175th Anniversary Mass

Thank you for your witness of faith

Our Jubilee Mass in celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis last Sunday was a beautiful and impressive experience of our Church at worship. We thank God for this blessing and all the blessings showered upon the Church in central and southern Indiana over the past 175 years. It was awe-inspiring to witness 2,800 young people and adults receiving the sacrament of confirmation.

In the name of all of us—laity, religious and clergy—I want to thank everyone who gathered at Lucas Oil Stadium for this historic occasion. What a marvelous expression of the unity of our archdiocese. The presence of Cardinal Francis E. George, Archbishop of Chicago, and several of my brother bishops, priests and archabbots made the event all the more special.

I also want to thank the hundreds of volunteers and staff who worked so hard over the past year to make this celebration possible.

Msgr. Joseph F. Schaedel and Annette “Mickey” Lentz were co-chairs of the planning committee, and were assisted on the executive steering committee by Ford Cox, Sharon Donohue, Kevin McDowell, Father Jonathan Meyer, Roger Neal, Carolyn Noone, Greg Otolski, Benedictine Father Julian Peters and Brenda Pfarr. Other key individuals in the planning included Father John Beitans, David Bethuram, Father James Bonke, Bob Desautels, Charles Gardner, Stephen James, Father Aaron Jenkins, Msgr. Paul Koetter, Bill McGowan, Kathy Mears, Jim Morris, Father Rick Nagel, Ken Ogorek, Father Michael O’Mara, Jen Ross, Julie Shewmaker, Father Kenneth Taylor, Christina Tuley and Anne Wilmes.

Countless others, including the staff of Lucas Oil Stadium, provided invaluable assistance. Many people and organizations, who are listed on page 15 of this issue, also contributed with financial and technical support. Heartfelt congratulations and thank you, one and all!

Let us pray that the next chapter in our archdiocese’s history will be as blessed and fruitful as the 175 years we just celebrated. We look ahead as a family filled with hope.

Most Rev. Daniel M. Buechlein, O.S.B.
Archbishop of Indianapolis