Catholic News Around Indiana

Compiled by Brandon A. Evans

Diocese of Evansville

Abbey Press to close catalog divison, lay off up to 25 workers

Abbey Press will close its long-time consumer catalog division by the end of this year, according to a news release dated July 30. Currently, the St. Meinrad business is exploring the viability of ventures that would align more closely with its historical roots in printing. An announcement could come within the next year, according to the release.

The catalog division, begun in the early 1960s, has been struggling for some time, with declining sales for the past five years, according to St. Meinrad Archabbey business manager John Wilson. “We’ve tried a variety of solutions to keep the catalog business going,” he said, “because we wanted to give it every chance to succeed.”

The Abbey Press catalog sells inspirational and religious gifts, cards, books and other items to Christian families around the world. Products are also marketed through a companion Web site, which will be shut down as well. Last year, seven million catalogs were mailed to consumers.

The news release lists several factors that have contributed to the division’s dwindling sales in recent years, including a change in customer habits from catalog ordering to online ordering and increased competition within the inspirational gift marketplace.

 

Joshua Academy helps bring life to facilities at St. Joseph School

By Paul R. Leingang (Message editor)

There’s new life at St. Joseph School in Evansville. The building that once served as a parish school is now serving the parish in a different way — being leased to Joshua Academy.

There are 150 students at the facility, described by Pamela Decker as “an elementary public charter school.” Classes began Aug. 3, and “things are off to a great start,” Decker said. There are, of course, some things that need tweaking, like the bus schedule. Decker is the executive director/principal of Joshua Academy.

Students at the St. Joseph facility are using 11 classrooms, the gym, the cafeteria and the playground. The parish continues to use the facilities for bereavement dinners and other functions, according to Deacon Dick Grannan, pastoral life coordinator at St. Joseph.

The two entities share the cost of utilities and maintenance according to conditions set out in a four-year lease. Joshua Academy will be responsible for any improvements needed for the school, and has already installed a new security system and upgraded the kitchen.

Joshua Academy also has 144 students in classrooms at Nazarene Baptist Church in Evansville. That is where Joshua Academy began as a faith-based school. Now it is an umbrella organization with two distinct programs, one private and one public.

A private faith-based pre-school for three- and four-year-olds is operated at Nazarene Baptist Church, along with the public charter school facility from kindergarten through first grade. At St. Joseph, the public charter school has students in the second through fifth grade.

Photo caption: Deacon Richard Grannan stands next to newly-painted sign announcing the new home of Joshua Academy at facilities of St. Joseph Church, Evansville. School began Aug. 3. (Message photo by Paul R. Leingang)

(For these stories and more news from the Diocese of Evansville, log on to the website of The Message at www.themessageonline.org)

 

Diocese of Gary

Youth gather for fellowship, reflection at CYX

By Steve Euvino

Mike Patin asked three teens at Catholic Youth Xperience to read the following statement: GODISNOWHERE. Most replied, “God is nowhere.” Some, however, said, “God is now here” — the message Patin had sought. “The same God who worked miracles is now here,” Patin, a speaker on youth from Louisiana, said at the sixth annual CYX, held July 31-Aug. 2 on the campus of Valparaiso University.

Addressing 180 high school teens, along with their adult sponsors, Patin said young people may feel like freaks as they deal with the pressures of family problems, divorce, dating relationships, thoughts of suicide, alcohol and other drugs, and sexuality. Yet, Patin noted, “Jesus is here. He loved being with young people.” He added, “Even though you make mistakes, God believes in you.”

CYX was three days of workshops for teens and adults, time for keynote speakers, prayer, the sacraments, socializing, and service. Many of the activities were moved to the new Harre Union building on the VU campus. Bishop Dale J. Melczek celebrated Mass at CYX on the concluding Sunday. 

This year’s theme was CROSSroads, based on the scriptural text from Luke 24:13-35, the story of Jesus meeting two disciples leaving Jerusalem for Emmaus. Although they at first do not recognize the stranger, the two disciples eventually realize he is Jesus and they return to Jerusalem.

Photo caption: Alfredo “Pepe” Flores-Carillo, emcee for Catholic Youth Xperience, embraces a CYX participant following a Reconciliation service in the Harre Union building on the campus of Valparaiso University, July 31. Nearly 200 teens attended the sixth annual diocesan summer retreat for high school students. (Tim Hunt photo)

(For these stories and more news from the Diocese of Gary, log on to the website of the Northwest Indiana Catholic at www.nwicatholic.com)