Catholic News Around Indiana

Compiled by Brandon A. Evans

Diocese of Evansville

Liturgists look ahead to new Missal wording

By Paul R. Leingang (Message editor)

Ask any old altar boy how to respond to “Dominus vobiscum.” The old altar boy (there were no girls on the altar back then) will quickly say, “Et cum spiritu tuo.”

For decades of English usage, however, the response to “The Lord be with you” has been, “And also with you.” And that response is about to change, according to the new Roman Missal to be put into use in the United States in 2010 or 2011.

The “new” response will be a translation of the previous Latin response. The priest will say, “The Lord be with you,” and the people will respond, “And with your spirit.”

Other wording may take time to get used to.

To prepare for the changes, and to provide all Catholics with a means of learning what the changes are — and why they are being made — the U.S. bishops have begun an eduational process. And liturgists in Indiana and Illinois have been breaking new ground in working together to prepare priests and people.

In Indiana and Illinois, Matt Miller, director of worship for the Diocese of Evansville, has been among a group of people crossing diocesan lines to prepare for the new English translation. It has been a project seven years in the making, and it is about to blossom.

“Soon after the new English translation of the General Ins-truction of the Roman Missal was released in 2002, the members of the Federation of Dioc-esan Liturgical Commissions [in the dioceses of Illinois and Indiana] began discussions,” Miller said.

“By 2007, a multi-level approach for catechetical and liturgical preparation was outlined, with specific areas that addressed all those to be impacted by the new translations from the priest on down to the faithful person in the pew,” he said.

(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 Fort Wayne-South Bend

Mark Myers named superintendent of Catholic schools

FORT WAYNE — A native of Illinois, Mark Myers earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Eastern Illinois University in 1975, followed by a master’s degree in education from the University of Illinois in 1979. By 1991 he had earned a doctorate in educational administration from Indiana State University.

This enthusiastic educator says that after working in Illinois with Catholic schools and networking with IPFW students who are principals in area Catholic schools, he has developed a respect for what Catholic educators do. “I have respect for what Catholic teachers and principals do. And the sacrifices the parents make to send their kids to Catholic schools. It’s humbling to be part of that,” says the new superintendent.

As for the position of superintendent, Myers admits his wife of 35 years, Julia, brought the advertisement to his attention and felt the job description was a match to his experience and education. He adds that his faith gave him the confidence to apply. “I was prayerful about it and at peace with it. … I was confident if I was found worthy of the job that it was God’s will.” Myers is a six-year convert to the Catholic faith and unabashedly admits that his son, educated in Catholic schools and a graduate of Bishop Dwenger High School, brought him to the Catholic Church. “My faith is a gift of joy,” he says.

The newly appointed superintendent sees this new school year as being filled with promise. “There are a number of opportunities and, of course, some challenges. We are faced with global competition. Our students do well. But we must pass our church and faith to them,” he says, adding that the teachers pass the faith everyday and “do it well,” by being creative with their resources.

 

Queen of Peace, diocese join efforts in Year for Priests

MISHAWAKA — It started with a proclamation from Pope Benedict XVI in June to name this year the Year for Priests. A small group of women from Queen of Peace Parish heard this call and wondered what they could do to have an impact at their church. First through prayer, and then brainstorming, the group is working with the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend to recognize priests through spiritual bouquets and activities that highlight the importance of the gift of the priesthood from God to his people.

Rebecca Fitzmaurice, Marianne Rodtsbrooks and Laura McGuire are a part of the Year for Priests committee at Queen of Peace. Fitzmaurice recalls how excited she was to learn about Pope Benedict’s calling for the Year for Priests. “My parents instilled in my family a great respect and love for the priesthood. This year is meant for the sanctification of priests, but also for an intense appreciation of the priesthood by the laity,” she says.

Rodtsbrooks talked to Fitzmaurice and McGuire about doing something in the parish to highlight this endeavor. “There has been a little group that attends daily Mass at Queen of Peace and we were all feeling pulled together and felt doing something for the Year of the Priest was a natural thing,” she stresses. “We have a priest that is on fire with the Holy Spirit. The parish is experiencing a new springtime, everyone is involved, and people are saying that they are being fed and want more,” Rodtsbrooks adds.

The committee consulted with Queen of Peace Pastor Father Dan Scheidt and chose a “spiritual bouquet” for all priests in the diocese as their first initiative. Offerings such as a Mass, rosary, Divine Mercy Chaplet, day of fasting, holy hour, will be offered and collected throughout the year.

The names of the priests serving the diocese have been arranged on a calendar according to their ordination dates. The calendar and spiritual bouquet can be found on the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend Web site at http://www.diocesefwsb.org/yop.

(For these stories and more news from the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend, log on to the website of Today’s Catholic at www.todayscatholicnews.org)

 

Diocese of Gary

Convent project teaches girls about service, nature

SCHERERVILLE — The house sits on the corner of Anna and Wilhelm streets. To those going to and from the busy St. Michael campus daily, it might be easy to overlook. However, St. Michael Girl Scout Troop 10169 couldn't help but notice that the house, which has served as the parish convent since 1992, needed some love and attention. Last spring, a group of Daisy Scouts, mostly second graders at St. Michael School, adopted the home with the intent of sprucing it up and making the house more attractive for its residents, Franciscan Sisters Eileen Wemhoff and Shawn Mitchell.

We were looking for a project that would be ongoing, not just a one shot deal," said Kristin McKone, troop co-leader. "We hope this will teach the girls at an early age the meaning of ownership, commitment and responsibility. The meaning of keeping one's word and giving back."

Co-leader Jennifer Chiabai, said the project is teaching service as a way of life at an early age. "They're learning by doing," Chiabai explained.

The project also fit well with the troop's focus on being kind to the earth and becoming more "green." Some of the flowers used in the landscaping were started from seed. Other plants came from gardens of friends. "Recycling means more than cans and bottles, but rather all of the things around us," McKone noted. "There's a use for pretty much everything. These are all ideals of, not only the Girl Scouts, but our faith as well."

(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)