Archbishop Tobin notes ‘good stewards understand anything we have is a gift’ at Miter Society Mass, reception
Daniel and Gabriela Ross hold hands for the blessing of married couples during the Marriage Day Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral on April 25. The couple was married on Dec. 27, 2015. (Photo by Natalie Hoefer)
By Natalie Hoefer
As Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin addressed the nearly 200 United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope (UCA) Miter Society members on May 5, two big May races were approaching: the Kentucky Derby on May 7, and the Indianapolis 500 on May 29.
“Every jockey in the Derby and every driver in the 500 have one goal—to be the first one across the finish line,” he said. “Athletic metaphors can help us understand what it means to live a Christian life. St. Paul knew this.”
But what differs between the race competitors and Christians, he said, is that “no matter how hard we compete, we cannot achieve our goal or win the race on our own. We need Jesus Christ.
“I think people who are good stewards understand this, because good stewards understand that anything we have is a gift, and the decisions we make are approached through faith.”
The members of the Miter Society gathered for a Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis and a reception afterward at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center in appreciation for deciding through faith to give their gifts back to God through the annual UCA in the amount of $1,500 or more.
During the reception, the archbishop reported on the success of the latest UCA effort. In total, $6.4 million was raised, to be distributed among ministries throughout the central and southern Indiana to aid in proclaiming the word of God, celebrating the sacrament and responding in charity.
In the most recent annual appeal, 981 Miter Society members contributed $2.64 million of the $6.4 million raised, comprising 41 percent of the total dollars given to the United Catholic Appeal.
The total raised for the appeal has increased from $5.1 million two years ago, to $6.2 million last year, to $6.4 million this year. Overall, 18,697 people donated to the UCA this year.
Of the archdiocese’s 133 parishes, 88 made or exceeded their UCA goal, compared to 83 last year. Additionally, 15 parishes raised 90-99 percent of their goal.
“Much of this success can be attributed to pastors continuing to embrace the in-pew appeal,” said Archbishop Tobin. “We had UCA pledge cards and information in the pews for people to fill out, and pastors talked about the ministries supported by the appeal. More than 4,600 people gave $1.8 million during the in-pew appeal this year.”
Father Patrick Beidelman, rector of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral and executive director of the archdiocesan Secretariat for Worship and Evangelization, utilized the in-pew approach in his parish.
He also contributed himself at the Miter Society level.
“I believe it’s important to give to the UCA for two reasons, primarily,” he explained. “First, as a leader of the faith community at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, I need to set a good example, also contributing from the blessings I’ve received from God.
“The other very important reason for me to give is that when I make a sacrificial gift to support the shared ministries of the archdiocese, it’s a reminder that what I have really doesn’t belong to me. It’s given to me by God to accomplish some good in the world. Because I’m connected to help deliver some of those shared ministries, I believe in them deeply, so I like to put my money where my mouth is.”
When asked about the comfort he feels knowing that the United Catholic Appeal funds will help fund his retirement, Father Beidelman noted that he has “already been a recipient [of UCA donations] in my education as a priest in the seminary [at Saint Meinrad Seminary and School of Theology in St. Meinrad]. What I’ve received far, far outweighs what I can give back.”
Eammon Daily, who is entering his senior year at Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary in Indianapolis, looks to Father Beidelman and the many other priests of the Miter Society as role models he one day hopes to emulate.
“I think it’s generous that the [UCA-contributing] priests are thinking not just of the parishes where they retired [from], but thinking of the archdiocese as a whole, the whole community,” he said.
He is also grateful for how he himself benefits from the UCA funds as a seminarian and will one day benefit as a priest in retirement.
Kent and Linda Bolerjack of St. Patrick Parish in Terre Haute are also grateful—particularly when looking at their past rather than their future.
“God has been very good to me over the years, and it’s time for me to give back,” said Kent.
He and his wife do not designate where their funds are to be directed, believing that “wherever the archdiocese needs money, they can send [our] donation to where it’s needed the most or can do the most good,” said Kent.
Nevertheless, both are enthusiastic about the fact that UCA monies in part go toward funding Catholic education.
“I went to public school nine years, and Catholic high school the last three years at [the former] Paul Schulte High School in Terre Haute,” said Kent. “However good or bad a person I am today, I’m better than I would have been if I hadn’t had those three years of parochial education.”
Linda nodded vigorously in agreement.
“I’m right there with him on that,” she said. “I went through Catholic grade school and high school. I loved the nuns. After I went to Catholic grade school and Catholic high school, and then went to a public college—I couldn’t believe the difference. I want to pass that [opportunity] on and make [Catholic education] possible for today’s generation.”
Norman Kruer, a member of the Catholic Community Foundation board of directors, and his wife Kathy also appreciate Catholic education, noting that they, their son and their three grandsons all attended Catholic schools.
The Kruers, members of Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish in Jeffersonville, currently make no designation for the funds they contribute to the UCA. They believe it is important to give “to a central location that can benefit the entire archdiocese and the various programs they administer,” said Norman.
In the past, however, they designated funds to go to St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities in New Albany. For many years, Kathy served on the board for the St. Elizabeth Home.
“It’s a tremendous organization,” said Kathy. “We wanted some of the money to go down there.”
Archbishop Tobin expressed his gratitude for those who donated to the United Catholic Appeal.
“Your support of the United Catholic Appeal is instrumental in providing services and care for those most in need. … There is so much work that needs to be done. Please pray every day for the least of our brothers and sisters.
“And please pray for the continued success of the United Catholic Appeal. Thank you again for all that you do to support the ministries of the Church in central and southern Indiana.”
(For more information on the “United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope” and the Miter Society, or to contribute to the appeal, log on to www.archindy.org/uca. For questions, contact Jolinda Moore, director of annual major giving, at 317-236-1462 or 800-382-9836, ext. 1462.) †
