July 1, 2022

Archbishop salutes CYO volunteers ‘for giving of themselves’

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson poses for a photo with many of the teens who received 2022 Spirit of Youth Awards from the archdiocese’s Catholic Youth Organization on May 3. (Photo by Michaela Ward of the CYO)

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson poses for a photo with many of the teens who received 2022 Spirit of Youth Awards from the archdiocese’s Catholic Youth Organization on May 3. (Photo by Michaela Ward of the CYO)

By John Shaughnessy

Archbishop Charles C. Thompson stressed one extra point as he praised and thanked the youths, women and men who were honored during the Volunteer Awards Ceremony of the archdiocese’s Catholic Youth Organization on May 3.

At the beginning of his homily, the archbishop turned toward the altar of SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis where the awards ceremony was held and said, “I always remind people that the center of our universe in any parish is this altar,” the place where the Eucharist is celebrated during every Mass.

“The center of the universe isn’t our schools. The center of the universe isn’t the football field. The center of the universe isn’t the basketball gym,” the archbishop said. “This is our universe.

“All the gifts and talents that we recognize tonight, all the energy, all the devotion, all that people do, we remember that we are the most effective when we don’t let our ego get in the way, but when we are Christ-centered.”

He saluted the award-winning volunteers for reflecting that “eucharistic-centered” approach, thanking them “for giving of themselves, for their dedication, for their hard work, for all the things they do.” He also encouraged them to continue to be “people who have gratitude for the gift of giving themselves to others.”

“As we gather tonight, let’s remind ourselves—whether we’re on the field or the court or wherever we might find ourselves in any way helping each other to develop minds and bodies and spirits—to keep Christ at the center of all that we do.

“Remember that all our talents and gifts that God has given us are to better ourselves and others—and to give glory to God.” †

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