Inside Archbishop Buechlein . 5 Editorial . 4 Question Corner . 11 Sunday and Daily Readings . 11 Serving the ChurchCriterion in Central and Souther n Indiana Since 1960 criteriononline.com May 6, 2005 Vol. XXXXIV, No. 30 75¢ First Photo by Rich Clark Photo by Communion helps renew love for the Eucharist By Sean Gallagher (Editor’s note: The Catholic Church is observing the Year of the Eucharist. This article is part of a Criterion series exploring the importance of the Eucharist in all facets of the life of the archdiocese.) A church filled with people watching young girls in fancy white dresses and young boys in shiny new suits receiving Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament for the first time—such are some of the memories that many of us have of our own, our children’s or our grandchildren’s first Communion. Most parishes across the archdiocese have celebrated this tradition once again Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein stands with James Morris, executive director of the United Nations World Food Program, second from the left in the back this spring during the Year of the Eucharist. row, along with the award winners at the annual Spirit of Service Awards Dinner on April 26 in Indianapolis. The winners are, front row from left, Maribeth At 3 p.m. on June 12 at Victory Field in Smith, a member of St. Luke Parish in Indianapolis; Dr. Philomena Dias, a member of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis; Mary McClelland, a member of Indianapolis, Catholics from across the Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in Indianapolis; Ella Wagner, a member of St. Pius X Parish in Indianapolis; Bonnie Schott, a member of St. Roch Parish in archdiocese will honor the children who Indianapolis; and back row from left, J. Albert Smith Jr., a member of St. Luke Parish in Indianapolis; and Bill Witchger, chief executive officer of Marian Inc. have received their first Communion this year at “The Year of the Eucharist: Celebrating the Body of Christ.” Vital works of Catholic Social Ser vices The girls and boys will participate in a eucharistic procession at the stadium led by Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein. highlighted through Spirit of Service Awards In his apostolic letter “Mane nobiscum Domine” (“Stay with us Lord”), which By Brandon A. Evans demand for social services,” Archbishop and invigorating for those of us working opened the Year of the Eucharist, the late Buechlein said. at Catholic Social Services,” said David Pope John Paul II expressed his hope that Hundreds of people recently had the Alecia DeCoudreaux, the event chair and Bethuram, associate executive director of this year might be a time where we “grow chance to hear a firsthand witness about also secretary and deputy general counsel for Catholic Social Services of Central in awareness of the incomparable treasure global hunger from the man who runs the Eli Lilly and Company, announced during Indiana. “It’s been challenging because which Christ has entrusted to his world’s largest food aid organization. the evening that about $245,000 had been the needs of our community continue to Church” (#29). James Morris, executive director of raised. grow, yet it’s been invigorating because Several people connected to this year’s the United Nations World Food “This is such a successful evening because we have remained focused on our mis- first Communion celebrations said that this Program, was the keynote speaker at the you recognized that we need your help in our sion—investing our energies to serve the annual tradition does just that for everyone annual Spirit of Service Awards Dinner mission to serve others and to provide valu- poor and those in need.” involved in it, not simply for the children on April 26 in Indianapolis. able programs and services in our commu- In his keynote address, Morris gave and their families who are in its spotlight. Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein nity, and you responded to that need with credit to the archdiocese for all it has Benedictine Father Severin Messick, thanked those who turned out to support your incredible support,” DeCoudreaux told done to alleviate poverty, and urged those pastor of St. Michael Parish in Greenfield, the work of Catholic Social Services in those present. present to continue trying to do more, said that the excitement of the young chil- the archdiocese. He also recognized six This year, Catholic Social Services especially for the world as a whole. dren receiving Communion for the first time individuals and one corporation during expects to provide food, clothing or other In 2003, the World Food Program fed can rekindle a love for the Eucharist in the evening for their efforts to make the material assistance for more than 8,900 peo- 110 million people in 81 countries. those of us who have been receiving it for world a better place by honoring them ple; Christmas assistance for more than 2,300 “We’re told to love our neighbor,” See COMMUNION, page 16 with Spirit of Service Awards. people; and professional counseling services Morris said. “The Bible doesn’t put “Your generosity means that our pro- to more than 2,700 people. a geographic limit … with that grams can help meet an increasing “This past year has been both challenging See AWARDS, page 2 Pope stresses peace, workers’ rights and unity VATICAN CITY (CNS)—Pope cloth that hangs from the window when- Benedict XVI delivered his first Sunday ever the pope speaks. noon blessing and launched appeals for Following in the footsteps of Pope John peace, for the defense of workers’ rights, Paul II, Pope Benedict used his Sunday and for unity between Catholic and noon appearance to express concerns over Wiechec Nancy CNS photo by Orthodox Christians. current world events and to launch “I address you for the first time from appeals. this window, which my beloved predeces- “In these days, I find myself thinking sor rendered so familiar to innumerable often of all peoples who suffer because of people around the world,” Pope Benedict war, illness and poverty,” the German said on May 1. pope said. “In particular, today, I am close A crowd of nearly 100,000 gathered in to the dear populations of Togo, ravaged the square to see the new pontiff and by painful internal conflicts. For all these started to applaud even before he appeared nations, I implore the gift of harmony and at the window of the Apostolic Palace. peace.” Pope Benedict XVI greets the crowd from his The first wave of applause started as soon In Togo, political violence has claimed apartment window overlooking St. Peter’s as his aides unfurled the red and gold See POPE, page 15 Square on May 1 at the Vatican. Page 2 The Criterion Friday, May 6, 2005 alleviate world hunger, Morris said, but it is and how many times my husband and my within our grasp to eliminate child hunger. children have gone out on Christmas Eve to AWARDS If $5-7 billion, each year, were placed deliver last minute presents to the poor.” continued from page 1 Rich Clark Photo by toward ending child hunger, he said, it would Mary McClelland, a member of commandment.” end. Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish in He commended the late Pope John “The same amount of money the world Indianapolis, said that she was thankful Paul II—whom he had a private audience invested in feeding the people of Berlin in for her family, and also for being given with twice—as being someone with “a life 1948 during the air lift, in terms of 2005 dol- the chance to offer service to others. for all of us to study.” lars, it’s enough to feed every hungry child in Doing work in the community is “where “That man made the most of his oppor- the world,” Morris said. I want to be,” she said. tunities, and the same is expected of all of “When you feed a child, when you enable Dr. Philomena Dias, a member of us,” Morris said. that child to go to school … everything about St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis, was He told stories about some of the places that child’s life changes for the better,” he grateful for the award, and said that her he visited, noting that while the world said. inspiration is Our Lady of Medjugorje. responds to disasters like that caused by the “I’m very focused and preoccupied with “It’s not for me, it is for the ministry, and tsunami late last year, oftentimes the world the notion that if there is one thing that’s rep- I am very glad to acknowledge and to simply isn’t aware of all the suffering that is James Morris, executive director of the United rehensible, that’s shameful, that’s unaccept- receive this award on behalf of the mission caused by hunger. Nations World Food Program, speaks at the able in the world today, it’s the fact that there of New Life in Christ Ministries,” she said. There are 850 million hungry people in Spirit of Service Awards Dinner on April 26 in are 300 million hungry kids,” he said. “So Ella Wagner, a member of St. Pius X the world, he said, and 300 million of Indianapolis. much good will in the world, so much tech- Parish in Indianapolis, said that “my life is those are children. About 25,000 people a nology, so much money, so much food— what God intended for it to be, what my day die from hunger, and about 18,000 of Morris said. “A 15-year-old girl is two there should be no hungry children.