Archbishop says supporting UCA ‘realizes hope, power of God at work’

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson processes in St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Church in Floyd County on Oct. 10 to celebrate Mass during a United Catholic Appeal advance gathering event. Behind him are altar server Danica Faye, left, and archdiocesan director of worship Father James Brockmeier. (Photo by Leslie Lynch)

By Natalie Hoefer and Leslie Lynch

INDIANAPOLIS and FLOYD COUNTY—Visualize images of Catholic churches, the Mass, Catholic school children, priests, seminarians, young adults, those in need. A child’s voice narrates, wondering if these images will be part of his life.

The child is finally shown. It is an infant in a carrier gazing up at the crucifix in SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis.

“As I sit here now, thinking about my future, these are my questions, my hopes, my dreams,” the child’s voice says in the background. “The power is in your hands today for a better tomorrow.”

It was a powerful message from a video shown at two recent advance United Catholic Appeal (UCA) Mass and dinner events. The first was held in Indianapolis on Sept. 26 at the cathedral and the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center. The second was held on Oct. 10 at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Church and parish hall in Floyd County. (Related story: Nov. 9-10 is the annual UCA intention weekend to support seminarian formation, Catholic Charities, retired priests and more)

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson was in attendance at both events. His homily and dinner talks focused on, as he said in the video, the need to “commit ourselves to the ongoing mission of our Church, ensuring that future generations inherit a Church that is vibrant, compassionate and faithful to the Gospel.”

‘That’s when we’re most effective’

The archbishop spoke in both homilies of the many voices in today’s world, noting that the United Catholic Appeal is how the Church keeps its voice in the mix.

“Through the United Catholic Appeal, our Catholic voice is heard in our ministries, services, parishes, schools and charities. Without that voice, who would bring that goodness to the conversation?” he said at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs.

Supported by the UCA, archdiocesan ministries “continue to bring about the healing, the peace, the transformation, the gift of hope that so many are desperately lacking in our world today,” he said at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral.

Noting the theme of this year’s appeal is United in the Eucharist, the archbishop spoke of the first night of the National Eucharistic Congress (NEC), held in Indianapolis in July.

“That night, with about 50,000 people at Lucas Oil Stadium, it all began with eucharistic adoration,” he said at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs. “Before the first personality ever took the stage, all of our attention was brought to the Eucharist, to Jesus.”

It’s when members of the Church are Christ-centered that the body of Christ is at its best, Archbishop Thompson noted.

“That’s when we’re most credible. That’s when we’re most effective,” he said at the cathedral. “That’s when the world truly realizes hope, realizes the power of God at work.”

‘The generosity of the people of God’

The advance UCA gatherings encourage attendees to contribute or continue contributing to the appeal, particularly at the Miter Society level—donating $1,500 or more—or at the recently created Blessed Carlo Acutis level—pledging to make ongoing contributions to the appeal throughout the year.

“This past year, 543 individuals contributed a combined $533,462” at the Blessed Carlo Acutis level, Jolinda Moore noted at St. Mary-of-the-Knobs. She is the archdiocese’s executive director of the Office of Stewardship and Development and the Catholic Community Foundation. “Even small amounts have a big impact.”

She noted in Indianapolis that the UCA “is not just about raising funds. It’s about living our faith. It’s about empowering the ministries of the Church to go out and serve others. …

“The future of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis … all depends on each of us stepping forward and leading by example, making a lasting impact on the investment of the Church.”

To both groups, Archbishop Thompson recalled the words of Cardinal Luis A. Tagle, pro-prefect for the Section for the First Evangelization and New Particular Churches of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization, during the closing Mass of the NEC.

The cardinal “reminded us that a eucharistic people is a missionary and evangelizing people,” he said. “When you support the United Catholic Appeal, you are making it possible for the archdiocese to share the good news and all of the blessings we receive from the Eucharist.”

Those ministries address the “needs and concerns of life and dignity” of all within central and southern Indiana—regardless of faith, race or ethnicity—in ways no single parish or deanery can, the archbishop said.

Those ministries include Catholic Charities, homeless shelters, seminarian and deacon formation, Mother Theodore Catholic Academies, refugee and immigration services and more, including caring for retired priests, who “retire from administration but not from ministry,” Archbishop Thompson noted.

“Thousands of lives have been touched through our ministries,” he said. “And we know that many more will continue to be served thanks to the generosity of the people of God.”

‘A reason for great joy’

At St. Mary-of-the-Knobs, several in attendance spoke with The Criterion about why they contribute to the UCA.

“We need to be good stewards,” said Gary Libs of St. Mary-of-the-Knobs Parish. When all of the parishes of the archdiocese “work together, we’re stronger. We are one community. What we do for God is the right thing.”

Michael Carter of Holy Family Parish in New Albany said he is particularly fond of the appeal’s support for seminarians and retired priests.

“I can name all the priests I’ve had since childhood,” he said. “They’ve had such an impact on my life and on my family. They’ve dedicated their entire lives. It’s time to pay them back.”

One shepherd present at the event spoke of his gratitude for contributions to the UCA.

“People who give of themselves are a reason for hope for the archdiocese and the Church,” said Father Kyle Rodden, pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Corydon and St. Mary Parish in Lanesville. “Seeing evidence of this gives me a new wind for ministry. The substantial generosity of so many is a real light for the future. Christ is alive—a reason for great joy!”
 

(For more information on the United Catholic Appeal, visit unitedcatholicappeal.org or call the archdiocesan Office of Stewardship and Development at 317-236-1415.) †