Blog entries
Friday, July 13
Providence Cristo Rey High School
Providence Cristo Rey High School, the newest Catholic high school in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis is almost ready to open. Students spent the day painting various classrooms and also spent time removing various paint splatter from themselves. Hey, it can’t all get on the wall!
We were amazed at how Sr. Jeanne was willing to come from the University of San Francisco to help start this school. Each student, we learned, will be partnering with some of the finest businesses and corporations in the Indianapolis area. These partnerships will make the education available at a very affordable cost. Speaking generally, student will work four days and then on day 5, they venture out to work a full day at an Indianapolis business.
Painting the room and making ready the area students will use gave us a sense of purpose and made us feel as though we are making a difference. The area surrounding the school was in need of a helping hand and this school should make the neighbors stand and cheer. We prayed for good start to the coming school year. We also prayed that the paint will come off our clothes!
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Posted by Bob Smith at 5:14 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Thursday, July 12
Missionaries of Charity
On the eastside of Indianapolis, our Catholic youth can be found helping out at the Missionaries of Charity. Each day this summer, there are many youth who pass through the doors to find the sisters waiting to pray with them, feed them and play with them. Simply, they put into action the Gospel mandate to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, welcome the stranger, clothe the naked, and care for the sick.
When asked to give her account of how it was that God called her to a life of service, Sister Ita simply said, “We do little with recruitment and we have no website. We simply ask that you come and see Christ present in the people we work with. If you feel God calling you in that moment, then you need to listen. What better life is there?”
Ice Cream Social
Few things are better than ice cream and we had plenty of ice cream for our neighbors that lived near St. Bernadette Catholic Church.
Extending a hand of friendship to neighbors was limited only when “Boss” came to eat. He was the biggest dog we had seen in a while and was lovable and eager to devour all available ice cream regardless of flavor.
Many families came to enjoy the ice cream and ask various questions. Several students made all neighbors feel at home. Pat O’Brien, from Holy Rosary, did eat at least 7 ice cream sandwiches with a few minutes. That’s a record somewhere!
Anna Marie from St. Monica had this to say. “We were excited for the neighborhood children to experience fun and not worry about neighborhood crime.”
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Posted by Bob Smith at 5:14 p.m. on Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Wednesday, July 11
Today, we traveled to Gleaners Food Bank. We quickly we learned valuable information about who is served by the various agencies that get food from Gleanrs. 37.3% of the Hoosiers served by Gleaners' partner charities in Central Indiana are under 18 years of age. 12% are under the age of 5.
We filled roughly 250 boxes with food today and knowing the statistics above, made the work take on a different meaning. Sure it's hot inside the building and yes it's labor intensive, but we are here to serve the needy. We needed to step forward and get it done.
There is no better job than to somehow put ourselves in the service of another. That is what Mother Theresa life was about.
In the afternnon, we traveled downtown to the AT&T building to meet up with Glenda Hoffman. She is known by another name, "The Chip Lady".
Years ago, Glenda would pass the many homeless on her way to work at Indiana Bell. She was unimpressed with how it was that many didn't have work and used only begging to gain funds. After sitting through countless sermons on prejudices, the poor, and forming snap judgments, her attitude changed. "The sermons began to work on me," Hoffman said.
She now takes her lunch hour and packs two red wagons full of sandwiches, drinks and love. Youth from the Archdioicese of Indianapolis came along this week to lend a hand.
Hatelin Wagoner, from St. Thomas More had this to say, "The homeless were far more grateful than those businessmen and woman who were rushing along to spend fifty dollars at lunch."
We realized that we walk past many problems in life. We should slow down and take in what God is calling us to. Somestimes it's right in your face.
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Posted by Bob Smith at 5:12 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2007
Tuesday, July 10
"A Caring Place" is associated with Catholic Social Services and is run out of Fairview Presbyterian Church located at 4609 N. Capitol. The focused ministry here is to provide day care to elderly adults who are in need of assistance. Students focused their efforts on group discussions, group activities, oral newspaper reading, music, cards and art. Apparently...they are really good at cards!
The older adults had many good stories to tell and joyed in the fact that they could contribute to the fun that was had by all.
Peter Shockley, from Christ the King Parish, thought the experience was a good one. He had this to say, "I felt as though I wouldn't enjoy going, but once there, I had a good time talking with a few of the older fellows. It was a good time!"
We know that visiting older relatives is apart of our responsibility as a family member. This experience taught us that we have many members who are apart of our Christian family. Let's not forget out older adults who still have much to offer.
GUEST SPEAKER: ANNE RYDER
Tuesday, students and adults alike listened to Anne Ryder's stories about Mother Teresa and others as she spoke at St. Bernadette Catholic Church about faith, hope and love.
"Mother Teresa knew the power of love," Ryder said. "She knew the power of God as well. She heard his voice and knew she was to help the children in Calcutta."
Emmy award-winning journalist Anne Ryder spent her life interviewing people. Throughout her career, Ryder interviewed people who experienced life altering events, including Oprah Winfrey, Mother Teresa and the Dalai Lama. Ryder said how important hope was for people when something unfortunate happened to them.
"When difficult things happen, sometimes they happen many, many, many times," Ryder said. "People tell me 'How am I going to use this experience to grow?' When something bad happens, it has a powerful affect ... it has the opportunity to snap your priorities into place."
Adrienne Coghlan, of St. Lawrence Catholic Church had this to say about hearing Anne Ryder speak, "Hearing the stories is one thing, but when Mrs. Ryder showed the various clips of the poor...it really moved me. The reality of the poor shouldn't be hidden from everyone."
Going to Calcutta changed Anne Ryder's life forever. There is nothing easy about helping the poorest of the poor, but Jesus was found in the face of everyone Mother Theresa touched. The question is....are we ready to accept the challenge to help the poor where we find them?
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Posted by Bob Smith at 5:09 p.m. on Thursday, July 12, 2007
Monday, July 9
The painting of the Cathedral Soup Kitchen was an experience we won’t soon forget. The men and woman who come daily for breakfast are those we might not come into contact with daily. We found the experience to be simply humbling. We did have a chance to paint and also speak to a few folk who stopped in for breakfast.
Painting the wall and stocking the shelves with fresh bread was much more about finding Jesus Christ in the face of the poor. May we find the strength to example this in our everyday life.
We spoke with Charles and Paxson, both homeless, but deserving of our undivided attention. They told wonderful stories of days gone by. The men gathered to eat and prepare themselves for another day on the street. It was an eye opening experience, one that allowed our youth to view the reality of homelessness through the lens of Gospel.
“I felt I was being called to do this. Through me, God was working. I pray that the people that I touched today can find peace in God.”
-Diana Weckenbrock
St. Martins
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Posted by Bob Smith at 9:21 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Sunday, July 8
A real sense of excitement was expressed on the faces of those parents, youth and volunteers who gathered at St. Bernadette Catholic Church preparing for Homeland Mission 2007. This coming week, youth will experience what it means to be seeking the face of Christ in the poor.
“What I am looking for out of this week is to grow deeper in my faith and to find Jesus in every person that I meet. I’m looking to find a deeper love for service and a love of Christ our Lord. I pray that the people we serve will find Christ in each and every one of us”
-Anna Marie Miller
Grade 12, St. Monica
Youth from around the Archdiocese of Indianapolis gathered to begin a one week journey to put themselves in service to another. St. Francis once said, “Go out and preach the gospel, use words if necessary.” We did take some time to check-in and have fun activities that allowed youth to get to know one another. We do enjoy leap frog!! Where is that air conditioning?
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Posted by Bob Smith at 9:05 a.m. on Tuesday, July 10, 2007
First posting to come tomorrow
I just got some photos and information forwarded by Bob Smith, and will be posting it here tomorrow morning. Be on the lookout!
Posted by Brandon A. Evans at 7:11 p.m. on Monday, July 9, 2007
A little background
Here is some information about the Homeland Mission Project that was forwarded to me by Father Jonathan Meyer, director of youth and young adult ministry in the archdiocese:
The Archdiocesan Homeland Mission Project provides an opportunity for the youth of our Archdiocese to see Christ in those they serve and for the needy to see Christ in the youth of our local Church. This is brought about by serving the needy in the Indianapolis area at various charitable and service agencies.
Along with service, prayer and reflections are an essential aspect of the week. During the week the participants will pray Morning and Evening Prayer, celebrate Daily Mass, have opportunities for reconciliation, praise and worship, and adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. All work and no play makes for a boring week. So, there are planned social activities everyday to foster a true sense of community. There will be games, talent shows, movies and even an evening at the pool. Along with planned social activities there are scheduled periods of free-time.
The theme of this year’s mission trip is Blessed Mother Teresa. Each day the participants will be learning about her and the social justice teachings of the Church. There will even be a talk by Indianapolis’s Ann Ryder, who traveled to Calcutta and visited with Mother Teresa prior to her death in 1997.
This blog will cover the prayer, work and service of the 80 plus participants in this year’s mission.
Posted by Brandon A. Evans at 3:07 p.m. on Tuesday, July 3, 2007
