lenten Fish The Eucharist, Source and dessert, $10. Information: College, free. Information and Gospels, via Zoom, W. 86th St., Indianapolis. First Fry, Fridays during Lent and Summit of Faith, through [email protected] registration: Darlene Davis, sponsored by St. Michael Friday Mass, 5 p.m., optional Holy Week (March 12, 19, 26, Old Testament and the or 317-485-5102. [email protected]. Parish, Greenfield, 1-2:30 p.m., tour of center to follow. April 2), 5 p.m. until supplies Gospels, via Zoom, sponsored last of six stand-alone Information: 317-829-6800, last, includes fish sandwich, by St. Michael Parish, March 17 March 19 sessions, led by graduates www.womenscarecenter.org. steak fries, coleslaw, Greenfield, 1-2:30 p.m., fourth Calvary Mausoleum St. Anthony of Padua Parish, of Guadalupe Bible dessert, $10. Information: of six stand-alone sessions Chapel, 435 W. Troy Ave., 316 N. Sherwood Ave., College, free. Information Our Lady of the Greenwood [email protected] (March 18 and 25), led by Indianapolis. Monthly Clarksville. Men’s Club Annual and registration: Darlene Church, 335 S. Meridian St., or 317-485-5102. graduates of Guadalupe Bible Mass, 2 p.m. Information: Fish Fry, 5-7:30 p.m., take out Davis, [email protected]. †

For a complete list of retreats as reported to Retreats and Programs The Criterion, log on to www.archindy.org/retreats. Franciscan Sisters offer weekly virtual Lenten ‘I AM’ series in March March 10-March 24 Judy Ribar and Tina Ridge www.benedictinn.org/retreats- Mount Saint Francis Center presenting, $50 includes programs. Information: The Oldenburg Franciscan • March 4: “I AM the Bread of Life” for Spirituality, Pump House lunch. Registration: [email protected], Center of the Sisters of the Third • March 11: “I AM the Light of the Studio, 101 St. Anthony Dr., mountsaintfrancis.org/retreats 317-788-7581. Order Regular of St. Francis in World” Mt. St. Francis. Watercolor or 812-923-8817. Oldenburg is offering a virtual • March 18: “I AM the Good 101, Wednesdays March 18 Lenten series called “I AM” Shepherd” 9:30-11:30 a.m. or Our Lady of Fatima Retreat Scriptures of Lent/Spring via Zoom from 6-8:30 p.m. on • March 25: “I AM the Resurrection 6:30-8:30 p.m., learn basic Center, 5353 East 56th St., virtual study via Zoom, Thursdays in March. and the Life” watercolor techniques from Indianapolis. Divine Wine fifth of six stand-alone The series explores several of The cost is $55 for all sessions, Conventual Franciscan Father & Art with Heart, 8 a.m.- sessions (March 25), Christ’s “I am” statements in the or $15 for individual sessions. For Vincent Petersen, open to 4 p.m., Hayley Mosson offered by Providence Gospel and what they mean for more information or to register, go to all levels, bring watercolor presenting, $45, includes Spirituality & Conference individuals today. cutt.ly/IAMSeries or email center@ paper; easels and drawing program, wine, snacks and all Center, 6:15-7:45 p.m., The dates and topics are: oldenburgosf.com. † tables provided, watercolors painting supplies. Registration: $5/session, register by available for purchase, $20 www.archindy.org/fatima, March 15. Information, per session. Registration: 317-545-7681 or jburger@ registration: 812-535-2952, mountsaintfrancis.org/retreats archindy.org. [email protected] or www. Events and retreats can be submitted to The Criterion by logging on to or 812-923-8817. spsmw.org/event. www.archindy.org/events/submission, or by mailing us at 1400 N. Meridian St., March 16 Indianapolis, IN 46202, ATTN: Ann Lewis, or by fax at 317-236-1593. March 13 Benedict Inn Retreat & Lenten Letting Go Series, Mount Saint Francis Center Conference Center, 1402 on Zoom, fifth of six stand- for Spirituality, Southern Ave., Beech Grove. alone sessions (March 25), 101 St. Anthony Dr., Combating Racism: A sponsored by Mount Saint Mt. St. Francis. Lessons Spiritual Journey, fourth Francis Center for Spirituality, Learned through Loss of six stand-alone sessions 7-8:30 p.m., Judy Ribar and Lament, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., (March 23 and 30), presenting, $20. Registration: Conventual Franciscan 7-8:30 p.m., Mary Beth Riner mountsaintfrancis.org/retreats Father Vincent Petersen, presenting, $25. Registration: or 812-923-8817. † Wedding ‘The Third Option’ skills-based virtual ANNIVERSARIES group sessions help build better marriages  “The Third Option” virtual • March 18: Listening Beyond the David and Kathryn (Damm) Reising series for married couples of the Words Deacon David and Kathryn (Damm) Archdiocese of Indianapolis and • March 25: Personality Differences Reising, members of St. Vincent de Paul Parish the Diocese of Lafayette, Ind., is • April 8: Childhood Issues and in Bedford, will celebrate their 50th wedding available most Thursdays from Emotional Baggage anniversary on Feb. 27. 7-8 p.m. through May 20. The • April 15: Handling Anger The couple was married in St. Agnes Church in sessions are free, and no registration Constructively Evansville, Ind. (Evansville Diocese), on is required. • April 22: Speaking the Truth in Feb. 27, 1971. The series can be used as marriage Love They have two children: April Steber and Amy enrichment or as crisis intervention. • April 29: How to Fight Fair and Miskuf. Couples may choose to join all or Conflict Resolution The couple also has three grandchildren. specific sessions. • May 6: Feelings and the Hurt Spiral Deacon Reising is a permanent deacon for the The title of the series comes from • May 13: Forgiveness and Repair Archdiocese of Indianapolis who ministers at the hurting couples often seeing only • April 20: Rebuilding Trust parishes of St. Vincent de Paul in Bedford and two options: painful endurance or St. Mary in Mitchell. † divorce. But there is a third option: To join a session, go to reconciliation. carmelthirdoption.org/web and click The dates and topics for the spring on link at top of page. For more sessions are: information, go to carmelthirdoption. • March 4: Re-Defining Power org/web or contact Keith Ingram at Struggle [email protected] or 317-324- Announcements for couples celebrating 50, 55, 60, 65, 70 or more years • March 11: Control Issues 8446. † of marriage are accepted. Go to bit.ly/2M4MQms or call 317-236-1585. The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Page 7

thought about ‘we’re back’ the first you had any cases PANDEMIC Sunday we’re all back, but that’s not [of COVID-19]?’ continued from page 1 likely to happen because people will not But in most cases, feel comfortable.” they don’t want focus on what you can do,” said Jack He added, “We have to be attentive to anything from Beers, content director for Dynamic people who are not afraid and people who you and are just Catholic, which sees as its mission are very afraid. I think a parish leadership concerned about “to re-energize the Catholic Church in needs to be attentive to ... what makes how things are at America by developing world-class them feel welcome? It’s a tough call.” church.” resources that inspire people to rediscover Ekeh, who lives in the Archdiocese of “You’ve the genius of Catholicism.” Hartford, Conn., said: “I’m finding things got to do the There had long been a “gravitational all over the map in our archdiocese and personal touch. pull toward the parish—the social life, the country. It depends on the leadership You’ve got to educational life, the worship life—all of the parish and the ministers.” start encouraging revolve around the parish,” Beers told She added, “How do we bring together people,” Sister Catholic News Service (CNS) in a Feb. 18 the best of both worlds—gathering Teresa told CNS. phone interview. “That’s not true together again in person but making use “Soon, more anymore. Worse than that, because of the of these online tools as best they can?” people will be pandemic, people are reluctant to come Beers said imitating the model of Jesus coming to Mass. back. There’s a fear to [come back]. ... can be a big help. “Jesus didn’t wait on And you’ve got to There needs to be something to get them people,” he said. “He went to the people be making your over the hump to come back, to sort of and went to the people—to go to the case why you The shadow of a woman entering St. Pius X Church in El Paso, Texas, is seen overcome the repellent.” people and tell them to return to God.” should be going Sept. 23, 2019. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn) “The main reason that people will He added, “Most people’s first move to Mass.” And come back to church is for community,” toward going [back to church] isn’t a faith that case, she added, cannot be “you’re are growing, they don’t have room for said Amy Ekeh, director of Little Rock step, it’s a selfish one. What we’ve found going to hell if you don’t go.” everybody, and we don’t have enough Scripture Study, a small-group Bible in our work with parishes is that people Instead, Sister Teresa said, tell people: clergy to do 10 Masses a day, day after study program serving Catholic parishes. miss a connection. ... Many people start “We miss being together, we’ll be day, so we’ll have to make choices.” “If they were already experiencing asking the question of what’s missing in together soon—personal outreach, telling He added streaming Masses should community as a parish, they’ll come my life, how can I gain this connection. people you care about them, and the continue, especially for parishioners back to that. Small groups is one way in What opportunities are there for us as a power of community.” who feel ill. parishes to experience that community.” [parish]? We have the only thing that can Liturgical Press’ Dwyer said a “Most people will make that choice Asked whether there is a carrot-or-stick fill people’s lives, and that’s God. There’s “simple thing” for a parish to do would anyway,” he said, “rather than come into approach needed to entice pandemic-shy a God-sized hole in people’s lives.” be for its hospitality committee “for contact with others.” Catholics to return to church, Ekeh Both Beers and Sister Teresa say some time—maybe for a long time—to Parishes thinking outside the box are replied, “I think the carrot already had parishes should be phoning parishioners offer masks, disposable masks, at the getting more people now,” Sister Teresa to be there,” referring to the sense of right now. entrance to church, just to have them said, taking note of a parish that dispensed community parishioners feel. “They’re Beers calls it “a simple act of just available as you would have a bulletin drive-by ashes on Ash Wednesday. “I self-motivated by that. I don’t know if connecting with people,” and not just available.” think people will appreciate it, and when you can create a carrot if it wasn’t already making one call and thinking the job is Cold and flu numbers were way they feel safe, it’ll be better,” she added. there. And don’t even try the stick!” done. down this winter, he noted, “because we “Parishes that haven’t done much have to Nor is it likely that Catholics would “Check in: ‘How are you doing. Can were not in contact. Contact brings us start catching up.” embrace “back to church” on a set date we pray for you? What’s an obstacle for all kinds of things we’d rather not have. Sister Teresa said, “When it got really any more than they would for “back to you at this time in your life?’ ” he said. What are the practices we can install as safe, I’d have welcome-home Sundays, school” for their children, according to “Some things are just practical, that a community—and instill—as a way to and not just once. Everything’s a new Peter Dwyer, director of Liturgical Press. people need a bridge. Or people need the make them feel comfortable?” beginning, a celebration. And I would do “It’s probably healthier to think about Eucharist but they don’t know how, and Dwyer said, “There’ll be all kinds a gradual rollout. Even in the fall, we’ll gradually,” Dwyer said. “I too have they’re afraid: ‘How safe is Mass? Have of challenges. The communities that still be wearing masks.” †

‘Forgive, Lord, in the name of humanity.’ ” gesture. All it took was a human gaze. Primo Levi my own,” she said. “I have never POPE The pope, Bruck said, expressed They gave me a glove with a hole in it; harbored hatred or feelings of revenge, but continued from page 1 his sorrow at “the innocents who were they left me some jam in the bottom of a rather disbelief and infinite sorrow. annihilated” during the Shoah. plate. That was life inside. That is hope. “Evil only generates evil,” she said. Vatican quoted the pope as telling Bruck. “But there is always hope. There is “Systematic cruelty, absolute evil” “Remembering is painful, but I have “With sincerity, I repeat the words I always a tiny light, even in the pitch reigned in the camps, she had said in the never shied away from it. Enlightening a pronounced in the heart of Yad Vashem black,” she said. “Without hope, we January interview. single conscience is worth the effort and [the Shoah memorial in Jerusalem] and cannot live. In the concentration camps, “ ‘If understanding is impossible, knowing pain of keeping alive the memory of what which I repeat before every person like all it took was a German looking at you is imperative, because what happened could has been. For me, memory is living, and you who suffered so much because of it: with a human gaze. All it took was a happen again.’ I’ve made these words of writing is breathing.” †

Pope Francis talks with Edith Bruck, a Holocaust survivor and author, during a visit to her home in central Rome on Feb. 20. The pope earlier this month received his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. (CNS photo/ Vatican Media) Page 8 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021

through difficult times. LITTLE WISH Praying and looking at continued from page 1 other people’s strong faith have helped me, too.” The teenager—who knew he was Her efforts have also dying from cancer—made a wish to have been inspired by a child enough money so he could buy presents named Max Olson. Both for the last Christmas he would share with their moms taught at Queen his family. of All Saints School, and Then there is the most memorable Max’s mom was Niemiec’s wish for Niemiec, the one that she fifth-grade teacher. fulfilled when she was 16, the one that The family connection marked the beginning of her Little Wish continued when Niemiec Foundation. was 16, a time when Max “Every one of the wishes is special died of cancer at the age because of the kids I’ve met, but the one of 7. that will stick with me forever is the very Niemiec went to the first wish we granted,” says Niemiec, funeral home with her an Indianapolis resident. “It was for my mother for Max’s wake. high school classmate who sat in front of On the drive home, she me in class. Tia stopped coming to class, couldn’t stop thinking of and she didn’t come back. She had brain him. She recalled the one cancer. wish that he had always “We had finally raised a little money to longed for, a wish that grant one little wish. Her wish was for an wasn’t possible while he iPod [a digital music player].” was undergoing treatments Tia filled the iPod with her favorite for the disease. Yet when songs, a source of joy and connection doctors determined there during a time when she could no longer was nothing more they be with her friends. She died several could do for Max, his weeks after receiving her wish, but her parents made his wish influence on Niemiec continues. come true. They gave him “I saw her appreciation and her a dog. kindness back to me, and that really made Seeing the comfort me want to continue doing this.” and happiness that gift In the 11 years since that first wish, brought Max, Niemiec also Niemiec has granted wishes to children saw how “one little thing and youths in 14 hospitals across the can make a difference in country, including four in Indiana: someone’s life.” She told Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital at her mom that she wanted to St. Vincent in Indianapolis, Riley Hospital honor Max’s too-short life for Children in Indianapolis, Lutheran with a plan that would help Hospital in Fort Wayne and Memorial other children suffering Hospital in South Bend. from cancer. While Tia’s impact has stayed strong at In 2020, Niemiec the Little Wish Foundation, so have two created another way to other influences on Niemiec. honor Max. Liz Niemiec poses with the children’s book she has written with Anna Clark as a fundraising project for the Little Wish ‘My faith continues to help me’ ‘Please continue to spread Foundation, Lizzy Girl and the Big Little Wish. (Submitted photo) The first of those two influences takes this love and kindness’ Niemiec back to her days as a student She wrote a children’s book, Lizzy Girl from school. By not attending school, this So has her relationship with her at Queen of All Saints School in the far and the Big Little Wish—a book whose gives her a chance to see them and she mother. northern Indiana community of Michigan dedication page notes, “To Max. And to really needed that.” City. all brave kids who have smiled because Another one notes, “I just wanted to ‘It’s always been an emotional thing’ “I grew up going to a Catholic school of him.” thank you again for bringing my son this When a child has cancer, the journey of through eighth grade,” she says. “It “We started the foundation in 2010, tremendous joy! He has gone through struggle and hope, of heartbreak and love definitely shaped me as a person. I’ve and last year we wanted to celebrate so much and has wanted this dog for so becomes the same journey for the child’s always wanted to help others. That’s our 10th anniversary, but with COVID, long. With all the stuff my family has gone parents. The 11-year journey of the Little what I was taught in my upbringing and it was a difficult year for everyone, through over the last couple of years, it’s Wish Foundation has also led to a stronger my school. They taught me to be a better including for a small non-profit,” she really lifting the spirits up of everyone in bond between Liz and Therese Niemiec. person, to do my part. says. “The children’s book was a way of this family. Please continue to spread this While Liz focuses on the creative side of “My faith continues to help me get commemorating creating the foundation love and kindness to other families.” the foundation, Therese handles the business when I was While the gifts bring a measure of joy side. On a deeper level, their connection with young—and the to children, youths and their families, the cancer-stricken children and their parents has impact it’s had. children and youths who battle cancer reinforced their belief that the child-parent I also hoped it continue to have a dramatic influence on bond should never be taken for granted, would inspire Niemiec. especially in terms of the amount of time others to help, that children and parents get to share in life. to lighten other ‘You want to give them that joy, that “It’s just such an interesting and people’s lives.” moment’ dynamic relationship we have,” Liz says. Niemiec has “I’ve met so many of the kids. I’ve “We’ve always worked on this together. made that impact witnessed the darkest moment for a kid, She’s always believed in my dream with the help to see how cancer changes their lives,” and my vision to make the Little Wish of sponsors, she says. “When I walk into a room and Foundation come true. It’s great to have a donations and hear their stories and how their lives have mother who believes in you so much.” fundraising unfolded in battling cancer, it’s really sad. Therese gets emotional when she talks events. And But these kids have a lot of hope. Seeing about her daughter. Her tears flow as 100% of the them battle this gives a perspective on she says, “As a mom, it’s an incredible proceeds from what they’re going through. I admire their experience to work with your daughter. the sale of the bravery.” From the beginning, it was great to see her book go directly In response to them, she tries to start it. And it became my passion, too. to the foundation, provide “a moment of hope, comfort and “It’s always been an emotional thing— whose granting joy.” just the way it started with the innocence of wishes has “When you’re a kid and you’re sick, so and the pure joy in her heart, to make her included swing many special moments are taken away,” want to make a difference in the lives of sets, musical she says. “You want to give them that kids who have cancer.” instruments, joy, that moment. The best part is getting Both of their thoughts return to the sewing machines, to see the impact you’ve made when the children, the youths and their families. shopping sprees, child gets their wish. You get to see their “To see how this has impacted kids’ electronic devices smile and know you’ve helped in some lives, I just want it to go on,” Liz says. and about 50 way.” Therese adds, “We keep in touch with dogs. She sighs before she adds, “The some of the families and form a bond The thank-you hardest part is definitely hearing or with them. That cancer journey is so notes that Little knowing a child didn’t make it. You see tough. If we can give them a smile and Wish receives the struggle that they’re going through, have tears of joy, it’s worth all the work. from families that their parents and family are going “It just ties into our faith of living a life show the power through. It’s affected me. I’ve witnessed a of giving to others in need. I mean, that’s of such gifts. lot of suffering. We do what we can with what Jesus did.” “Thank you for the gift we have. We try to give them hope getting Erika an and joy, to make their life a little better. (For more information about the Little iPad. She plays “I just try to remember that God has a Wish Foundation or to buy a copy of Their shared involvement in the Little Wish Foundation has brought Therese games and talks plan for all of us. My faith has made me Lizzy Girl and the Big Little Wish, visit its and Liz Niemiec even closer as mother and daughter. (Submitted photo) with her friends stronger to keep going.” website, www.littlewishfoundation.org.) †

arriage upplement M S Spring 2021

Wedding coordinators help sacramental marriages get ‘off to a great start’

By Natalie Hoefer couple well before the wedding date to gather and share information. The moment is played out time and again in “We ask them questions and help Catholic churches: The music begins. The bridal party to guide them as far as following the processes down the aisle, then all stand for the radiant rules of the parish,” says Brooks. bride as she enters the nave and the doors to the It’s during such meetings that narthex close behind her. the coordinator’s role in supporting What happens in the narthex then? sacramental marriage begins. “That’s when I breathe!” “We’re not preparing them for “I can take a breath, and Father takes it from there!” marriage or delving deep into it,” “I can step back and enjoy the moment!” says Cheryl Bedwell, parish wedding So say wedding coordinators from St. Monica coordinator at St. Agnes Parish. “But Parish in Indianapolis, St. Agnes Parish in Nashville through our conversations, when they and St. Ambrose Parish in Seymour. ask how to prepare [the church], we Theirs is a role that involves many tasks to make a always remind them that this is a couple’s special day go smoothly. But they are more sacrament, and this is a church. than just helpers. They are servants in a ministry that “So no, you can’t have your dog supports sacramental marriage. walk with you down the aisle— Four parish wedding coordinators spoke with someone asked about that once. ... We The Criterion about their role, shared stories both remind them of the seriousness and St. Ambrose Parish wedding co-coordinators Renee Hodge, left, and Jamie Armes humorous and touching, and addressed the sacrament sacredness of everything.” pose for a wedding ministry photo in the church of their Seymour faith community. at the heart of their marriage ministry. But there is plenty of joy and (Submitted photo by Katie Hodge) fun, too, especially starting with the ‘This is a sacrament, this is a church’ rehearsal. cloth we were pretty sure matched her colors. Being a parish wedding coordinator “takes a servant’s “I love people, and this is a happy occasion,” says “We wrapped the boxes and put the lace over it— heart,” says 15-year veteran Joyce Brooks, one of Brooks. “I get to meet [the couple’s] families and and it just blended in with the whole décor. It was fun! several wedding coordinators at St. Monica Parish. learn more about them.” We just hoped the material wouldn’t slip and everyone In short, the wedding coordinator’s role is to “serve And sometimes there are surprises. Like the time would see the flowers were sitting on top of used paper as a liaison between the parish and the couple and when, on the day of a rehearsal, Brooks received an supply boxes!” their guests,” she explains. “I want to help keep things “oh-by-the-way” request from the bride. smooth and peaceful as I can because this is the day “She said, ‘We need something to set the flowers ‘My back was turned, and I heard a splash’ that the bride has probably planned for a year at least, on. What can you do to help us?’ ” Brooks recalls. The day of the wedding arrives, and so do the and because it’s a sacrament.” She and her assistant scrambled to help. They found wedding coordinators—before any of the bridal party. That effort starts with calling or meeting with the some boxes and lace at the church, “and some purple See COORDINATORS, page 12

(Graphic above provided by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops)

◦ Engagment and Wedding Announcements, pages 10-11 Inside... ◦ Planning Your Wedding Liturgy, page 12 ◦ Marriage Preparation Information on Pre-Cana, Tobit and One in Christ, page 11 ◦ Submit Your Wedding Announcement to Appear in our Fall Marriage Supplement, page 11 The Criterion  Page 9  Friday, February 26, 2021 Daine–Hoffman  Eckrich–Brantley  Layman–Hughett  Parker–Hinton  Smith–Pierce  Andrea Camille Daine and Helen Rose Eckrich and Sarah Elizabeth Layman Alexis Dyanna Parker and Madeline Inez Smith and Wesley Michael Hoffman Floyd Richard Brantley and Mark Lantus Hughett Bradley Austin Hinton Tyler Evan Pierce will be will be married on July 4 were married on were married on Sept. 5, were married on Jan. 30 married on April 17 at St. Joan of Arc Church Oct. 10, 2020, at St. Luke 2020, at St. Roch Church at St. Roch Church in at SS. Francis and Clare edding in Indianapolis. The the Evangelist Church in in Indianapolis. The bride Indianapolis. The bride is of Assisi Church in bride is the daughter of Indianapolis. The bride is is the daughter of Danny the daughter of Jim Parker Greenwood. The bride is W Randall and Joan Daine. the daughter of Kathleen and Cheryl Layman. The and Julie Jabusch. The the daughter of Todd and The groom is the son of and the late Bill Eckrich. groom is the son of Jim groom is the son of John Kelly Smith. The groom James Hoffman and Jane The groom is the son of and Machelle Hughett. and Brenda Hinton. is the son of Ivan and Announcements Hoffman. Randall and Dominique Brianna Pierce. Brantley.

Berty–Brenenborg  Deitz–Rosswurm  Ellington–Ford  Leonard–Hendrixson  Preusz–Staley  Vahling–Steckler  Jordan Elizabeth Berty Mary Beth Deitz and Hannah Jayne Sarah Elizabeth Leonard Vanessa Renae Preusz Kaitlin Rae Vahling and and Michael Charles Michael Rosswurm will Ellington and Samuel and Joseph Allen and Zachary Nathaniel Gavin Andrew Steckler Brenenborg were married be married on April 10 at James Ford were married Hendrixson will be Staley were married on will be married on May 15 on Sept. 5, 2020, at St. Joan of Arc Church in on Aug. 8, 2020, at married on Aug. 28 at Aug. 8, 2020, at Sacred at St. Thomas the Apostle St. Christopher Church in Indianapolis. The bride is St. Barnabas Church in Immaculate Heart of Mary Heart of Jesus Church in Church in Newton, Ill. Indianapolis. The bride is the daughter of Gregory Indianapolis. The bride is Church in Indianapolis. Indianapolis. The bride is The bride is the daughter the daughter of J. Jeffry and Joyce Deitz. The the daughter of Doug II The bride is the daughter the daughter of James and of Mark and Janet and Judith Berty. The groom is the son of Daniel and Lisa Ellington. The of William and Elizabeth Brenda Preusz. The groom Vahling. The groom is the groom is the son of Mark and Carol Rosswurm. groom is the son of Jeff Leonard. The groom is the is the son of James Staley son of Stanley and Martha Brenenborg and Anna and Rhonda Ford. son of Steven and Cheryl and Kyan Arnold. Steckler. Marie Jeroski. Hendrixson.

Bruce–Allen  Delaney–Bedwell  Etchason–Perkins  Lewis–Colvin  Ramey–Brockmann  Webb–Fischer  Sara Suzanne Bruce and Allison Denise Delaney Claire Marie Etchason Macy Lauren Lewis and Courtney Ann Ramey Jessica Nicole Webb and Harold Thomas Allen, Jr., and Matthew Christopher and Nicholas John Perkins Walter Q. Colvin, III, and Michael Patrick Adam Joseph Fischer were married on Bedwell will be married will be married on May 1 were married on Dec. 31, Brockmann were married were married on Sept. 4, 2020, at St. Roch on April 10 at SS. Francis at St. John the Evangelist 2020, at St. Roch Church on Aug. 7, 2020, at Oct. 31, 2020, at Church in Indianapolis. and Clare of Assisi Church in Indianapolis. in Indianapolis. The bride St. Roch Church in St. Meinrad Church in The bride is the daughter Church in Greenwood. The bride is the daughter is the daughter of Aaron Indianapolis. The bride St. Meinrad. The bride is of Kevin and Deb Bruce The bride is the daughter of Mac and Lisa Etchason. and the late Cristi Lewis. is the daughter of Brian the daughter of William and Jeff and Terry Moore. of Michael and Lisa The groom is the son of The groom is the son of and Marjorie Ramey. The Webb and Jane Stevens. The groom is the son of Delaney. The groom is the Mark and Jane Perkins. Chad and Kelly Colvin. groom is the son of Paul The groom is the son Harold and Donna Allen. son of Tony and Amanda and Denise Brockmann. of Daniel and Darlene Bedwell. Fischer.

Burrow–Bryant  Dodson–Sparks  Fischer–Crawford  Mattox–Deak  Routon  White–Koch  Emily Ruth Burrow and Margaret Kuhn Dodson Jenna Elise Fischer and Karlie Joelle Mattox and Thomas and Linda Charlotte White and Patrick Frankoviak Bryant and Gene Andrew Sparks Andre Boniface Crawford Drew Alan Deak will Routon convalidated their Jacob Koch will be will be married on June 19 will be married on June 26 will be married on May 8 be married on June 26 marriage of 43 years married on April 24 in at St. Luke the Evangelist at St. Pius X Church in at Immaculate Heart at Nativity of Our Lord at St. Ann Church in St. Martin Church of All Church in Indianapolis. Indianapolis. The bride is of Mary Church in Jesus Christ Church in Indianapolis on July 25, Saints Parish in Dearborn The bride is the daughter the daughter of James and Indianapolis. The bride is Indianapolis. The bride is 2020. County. The bride is the of Michael and Cherie Dori Dodson. The groom the daughter of Dr. Donald the daughter of Andrew daughter of Ed and Cindy Burrow. The groom is the is the son of Gene and Fischer and Beth Viellieu- and Kristy Jo Mattox. The White. The groom is the son of Russell and Mary Julie Sparks. Fischer. The groom is groom is the son of Paul son of Jason and Kirsten Jane Bryant. the son of Gregory and and Debra Deak. Koch. Michelle Crawford.     Bush–Gauck  Doll–Foster Jungemann–Sanders McCray–Horner Shields–Carlisle Couples may announce Rachael Catherine Bush Christina Marie Doll and Jill Carol Jungemann and Whitney Lee Catherine Drue Jacquilynn Shields and Tyler Gerald Gauck Derek Keith Foster were Harry Munford Sanders, IV, McCray and Andrew and Bradley Charles engagement or will be married on July 3 married on Dec. 5, 2020, were married on Jan. 9 at Joseph Michael Horner Carlisle will be married on at St. Charles Borromeo at St. Anthony of Padua St. Joan of Arc Church in will be married on April 10 May 8 at Christ the King marriage this fall Church in Milan. The Church in Morris. The Indianapolis. The bride is at St. Anthony of Padua Church in Indianapolis. bride is the daughter of bride is the daughter of the daughter of Craig and Church in Morris. The The bride is the daughter in The Criterion Hugh and Patricia Bush. Randall and Donna Doll. Mary Jungemann. The bride is the daughter of of Nancy Shields. The The groom is the son of The groom is the son groom is the son of Benjamin and Elizabeth groom is the son of Kim Engagement announcements will be published in a Bart and Tammy Gauck. of Douglas and Sandra Harry III and Mari Ann McCray. The groom is the and Pam Carlisle. July 2021 issue of The Criterion for couples who are Foster. Sanders. son of Melvin and Diane planning to wed between July 15 and Jan. 31, 2022, in Horner. a marriage that is recognized by the Church as a valid sacramental or valid natural marriage. Couples who were wed in the first half of 2021 in a marriage that is recognized by the Church as a valid sacramental or valid natural marriage may also submit  Dristas–Otley  Law–Chow  Pre-Cana Conference, Tobit Weekend and One in an announcement if their engagement announcement Curtin–Chadwell was not published in The Criterion. Leigha Elizabeth Curtin Raegan Ann Dristas Sarah Renée Law and Christ program prepare engaged couples for marriage The wedding announcement form is available and Justin Ryan Chadwell and Nathaniel David Justin Hoong Wai Chow online at www.criteriononline.com by selecting “Send will be married on May 22 Otley were married on were married on Feb. 6 at Criterion staff report in-person format this summer. Dates will be posted at Us Information” from the menu on the left side of the at St. Agnes Church in July 11, 2020, at Sacred St. Joan of Arc Church in www.archindy.org/precana as they become available. screen, then choosing “Wedding Announcements.” Nashville. The bride is the Heart of Jesus Church Indianapolis. The bride is Three marriage preparation programs offered in the For questions or more information, call the archdiocesan An engagement or wedding photo may be daughter of Michael and in Indianapolis. The the daughter of Nicholas archdiocese—Pre-Cana Conference, Tobit Weekend and One Office of Marriage and Family Life at 317-592-4007. submitted by e-mail to [email protected]. Digital Diane Curtin. The groom bride is the daughter of Law and Carla Keeney. in Christ—help prepare engaged couples for the sacrament of Early registration is recommended for the Tobit and photos must be clear, high-resolution images with is the son of Donald and Christopher and Beth The groom is the son of marriage as well as the challenges of married life. One in Christ in-person marriage preparation programs, the couple close together. Photos can also be mailed Deborah Chadwell. Dristas. The groom is the Michael and Christine In response to the coronavirus pandemic, the as each fills up quickly. to Ann Lewis, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, son of James and Sophia Chow. Pre-Cana program moved online in November of 2020. Tobit Weekend retreats take place at Our Lady of IN, 46202. To receive the photo back, include a self- Otley. It is available in English or Spanish, and couples receive Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E. 56th St., in Indianapolis. addressed, stamped envelope. Due to print quality, a certificate of completion. Pre-Cana will return to an See PREPARATION, page 12 Xerox copies of photos will not be accepted. †

The Criterion  Pages 10-11  Friday, February 26, 2021 Couples should seek ‘mind of the Church’ when planning wedding liturgy

By Ann Margaret Lewis should become familiar with the words of the Rite of Marriage itself and really A great deal goes into planning for understand them. “[Ask yourselves] an engaged couple’s wedding day, but just what is happening here? What are without proper focus, couples can make the readings focusing on? What do the a crucial mistake in this process. prayers and propers of the Mass tell us? Andrew Motyka, director of Try to get into the mind of the Church archdiocesan and cathedral liturgical on these things,” he suggests. music, has worked with hundreds of To help couples study the marriage couples as they have prepared for their rite, resources that include appropriate wedding ceremonies. He points out that Scripture readings and wedding the number one mistake he sees couples vows can be obtained from the pastor make when approaching their wedding marrying the couple or the parish’s ceremony is that they “spend a lot of wedding coordinator or office. time, energy and most of all money Motyka recommends that couples preparing for their wedding, but not become familiar with, or even nearly as much effort into preparing for memorize, their vows. their marriage.” “They’re not long,” he says, “only a While there is much to consider when couple of sentences. If you don’t know planning a wedding, including cultural just what you are vowing for the rest of pressures, Motyka notes that most couples your lives, what are you doing?” approach ceremony planning as if trying He recognizes that some people to make it “a big show, rather than a focus might be too nervous to recite a vow Andrew Motyka, director of archdiocesan and cathedral liturgical music, plays the organ for his on the sacrament.” This, he says, takes from memory, and it is acceptable for sister-in-law’s wedding Mass at St. Mary Church in Indianapolis in October 2019. away from the truth of the event. the couple to repeat the vows as spoken (Photo credit: Amy Counts Photography) Of course, the Church requires to them by the celebrant. “But it’s couples to participate in a sacrament important to be very familiar with what what is and is not appropriate for such This cost, he says, is one reason why of marriage preparation program prior you are promising.” a liturgy and can guide a couple in some people are choosing not to get to the wedding. This program isn’t a Thinking with “the mind of the making good choices. married at all. mere formality, but something a couple Church” is equally important when “Are you choosing hymns or psalms “We could set an example by should take seriously. With a solid couples choose the music for their just because it says ‘love’ once or celebrating weddings without trying understanding of the sacrament, Motyka ceremony. For this, Motyka stresses that twice?” Motyka asks. It would be better, to go ‘over the top’ with decorations, says, a couple can turn their focus to the a couple work closely with their parish he notes, to examine pieces that express flowers, all of the expenses of planning of their wedding ceremony in music director. the fullness of sacramental marriage. an elaborate reception, or even a a more effective way. “It’s common nowadays for people to He believes the focus on a wedding professional wedding planner,” he says. Being a Church liturgy, the wedding go straight to YouTube and come up with ceremony being a show rather than a “There is nothing stopping you from ceremony is not merely the couple’s their own set of music for the liturgy,” he sacrament comes from the wedding getting married on a Sunday. Speak big day, but a celebration of the entire says. But music directors “have planned industry itself. According to theknot.com, with your pastor.” Church, says Motyka. If a couple can and played for many weddings. They the average cost of a wedding in the Motyka concludes that if we, as recognize that their wedding liturgy, their know what works, and they know the Midwest is $20,000-$30,000, which a Church, focus on forming good sacrament, is bigger than just the two of local guidelines of the parish and diocesan feeds into a $53 billion industry. Christians, we should then encourage them—that it involves “the mind of the church. They also probably know several “We need to nip this trend in the them to build good marriages. Church” itself—they’ll have an easier pieces that [the couple might have] never bud,” says Motyka. “Weddings are “You won’t remember too many and more meaningful time planning and heard or thought of before.” a sacrament, and we need to draw details from your wedding day,” Motyka participating in the wedding liturgy and Thinking with “the mind of the couples, parishes and the rest of the adds. “But you will absolutely benefit in married life, she says. Church,” is part of the music director’s Church into the idea that this sacrament, from the good understanding, formation Motyka recommends that when job, he says. They should be familiar central to society, doesn’t need to be and work that goes into building a solid planning their wedding liturgy, a couple with Church documents that express crushingly expensive.” marriage.” †

“There was something back at the lodge he wanted,” “A mother of the bride had brought her daughter’s COORDINATORS she recalls. “So, he left to get it 15 minutes before the wedding gown to the church early on the wedding continued from page 9 wedding started! We just had to wait for him to come day,” Armes recalls. “Without the bride knowing, she back before the wedding could start.” had also brought her daughter’s baptismal gown and “We arrive early to prepare the individual rooms Sometimes, though, couples roll with the challenges— first Communion dress. for the bride’s and groom’s parties, to be there when and the COVID-19 pandemic has served up plenty of them. “The photographer came early and hung all three the flowers arrive, to talk to the photographer on what “Can we please take off our masks for the wedding?” dresses. ... The sun was shining through a stained-glass they may need from us,” says Jamie Armes, wedding Brooks recalls one couple pleading during their planning window where the dresses were hanging. It was a co-coordinator at St. Ambrose Parish. meeting. “I had to tell them, ‘No, just for pictures.’ beautiful picture on a special day to help remember three She and co-coordinator Renee Hodge help decorate “That wedding, they made masks with their very special sacraments in a young lady’s spiritual life.” and prepare the sanctuary. wedding date, put them in a little package with hand “We also answer questions of all kinds, calm people sanitizer and passed them out as the guests arrived. I ‘It is a special privilege’ down who are nervous, provide water and snacks for thought that was really creative!” The four parish wedding coordinators agree: It’s the the wedding party in case they were too busy to eat— memorable moments coming together in a sacramental we don’t want anyone fainting during the ceremony Three dresses, three sacraments marriage that make all their effort and time—as much because of hunger!” The positive and touching moments far outweigh as 12 hours per wedding—worth it. Wedding coordinators are dedicated to seeing that the chaotic ones, says Bedwell, moments that capture “The day of the wedding can be pretty busy,” all goes as planned on the couple’s special day. But the essence of marriage as a sacrament. Bedwell admits. “But it’s rewarding to see it all come some things are simply out of their control. “I remember one wedding where the bride and together for [the couple] and that Brooks recalls a time when a young boy was groom came early to the rehearsal so they could sit in they’ve had a good experience with playing by St. Monica’s partial-immersion baptismal the chapel to pray,” she says. “And they had arranged their sacrament of marriage. It’s a font in the narthex. for the priest to come early so they could go to joy to be a part of that.” “It was 20 minutes before the confession before their wedding.” Brooks echoes Bedwell’s wedding. My back was turned, and Brooks recalls a touching encounter before a sentiments. I heard a splash. He was all wet— wedding that, despite happening early in her time as “It’s a sacrament I can be a part and he was supposed to be one of coordinator, remains in her mind. of,” she says. “I’ve seen couples the ring bearers! They held up the “I wanted to tell the bride something,” she says. “I get married and have their first wedding trying to dry him off, but started to push the door open to the room where the child, and I feel a part of that.” they had to go on without him.” bride’s party was getting ready. Then I noticed that she Cheryl Bedwell Serving as wedding coordinators With two years as wedding and her bridesmaids were kneeling and praying the is an honor for Armes and Hodge. coordinator assistant and four years rosary. It was so beautiful. I’ll never forget that.” “It is a special privilege to share in and be a part Joyce Brooks as coordinator, Bedwell has had In their two years as co-coordinators at of a wedding, the day when two people start a new her share of challenges. The most St. Ambrose, Armes and Hodge have witnessed many life together,” says Hodge. “If we can help make the stressful experience she recalls is the time a groom was moving moments. One involved a mother of the bride, wedding day go as planned, then we feel the sacrament missing from the church. a photographer and three dresses. of marriage is off to a great start.” †

marriage.html. For registration questions, contact and the third day is 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. PREPARATION Jennifer Burger at [email protected] or 317-545- There are three sessions currently scheduled for 2021: continued from page 11 7681. For more information about the program and its —March 6, 7 and 13 at Our Lady of the Greenwood contents, contact Cheryl McSweeney at cmcsweeney@ Parish, 335 S. Main St., in Greenwood. There are three currently scheduled in 2021: archindy.org or 317-545-7681, ext. 106. —July 10, 11 and 17 at St. Malachy Parish, April 30-May 2, June 25-27 and Sept. 17-19. One in Christ marriage preparation, which includes a 9833 E. County Road 750 N., in Brownsburg. A registration fee of $298 includes program medical panel to address questions regarding reproduction —Oct. 9, 10 and 16 at Our Lady of the Greenwood. materials, meals, snacks and separate overnight and fertility, is a three-day program spanning a weekend The cost is $250, which covers meals and materials. accommodations for the weekend. and the following Saturday. The first day of the program For more information call 317-600-5629, e-mail To register, go to www.archindy.org/fatima/ is 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., the second day is 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., [email protected] or go to www.OICIndy.com. †

The Criterion  Page 12  Friday, February 26, 2021 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Page 13 Cardinal prays on program marking 500,000 COVID-19 deaths WASHINGTON (CNS)—During a Feb. 22 evening program on CNN, Washington Cardinal Wilton D. Gregory offered a prayer for those who have died from COVID- 19, asking God to “grant eteral peace to all our sisters and brothers lost to this disease. “Let us now open our hearts to recall those who have died from the coronavirus,” Cardinal Gregory prayed. “Strengthen those families and friends who remain behind, to comfort one another and to wipe the tears from our eyes. May each one find peace and let the memory of our loved ones itself be a blessing.” Cardinal Wilton The cardinal called it “a great D. Gregory honor and privilege” to offer the prayer at the invitation of Jake Tapper, CNN anchor and chief Washington correspondent on the program “We Remember 500,000: A National Memorial Service for COVID-19.” It commemorated the milestone reached on Feb. 22 when the United States surpassed 500,000 deaths due to the coronavirus. More than 1,200 coronavirus deaths were reported on Feb. 22, bringing the nationwide total to 500,103. More than 28.2 million Americans have been infected by the virus. Also, as of Feb. 22, close to 13% of the U.S. population has received the first round of the COVID-19 vaccine, and about 6% of Americans have received both shots. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris stand with their spouses at the White House in Washington on Feb. 22 during a “We pray that—regardless of race, age, religious candlelit ceremony to commemorate the grim milestone of more than 500,000 U.S. deaths from the coronavirus. (CNS photo/Jonathan Ernst, Reuters) heritage, economic or immigration status—all people are able to receive the life-saving vaccine to bring an end to one people and this illness, this disease, this virus is no get the vaccine when it is made available to them. our common suffering,” Cardinal Gregory prayed. respecter of persons,” he said. On Jan. 19, he offered the invocation at a pre- He also said that “our hearts are filled with gratitude When asked by Tapper what the Catholic faith inauguration memorial service beside the Lincoln for our doctors, nurses and emergency personnel,” and teaches about helping one another when it is not safe to Memorial Reflecting Pool attended by President-elect prayed that “they remain well and be strengthened. physically come together, Cardinal Gregory said: “We Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris to “May the one who fashioned us help us to focus on our Catholics are grateful that we have each other, even under remember the 400,000 Americans who had died from mutual humanity,” Cardinal Gregory prayed. “Although these limited and painful moments when we cannot be COVID-19 at that point. weary from so many months of isolation, help us not to with each other, to reach out and embrace and be in the In a livestreamed Mass in January for the community lose hope, help us to continue to care for our neighbors as presence of those who are suffering.” of Archbishop Carroll High School in Washington, we remember those we have lost in this pandemic.” He said the “sacramental reality” of the Catholic faith “is Cardinal Gregory encouraged people to get the Before he said the prayer, the cardinal pointed out expressed in word and sacrament, in sign and prayer and coronavirus vaccine when it is made available to them. that “the poor, the elderly, [and] people of color have music,” and “not being able to have a full display of those “We have the vaccines that are effective in helping experienced a disproportionate amount of sadness” due sacramental signs of our faith is itself an additional sorrow.” to protect us, and I urge and plead and invite all of our to the coronavirus, and he added that the pandemic “has In interviews during recent months, the cardinal has students, faculty, parents, grandparents, teachers [and] increased our awareness of our common humanity. stressed the need to pray for those who have died of the benefactors to make good use of those vaccines, to get “We have been brought to a deeper awareness we are coronavirus as well as their families and friends, and to vaccinated,” he said. † Pandemic, security pose challenges, but pope, Iraqis, hopeful for visit AMMAN, Jordan (CNS)—Despite reported 3,273 new COVID-19 cases, Iraqis around Dahuk and the Ninevah crackdown by Iraqi security forces and challenges posed by the COVID-19 bringing the total number of confirmed Plain, where tens of thousands were militia groups, as well as kidnappings pandemic and security concerns, Pope infections to 664,750. New lockdown displaced by Islamic State militants in and targeted assassinations, caused Francis hopes to visit Iraq, an opportunity measures took effect in Iraq a day earlier 2014. “But if you follow the news in Iraq, their numbers to recede. Prime Minister that eluded his predecessors. as it recorded its highest new coronavirus ISIS is there. ISIS is still active,” he said. Mustafa al-Kadhimi has been vocal about Iraqis are excited that he is scheduled caseload in 2021—double the daily “The government will not want to risk his support for the protesters’ demands. to come, despite those concerns. figures from the previous week. any situation with the pope’s visit, because Father Ameer said he believes Pope “Iraqi Christians are very much On Jan. 21, the day after the Vatican it would cause a failure for [our] country. Francis has a special message for Iraq’s optimistic because it’s a sign of hope and announced plans for the papal trip to Iraq, The pope is respected in many sectors young people, who are tired of the solidarity despite the pandemic, despite two suicide bombers detonated explosive of Iraqi society,” Iraqi Dominican Father sectarianism tearing their country apart. the security challenge. It’s a strong sign of vests in a crowded market in central Ameer Jaje, an expert in Shiite relations, “Iraqi youth say: ‘No, to divisions on solidarity,” Iraqi Father Emanuel Youkhana Baghdad, an attack claimed by the Islamic told CNS by phone from Baghdad. sectarian lines.’ They want to live like told Catholic News Service (CNS) by phone State group. At least 32 people died and He added that it is difficult for clergy other people in the world. I believe these from the northern city of Dahuk. Father more than 100 were injured. to comment on security as it is the domain people are looking forward to the pope’s Youkhana is a priest, or archimandrite, of Shortly afterward, Cardinal Louis of the Iraqi government. Iraqi President visit, because he will deliver a message the Assyrian Church of the East, which is Sako, the Baghdad-based patriarch of Barham Salih said he hoped a papal visit of hope to them, an encouragement for part of the Catholic Church. the Chaldean Catholic Church, called on would help the country “heal” after years the country to live and reject the kind The 84-year-old pope, newly vaccinated, the faithful to fast and pray for peace in of strife. of sectarianism that has been destroying is moving forward with his March 5-8 trip Iraq and for an end to the pandemic. He More than 500 people have been killed Iraq,” said Father Ameer, who is also unless there is a serious new wave of dismissed the significance of the bombing in more than a year as young Iraqis have an adviser to the Pontifical Council for coronavirus infection there. It marks his on the overall security situation in Iraq protested, advocating for civil rights and a Interreligious Dialogue. first foreign trip since being grounded for and said, “There is no risk for the pope.” better economy and against sectarianism, “Many youths have sacrificed their 16 months due to the pandemic. There have also been security incidents corruption and unemployment. The protests lives for Iraq’s sovereignty and the desire Pope Francis told CNS staffers at the in February. A rocket attack on an airbase were mainly in Baghdad and the south. to live together as one people: Iraqis, Vatican it is important that the Iraqis “will housing U.S. troops near Irbil’s airport Despite reaching historic numbers whether Sunni Muslim, Shiites, Christians see the pope is there in their country,” even in northern Iraq on Feb. 15 killed a in late 2019 and successfully mounting or whomever. I believe the pope will if most would see him only on television contractor for the U.S.-led coalition and pressure on political elites, the protests encourage Iraq to reclaim its sovereignty because of social distancing requirements. injured at least nine other people, drawing wound down in the wake of the and put an end to violence,” Father Ameer It’s the first-of-its kind visit by the pope international condemnation. A little-known coronavirus pandemic. Also, the violent told CNS. † after St. John Paul II’s scheduled trip to Iraq group called Saraya Awliya al-Dam in 2000 had to be canceled due to regional claimed responsibility for the attack, but tensions. St. John Paul wept that he could provided no evidence for the claim. being is ultimately motivated by God’s not go, as he especially wanted to visit On Feb. 22, three rockets were fired GUEST unconditional love.” the city of Ur, the birthplace of Abraham, at the capital, Baghdad’s heavily fortified continued from page 4 Believers and nonbelievers can be recognized as the patriarch of faith in one Green Zone, without causing any grateful for the academy’s threefold God by Jews, Christians and Muslims. casualties. Security officials said the not shy away from clear exhortation witness: to discern the call of the good In mid-2019, Pope Francis announced U.S. Embassy was the target. to action, it does so ultimately on faith in uncertain times, to share in the that he intended to make his first visit The Iraqi government is responsible for premises, relying upon a vision of the companionship of serious thinking and to Iraq the following year, but the trip the pope’s safety and that of his entourage human being and of the world that to speak with the hope that nourishes was postponed amid regional tensions during the visit. rests on God’s disclosure of love. the never-ending confidence in the and ongoing anti-government protests “There are security challenges, that is As Pope Francis reminded the tenderness of God. across the southern and central parts quite clear, because everywhere there are academy, in his 2019 letter “Humana of the country. The pope told CNS in militias and terrorist groups. The Shiite Communitas,” “In our time, the Church (Roberto Dell’Oro is the director of the early February that he does not want to militias will help [the Shiite-dominated is called, once more, to propose the Bioethics Institute and a professor in disappoint the Iraqis for a second time. government] in securing the visit. We humanism of the life that bursts forth the department of theological studies Iraq is set to receive thousands of hope, we pray there will be nothing,” from God’s passion for human beings. at Loyola Marymount University in Pfizer-BioNTech vaccines in addition to said Father Youkhana, who operates the Our commitment to valuing, supporting Los Angeles. He is a member of the the Chinese Sinovac vaccine this month. Christian Aid Program Northern Iraq. and defending the life of every human Pontifical Academy for Life.) † As of Feb. 20, the Iraqi Health Ministry The Christian program assists displaced Page 14 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 School enrollment, hit by pandemic, is at its lowest in 50 years WASHINGTON (CNS)—Catholic decrease in enrollment school enrollment figures in the U.S. for but generally nothing the current school year—significantly significant. We did have impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic— a preschool not reopen dropped 6.4% or more than 111,000 this year, and several students from the previous school year, preschools are down which is the largest single year decline in in enrollment as well. almost 50 years. Total pre-kindergarten The National Catholic Educational is down 361 students. Association (NCEA) issued highlights Overall, that’s a from its annual report on school 17.3% drop. Parents enrollment on Feb. 8. The full report is were apprehensive to titled “United States Catholic Elementary enroll their child in a and Secondary Schools 2020-2021.” preschool program not The annual figures show the number knowing what this year of Catholic elementary school students would look like.” declined by 8.1% from the previous The challenges related academic year while the decline for to COVID-19 have forced Catholic secondary schools was only all schools to educate 2.5%. But the elementary school decline students differently could impact secondary school numbers this past year. More within the next five to 10 years. than 90% of Catholic The sharpest enrollment decline was schools nationally have Archbishop Charles C. Thompson, right, and Father Michael Keucher, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville, distribute for prekindergarten enrollment at Catholic been open for in-person Communion during the annual Catholic Schools Week Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis on Feb. 3. schools, which went down 26.6% this learning and working (Photo by John Shaughnessy) year from last year. within sanctioned health Current Catholic school enrollment guidelines. By the start of the current school and Las Vegas. But the report also noted schools, which costs less than in public is 1,626,291 in 5,981 Catholic schools. year, 209 Catholic schools had closed— that none of these dioceses had enrollment schools, has increased as student There are 4,812 elementary schools and many because of COVID-19, but others increases the year before that, suggesting enrollment has decreased. 1,169 secondary schools. due to declining enrollment and financial this might not be part of a trend. One form of relief for Catholic school In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, instability. The NCEA report said media coverage leaders created by Congress on Dec. 21 total Catholic school enrollment declined Some states and cities have seen an of the pandemic’s impact on school is the Emergency Assistance to Non- from 21,590 in the 2019-20 school uptick in Catholic school enrollment enrollment so far “has suggested that Public Schools program, which allocates year to 20,343 in the 2020-21 school with an influx of transfer students opting Catholic schools and other types of $2.5 billion of funding for nonpersonnel year, according to Mary McCoy, the for in-person classes and choosing nonpublic schools have benefited expenses incurred as a result of the archdiocese’s interim superintendent of Catholic schools. But the full story is from pandemic-induced suspension of pandemic. However, schools must choose Catholic schools. still unfolding as Catholic schools have in-person instruction. However, NCEA’s to take advantage of this program or the “We would assume the pandemic is experienced an overall dramatic decline research suggests that systems of Catholic second round of the PPP—but not both. responsible for the decrease, but we won’t in enrollment and an increase in school schools have largely suffered notable If schools use relief funding for non- know for certain until next year when the closures. enrollment losses, including the largest personnel expenses, they are likely to pandemic is behind us, especially since Only 10 of the 174 dioceses with Catholic school systems.” see either drastic staffing declines or [the drop] appears to be at the primary Catholic schools had an increase of 1% or It also noted the broad availability of potentially more enrollment declines as level,” McCoy said. more in student enrollment: Duluth, Minn.; state-funded parental choice programs did the cost to educate and cost of tuition “Twelve schools in the archdiocese Charleston, S.C.; Charlotte, N.C.; Reno, not seem to have an impact on enrollment increase to support retaining current did not show a decrease in enrollment, Nev.; Manchester, N.H.; Phoenix, Ariz.; trends. For example, of the four states with staffing levels. while the high schools show some Bismarck, N.D.; Denver; Greensburg, Pa.; significant parental choice programs— The NCEA report points out that of Arizona, Ohio, Indiana and Florida—only the 209 Catholic schools that closed or Arizona’s Catholic school enrollment consolidated at the end of the 2019-2020 remained stable, while Catholic school school year, elementary schools made up enrollment in the other states declined. most of this figure—186. Without PPP and In the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, school reserve funds, more schools could SOMEONE’S SITTING McCoy noted that the number of have closed. students who received an Indiana Choice The school closings, many in urban IN THE SHADE TODAY Scholarship—a voucher—declined from settings, also “disproportionately impacted BECAUSE SOMEONE PLANTED 8,463 in the 2019-20 school year to 8,333 underserved families and non-Catholic in the 2020-21 school year. families,” the report noted, which it said was A TREE A LONG TIME AGO. The report points out that parental significant because Catholic schools were choice programs have long been viewed created to serve immigrant families or those as “a potential solution to increasing marginalized by other schooling options. challenges of Catholic school viability,” “The erasure of Catholic schools WARREN BUFFETT but the current enrollment figures and from communities across the nation, the decline even in states with choice particularly underserved communities, programs “does not seem to be sufficient amounts to a disruptive divestment of enough to turn the tide,” the report said. social capital and pathways of opportunity Some positive numbers in the current for all families,” the report said, adding it report relate to school waiting lists and also decreases the “diversity of Catholic school staff numbers. Currently, more school communities that enriches all schools reported having students on an families regardless of race, ethnicity, FOR GOD. FOR OTHERS. FOREVER. enrollment waitlist than prior years, but socioeconomic status or opportunity.” this also could be due to “artificially Concerning the Archdiocese of decreased enrollment capacities in the Indianapolis, McCoy stressed the midst of social-distancing requirements.” importance of Catholic schools to their One of the most popular ways people provide long-term support for their parish is to Catholic school staffing did not communities. leave the parish a gift in their will. There are a number of reasons individuals might decline at the same rate as the overall “Catholic schools have stayed choose this gift option: student enrollment decline—decreasing consistent with providing a Catholic only 2.3%—which was partly due to education throughout this past school the availability and utilization of the year in spite of the challenges,” she said. 1. To make a statement about personal values Paycheck Protection Program, or PPP, “Teachers have gone above and beyond 2. To benefit future generations in the spring of 2020. Based on NCEA’s to ensure students stay engaged and fill 3. To provide a gift that inspires others to give research, less than one third of Catholic the gap of those students who fell behind schools nationally made adjustments to since this pandemic closed our schools staffing during the pandemic. last March. We continue to do what we Tax planning can also be an important factor in this decision. With some foresight, you The low student to teacher ratio—11:1 know best—meet the needs of students.” can make a gift in your will that fulfills specific planning goals as an integral part of an in 2020—has long been a feature of Catholic schools, but it also means the (Criterion assistant editor John estate plan. cost to educate students in Catholic Shaughnessy contributed to this story.) †

There are many techniques for making a generous gift in your will that can help you accomplish your specific planning and philanthropic goals. Please call us with any ‘We would assume the pandemic is responsible questions. We welcome the opportunity to review all of the options and discuss how for the decrease, but we won’t know for certain your gift can play a meaningful role in your planning and in the future of your parish. until next year when the pandemic is behind us, especially since [the drop] appears to be at the primary level.’ CA HOLIC (317) 236-1482 — Mary McCoy, interim superintendent of archdiocesan COMMUNITY [email protected] Catholic schools FOUNDATION, INC. www.archindy.org/CCF The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Page 15

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. Open up to the transformative power of prayer in Lent

By Fr. Richard G. Malloy, S.J. Christ into the world. We can be In college, I made Bluto Blutarsky the Peter, Paul and from Animal House look like a choir Mary Magdalene of boy. One night I got rip-roaring drunk, our times. fell backward down a flight of stairs, and “Do not be split my head open. I spent the night in afraid” is the most the hospital and got 12 stiches. My wild repeated phrase in man act and partying was getting deadly the Bible. Don’t dangerous. underestimate A couple of nights later on the quad, yourself. God wants I looked up at a brilliant, full moon, to make use of the pondering what the hell I was doing with talents you have my life. For some reason, I voiced a been given. Prayer simple prayer. “OK, God. If you’re there, shows us how to use do something.” and multiply our Nothing happened. gifts (Jn 6:8-11). I went back to the fraternity and Prayer plunges opened, at random, a small New us into powerful Testament, the “Good News for Modern processes of Man” translation. I got to some passage transformation begun from Romans that was incomprehensible at baptism. God to me at the time. So much for prayer. becomes what we are But in a very curious manner, a few so we might become weeks later, I got a summer job as an what God is. That’s orderly at a nursing home. Caring for not some crazy Jesuit the elderly as they prepared for death spin on theology. filled me with joy. I began to ask the big That’s St. Athanasius questions about life, God and why we are in the fourth century. here. (See the Catechism That prayer on the quad changed my of the Catholic life. Church, #460.) Welcome to Lent and the call to prayer. Pray any way you Why pray? like. Read Scripture. Prayer changes what we desire. Quietly ponder the Prayer transforms us into those who mysteries of the can live with God forever. Prayer rosary. Explore impels us toward metanoia, an ancient the Eucharist. A Christian Greek term for conversion Jesuit once said, and repentance, a change in our ways “When we come to of thinking, doing and being. When celebrate Eucharist, we really open our minds and hearts in we should wear prayer to the God who creates and so crash helmets.” desperately loves us, watch out. Anything At Mass, heaven can happen! and Earth meet. We So, prayer is a risk. We fear that are in communion prayer is a waste of time, that prayer with all who have doesn’t work. I prayed that I would get gone before us a new job or that my mother be cured marked with the of cancer, and my prayers weren’t sign of faith. We are answered. united with all who Or we fear that prayer may really receive Jesus. work, that God will change us as Engage in the deeply and radically as the people in Examen of A woman prays during Mass at St. Pius X Church in El Paso, Texas, on Sept. 24, 2019. Lent can be a time when Catholics open the Scriptures who were caught up St. Ignatius of themselves up to the transformative power of prayer. (CNS photo/Tyler Orsburn) in God’s plans, giving us tasks and Loyola. There are purposes to transform ourselves and five simple steps: Replay, gently, the past day in your mind. we’re schizophrenic?” Making God’s our world. We can be Moses and Mary 1) Place yourself in God’s presence. Notice where you were in contact with reality too self-evident would make and liberate our people and bring 2) Give thanks for the past 24 hours. 3) God’s grace and love—and when you it impossible for us freely to answer, were not. 4) Notice what “Yes.” God is always mediated to us and you need to work on. 5) is always ever greater than us. Promise to move in the Jesuit Father Karl Rahner once direction God leads. Pay asked in prayer if we ever really hear attention to consolations anything but our own internal rumblings? (ways we move toward Surprisingly, he answered, “No.” But God and others) and what happens is, we pray and then listen. desolations (ways we In response, the word God speaks to us is move away from God and our life. others). For good books on a prayer, read Jesuit Open your heart and Father Mark Thibodeaux’s Armchair mind to the beauty and Mystic, a great introduction on how to pregnant possibilities of actually pray. silence. Trappist centering St. Ignatius teaches that prayer is like prayer is 20 minutes of exercise. I go to the gym three times a just sitting without doing week, once a year. The lack of results anything but focusing is obvious. Regular prayer, like regular on God. Based on the exercise, will show itself in our being 14th-century mystical text more rooted in awareness of God, in The Cloud of Unknowing, service of others, and in the joy and this is demanding but peace radiating in our lives. Actually rewarding prayer. praying, daily, will get us in spiritual Comedian Lily shape, ready to meet the challenges of Tomlin once joked, following Jesus. “Why ... when we talk to God we’re said (Jesuit Father Richard G. Malloy is People in St. Peter’s Square pray as Pope Francis leads the Angelus at the Vatican on Oct. 25, 2020. Praying daily will get to be praying; but director of mission integration us in spiritual shape, ready to meet the challenges of following Jesus. (CNS photo/Remo Casilli, Reuters) when God talks to us, at Cristo Rey High School in Baltimore.) † Page 16 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Perspectives Corrections Corner/Fr. Jeremy King, O.S.B. Faith and Family/Sean Gallagher Let’s do our part to support those incarcerated ‘Divine Well, it is now February of 2021. But for too many, it is the minute they wear masks? How many of us found the January, the first month of the year, has took the first drink or pill or injected the holidays to be less enjoyable because we choreography’ 31 days, and is named after the two-faced first drug. It might also be the first time could not gather with family and friends? Roman god Janus they heard the jail or prison cell door close How much more frustrating are these makes marriage who is always imaged behind them. For the families of those conditions for our brothers and sisters looking both forward who are incarcerated, those same minutes who sleep in bunk beds in prison dorms a beautiful dance and backward. After are significant as well. On the other hand, with 250 others, or in an overcrowded jail our experiences of there are the minutes when a modification cell in a “boat.” Through the years, my boys have 2020, not many of us is granted, or the minute when a person has We all pray that the rest of 2021 enjoyed watching The Sound of Music wanted to look back, been behind bars for decades is set free. brings relief from the pandemic with the together as a family. It makes me happy but the events of this There are different ways to measure potential effects of the vaccines that are that they like it, for past month have caused a life. So often we measure in seconds, available. I loved listening mixed emotions of how minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and For our brothers and sisters who are to its music as my 2021 was starting off. years. We use a fixed measurement. But incarcerated and for their families, 2021 mom often played I recently had occasion to bury we can also look at a year as a collection could be as bad as or worse than 2020. the soundtrack to the a 94-year-old man, and about two of opportunities that cannot be fixed in It is within the power of each of us to movie in our home months later a 28-year-old, who died time. We call them “ah-ha” moments, or take the opportunities found in just a when I was growing very suddenly and tragically. For both “come to Jesus” moments. We all have few of the 525,600 minutes of 2021 to up. funerals, I used a song from Jonathan them, but sometimes we let then slip by. help prevent an incarceration, to support My mind has been Larson’s Broadway musical Rent. It is A new year allows us more someone incarcerated and/or to assist a on that movie a good titled “Seasons of Love.” It begins thus: opportunities to “start over.” For folks that “returning” citizen find a job, a place to bit recently since “525,600 minutes/525,600 minutes in a are facing “time” in jails and prisons, this live and a faith community. the death of Christopher Plummer on year.” And then the song asks: “How do January might not have seemed significant Feb. 5. He played Captain Georg von measure a life in a year?” unless we who enjoy freedom on the (Benedictine Father Jeremy King is a Trapp in the movie, opposite of Julie For each of us, there are most “outside” let them know we were thinking member of the archdiocese’s Corrections Andrews, who played Maria. important minutes in our lives—the about them and praying for them. Advisory Committee and is a frequent One of my favorite scenes in the minute we are born and the minute we die How many of us complain about the visiting chaplain in the Indiana movie is when Georg and Maria dance a being the most significant. COVID-19 restrictions, even just having to Department of Correction.) † laendler, an Austrian folk dance. The steps to the dance are beautifully performed by them, and the music and setting only Window Seat Wisdom/Katie Prejean McGrady added to the beauty. So did the deepening relationship between Georg and Maria Waiting in joyful hope for the coming of Jesus Christ that the dance brought out. Plummer and Andrews also made Our bedtime routine with our 3-year-old daughter is quite So she always asks and holds onto the hope that it’ll be the dance look effortless. The way they simple. here soon. moved their feet, hands and arms with Bath. Nighttime snack of strawberries and grapes. Read I wish I had that innocent, joyful, ever-present hope in my each other seemed totally natural—all, books. Brush teeth. Potty. Say our prayers. weary, jaded, often disappointed heart. I wish I could hold onto again, adding beauty to the scene. Tuck her under the covers. Kiss on the the good promises announced to me and trust they are true. We can take the beauty of a dance like forehead. Lights out. As believers in a good God who abundantly provides, we wait the laendler even further, though. It takes about 30 minutes, give or take in joyful hope. We’re invited to trust in what God has promised. Consider a dance like this as an image the number of books she grabs off the shelf. And what is that promise? In what do we hope? Perhaps the hope of marriage. Every night, as we walk out of her room, of new opportunities, or the promise of healing and peace. Maybe When a husband and wife live out their she softly asks, “Mommy? Daddy? Do you the hope of being together, of normalcy and routine once again. mutual calling according to God’s plan, think the ice cream truck is gonna come Every Sunday, we hear the priest say, in the middle of the their life together is a thing of beauty. It tomorrow?” Our Father, that we wait in joyful hope for something very can be as graceful as two dancers who The ice cream truck comes down our specific: the coming of our savior, Jesus Christ. seem to be floating on air. street on Sunday afternoons. We’re faithful This is our hope: him. His return. Jesus Christ, present to And, actually, it is grace-full, for customers, even though it’d be far more cost effective to buy a box us. Our hope rests in his promise, that he will be with us until husbands and wives cannot follow of ice cream sandwiches from the grocery store. But Rose loves to the end of the age, and that he will come back so we can be the divine choreography of marriage run to greet the mask-wearing ice cream truck driver, surrounded with him forever. without God’s grace that comes to by the neighborhood kids rushing out of their homes to dance to It is only with his return—his very presence in our lives—that them daily through their sacramental the tinny music pouring out of the truck’s old speakers. we will find the opportunity to worship perfectly, the chance to relationship. Although the ice cream truck comes just once a week, Rose heal fully, the blessing of perfect peace, united to him. It is like dancing partners moving their asks us every night if it’s going to come the next day. Most We don’t necessarily know when that “coming” will be. It bodies in perfect time with the music and nights, we softly reply, “Maybe ... we’ll have to see.” And probably won’t be tomorrow or even next week. But we still each other. One foot moving in while Rose joyfully says back, “I hope so.” hold onto the hope that it will happen—someday. And we pray another moves back. The partners’ arms The innocent wish of a 3-year-old—she hopes that ice with fervent hope that we are ready. That we can greet him and and hands flow together without getting cream truck will come back, whether it’s Tuesday or Friday or say, “I am happy to see you, Lord,” and that he will look at us tied up in knots. Sunday. She is convinced it’ll come back, and even though she and say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Only … sometimes they do. knows, logically, the truck will probably only stop by once a We wait in joyful hope and ask, “Will it happen tomorrow?” Sometimes, partners step on each other’s week, she still asks, and filled with hope, happily accepts our And we pray diligently that we will welcome the coming of feet. Sometimes they bump into each answer of “Maybe ... .” our Savior with hearts ready for his return. other when they should smoothly pass by The disappointment of it not showing up midweek doesn’t And maybe he’ll show up in a battered old ice cream truck blaring and around each other. stop her asking. The reality that it probably won’t swing by a tin jingle, with an assortment of sweet treats ready for us all. That’s because dances that look as doesn’t frustrate her. The fact that it only comes on Sunday effortless as the laendler in The Sound of doesn’t diminish her happiness when it finally arrives. (Katie Prejean McGrady is an international Catholic speaker Music actually take a great deal of effort When it shows up, she is delighted and continues to believe and award-winning author. She hosts the Ave Explores podcast between the partners. that the overpriced ice cream sandwich will come again. and lives in Lake Charles, La., with her family.) † It takes effort from them to learn the steps and get them so much into muscle memory that they can make The Human Side/Fr. Eugene Hemrick every movement without thinking. This requires practicing the dance again and The power of questions can create a hopeful destiny again. My wife Cindy and I have been “A prudent question is one-half maintain. Staying angry is stressful” and our interiority is lacking? Interiority practicing the steps for nearly 20 years. wisdom.” This insight by English detrimental to our health. is needed to center our prudence and Some days, we get the dance just right philosopher Francis Bacon possesses a On the other hand, “good tribalism is wholeness. Solitude enables us to and catch a glimpse of the beauty that fundamental principle difficult to build,” but when practiced for earnestly develop the nobility of our God has woven into marriage. for coping with the common good, it creates inspiring character. Is the absence of thoughtful There are other days when we step on today’s disquiet: unity. Could it be that bad tribalism is contemplation at the bottom of today’s each other’s feet or knock heads instead to use the power increasing and is a major cause of our tumultuous times? of gliding by. I’ll take a good amount of of the question. unrest? Have we slipped into an off-the-top- the blame for such missteps. Let’s examine Could adhering to outlandish beliefs of-the-head atmosphere in which ideas And as God blessed us with our five some examples of be the result of clever psychological are illogical, twisted and hollow—hasty sons through the years, the steps of the the strength of the manipulations that are influencing thoughts at the mercy of a lust for dance have gotten more complex, but also questions. people’s minds? prestige and appeasement rather than filled with the potential for even greater Could much of Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote, “Sow being thoughtful and guided by truth? grace and beauty. the disunity we are a thought and you reap an action; sow Is in-depthness on the decline? If so, Marriage, like a well-danced laendler, experiencing be traced to tribalism? an act and you reap a habit; sow a habit are we looking to solitude and prayer to take a lot of hard work. But when Tribalism is based on the behavior and and you reap a character; sow a character reclaim it? everything comes together, it’s a wonder attitudes that stem from strong loyalty to and you reap a destiny.” Are many of the The hope of raising questions is what to behold—and to take part in. one’s own tribe or social group. words and images that we hear and see leads to “what-would-happen if-we” And it’s attractive, drawing more and An article in Psychology Today says being used without any responsibility for questions—follow-up questions that more people into the dance that is the tribalism is bad when it brings people our destiny and that of our children? If so, create healthy progress and a hopeful Church’s life of faith here on Earth. together “out of anger, jealousy and how do we combat this? destiny. Join in the dance, then, that leads to the spite, not for collective well-being.” As ironic as it may sound, is great wedding feast in heaven where the And it adds that bad tribalism “is employing solitude the answer? Is it (Father Eugene Hemrick writes for divine choreography will be revealed in easy to provoke but not healthy to possible that our ability to develop Catholic News Service.) † all its glory. † The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Page 17

Second Sunday of Lent/Msgr. Owen F. Campion Daily Readings The Sunday Readings Monday, March 1 Friday, March 5 Daniel 9:4b-10 Genesis 37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a Sunday, February 28, 2021 Psalm 79:8-9, 11, 13 Psalm 105:16-21 • Genesis 22:1-2, 9a, 10-13, 15-18 Luke 6:36-38 Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46 • Romans 8:31b-34 Tuesday, March 2 Saturday, March 6 • Mark 9:2-10 Isaiah 1:10, 16-20 Micah 7:14-15, 18-20 Psalm 50:8-9, 16bc-17, 21, 23 Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12 The first reading for Mass this A reading from the Gospel of St. Mark Matthew 23:1-12 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 weekend is from the Book of Genesis and offers the third lesson. It tells the story of is about Abraham, a very important figure the transfiguration of the Lord, a story also Wednesday, March 3 Sunday, March 7 in the process by found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. St. Katharine Drexel, virgin Third Sunday of Lent which Jews reached In the transfiguration, the Lord’s Jeremiah 18:18-20 Exodus 20:1-17 a sense of their identity as Son of God was magnificently Psalm 31:5-6, 14-16 or Exodus 20:1-3, 7-8, 12-17 ethnic and personal displayed. Rich symbols abound, each Matthew 20:17-28 Psalm 19:8-11 identities. He is with unmistakable roots in the Old 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 regarded as the father Testament. Jesus stands atop a high Thursday, March 4 John 2:13-25 of the Hebrew people. mountain. He is as bright as the sun. St. Casimir Scholars believe God’s voice sounds from the sky above. Jeremiah 17:5-10 that Abraham actually Each circumstance makes clear the fact of Psalm 1:1-4, 6 lived at one time. He Christ’s divine identity. Luke 16:19-31 is not a myth. The lesson is that God shares with Genetic links between Jews of any humans the very essence of the Holy age and Abraham are not the only Trinity, so that we all may know God. consideration. The ancient Jewish faith Question Corner/Fr. Kenneth Doyle is another. Abraham is seen as the great Reflection example of faith in God and of obedience This weekend, we observe the Second Priestly celibacy is a discipline of the to God. Sunday of Lent. The penitential season Because of his faith, Christians and is well underway, now nearly two weeks even Muslims also revere Abraham. along. Church with deep historic roots Eighty years ago, Pope Pius XI said Lent is meaningless unless it includes My wife and I were recently received was the First Lateran Council in 1123 that that Christians fall within the category our total and free dedication to forming Qinto the communion of the Catholic finally mandated celibacy for clergy in the of children of Abraham, since Christians ourselves with the help of God’s grace Church. I know that a hot-button topic Latin Church. descend from him as a spiritual father, according to the image of Jesus, as Paul in the Church is the That requirement, and the practical because of his faith. urged the Roman Christians. It requires question of whether reason behind it, are reflected in the In this reading, God promised absolute faith, trust, commitment, serious there should be current Code of Canon Law: “Clerics are divine protection to all of Abraham’s thought and deliberate action in prayer, married priests. I have obliged to observe perfect and perpetual descendants. penance and in living each day. slowly come to the continence for the sake of the kingdom St. Paul’s Epistle to the Romans Is it worth it? Through the words of belief that unmarried of heaven, and therefore are bound to furnishes the second reading. It was Paul, the Church reminds us of life amid priests make logical celibacy which is a special gift of God written amid the context surrounding all hardships. and biblical sense. by which sacred ministers can adhere of the Pauline letters. Outright persecution does not beset Seeing how hard more easily to Christ with an undivided Although Christians were increasing Christians in America, but modern life is our own parish priest heart and are able to dedicate themselves in number in the last quarter of the first challenging, even daunting. Times are not works, it doesn’t seem more freely to the service of God and century, they still at the time formed only good for everyone. As were the ancient that he would also have the time to care humanity” (#277). a tiny minority in the population of the Roman Christians, we easily may be for a family, and I have read the biblical Further evidence, though, of the fact Roman Empire. Because of their total troubled. reasoning in Matthew 19:12 and Paul’s that clerical celibacy is not a revealed commitment to the Gospel of love, they Fears, doubts and our own smugness guidance in First Corinthians. But my truth but a matter of Church law can seemed foolish. confound our ability to see things clearly question is this: How does the Catholic be found in the fact that, in the United Moreover, they were viewed as a threat and to act in what truly is our best interests. Church reconcile this teaching with the States, several dozen Episcopal and to the stability of the empire. By rejecting The transfiguration consoles us by fact that the chief Apostle and first pope, Lutheran married clergy who became outright much of Roman culture, its basic telling us that Christ will sustain us. St. Peter, was married? (North Carolina) Catholic have been allowed to be philosophy and its pagan religion, they Whatever confronts us on Earth, we have ordained as Roman Catholic priests while were regarded as enemies of the state. nothing to fear. In the Latin Church, the part of the still remaining married. Obviously, many Christians were God is with us in Jesus, the eternal ACatholic Church that came to be uneasy. Paul reassured them. He called Son of God. His love is real, reaching out in western Europe and which is most I was married in the Catholic Church them to faithfulness regardless of the to us with reward and strength. common in the United States, celibacy is Qin 1965, then divorced in 1976 with hardships, indeed terrors, that easily, even Although almighty, Jesus overwhelms today a prerequisite for ordination to the two children. I never had the marriage likely, might come their way. no one. We freely must respond, priesthood. annulled. I married a wonderful man in He said that their knowledge of God especially when life is difficult. Lent is But that has not always been so; it 1981, but unfortunately he died suddenly was their advantage and privilege. God the process by which individually and is a discipline that developed through in 2018. I go to Mass and receive would save them. Christ had defeated voluntarily we accept the Lord and look history. (Even today, married men are Communion regularly, and I feel that I am death. In the Lord they would prevail over ahead beyond our problems, worries and permitted to be ordained in Eastern a devout Catholic. every adversary. sorrows. † Catholic Churches.) For the first several Fast forward to 2021, and I have met a centuries of the good Catholic man who was divorced but Christian era, never had the marriage annulled. We have My Journey to God it was common found a good life together and enjoy each throughout other’s families. I don’t want to remarry the Church for because of financial considerations. We married men to be want to live together and would like The Word of Truth ordained. to have this relationship blessed by a As you Catholic priest. Is there a way that this By Ron Lewis mention, St. Peter can take place? Please help. (Illinois) was obviously married, since In order for you to do what you It leads you from the darkness Luke 4:38 tells Awant—to have that particular living And guides you to the light. the story of Jesus situation blessed by a Catholic priest— The Word of Truth is the only way healing Peter’s the Church would have to abandon its To all the things that are right. mother-in-law. biblically based teaching that marriage And St. Paul says is a permanent commitment. The Church It protects you from temptation. in his First Letter also believes that a couple should not be “It is written,” is how you start. to Timothy that living together without being married. The Word of Truth will strengthen you, “a bishop must I recognize your desire for the When you hold it in your heart. be irreproachable, Eucharist and your eagerness to be a married only once, devout Catholic, but to be eligible to It teaches you to love your neighbor, temperate, self- receive Communion, one has to be To seek and you shall find. controlled” (1Tm living in concert with the Church’s The Word of Truth is peace and hope, 3:2). teachings, including those concerning And it calms a worried mind. Over time, the marriage. Church came to Please consider meeting with a priest It prepares you for a godly life the realization—as and discussing your situation. Meanwhile, On Earth and then in heaven. you suggest—that I will pray that you make a decision about The Word of Truth, it paves the way a priest is most your future based on your deeply held To the life you should be living. free to serve faith. the people and his ministry by (Questions may be sent to Father Kenneth (Ron Lewis lives in Bloomington and is a Benedictine oblate of Saint Meinrad Archabbey.) not having the Doyle at [email protected] and (Photo by Rod Long on Unsplash.com) responsibility of 30 Columbia Circle Dr., Albany, New York a family, and it 12203.) † Page 18 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021

Anne Armbruster and Estelle Redoutey. Grandmother of 10. Great-grandmother of nine. ECKSTEIN, Russell J., 96, Rest in St. Louis, Batesville, Dec. 8. Husband of Rita Eckstein. Cardinal in the snow Father of Michelle Roth, Dolly peace Stirn, Don, Kenny, Roger and Sam Eckstein. Brother of Alivna Hartman and Luella Please submit in writing Ripperger. Grandfather of 13. to our office by 10 a.m. Great-grandfather of eight. Thursday before the week of publication; be sure to state ENGLAND, Wilber T., date of death. Obituaries of 81, St. Charles Borromeo, archdiocesan priests serving Bloomington, Jan. 14. our archdiocese are listed Husband of Marjorie England. elsewhere in The Criterion. Father of Brent and Chris Order priests and religious England. Brother of Victoria sisters and brothers are Wilton. Grandfather of two. included here, unless they are FRY, Mary Catherine, 70, natives of the archdiocese or St. Mark the Evangelist, have other connec­tions to it; Jan. 19. Sister of Bernice those are separate obituaries Keller and Lucy Nicksin. Aunt on this page. and great-aunt of several. FUNK, Eulalia M. (Moser), BECRAFT, Ralph, 92, 100, St. Thomas More, St. Mary (Immaculate Mooresville, Nov. 19. Mother Conception), Rushville, Jan. 19. of Marianne Hawkins, Dennis, Father of Joanna Brown, Harold and Joseph Funk. Kathy Wiliams, Chris, Jim and Sister of George Moser. John Becraft. Grandfather of Grandmother of 23. Great- 13. Great-grandfather of 13. grandmother of 33. Great- Great-great-grandfather of great-grandmother of three. four. GRZELAK, Michael, 74, BOIKE, Helen M., 94, St. Michael, Greenfield, St. John the Apostle, Jan. 22. Husband of Mary Ann Bloomington, Jan. 19. Mother Grzelak. Father of Kathleen of Sandra Cobb and Debbie Morrow, Ann Marie, Angie Kuhlenschmidt. Grandmother and Adam Grzelak. Brother of four. Great-grandmother of of Maria Zinkan. Grandfather two. of five. BRACIK, Thomas P., HAGEDORN, Roger V., 61, 76, Sacred Heart of Jesus, St. Mary, New Albany, Jan. 16. Indianapolis, Jan. 4. Husband Husband of Carol Ann of Maria Bracik. Father of Hagedorn. Father of Emily Therese Houze, Tricia Hutton, Luzano, Hannah Stone and Tiffany Maddox and Todd Aaron Hagedorn. Son of Mary Bracik. Brother of John Hagedorn. Brother of Denise Bracik. Grandfather of six. Batliner, Debra Huber, Cheryl Pearce, Eugene, Joseph and CAVE, Pauline M., 92, Mary, Ronald Hagedorn. Grandfather Queen of Peace, Danville, of three. Great-grandfather of May 1, 2018. Mother of Cindy one. Cave Keller, Lisa Elison, HANLEY, Joseph V., 90, Carolyn Wamsley, Margaret A cardinal perches on a snow-covered statue of St. Francis of Assisi at Lake Santee in rural Decatur County. and Don Cave. Grandmother, St. Barnabas, Jan. 18. Husband (Submitted photo by David Fry ) great-grandmother and great- of Phillis Hanley. Father of great-grandmother of several. Linda Bourne, Debbie Mills and Michael Hanley. Brother Raymond Holtel. Grandmother LILLY, Eugene, 85, Holy Tim and Tony McKinley. RATEKIN, Nancy, 78, CONNER, Bill, 91, St. Paul, of John Hanley. Grandfather of of 22. Great-grandmother of Family, New Albany, Jan. 13. Grandfather of three. St. Mary (Immaculate Tell City, Jan. 14. Husband eight. Great-grandfather of 21. of Joan Conner. Father of 33. Great-great-grandmother Husband of Evelyn Lilly. MCMULLEN, John P., 85, Conception), Rushville, Jan. 15. HENN, Jr., Carl W., 99, Christine Kanneberg, Julie of five. Father of Amy Franklin, St. Jude the Apostle, Spencer, Wife of Rex Ratekin. Mother St. Joan of Arc, Indianapolis, Kohnert, Mary Riley, Theresa, HORNBACH, Michael J., 61, Janine Kelty, Pamela Kraft Jan. 16. Father of Cynthia of Allana Edwards, Denis, Jan. 15. Husband of Polly David, Stephen and Tim All Saints, Dearborn County, Jeffrey, Mark and Patrick Lilly. Slavens, Colleen, Kevin and Mark and Pete Ratekin. Sister Henn. Father of Amy Ball, Conner. Grandfather of 18. Jan 15. Husband of Lesa Brother of Mary Alexander, Michael McMullen. Brother of Rosare Marie Houze and Elizabeth Carlson, Martha Great-grandfather of 12. Hornbach. Father of Angie Rita Hunchman, Karen and of Betty Brinker, Maryanna Philip Shanahan. Grandmother Heavilon, Tess Mondello, Miller and Amanda Naumann. Alan Rodman and Vincent Kistner, Rose Mizer, George, of 10. DEDDENS, Gerhard W., 89, Ellen, Gretchen, Laura, Merry Son of Andrew and Frances Lilly. Grandfather of 17. Pat, Paul and Tom McMullen. STEINER, William F., 70, All Saints, Dearborn County, and Carl Henn, III. Brother Hornbach. Grandfather of two. Great-grandfather of 31. Grandfather of eight. Great- St. Lawrence, Lawrenceburg, Jan. 20. Father of Rose Linton, of Anthony, Eugene, James, MADDEN, Colleen M. grandfather of 15. Great-great- Jan. 14. Husband of Dena Lynn and David Deddens. Robert and Vincent Henn. KOOPMAN, Mary Kathryn, (Chiles), 64, St. Matthew the grandfather of two. Steiner. Father of Holly Brother of Theo Deddens. Grandfather of 19. Great- 77, St. John the Baptist, Apostle, Indianapolis, Jan. 14. Atrobus, Andrew and Steven Grandfather of 12. Great- grandfather of five. Starlight, Jan. 17. Wife of MCNULTY, Jane C., 84, grandfather of one. Norbert Koopman. Aunt of Wife of Paul Madden. Mother St. Lawrence, Lawrenceburg, Baudendistel. Brother of Mary HOLTEL, Martha T., 105, several. of Melissa, Jimmy, Martin, Jan. 21. Mother of Melissa Lou, Albert, Ed, Fred, Henry, EAGAN, Mary (Jansen), 86, St. Gabriel, Connersville, Paul, II, and Peter Madden. Wanner. Sister of Carole Patrick and Ronald Steiner. St. Mark the Evangelist, Jan.16. Wife of Marcellus LICHTENBERGER, Sister of Karen, Kathy, Brian Moltz. Grandmother of four. Grandfather of six. Jan. 21. Wife of Bernie Eagan. Holtel. Mother of Donna Steven Q., 26, St. Elizabeth and Michael. Grandmother Great-grandmother of five. SULLIVAN, Rose Marie, Mother of Joanne Cleary, Blotkamp, Elizabeth Fields, Ann Seton, Richmond, Jan. of 10. 86, Sacred Heart of Jesus, Diane, Andrew, Bernard and Therese Hollis, Mary Manchir, 15. Son of Craig and Vicki O’DONNELL, Mary MCKINLEY, Michael, 74, Terre Haute, Jan. 19. Mother Thomas Eagan. Sister of Judith Showalter, James and Lichtenberger. Brother Alice, 99, Holy Spirit, of Emilee and Kimberlee St. John Paul II, Sellersburg, Indianapolis, Jan. 16. Mother of Bonita Thompson, Laura Lichtenberger. Grandson of Jan. 19. Husband of Mary of Mary Theresa Snyder, Tucker, Timothy, Vincent Etta Lichtenberger and Walter McKinley. Father of Melissa James, Thomas and Timothy and William Sullivan. and Karen Horner. Callahan and Bryan McKinley. O’Donnell. Grandmother of Grandmother of 15. Great- Online Lay Ministry Formation Brother of Cheryl, Robert, grandmother of 7. The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has partnered with the 11. Great-grandmother of 13. University of Notre Dame and Catholic Distance University TRAUB, Paul W., 77, (CDU) to offer not-for-credit online theology classes: St. Pius X, Indianapolis, • Earn certificate in Lay Ministry Jan. 19. Husband of JoAnn • Complete 12 courses online with ND STEP program Traub. Father of Cindy • CDU offers classes on Catechism of the Catholic Church Providence Sister Jacquelyn Hoffman served Kindschuh, Brian and Dan • 20% discount for all employees, volunteers, and parishioners Traub. Brother of Martha as a music teacher for 50 years Nelson, Anne Thompson, Joan For more information, please log on to Traub-Martin, Jerry and Pat Providence Sister Jacquelyn Hoffman University of Illinois. Traub. Grandfather of seven. www.archindy.org/layministry (formerly Sister Theodata), a member of the During her 71 years as a member of Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the- the Sisters of Providence, Sister Jacquelyn URRUTIA, Patricia J., 89, Woods in St. Mary-of-the-Woods, died on ministered as a music teacher for 50 years in St. Jude, Indianapolis, Jan. 20. Wife of John Urrutia. Mother Jan. 25 at Mother Theodore Hall on the schools in Illinois, Indiana and Missouri. When of Theresa Hurrle, Susan REPORT SEXUAL MISCONDUCT NOW campus of her religious community’s she returned to the motherhouse in 2004, she Miles, Nancy Stalnaker, If you are a victim of sexual misconduct by a person ministering on motherhouse. She was 89. provided music for Providence Health Care, Michael and Thomas Urrutia. behalf of the Church, or if you know of anyone who has been a victim Because of the coronavirus pandemic, a liturgical music for her community, served as a Sister of David Kelley. of such misconduct, please contact the archdiocesan victim assistance virtual funeral service was held on Feb. 16. receptionist at the former Woods Day Care and Grandmother of 14. Great- coordinator. There are two ways to make a report: Burial followed at the sisters’ cemetery. was a coordinator for alumnae for the former grandmother of 28. Ethics Point Sister Jacquelyn was born on Feb. 3, 1931, Ladywood High School in Indianapolis. 1 Confidential, Online Reporting WELLMAN, Sondra www.archdioceseofindianapolis.ethicspoint.com or 888-393-6810 in Fort Wayne, Ind. She entered the Sisters of She is survived by a sister, Patricia Toomey (Cornelius), 87, St. Luke the Carla Hill, Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Victim Assistance Coordinator Providence on Feb. 2, 1950, and professed final of Randolph, N.J. Evangelist, Indianapolis, 2 P.O. Box 1410, Indianapolis, IN 46206-1410 vows on Aug. 15, 1957. Memorial gifts may be sent to the Sisters of Jan. 10. Sister of Carol Hutton, 317-236-1548 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1548 Sister Jacquelyn earned a bachelor’s Providence, 1 Sisters of Providence Road, Saint David and John Cornelius. Aunt and great-aunt of several. [email protected] degree in music at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods Mary-of-the-Woods, St. Mary-of-the-Woods, IN College and a master’s degree in music at the 47876. † † The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Page 19

Investing with Faith/Fr. Clement Davis Planned giving, estate planning help parishes in times of need Greetings friends! This winter is Both parishes faced the daunting While a building campaign brings It had been the topic of a couple providing us with an unaccustomed taste prospect of building churches to financial needs to center stage in a parish, pastoral team meetings, with no solution of cold, snow and ice, and it’s on one accommodate actual and anticipated the fact is a parish will often be dealing in sight. Then a letter arrived with a of those unfriendly growth, and to do so while maintaining with regular needs that expand and grow. “no-strings” gift from a parishioner days that I am holed all the parish ministries with their regular The St. Bartholomew School and who, without having informed us, had up in my apartment, expenses. Great generosity was called Religious Education ministries in included the parish in her will. keeping warm. So, for, and in both cases the challenges Columbus have benefitted from a A year or so prior, an air handler it’s a good time for were met and our goals were exceeded. Sesquicentennial Memorial Educational serving the church sanctuary was me to share some We kept the lights on and staff members Endowment Fund established back in plagued with a failing compressor. thoughts about continued to collect their salaries. 1993, and those benefits have helped our Technicians from the manufacturer planned giving. I’ve experienced how energy develops catechetical ministries year after year. assured us there was no easy or quick Chris Hirschfeld around the idea of growth and the Planned giving goes beyond the annual fix. Equipment would need to be and I, who serve as wonder of seeing a parish community stewardship campaign. Estate planning is replaced at the cost of $65,000 to co-chairpersons of unite around a shared vision of what we becoming a more common reality, not just $70,000 that was not in the budget. We the archdiocesan Catholic Community can be, what we can do, together. for the rich and famous. All of us do well would have to raid the savings account Foundation (CCF) Planned Giving There is clearly excitement when a new to look beyond our present needs to plan or borrow the money. Before that step Committee, have been asked to share our building will result from these efforts, but for the day we are no longer here to make could be taken, the postman brought the perspectives with you. the needs of a parish community are more day-to-day financial decisions. notification that a parishioner who had Mine on planned giving has been frequently less dramatic and less obvious Sometimes our parishioners inform died months earlier had included largely formed through pastoring than a building site. The task of planned us of their plans to remember the parish St. Bartholomew Parish in their will. The two parishes for more than 36 years. giving efforts in the Church is to raise in their wills. Sometimes we receive a $80,000 check was a totally unforeseen During that time, I was blessed to have and keep alive the awareness that every happy surprise. Such was the case when, solution to our compressor problem. ministered to and worked side-by-side parishioner counts, and that everyone’s just a year ago, we were faced with a These good people, who had served with amazing men and women of faith gift—no matter the size—contributes to pressing need for a technology upgrade the Church and community so generously and of generosity. the spread of the Gospel. for which we hadn’t planned. See INVESTING, page 20

Classified Directory Employment Call 317-236- Administrative Assistant Construction 1585 St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church, Carmel, Ind. is looking for a full-time TO ADVERTISE IN Administrative Assistant to join the parish staff. As the point of “first contact,” this position is vital to the integrity and professionalism of the Parish Offices. It is critical The Criterion that this position supports the goal of ensuring efficient operation of the Parish Offices. It is also important that this employee understands and supports the Mission and purpose of the Roman Catholic Church and St. Elizabeth Seton Parish and be able to participate fully in the practice of the Roman Catholic Faith. • Daily opening and closing of parish administration office. Employment • This person must have excellent people skills; good organizational skills and the ability to multi-task; Handle a high volume of telephone calls with courtesy, speed, accuracy and patience; Greet visitors to the Parish Office, Diocese of Evansville, Indiana including parishioners, volunteers and visitors, in a pleasant, professional, and sincere manner.

Human Resources Director/Manager Interested Candidates should email resume to: The Catholic Diocese of Evansville, Indiana, which serves a Roman Catholic community of more than 75,800 across 12 counties in southwestern Indiana, [email protected] seeks candidates for the newly created position of Human Resources Manager/ St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church Director. The actual position title will be dependent on the qualifications and 10655 Haverstick Road experience of the successful candidate. Carmel IN, 46033 The successful candidate will be responsible for all aspects of the diocesan benefits plan; develop, maintain and continuously improve the diocese’s comprehensive process for hiring employees; oversee the compensation DIRECTOR OF ENROLLMENT MANAGEMENT system for diocesan-agency employees; develop and maintain a performance- evaluation process; and serve as an advisor to pastors and management team members parishes, schools and other diocesan agencies. St. Theodore Guerin High School, located in Noblesville, Indiana, is accepting applications for a full-time The successful candidate will be a Catholic in good standing, a bachelor’s degree Director of Enrollment Management. is required (master’s degree preferred) in human-resources management, organizational development, business administration or a related field. At least The Director of Enrollment Management is a full-time five years of previous experience in human resources management is required. exempt salaried position reporting to the President Designation as a Senior Professional in Human Resources or Professional in and is an integral part of the school’s leadership Human Resources is preferred. The successful candidate also must complete a team. The Director of Enrollment Management is full Criminal History Clearance. responsible for planning and implementing a strategic program to market St. Theodore Guerin High School to prospective students and A complete position announcement is available online at www.evdio.org/ their families; and, ultimately, for enrolling new students in numbers employmentopportunities.html. sufficient to meet annual goals. The Director will provide a creative vision and energetic oversight for all admissions and recruitment To apply, send a letter of application, resume and at least four references to: operations and retention efforts. The successful candidate will Search Committee, Human Resources, Diocese of Evansville, hr-manager@ have demonstrated ability to coordinate an enrollment management evdio.org. No phone calls, please. program that will effectively attract, enroll, and retain students who desire to be a part of a dynamic faith based high school. Medicare Insurance The qualifications for the position: • A Bachelor’s Degree is required, and a master’s degree preferred. • Experience in educational enrollment management preferred. • Have a collaborative leadership philosophy that works well in a team atmosphere. • Be a practicing Catholic in good standing and personal witness to the Catholic faith by living in accordance with the doctrines and morals of the Roman Catholic Church. For a detailed job description, please visit GuerinCatholic.org. Qualified candidates should email a current résumé and cover letter to apply@ guerincatholic.org. Please include at least three references as part of the résumé. St. Theodore Guerin High School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Guerin Catholic High School 15300 Gray Road l Noblesville, IN 46062 l (317) 582-0120 l GuerinCatholic.org Page 20 The Criterion Friday, February 26, 2021 Bishops say fellow Texans’ help for one another amid storm is ‘edifying’ AUSTIN, Texas (CNS)—The Catholic On Feb. 20, bishops of Texas said on Feb. 20 that the President Joe Biden generosity of their fellow Texans reaching approved Texas’ out to help their neighbors, even while request for a major they were also managing their own needs disaster declaration, during a historic winter storm, “is truly making federal funding edifying.” available for people “We are grateful for the outpouring affected by the winter of concern from around the world for storm. News reports on all who have been affected by the severe Feb. 22 said millions weather conditions in Texas,” they added across Texas remained in a joint statement issued by the Austin- under boil water based Texas Catholic Conference of notices, and others were Bishops, the bishops’ public policy arm. seeking financial relief. “We affirm the state leaders who are Gov. Greg Abbott now paying attention to the underlying said on Feb. 21 that pre-existing conditions which have “the state continues exacerbated the suffering of so many,” to distribute aid to they said. Texans while leaders The historic winter storms in February also discuss strategies shattered electric plants across Texas, to ensure its energy prompting energy providers to force system isn’t crippled blackouts across the state to preserve what by weather again in fragile electricity they could generate. At the future,” reported least 58 deaths have been linked to the KHOU-TV Channel 11. A shopper looks for food at an H-E-B Plus! supermarket in Corpus Christi, Texas, on Feb. 18 after a winter storm wreaked storms and subsequent power outages. The Texas Catholic havoc throughout the region. (CNS photo/Courtney Sacco, Caller-Times, USA Today Network via Reuters) Record snowfall and single-digit bishops in their temperatures froze the state’s electric statement said: “Please continue to pray of rebuilding and repairing their homes On Feb. 19, Los Angeles Archbishop systems, pushing more than 4.3 million with us for those who have died and and businesses, as well as our damaged José H. Gomez, president of the into darkness. The outages, first expected been injured; for the first responders churches and parish facilities, even while U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, to be “rolling” and only a few hours, and utility workers who are going all are attempting to remain safe from the also urged donations to Catholic Charities stretched to days for millions of Texans. beyond professional expectations; for coronavirus. USA. Their homes and cities were ill-prepared the restoration of power, water and food “May Our Lady of Guadalupe wrap us “In our Lenten almsgiving, let us find for such intense winter weather. supplies; and for those who face the task in her mantle of protection, especially the concrete ways to help our brothers and poor who are disproportionately impacted.” sisters,” he said in a statement. There are 20 active archbishops, The archbishop said he joined all (Retired Father Clement Davis, who bishops and auxiliary bishops who U.S. Catholic bishops “in praying for all INVESTING serves on the Catholic Community shepherd approximately 8.5 million those who have died and been injured continued from page 19 Foundation Advisory Board of Catholics living in Texas, about 30% of in the recent winter storms. We pray Directors, is senior parochial vicar at the total population. especially for those without power and heat while they lived in our midst, had also St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus. The bishops said donations to local and for first responders who are offering planned for the time when they would not Tax or legal information provided herein is Texas Catholic Charities agencies would assistance to those with urgent needs. be with us. And due to their planning and not intended as tax or legal advice. Always “most efficiently reach Texans.” But “I entrust those who are suffering to loving generosity, we have been blessed to check with your legal, tax or financial they also said donations can be made to the Immaculate Heart of our Blessed be able to devote ourselves to sharing the advisors before implementing any Catholic Charities USA at www.CCUSA. Mother Mary,” he added. “May she grant GoodStackowicz News 2-21 of our Occ_Marriage_10.27x8.qxp_Layout Savior Jesus Christ. gift 1 2/12/21 plan.) †2:31 PM Page 1 online/weather. them all comfort and peace.” †

Protect your future with The Knights of Columbus Glenn Adams Jeremiah Blossom 317-724-6741 812-212-7715 [email protected] [email protected]

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