Editorial
Fire of Spirit working throughout the Church in central and southern Indiana
Need confirmation that the Holy Spirit is alive and working throughout the Church in central and southern Indiana?
Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin offered several examples during his closing remarks at the June 6 ordination liturgy at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis for Fathers Adam Ahern, Michael Keucher and Andrew Syberg.
After thanking God for calling the men to ordained ministry and thanking their parents “for the atmosphere of your homes that allowed your sons not only the sensitivity to listen to God’s call, but the freedom to answer,” the archbishop reflected on how “well-heated churches” allow “the openness to the Holy Spirit to set them on fire.”
That fire is burning in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, Archbishop Tobin noted, as seen not only by vocations to the priesthood, but also vocations to religious life, committed marriage and lay apostolates.
It is also burning within the 1,100 neophytes and new Catholics who were initiated or received into the full communion of the Church during the celebration of the Easter mysteries at churches throughout the archdiocese. Those individuals are invited to a special Mass at 2 p.m. this Sunday, June 14, at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. (See related story, page 3.)
The flame is burning brightly and evident in the growing number of people who contributed to the United Catholic Appeal, and made it possible, among other things, for the archdiocese to offer formation of deacons and priests.
“I think of all the good people in this archdiocese, who by the way they live, by the honesty and transparency of their lives, by the welcome they give to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and their eyes turned outward looking for those who are on the fringes, the margins of our society and Church,” Archbishop Tobin noted. “This is a sign of people who are open to the grace of the Holy Spirit, and thus allowing the Church to produce all sorts of vocations. I thank God for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.”
There is, indeed, a vibrant faith burning throughout the Church in central and southern Indiana.
May we continue to have “well-heated churches” where the Spirit bears more fruit not only for our faith family but for the universal Church, too.
—Mike Krokos
Generosity of local Church evident—again—through special collections
The generosity of the Church in central and southern Indiana continues to touch people beyond our geographic boundaries.
As of June 4, the archdiocesan Mission Office had received more than $118,000 from parish second collections and individual donations to assist those devastated by earthquakes in Nepal in late April and mid-May that left thousands of people dead and more than 1 million others homeless.
Father Gerald Kirkhoff, director of the archdiocesan Mission Office, said the local Church is still accepting donations.
Checks should be made payable to “Archdiocese of Indianapolis,” with “Earthquake Nepal” included on the memo line.
Donations may be mailed to the Archdiocese of Indianapolis—Mission Office, 1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis, IN 46202-2367.
This latest example of generosity by local Catholics reflects the way we reach out to our brothers and sisters in need both regionally and across the globe.
Whether it is an earthquake, hurricane, flood, typhoon or another unforeseen tragedy that strikes, in times of crisis and tragedy, the world always knows the Catholic Church will be there, responding as our faith demands, being our brothers and sisters’ keepers, and helping bring God’s love, generosity and compassion to a world sorely in need of it.
—Mike Krokos