The Price by Which We Were Ransomed

Two boys went to stay with their uncle, an auctioneer, and one day he let them come with him to a sale held at an old-fashioned country-house. All sorts of people crowded into a big room, farmers and shop-keepers and parsons’ wives, and dealers from London in fur-collared overcoats, smoking cigars. Various lots of furniture and odds and ends were bid for, and went for a few pounds or shillings. One grand-looking picture was put up of a military gentleman in a fine gilt frame, and the boys were sure it would fetch a lot, and were disappointed when the local inn-keeper got it for seven and six.

Then a dirty-looking little picture in a shabby and broken frame was put on the table. It seemed to be a portrait of a child, but you could hardly see what, it was so old. ‘Lot twenty-five,’ said somebody.

‘Fifty pounds’ was the first bid, and the boys could hardly believe their ears. The London dealers sat up and began to bid against each other, and in five minutes the picture had reached thousands of pounds: at last it went for £6500.

Going back in the car, the boys asked their uncle why the dingy little picture fetched all that money.

‘Because it happens to be by a great artist. Anything from his hand is of immense value.’

‘Well, it wasn’t much to look at!’

‘Ah, it’ll look very different when the restorers have taken centuries of dirt off it. Then you’ll see its beauty. Very likely some day you’ll see it hanging in the National Gallery.’

Every human soul is of infinite value, because it is the work of God.

It is an image and likeness of God Himself, and however tarnished it may be it only needs cleaning for its beauty to be seen.

Because of this, Our Lord valued us so greatly that He bought us with the infinite price of His Precious Blood. That is why He is our ‘Redeemer.’

– Rev. F.H. Drinkwater, Catechism Stories Part I: the Creed (1939)

Why is it important to share the Gospel after an encounter with Christ? Fr. Mike Schmitz encourages and inspires us as we go forth into the world.

Fall Safe Environment Training and Reporting

Last year we asked parishes to complete the mandatory youth Safe Environment training and report training numbers to our office by December 31. I am happy to report that almost all parishes submitted their numbers on time and that our reporting compliance was the best we’ve seen in the last three years. Thank you to all of you who worked to make sure that the report we submit for our annual audit will be as complete and accurate as possible.

Information on 2019-2020 training and reporting was recently mailed to parishes. A copy of the letter can be found on the diocesan web site. Please review it to ensure that you and your parish are clear on upcoming deadlines and curriculum expectations.

Book Review: Beyond the Catechist’s Toolbox by Joe Paprocki

This new [catechetical] model focuses on making religious education more like religious practice; Joe's refrain throughout the book is "more like Mass than class." To that end Joe outlines a 70-minute, 5-step process for engaging youth in catechesis not only through the use of books (although Joe points out the importance of good catechetical materials) but through prayer, activities, and reflection.

Read the whole review on our Facebook page...

Good News

"What I want to touch on is the pervasive, casual and damaging assumption that compartmentalizes 'evangelization' and 'doctrine' – a variation of the decades old and well-worn attempt to bifurcate 'pastoral' and 'doctrinal.'

"Consider Mark. Consider his Gospel, what he says here and throughout. He begins with good new and ends with Jesus command to proclaim Good News. What is this Good News?"

Congratulations to Maria Garcia,

director of faith formation at All Saints (Logansport), who successfully defended her dissertation "María de Nazaret, la Madre de Israel" (Mary of Nazareth, the Mother of Israel) on April 30 at the University of Dayton. ¡Felicidades, Maria!

Requiescat in Pace: Dr. Ellen Cook

With hope in the Resurrection of Jesus Christ we share the sad news that Dr. Ellen Cook passed away on April 26. Ellen was a spiritual director as well as a graduate of and instructor in the Lay Ecclesial Ministry program. Please remember Ellen and her family in your prayers.

Eternal rest grant unto Ellen, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon her.

Upcoming Events

Ordinations of a Deacon and Priests
Saturday, June 1, 2019; 11a-1p
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception

Adult Faith Formation Symposium
Thursday, August 8, 2019
St. Joseph Retreat and Conference Center (Tipton)

Diocesan Teacher Day
Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Central Catholic Jr-Sr High School (Lafayette)

New Parish Catechetical Leader Day
Thursday, September 19, 2019
Cathedral of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception

Fall PCL Meeting
Thursday, October 3, 2019
Location TBD

Missionary Discipleship Conference
Saturday, November 9, 2019
St. Elizabeth Seton (Carmel)

National Catholic Youth Conference
November 21-23, 2019
Indiana Convention Center (Indianapolis)