Intention weekend for Called to Serve appeal is Nov. 5-6

By Brandon A. Evans

Catholics across central and southern Indiana are being asked this weekend to take seriously their call, as Christian disciples, to pledge support to the local Church with gifts of their talents and finances.

“Intention weekend,” which is Nov. 5-6 for most parishes, is a major part of the annual Called to Serve: Parish Stewardship and United Catholic Appeal.

Already, most parishioners have received a letter from their pastor or parish life coordinator and an enclosed intention card to be placed in the collection basket this weekend.

The card includes a chance for Catholics to offer their services to any number of parish ministries as well as to pledge financial support to their parish and the archdiocese over the coming year.

The archdiocese hopes to be able to raise at least $5.5 million to continue to support its shared ministries and home missions.

Shared ministries are those services that require the help of many people to maintain, such as Holy Family Shelter in Indianapolis, the training of seminarians, the work of Catholic Charities and countless programs of Catholic education that benefit thousands in central and southern Indiana.

Nearly half of all the money raised in this appeal will also benefit the archdiocese’s home missions—parishes and schools that need to be where they are to minister to a Catholic population, but need help maintaining that ministry financially.

Also, any money that a parish raises beyond its financial goal can be donated to the St. Francis Xavier Home Mission Fund, which awards annual grants to home mission parishes and schools.

“As a people of faith, we acknowledge that everything we have comes from a loving God who fills our lives with his goodness,” said Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein. “Through our faith, we also recognize that gratitude is at the heart of generosity and happiness.”

The theme of the annual appeal—“Receiving Gratefully, Giving Generously”—links the gratitude that the archbishop speaks of with action in the form of Christian charity.

The appeal “is one way you can help people in need,” Archbishop Buechlein said. “By sharing your God-given gifts, you will help support your parish ministries and enhance our archdiocesan community collectively as the Body of Christ.

“Your gift allows us to continue our journey to build up the kingdom of God.”

One of the shared ministries that is benefited by the appeal is the care of retired priests, who have given a lifetime of leadership and service to the people of God.

Father John Luerman, a retired pastor of parishes in the Connersville, New Albany and Indianapolis deaneries, said that he appreciates the support he receives from the United Catholic Appeal.

“It is reassuring to know the system exists that supports retired priests,” he said. “I am also grateful to be able to continue to minister and help my fellow active clergy.”

Hispanic ministry is another activity supported by the archdiocesan appeal.

“We have the unique opportunity to educate, appreciate and celebrate our common Catholic heritage through the eyes of a different culture,” said John Brooks, a volunteer in Hispanic ministry at St. Ambrose Parish in Seymour.

An often forgotten group of people that receive aid—in the form of a televised Sunday Mass—are elderly shut-ins.

“As a handicapped elderly woman, I appreciate the privilege of attending Sunday Mass on television,” said Ruth Shield of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington. “Thank everyone who makes this possible for shut-ins like me.”

Over the years, countless home mission parishes and schools have been helped so that they can continue to help others.

Megan Lecher, a parishioner at St. Mary-of-the-Rock Parish in Franklin County, said that her parish is like a family.

“We are also a member of the archdiocesan family,” she said. Gifts to the annual appeal “have allowed St. Mary-of-the-Rock to complete repairs to our stained-glass windows.”

“As disciples of Jesus Christ, as Christian stewards and as a eucharistic people, you can help change the lives of others,” Archbishop Buechlein said.

(For more information about the appeal, log on to www.archindy.org/uca.) †