+ No 11am Adoration | Friday, May 17  (Daily Mass and Confessions as normal)

+ No 12:10pm Daily Mass  or 11:15 am Confessions | Monday, May 20 (due to the priesthood day no priest is available to celebrate Mass)

There are two special upcoming pilgrimages for St. John’s.  One is a local pilgrimage that will allow us to retrace the roots of St. John’s and live part of the history of St. John’s.  The other pilgrimage will take us to the Holy Land to retrace the steps of Jesus and St. John the Evangelist.  Come join us as we see our roots come alive!

June 2-3, 2013

Pilgrimage to St Vincent de Paul and St Mary of the Woods

WHAT & WHERE:

Pilgrimage to St. Vincent de Paul in Shelbyville and St. Mary of the Woods on June 1-2, 2013

COST:

$60 for double room; $70 for single room

HOW:

For more information or to register see below or email Lee Crislip at lee.plahitko_crislip@yahoo.com

+ Participants on the pilgrimage are eligible for a plenary indulgence.

+ Download pilgrimage flier

A pilgrimage through the heritage of St. John’s…

Fr Vincent Bacquelin came to Shelby County in 1837 at the request of Bishop Brute.  Becoming the first organized parish in central Indiana, the settlers of Shelby County named their church St Vincent de Paul, in honor of their pastor and his patron Saint.  Four months later, Fr Bacquelin was asked to expand his ministry to the growing capital city of Indianapolis, and in December of 1837 established the first mission, soon to become a parish.

Fr Bacquelin was known for his zeal and selfless devotion to the cause of Christ and his Church.  He traveled by horseback across 14 counties to deliver the Sacraments to Catholics in central Indiana.  He was loved and respected by many.  Sadly, his life was cut short on September 1, 1846 when he died from injuries sustained from a horse riding accident.

We begin our pilgrimage visiting his tomb and parish in Shelby County, to pray at the grave of our first pastor,the Pioneer Priest.  Our next stop is out at the western edges of the state where St Mother Theodore Guerin lived at St Mary of the Woods.  There, the Sisters of Providence will host us and help us explore this Hoosier who is a canonized Saint.  St Mother Theodore played an instrumental role in the growth of St John’s in the 1860s by sending her sisters to teach at the newly-founded St John’s Academy.

The grounds of St Mary of the Woods will help us to dive into the spirituality of St Mother Theodore Guerin as we celebrate Mass, have time for individual prayer, visit the shrine of this American saint, and pray at the site of her burial.

March 14-23
Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE:

Pilgrimage to the Holy Land  | March 14-23, 2014

COST:

Estimated at $3,000, double occupancy

Payment plans and scholarships will be available

HOW:

Join us for a “Come and See” night where you can find more information, ask questions, and take a registration packet. If you would like to be notified when this night is scheduled please email Josh Schaffner at joshua.schaffner@stjohnsindy.org.

+ Participants on the pilgrimage are eligible for a plenary indulgence.

+ Download Pilgrimage Flier

Walk with Fr Rick in the footsteps of Christ and St. John the Evangelist 

Walk in the footsteps of St John as we trace the life of Christ through Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, and Jerusalem.

The pilgrimage will be simple – we will stay in pilgrim houses and not 5 star hotels.  We will take our time, go slow at each site, and allow time for you to pray and really experience the individual sites.

The Gospel story will come alive as we walk, eat, pray, and live in the places once used by Christ and his disciples.

Kneel and touch the very rocks that made up the floor of the manger.  Listen to Christ’s teaching on the shores of Galilee and wade in the Jordan River.  Journey through the desert Christ spent wandering in for 40 days.  Enter into Jerusalem following the Palm Sunday road from the Garden of Gethsemane where a grove of trees over 2,000 years old still stands.  Climb the steps of Golgotha, the hill on which the cross stood.  Walk into the tomb – the site of Christ’s resurrection.

There will be an informational “come and see” evening in the coming month to find out more about the Jerusalem pilgrimage, so please signup to stay in the loop or email joshua.schaffner@stjohnsindy.org  to be added to the interest list.

Authentic Mothers from St. John’s Indy on Vimeo.

Father Rick Nagel’s homily from the weekend of May 12, 2013. In this homily Fr Rick explains that as Jesus rises up, we are to go out and be Him as Christ to others. On this Mother’s Day weekend, Fr Rick further explains that authentic mothers are a great witness and example of what its means to go out be the hands and feet of Christ.

Join the nine men from the Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Men’s Discernment house and father Nagel spiritually during their pilgrimage to Italy as they retrace the steps of blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati and visit sacred sites.  Here is a list of daily prayer intentions for the men.  Thank you for journeying in prayer for the pilgrimage.

+ Each day for Father Nagel to be a good and faithful Shepherd and Servant Leader for this Pilgrimage and for the flock of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church.

+ For all the men each day and for all parishioners and friends of St. Johns:

+ Monday, May 13 – For an increase of the virtue of LOVE.
Man of the day – Brian Bibb

+ Tuesday, May 14 - For an increase of the virtue of FAITH.
Man of the day – Kevin Duffy

+ Wednesday, May 15 - For an increase of the virtue of PEACE.
Man of the day – Nic Kovatch

+ Thursday, May 16 - For an increase of the virtue of SELF CONTROL.
Man of the day – Nick Lesch

+ Friday, May 17 - For an increase of the virtue of GENTLENESS.
Man of the day – Jacob McDaniel

+ Saturday, May 18 - For an increase of the virtue of GENEROSITY.
Man of the day – Robert Newport

+ Sunday, May 19 - For an increase of the virtue of JOY.
Man of the day – Lucas Nieto

+ Monday, May 20 - For an increase of the virtue of PATIENCE.
Man of the day – Shoaib Rasouli

+ Tuesday, May 21 - For an increase of the virtue of KINDNESS.
Man of the day – Adam Stanich

Pastoral Planning for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis

St. John the Evangelist Parish Survey

Dear Friends in Christ,

Archbishop Tobin has asked all parishes in the Indianapolis deaneries to take part in the Connected Spirit Evaluation initiative. The goals of this project include:

1.         To enhance the vibrancy of parish life in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis.

2.         To foster an appreciation for and participation in Sunday Eucharist and the Sacraments.

3.         To promote good stewardship so that parishes are financially viable now and well into the future.

4.         To maximize the availability of quality Catholic School education throughout the Archdiocese.

5.         To ensure that all parishioners have opportunities for quality lifelong Christian Formation, including supporting new initiatives for youth and young adults and promoting vocations to ordained and lay ministry.

6.         To strengthen service to those who are marginalized.

7.         To build a greater sense of unity among the many cultures in the Archdiocese.

8.         To realign parishes considering the number of priests available to serve, financial resources and demographics.

9.         To increase collaboration among all entities in the local, national and universal Church.

10.       To advocate for peace and justice in the Church and in the world.

In an effort to evaluate our strengths and weaknesses as a parish, we ask that both parishioners and non- parishioners take part in this survey.

Please fill complete the survey no later than May 20, 2013.

Yours in Christ,

St. John’s Connected in the Spirit Core Team Representatives

TAKE THE SURVEY

Online: www.surveymonkey.com/s/CITS

By hand:  You may do the survey by hand by picking up a copy of the survey in the back of church at the table and returning it to the parish office no later than May 20, 2013.

“Beloved, do not be surprised that a trial by fire is occurring among you… But rejoice to the extent that you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that when his glory is revealed you may also rejoice exultantly.” -1 Peter 4: 12-13

Join us for the St. John Tested by Fire Festival! 

+ What? 

Public street festival with live Catholic band (L’Angelus-one of the best in the country!), DJ, great food, beer/wine garden, cornhole competition with prize money,  kids activities, silent auction, and much more!

+ When?

Saturday, May 4, from 2-10pm

+ Where?

West block of Georgia Street and St. John’s parking lot in downtown Indianapolis, 126 W Georgia Street, located across the street from the convention center.

+ Why?

All proceeds benefit restoration costs resulting from an arson fire in St. John’s this past February. Admittance to festival is free with opportunities to give toward restoration costs throughout the event and to honor our public safety officials who lay down their lives.

All are welcome!!!

Join us for a night of faith and fun with 5:30pm Mass, 6:30pm GREAT Catholic Band (L’Angelus) and dinner!

More information?  Contact office@stjohnsindy.org

**Event is on rain or shine** 

*Visit EventBrite site to RSVP (though you do NOT have to RSVP to attend)* 

*If you would like to volunteer, click here to see specific areas where help is needed.

*Help us promote this event!  See links to fliers below!

+ 11×17 Flier

+8.5×11 Flier

Help us raise money for the restoration by donating today!

Schedule for the day is as follows:

11am Divine Mercy Sunday Mass

12pm Eucharistic Procession (through the streets of downtown Indianapolis)

12:30-1:30pm Adoration and Confession (available inside St. John’s following the procession)– see below on how to obtain a plenary indulgence associated with Divine Mercy Sunday.

“My mercy is so great that no mind, be it of man or angel, will be able to fathom it throughout eternity.”-Diary of St. Maria Faustina, #699

How Obtain a Plenary Indulgence (associated with Divine Mercy Sunday):

+ Must be in a state of grace

+ Have interior disposition of complete detachment from sin, including venial sin

+ Have confessed sins through the Sacrament of Reconciliation

+ Have received the Eucharist

+ Pray for the intentions of our Holy Father, Pope Francis

*For more information on Divine Mercy Sunday visit: http://www.ewtn.com/devotionals/mercy/feast.htm

Happy Easter!  May you know the joy of the risen Christ in your heart and in your life.

Enjoy this tune from Matt Maher… Easter Blessings to all of you.

Stay tuned for photos from Holy Week and the Easter Triduum in the days to come.

In the weeks leading up to the Race for Vocations on May 4 there will be letters going out to all who have registered with the vocations team.  See below for Father Nagel’s letter to participants who are training for the Race and how that relates to our Universal Call to Holiness.  For more information on the Race for Vocations visit the page at: http://www.stjohnsindy.org/race-for-vocations/

“I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.” -II Timothy 4:7

Race for Vocations Participants,

Just 40 days until the Race for Vocations!  In this holiest of weeks, we turn to contemplate how God is calling us each by name to be holy, just as He is holy.  As we continue to pray for the increase of vocations to the priesthood, consecrated/religious life, sacred married life and sacred single life, one must first consider the Universal Call to Holiness and our first vocation through baptism of Charity!  You are called to holiness, to be a saint, and to respond in your life through Charity…

Universal Call to Holiness

“Dear young people of America, your personal prayer, your times of silent contemplation, and your participation in the Church’s liturgy, bring you closer to God and also prepare you to serve others. The saints show us that the life of faith and hope is also a life of charity. Contemplating Jesus on the Cross we see love in its most radical form. We can begin to imagine the path of love along which we must move (cf. Deus Caritas Est, 12). The opportunities to make this journey are abundant. Look about you with Christ’s eyes, listen with his ears, feel and think with his heart and mind. Are you ready to give all as he did for truth and justice?”  Pope Benedict XVI, Papal Visit to America – April 2008

Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) 825 – 826

II. THE CHURCH IS HOLY

825 “The Church on earth is endowed already with a sanctity that is real though imperfect.”²⁹⁵ In her members perfect holiness is something yet to be acquired: “Strengthened by so many and such great means of salvation, all the faithful, whatever their condition or state – though each in his own way – are called by the Lord to that perfection of sanctity by which the Father himself is perfect.”²⁹⁶

826 Charity is the soul of the holiness to which all are called: it “governs, shapes, and perfects all the means of sanctification.”²⁹⁷

If the Church was a body composed of different members, it couldn’t lack the noblest of all; it must have a Heart, and a Heart BURNING WITH LOVE. And I realized that this love alone was the true motive force which enabled the other members of the Church to act; if it ceased to function, the Apostles would forget to preach the gospel, the Martyrs would refuse to shed their blood. LOVE, IN FACT, IS THE VOCATION WHICH INCLUDES ALL OTHERS; IT’S A UNIVERSE OF ITS OWN, COMPRISING ALL TIME AND SPACE – IT’S ETERNAL! ²⁹⁸

296 LG 11, 3

298 St Theresa of Lisieux, Autobiography of a Saint

Our new Holy Father, Pope Francis, wrote an amazing invitation to the faithful at the beginning of the year of faith this past October which merits our contemplation in this holy week.  He encourages us to open wide the doors of our hearts so that we may encounter the living Christ and be transformed by Him into saints…

http://www.catholicworldreport.com/Item/2086/cardinal_jorge_mario_bergoglios_letter_on_the_year_of_faith.aspx

Questions to contemplate in prayer and while you train:

1. Can you think of someone in your life who strives to be holy?  What do you see in them that you would like to see in yourself?
2. Have you decided, with God’s grace, to strive to be holy, to be a saint?  Why or why not? What stands in your way to becoming holy/a saint?
3. Who is one of your favorite saints who serves as a model for you in life?
4. What are some good practices one should follow as a Catholic in the journey to holiness? Acts of Charity which God calls you to?

As we train for the race of life this week ahead, may we be transformed through prayer, sacraments and physical training.  May we all strive for holiness/sainthood and act with charity in all we do!

With a Father’s Love,

Father Rick Nagel

Pastor, St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church

Chaplain, IUPUI

Please Note:  St. John Parish Offices will be closed on Easter Monday, April 1st to allow staff time to be with these families over Easter.  Regular daily Mass (12:10pm) and Confessions (11:15am-12pm) are on.  The parish office will resume normal work hours on Tuesday, April 2nd.  Happy Easter!