175th Anniversary Mass

Mass volunteers excited to be a part of Church history

Julie Carr, a member of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, gets assistance from volunteers Christopher Breen and Michael Hussey before the start of the 175th anniversary Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on May 3. Breen and Hussey are also members of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg. (Photo by Mike Krokos)

By Mike Krokos

They came from Bloomington and Brownsburg and parishes throughout the archdiocese.

There was even a student from Ball State University in Muncie, Ind., in the Lafayette Diocese, who grew up near Warsaw, Ind., in the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, who felt compelled to assist at the once-in-a-lifetime celebration.

Of course, there was a contingent from Indianapolis, too.

The nearly 300 people who served as volunteers for the 175th anniversary Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis were happy to be a part of Church history, and they did everything from serving as ushers to assisting with the collection.

Others directed people to Communion, and helped the confirmands and their sponsors get where they needed to be on the main floor of the stadium. Some volunteers assisted priests. And others carried placards and chrism oil during the confirmation rite, and led bishops and priests to their appropriate places.

“We had people covering all the bases,” said Stephen James, director of the archdiocesan Office of Purchasing, who coordinated the recruiting of volunteers.

“We always get nervous ahead of time and, somehow, it always comes together,” he added.

Volunteers Christopher Breen and Michael Hussey, both members of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg, were stationed above the south end zone assisting Mass-goers.

They seemed to answer one question countless times before the Mass: “Where do we go?”

Most of the people, Breen said, wanted to know “where are all the different churches [parishes] on the floor.”

“It just keeps getting busier,” Breen noted.

Julie Carr and her daughter, Kristina, were among the crowd seeking assistance.

“My son [Michael] is making his confirmation, and my parents are here for their 50th [wedding] anniversary,” said Julie Carr, a member of St. Malachy Parish in Brownsburg.

While his wife, Kimberly, handed out programs before the Mass, Trent Engbers and the couple’s 4-month-old daughter, Reagan, sat in the stands taking in all that the special day had to offer.

“My wife is giving out programs at the east gate while I watch Reagan, and I am going to be an usher at Communion,” said Engbers, who is a member of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington.

“It’s not very often that you have a 175th anniversary, and they needed volunteers and we were happy to help,” he added.

For Dale Schaeffer of St. Monica Parish in Indianapolis, the volunteer effort was a family affair as well.

Schaeffer assisted people before the Mass and was a Communion usher. His wife, Teresa, sang in the archdiocesan choir.

“It’s a great way to be involved,” Dale Schaeffer said.

Young people like Christopher Sindelar were happy to help, too.

The Ball State University freshman, who grew up at St. Francis Xavier Parish in Pierceton, Ind., in the Fort Wayne-South Bend Diocese, “jumped at the opportunity” to volunteer at the Mass when a friend extended the invitation.

“It’s a huge event, it’s a chance to celebrate Mass at Lucas Oil Stadium,” said Sindelar, who served as an usher. “Coming down here early, seeing everyone gather for the Lord, is just incredible.

“You can definitely feel an energy,” he added. “I am Catholic first and foremost, and to see thousands of people getting confirmed is uplifiting. To see them complete their baptismal vows by getting confirmed and being sealed with the Holy Spirit is something that is very special.” †

 

(Related: Purchase photo reprints from the Mass | More news coverage)