JUNE 2022
MEE T PARISH IONER
ED WI TU L SKI:
Loving and Serving Our Neighbors
S St. Monica Catholic Church 6131 N. Michigan Rd. Indianapolis, Indiana 46228-1298 MASS TIMES: Monday, Wednesday, & Friday: 8 a.m. Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday: 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 10:30 a.m. Saturday Anticipation Mass: 5:00 p.m. Sunday: 8 a.m., 10 a.m., 12:30 p.m. (Spanish), 3 p.m. (Spanish), 6 p.m. Mass in French, 2nd Sunday of each month: 4:30 p.m. VER AL DORSO PARA ESPANOL
(317) 253-2193 www.stmonicaindy.org
erving our brothers and sisters in Christ is at the heart of stewardship. The act of serving others is very close to parishioner Ed Witulski’s heart. “I feel like, for years Ed gathers with members growing up, that I was of the Social Justice a taker,” Ed says. “I was Committee. selfish and individualistic. I am now paying it forward and I feel, down to my core, that this is the right path for me to be on in living out my faith and in living in community with others in our greater church and world family.” Ed has been a parishioner at St. Monica since 2001. He has been involved with various social justice efforts in the parish community and beyond — such as the Beggars for the Poor Ministry, Just Faith, and Faith in continued on page 6
S TE WA R DSHI P OF TREASU RE
Giving to God First
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ave you ever wondered why no one really becomes uneasy when someone brings up the first two “Ts” of stewardship – giving of your time or talents – but when the third “T” comes up, many of us become uncomfortable? That third “T” is treasure, and some people simply become so annoyed by or defensive of the subject, they tune out the words from the pulpit. Why is there such an adverse reaction? Our finances are such a personal subject. Discussing money issues with others is not easy, and having someone tell us what to do with our finances is even harder. We earn the money, after all. So shouldn’t we decide what to do with it? Of course, the answer is “yes” – we decide every day how to spend our hard-earned dollars. Indeed, the monetary choices we make will either keep our finances in check or put us into the red. Given that the average American family has about $7,000 in credit card debt, finances certainly represent a challenge to our current society. Tight budgets, trying to “keep up with the Joneses,” or poor financial management may
be to blame for our tight resources. Does this mean we do not have anything left over for God? Stewardship, at its roots, teaches that we are not supposed to give God our “leftovers.” We should instead strive to return to God a portion of our “first fruits” – giving to God first and then using the rest for our other needs. God gave us our talents that help us earn a living, after all. He should come first. This idea can be worrisome for many. If our finances are already strained, how will we ever find enough to give back to God? Or, if we do try to give God our “first fruits,” will there be enough left over to cover our required expenses? Taking the correct financial steps toward good stewardship boils down to trust – believing that God, who takes care of all of His creation, will take care of us. Trust that in giving to God first, we are both acknowledging that our multitude of blessings come from Him and that we are thankful He chose to give them to us. And finally, trust that if we give to Him first, that all else will fall into place because He is in ultimate control.
Stewardship, at its roots, teaches that we are not supposed to give God our “leftovers.” We should instead strive to return to God a portion of our “first fruits” – giving to God first and then using the rest for our other needs.
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A Letter From Our Pastor
E M B R A C E T H E H O LY S P IR IT
Dear Parishioners, entecost, which comes on June 5 this year, was the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles while they were gathered for prayer in Jerusalem. Coming 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit turned the apostles from a collection of fearful followers looking for some direction into a band of courageous witnesses ready to declare their faith in Christ to the whole world. You’ve heard that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because that was the day when, newly filled with the Holy Spirit, St. Peter preached the first Christian sermon, inviting his hearers to turn to Jesus as their Savior and their Lord. Those who accepted the invitation were baptized and “were added” to the Church (Acts 2:41). That day marked the beginning of the Church’s public mission, which continues to the present. The Holy Spirit’s actions in the Church were not limited to the apostles in an ancient time. It remains active in the present, guiding the pope and the bishops as they go about their work of sanctifying, teaching, and serving the Church. The Holy Spirit acts in the sacraments to make them effective gifts of grace. We can also see the Holy Spirit’s work in the witness of the saints. The Holy Spirit is not only working and moving in the Church as a whole, but also in the lives of individual Christians. Through our baptism, we become temples of the Holy Spirit. With our Confirmation, which is our own personal Pentecost, we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit unites us more closely to Christ, increases the spiritual gifts we have been given, and strengthens us to spread and defend the faith. When we celebrate Pentecost, we not only remember the Pentecost experience revealed in scripture, but also acknowledge the Holy Spirit alive in us and our Church, moving us to holiness and encouraging us to be witnesses to our faith. Maybe you are wondering how the Holy Spirit is working in your life? Here is one way to think about it: God the Father gave us free will, so we can choose whether or not we’ll obey Him. God the Holy Spirit, being united with the Father and the Son, honors our freedom. The
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Spirit never forces us to turn away from sin or to obey God’s commandments. Rather, the Spirit gives us grace to help us use our free will to choose the good. When uniting our desire to choose the good with our prayer to God, we can be more aware of God’s invitation to actually choose what is good – to choose God. The Spirit calls us toward heaven while always respecting our freedom to choose God or to reject Him. As disciples of Jesus, we are called to respond to God’s generosity and goodness to us with gratitude. Perhaps you’ve made a commitment to worship at Mass at least weekly and spend some time each day in prayer. Maybe you have promised to use some of your talents in parish ministries and service to the community. You may even have turned in a card at our last renewal to indicate your pledge of a portion of your treasure to be used in God’s service. I hope you’ve done all of these, as they are ways in which we respond in gratitude to God’s generosity. If so, both the Holy Spirit’s grace and your free will were involved in your decision. I encourage you to be not afraid and to trust that the Holy Spirit will give you the strength to fulfill your commitments. This Pentecost, I encourage you to make the verse we’ll sing just before the Gospel your personal prayer: Alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia. If you do, I believe that you will recognize the Holy Spirit working even more strongly in your life. My hope is that you will sense more joy in your heart and soul. The fruit of this is that the world, at least your little corner of it, will be a better place. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. John P. McCaslin 3
A LTA R S ER V E R S :
P ER FO R MI NG PRAYERFU L SE RVI C E F OR G OD A ND PA RI S H
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ne of the blessings of serving in the When asked to describe what being an church is that you can always do so altar server is like, Isaac offers a powerful prayerfully. Altar server Isaac Fleck has reflection. learned this directly through his service “Being an altar server is nothing short during Mass. of heavenly,” he says. “I love being on the “Altar serving has broadened my altar. I love blending in and serving the definition of prayer,” Isaac says. “Being a community around me, learning to look server, doing my job on the altar is a form out and love everyone just for being at of prayer.” Mass, and participating in such a holy Isaac began as an altar server when he act, receiving the grace of God. It fills my was in fifth grade. heart with joy.” “My Sunday school teacher passed out a Altar servers assist the clergy, both (From left) Evan, Isaac paper to go to a training to become an altar priests and deacons, in the Celebration of and Andrew Fleck server,” he says. “Before that, I had always the Mass. Their responsibilities include carwanted to be up on the altar, so I jumped at rying the cross and candles, assisting with the chance. I’ve served for the past seven years. And I’ve setting the altar and receiving the offertory gifts, as well loved every minute of it!” as ringing the bells during the Eucharistic prayer. Through serving on the altar, Isaac has found him“The best part of altar serving is definitely ringing self drawing closer to the Lord, and to the members of the bells when the priest is holding up the Host,” says the Church. Evan Fleck, Isaac’s brother, who is also an altar server. “Altar serving has inspired me to learn everything “Everyone in the church is quiet and the bells make a about my faith,” he says. “I’ll admit that in the past, really nice ringing sound. I have been more interested in filling my head with “I wanted to get involved because it was something knowledge rather than my heart. But recently I’ve that I had never done and wanted to do,” he adds. “I learned that interior conversion comes from sharing thought that being an altar server was going to be a love with others.” really hard job because I thought everyone was going to Isaac points to an experience he had at a Catholic be looking at me. They weren’t.” camp that helped further deepen his appreciation for Like Isaac, Evan has found serving in this way to be altar serving. a spiritually enriching experience. “Meeting the wonderful, amazing, spiritually-filled “It has set me on a new direction to experience God people there has truly transformed my heart,” he says. in a way I have not before,” he says. “I think it has brought “Their love for the Gospel was so infectious. While me closer to God and it has also deepened my faith.” there, I got the opportunity to serve and I’ll tell you, that An annual training session for altar servers is typiMass was one of the most moving experiences I’ve ever cally offered around September. At St. Monica, any boy had. Those people made the Mass what it should be — a or girl regularly receiving the Sacraments of the country coming together to worship, not just praying in Eucharist and Reconciliation and in fourth grade or the same place, but to become one to praise God.” older can serve.
If you would like to participate, please contact Fr. Vinny or Deacon Bob at the parish office 317-253-2193. 4
KN I G H T S OF C OLUM B US COUNCIL 11 9 2 7
A Brotherhood of Service and Faith
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he Knights of Columbus is a national brotherhood of Catholic men who live out the principles of charity, unity, and fraternity by serving the Church and local community. The brotherhood is organized into parish councils. Our own Council 11927 was started in 1997 here at St. Monica and has been building a strong fraternal network of men for the past 25 years. “Being a part of the Knights has allowed me to enter into an entire brotherhood of men whose sole purpose is to do good for others,” says Gary Grist, a member of Council 11927. “It is an honor to be associated with a group of men who are willing to give of themselves.” The Knights meet at St. Monica at 6:30 p.m. every third Tuesday of the month to pray and plan upcoming events and fundraisers. “We offer both manpower and financial assistance for many different ministries and causes,” Gary says. Every year, the Knights raise money through their car wash ticket sales and Puccini Pizza Night fundraiser. Their annual service projects include blood drives and passing out American flags to visitors at the Washington Park Cemetery on Memorial Day weekend. They also have a big impact on parish life as many of them volunteer as ushers and traffic controllers. “We also assist in various parish projects such as ground maintenance and mowing crew,”
A group gathers to sing Christmas Carols.
says Chris Iles, another St. Monica Knight. Several years ago, as Gary recollects, the Knights helped a group of volunteers greet women outside of a Planned Parenthood clinic. The volunteers would give the women a bag before they went into the clinic filled with information and resources that encouraged them to choose life. “Shortly after we provided the bags of information, we received a letter from a woman who received one of our bags,” Gary says. “She said that she changed her mind because of the contents within the bag.” The Knights of Columbus not only build up the local community and parish through their generosity and service, but they also have a great impact on each other. The brotherhood is first and foremost concerned with building up men of faith. “I have grown in faith and my personal life,” Gary says. “I have be-
Fr. John speaks at a meeting.
come more caring. Now, I constantly look for ways to share my gifts and talents with others. This growth has been a result of my attempt to mimic my brother Knights.” “Personally, being a Knight has provided me with a sense of belonging,” Chris says. The members of Council 11927 are men of great faith who support one another in prayer and help each other grow closer to Christ. The service they do together is the catalyst that strengthens their brotherly bonds. continued on page 6
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K NI G H TS OF C OL UMBUS Our Knights of Columbus council is seeking more men to join. There is power in numbers and the council will be able to do more good work for Christ when their membership grows. “I encourage all men who are interested in growing as a person and in their faith to come and be a part of this impressive group,” Gary says.
continued from page 5
Knights gather for a meeting.
For any man who feels called to join the Knights of Columbus, please do not hesitate to reach out to current members to ask about their experience. Sign-up is easy, just visit www.kofc.org/secure/en/join/join-the-knights.html.
ED W I T U L S K I
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Indiana — and he has been working to restart our Social Justice Committee. Although Ed has been Catholic his whole life, active involvement in parish life is something that was relatively new to him when he came to our parish more than 20 years ago. “I grew up a cradle Catholic and my family, in essence, only went to church on Sundays and didn’t really get that involved in church activities or ministries,” Ed says. Through his attendance at St. Monica, Ed’s faith life flourished for the first time. “I hadn’t really been going to church regularly before starting up at St. Monica,” Ed says. “St. Monica was where I began the process of transforming my life and really attempting to grow my faith. My life is truly better over these past 20-plus years and the common denominator is that I went back to church and St. Monica is where I gratefully landed in that process.” Ed attended a Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP) retreat soon after coming to St. Monica. After that, he was invited to a small group where he began learning more about Catholicism and how to live out his faith. Soon after, Ed answered a call in the parish bulletin to join Just Faith (JF), which at the time was a new ministry at St. Monica. “JF taught me about the rich history and tradition of the Catholic Church with regard to social teachings 6
and works,” Ed says. “Through JF, I learned the importance of befriending and getting to know folks ‘on the other side of the tracks,’ which I had never done before. JF truly transformed me. “From there I got involved with a faith-based, grassroots community organization (Faith In Indiana) for several years and also began mentoring several folks that I met on the street,” he adds. “This led me to switch professions from banking (30 years) to working at a small not-for-profit called Trusted Mentors, for the past five years.” Ed’s role at Trusted Mentors involves serving our community in a very particular way. He helps to recruit, train, and match volunteer mentors with at-risk adults to help them stay housed and out of prison. He also journeys alongside the mentors to help them work with the mentees to become more stable and self-sufficient. “This is the best job I have ever had,” Ed says. Serving his community is of great importance to Ed, who says that St. Monica has been an ideal place for him to grow and serve. “I feel that being a part of communal gatherings and ministries is a great way to learn about and grow one’s faith and learn about others,” he says. “It also lends itself to helping others, learning how to love thy neighbor as thyself, and even evangelize.”
