About us
We, the Office of Family Ministries of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis are a hope-filled voice, committed to the spiritual and developmental growth of families by:
- Recognizing and responding to the diversity of needs and talents within the Church of central and southern Indiana;
- Empowering and nurturing the vocational gifts of priests, lay ecclesial ministers, and the people they serve; and
- Creating partnerships, which foster and enhance the presence of God in the domestic church
We Value:
- The sacred in the ordinary
- The diversity of life experiences
- Advocating for the needs of those we serve
- Leadership development
- People more than programs
- Ministry rooted in humility and compassion
- Creative and life-giving ministry to families
Staff:
Daniel Sarell, MA, Director
Email: dsarell@archindy.org
Dan joined the Office of Family Ministries in 2005. He is a graduate of St. Meinrad College (1997) and has served in various diocesan and parish ministry leadership positions, including most recently as Parish Life Coordinator at St. Mary of the Annunciation Church, Navilleton, IN. Dan studied theology at the University of Dayton, where he served as a graduate assistant in the Program for Christian Leadership and has received his MA in Theological Studies (2006). Dan has been married to Angela since 2000, and they were recently blessed by the birth of their first child in April 2008.
Dan’s specific areas of ministry include marriage preparation and enrichment, promotion of Natural Family Planning, Substance Addiction Ministry, and family spirituality, as well as collaborating in divorce and bereavement ministry.
Marilyn Hess, Associate Director for Healing Ministries
Email: mhess@archindy.org
Marilyn joined the Office of Family Ministries in 1989, and brings a wealth of life experiences to offer those seeking healing, and her gifts for compassionate ministries are well-known and respected. Marilyn previously worked in sales at American United Life for 13 years. She has been married to Dick for 26 years, and their blended family includes her 3 children, his 4 children, and their 2 sons. Dick and Marilyn are blessed to now have 22 grandchildren (and counting). Both Marilyn and Dick are very active members of Holy Spirit parish, where they have served in a number of ministries.
Marilyn’s specialty is ministry to divorced and separated Catholics and to the bereaved. She also plays an integral leadership role in our Pre-Cana program and annual Golden Jubilee celebration. Marilyn currently serves on the board for the National Catholic Ministry to the Bereaved (NCMB).
