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A unique experience Pilgrimage to Jasper, Ferdinand to highlight German Christmas traditions, page 7. Serving the Church in Central and Southern Indiana Since 1960 CriterionOnline.com September 20, 2013 Vol. LIII, No. 49 75¢ ‘Terrible loss of life’ at Natalie Hoefer Photo by Navy Yard Sharing the Jesus in them shocking and sad, says archbishop WASHINGTON (CNS)—As military, police and federal investigators searched for answers as to why a lone gunman opened fire on Sept. 16 at the Washington Navy Yard, killing 12 people and wounding at least eight more, religious leaders and public officials offered prayers for the victims and their families. Washington Cardinal Donald W. Wuerl and Archbishop Timothy P. Broglio, who heads the Washington-based Archdiocese for the Military Services, both issued brief statements offering prayers for the victims and their families. The shooter was identified as Aaron Alexis, 34, Members of the Congolese Catholic Choir in the U.S. sing a song of praise during the Mass held at St. Bernadette Church in Indianapolis during the third who became the annual convention of the National Association of African Catholics in the U.S. on Sept. 7. 13th victim when Cardinal he died in a gun Donald W. Wuerl battle with police Contagious spirit spreads at National Association at the naval office building in the of African Catholics conference in Indianapolis nation’s capital. At first, law enforcement By Natalie Hoefer in Indianapolis as the city hosted native of Nigeria. authorities thought the third annual conference of the More than 200 African-born Catholics there was a Dressed in colorful traditional attire, National Association of African Catholics from around the U.S. gathered for the second shooter, but the primarily African-born Catholic in the United States (NAACUS) at conference, titled “One Faith, One Body by the end of the day congregation clapped and danced to the St. Bernadette Retreat Center on Sept. 6-8. in the Era of the New Evangelization.” confirmed Alexis was beat of bongo drums, making their way to “Indianapolis for a long time has been “I’m fascinated by the new the only gunman. the altar for an offering of thanksgiving well organized,” said Handmaids of the evangelization,” said Dabrice Bartet, a According to news and blessing toward the end of the Mass. Holy Child Jesus Sister Joanna Okereke, native of Togo who is now a member of reports, Alexis was a African youths danced and dipped in program coordinator for the Pastoral St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis. “I like Archbishop former Navy reservist choreographed moves, and shrill cries Care of Migrants, Refugees and Travelers trying to find new ways to reach people. Timothy P. Broglio who received a of joy burst forth sporadically from subcommittee of the U.S. Conference of “This morning the keynote speaker “general discharge” individuals around the sanctuary. Catholic Bishops’ Secretariat for Cultural gave us some good ideas,” she said from the service and had moved to the “I felt right at home because we Diversity in the Church. “We could not of Nigerian Father Pascal Nduka, Washington area from Texas about a year share the same Spirit; we share the choose a better place that is well organized administrator of St. Anthony of Padua ago. He worked for a military contractor and same faith,” said Franciscan Brother and willing to receive us. Parish in Morris and sacramental had security clearance at the Navy Yard. Moises Gutierrez, director of the “From the faces of the people, from minister of St. Nicholas Parish Archbishop Broglio said the “terrible archdiocesan Office of Multicultural how they talk, you can see that they are in Sunman. loss of life” shocked and saddened him, Ministry. “As a matter of fact, their enjoying the conference. It has been so Zimbabwe native Stella Mabudzi particularly as it occurred at a familiar place spirit was contagious!” lively. It has been so wonderful, enriching traveled from California with her where he has often visited and celebrated The contagious spirit was spread and spiritually filled,” said Sister Joanna, a See NAACUS, page 8 See SHOOTING, page 9 Catholic school values are at the heart of award recipients who make a difference By John Shaughnessy who bucked the odds and the naysayers to Bowers and Wolf will receive Career start from scratch a Catholic high school Achievement Awards from the archdiocese One of the common qualities of in a South Carolina community that is “not while the Lechleiters are the recipients of people whose Catholic values shape their exactly a Catholic bastion”—a school that is this year’s Community Service Award. commitment to others is how they prefer to now thriving in its efforts to offer a Catholic Here is a glimpse of the four honorees talk about the people who have influenced education. and the difference they make to others. them—and the people who they believe do And Dr. David Wolf talks about growing so much more than up in a poor family and how two parish Dr. David Wolf them. priests were among the mentors who taught Dr. David Wolf never forgets the So Sarah him “to set high standards, set goals and example his mother set for her children: Lechleiter praises never give up.” “For my mom, going to church was just as the Little Sisters And Julie Bowers raves about her important as having food on the table.” of the Poor grandmother, the youngest of 18 children, He often thinks of all the people who at St. Augustine Home for the Aged in who kept living her faith and serving others helped him and his family when he was Indianapolis, where her longtime volunteer into her 90s. growing up—the parishioners who gave efforts have included making beds for Yet while all four individuals seek to them clothes, the religious sisters who residents. steer the spotlight away from themselves, shared food, and the man who became like “There is no greater beauty than the work they will be honored during the Celebrating a father to him after his dad died. they do,” she says. “I learned about sheer Catholic School Values: Scholarship and “Growing up, the Church was there for love there, with no questions asked.” Career Achievement Awards event in us over and over,” Wolf recalls. “I was And John Lechleiter focuses on his sister Indianapolis on Oct. 8. See AWARDS, page 2 Page 2 The Criterion Friday, September 20, 2013 that faith will get you through anything. been a catechist, a youth group leader AWARDS That constant reminder of Christ in your and a confirmation preparation leader continued from page 1 life is what makes Catholic education at St. Patrick Parish in Terre Haute. She invaluable.” has also been the coordinator of a capital able to go to Catholic schools because of campaign for the parish, and has served on others. Now, I’m one of those others. I Julie Bowers its school commission and parish council. feel an obligation to help.” One story shows the impact that Now, she is the “animator” of the He does it with a faith and a focus that Julie Bowers had on the children strategic restructuring plan for the he describes as “full throttle.” that were the focus of her years as a Terre Haute Deanery, helping the parishes He is a past president of the board Catholic educator. there collaborate their ministries. Her of directors at Roncalli High School in “I had taught this student in first grade, efforts include a plan for St. Patrick Indianapolis, where he has been involved and then he was a student when I was School that “will ensure an affordable and John Lechleiter Sarah Lechleiter with the building the principal,” accessible Catholic education to children of a new chapel, Bowers recalls in the deanery.” their three children attended St. Matthew a fine arts center, of her time at Bowers has seen the way Catholic School and Brebeuf Jesuit Preparatory the athletic St. Patrick School education has touched her life, and School, both in Indianapolis. stadium and an in Terre Haute. she wants that opportunity to continue John has helped with the Boy Scouts, administrative “His mother for others. coached basketball and football in the wing. withdrew him “Working in Catholic education is not Catholic Youth Organization and served He is a from our school a career, it’s a vocation,” she says. “A on the board of education at St. Matthew founding member one year because vocation is something you do out of love and as the chairman of the board of of SS. Francis of financial for the Lord. What you do in service to trustees at Brebeuf. and Clare of reasons. About him is a gift.” Their involvement and influence Assisi Parish in a year later, his also continue to make an impact Dr. David Wolf Greenwood, Julie Bowers grandfather called John and Sarah Lechleiter on Xavier University in Cincinnati, where he has done and said he really John and Sarah Lechleiter believe that Marian University in Indianapolis and everything from coach basketball to lead wanted him back in our school. “the hand of God is in everything,” and Providence Cristo Rey High School in baptism classes with his wife, Anne. Monsignor Larry Moran and I found some part of their purpose in life is to extend Indianapolis, as well as their home parish, He set up a dental clinic in Haiti, school funding to provide a scholarship God’s reach through their efforts. St. John the Evangelist in Indianapolis. volunteers as a dentist for poor children for him. “Living our life and living as people The tight weave of promoting Catholic in Romania, and provides free dental care “That was in the fourth grade.