Donors are ‘putting Christ first’ through their generosity

Stephen and Judy Cecil, members of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus, chat with Bishop Christopher J. Coyne at the reception following the Miter Society Mass on Oct. 7. (Photo by Patricia Happel Cornwell)

By Patricia Happel Cornwell (Special to The Criterion)

NASHVILLE—Most people who head for the hills of Brown County during the month of October are looking for fall color and early Christmas bargains. About 50 people instead went to St. Agnes Church on Oct. 7 for a Miter Society Mass.

Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin was the principal celebrant, and Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, vicar general, was among the concelebrants, for the liturgy.

Those in attendance were from the Bloomington and Seymour deaneries. Some, but not all, are already members of the archdiocese’s Miter Society for donors who contribute $1,500 or more to the annual “United Catholic Appeal: Christ Our Hope.”

Contributions to the campaign are used to educate seminarians, support retired priests, fund Catholic Charities, educate youth and adults in the faith and assist the poor throughout the archdiocese

Archbishop Tobin’s homily during the Mass focused on the parable of the Good Samaritan.

“It is definite that a state of war had existed between the Jews and the Samaritans,” he said. “Yet [in the parable] the one who recognizes the humanity of the injured man is the one who has every reason not to have compassion.

“What excites compassion in us today? Where in our world, even in our Church, are there people reduced to less than human status?” he asked. “We like to say, ‘You can choose your friends, but you can’t choose your relatives.’ I’m not sure we can choose our neighbors either. Our neighbor is the one who moves us to recognize our common humanity.”

Helen and Robert Burns, members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington, attended the liturgy and said they appreciate the outreach carried out by ministries supported through the appeal.

“It means a lot to us to be able to help. We love the Catholic schools in Bloomington and Indianapolis, and the good work they do,” Helen said. “The youngsters are so important. You want to keep them close to the Church, close to Christ.”

Lori and John Miller are also members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish. Lori said they contribute to the campaign because of “the responsibility we feel, that’s been passed down in the family. We especially like to support Catholic Charities, but we never designate our gift for a particular service. We trust the archdiocese to use it wisely.”

Her husband, John, added, “It’s the right thing to do.”

Grace Coyner, a member of St. Bartholomew Parish in Columbus, said, “My main motivation for contributing to the United Catholic Appeal is the home missions. That’s important for our archdiocese to support. The other reason is that the annual appeal helps priests. … We don’t provide for them any other way.”

Another St. Bartholomew parishioner, Melinda Engelking, said that supporting the appeal is “God’s way. It’s what we’re asked to do, and it’s a gift to be able to do it.”

Therese Chamblee, coordinator of religious education at St. Agnes Parish in Nashville, said the United Catholic Appeal is “a community effort. It’s important to support our archdiocese, and the missions they serve for all the people.”

At the reception following the Mass, Barbara and Don Pierse talked with Archbishop Tobin. They are members of Holy Trinity Parish in Edinburg.

Barbara said, “The Church is such a gift to us.” Don added, “I can’t imagine not giving.”

Judy Cecil said “this is the year” she and her husband, Stephen, members of St. Bartholomew Parish, are deciding how to contribute to the Church in the future. She said they support the archdiocesan appeal because “putting Christ first is what it’s all about.”
 

(Patricia Happel Cornwell is a freelance writer and a member of St. Joseph Parish in Corydon. For more information about the United Catholic Appeal, log onto www.archindy.org/uca or call the Office of Stewardship and Development at 317-236-1425, or 800-382-9836, ext. 1425.) †