Miter Society shows appreciation to supporters of Church’s ministries
By Sean Gallagher
Many Catholics across the archdiocese make significant sacrifices to support the ministries of the Church in central and southern Indiana through the United Catholic Appeal.
The archdiocese’s Miter Society is one way to show appreciation to these collaborators in Church ministries.
More than 130 members of the society gathered on May 3 for a Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis and a reception afterward at the Archbishop O’Meara Catholic Center across the street.
They were joined by several of the 25 candidates for the permanent diaconate in the archdiocese and their wives.
Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein was the celebrant of the Mass. At the reception, he offered his reflections on the ministry of the Church in central and southern Indiana, and the role that members of the Miter Society play in it.
“I know that each time that I ask for your help, it requires a sacrifice,” he said. “I don’t take that for granted, and I certainly appreciate it.
“This Miter Society is one small way that we have of thanking you for being good stewards and for helping lead the way in your parishes in serving others,” he said. “Needless to say, we have a great mission to accomplish together in helping the poor, in educating our children, and in preparing our seminarians for the priesthood and our permanent deacon [candidates for] carrying out all of our ministries in the Church.”
Members of the Miter Society have contributed a minimum of $1,500 to the United Catholic Appeal.
Last year, 530 members of the Miter Society from 101 parishes contributed $1.2 million toward the $5.5 million raised for the 2005-06 United Catholic Appeal goal.
Since the start last fall of the Legacy for Our Mission: For Our Children and the Future campaign, 549 Catholics who have made significant contributions to the campaign have been named honorary members of the Miter Society.
In addition to being invited to the annual Miter Society Mass and reception, members also have opportunities to tour a home mission site, take part in a day of prayer at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House or attend a special dinner at the residence of Archbishop Buechlein.
During the May 3 reception following the Mass, the archbishop also answered written questions submitted by those present about the ministries supported by the Legacy for Our Mission campaign and about other matters relating to the life of the Church.
The campaign supports the formation of the future priests of the archdiocese, and one member asked Archbishop Buechlein about the “future outlook for seminarians.”
In reply, the archbishop said he was encouraged by the “new spirit” among the seminarians. He added that the Bishop Bruté House of Formation, which just completed its second year of operation, has already helped “revive a culture of vocations,” especially among the youths of the archdiocese.
“I would say the quality of our seminarians is extraordinary,” Archbishop Buechlein said. “And I was in seminary work for many years before I became a bishop. I’m very proud of them.”
He was also asked about his hopes for the archdiocese’s candidates for the permanent diaconate.
“I have great hopes for them,” Archbishop Buechlein said. “It took a long time for our archdiocese to launch a permanent diaconate program. But we finally got there. And we have good candidates.”
He was also asked about what he enjoys about his own vocation.
In reply, the archbishop emphasized the celebration of the sacraments while noting that different events around the archdiocese keep him on the go.
“Needless to say, ordaining priests and deacons is a tremendous privilege and a great, great lifting of my spirit,” the archbishop said.
Another Miter Society member asked Archbishop Buechlein about the progress of the Legacy for Our Mission campaign toward its $100 million goal.
“Well, we’re right on target,” he said. “The pilot phase of that campaign included 10 parishes, and exceeded our hopes and expectations. That’s a harbinger of what’s coming.”
The archbishop also offered a longer view on the role of the campaign in the life of the archdiocese.
“God gives us the gifts. We need to share them,” Archbishop Buechlein said. “I have seven more years as your archbishop before I’m at the retirement age. And by that time, I’d like to leave the archdiocese in a lot better shape than when I came 13 years ago.
“And that’s possible because you all are responding. Thank you very much.” †
