May 16, 2018 // Diocese

Around the Diocese: May 20, 2018

Todays Catholic

Saint Mary’s senior receives Fulbright Award

NOTRE DAME — Saint Mary’s College student Louise Chetcuti of Strasbourg, France has been selected to receive a prestigious Fulbright U.S. Student Program award for the 2018-19 academic year from the United States Department of State and the J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board.

Chetcuti, who is a double major in global studies and Spanish with a minor in business administration, has been offered an English Teaching Assistantship award in Colombia. In addition to teaching English, Chetcuti will be working in impoverished neighborhoods, specifically with children, to help break the cycle of poverty.

Chetcuti will be among the 1,900 participants who will study, conduct research, and teach abroad next academic year through the program. The Fulbright U.S. Student Program operates in more than 160 countries and recipients of Fulbright grants are selected for academic or professional achievement and demonstrated leadership potential in their fields.  

A double major in Spanish and global studies, Chetcuti also has a concentration in international development and a minor in business administration. She studied abroad in Argentina spring 2017.

Mini-retreats for parish ministers offered

FORT WAYNE — The Office of Worship of the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend will host “Mornings of Reflection” at each end of the diocese for liturgical ministers on Saturday, June 9, from 10 a.m. to noon.

In the Fort Wayne area, the morning of reflection will take place at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church, 10700 Aboite Center Rd., Fort Wayne.

At the same time, in the South Bend area, the morning of reflection will take place at St. Anthony de Padua Church, 2114 E. Jefferson Blvd., South Bend.

Led by diocesan seminarians, these events can serve as an annual retreat for diocesan extraordinary ministers and lectors, although everyone is welcome to attend. They are free of charge, but pre-registration through the diocese is necessary. A registration form can be downloaded at www.diocesefwsb.org/Trainings-And-Retreats.

Compassionate St. Joseph Award honors 20th anniversary

FORT WAYNE — In honor of its 20th anniversary, the St. Joseph Community Health Foundation has announced a special $100,000 grant opportunity, the Compassionate St. Joseph Award. The award will be given to plant the seeds for a new ministry or new role, or an expansion of an existing ministry or program to serve the poor for many years into the future.

According to Meg Distler, executive director, “One program will be selected to reflect and continue the values of the foundation and our sponsor, the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ. Like the compassionate St. Joseph, who supported and comforted his pregnant wife, Mary, on their challenging journey to Bethlehem for Jesus’ birth, the applicant programs should have the ability to reach out and support those in our community who can find life’s journey difficult.”

Only past grantees of the foundation in 2016, 2017 and 2018 are eligible to apply. Deadline for applications will be Sept. 1. Details are on the foundation’s website, www.SJCHF.org.

Education for Ministry unit on catechesis

FORT WAYNE — The Education for Ministry Program began in 1991 and is the foundational catechetical training program for the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend. This program gives Catholic schoolteachers in kindergarten through grade eight the doctrinal background to prepare students for living a life in Christ as they grow and mature. Parish directors of religious education, catechists, those involved in parish ministry, parents and the laity are also highly encouraged to complete basic certification in the Education for Ministry program to grow in a deeper knowledge and love of the Catholic faith.

This unit of the Education for Ministry Certification Program will introduce the Catholic understanding of sacraments and the Scriptural basis, theology and effects of each of the seven sacraments. The sacramental economy as an interaction between God and the truth that sacraments are moments of grace leading toward God are the foundations of this course.

Class will be held on Thursday evenings. For course times and to register visit www.diocesefwsb.org/Education-for-Ministry-Program.
Registration closes on Friday, June 22, or at the first 40 registered participants.

For more information, contact Janice Martin at [email protected] or call 260-399-1411.

Lindenwood offers Our Lady of Guadalupe day program

DONALDSON — Lindenwood Retreat and Conference Center will offer an Our Lady of Guadalupe day program July 28 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. EDT. This program will be in Spanish. The cost is $15, which includes materials, holy Mass and food. 

Join in a day of retreat and reflection that will answer such questions as why Our Lady of Guadalupe continues to be such an inspirational figure in so many people’s lives. “La Virgen Morena,” a mother, both meek and strong-willed, both assertive and shy, speaks to her children today as much as she did at Tepeyac. Her message is as relevant now as it was nearly 500 years ago.

The retreat will be presented by Sister Deborah Davis, a member of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and a missionary in Mexico for 17 years. She has a great love for Our Lady of Guadalupe.

For more information, email [email protected] or call 574-935-1780. Participants can also register online at www.lindenwood.org. 

Sing with the Notre Dame Summer Community Choir

NOTRE DAME — The Notre Dame Community Choir serves the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. The choir is comprised of men and women of all ages from the greater South Bend community as well as students, faculty and staff from the university. This choir provides music for the 10 a.m. Sunday Mass in the basilica during the summer from May 27 through July 29.

Weekly rehearsals are held Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. beginning May 24. Anyone who is interested in lending their voice is encouraged to attend.

For more information visit campusministry.nd.edu/community-choir or contact Dr. Patrick Kronner at [email protected] or (574) 631-7779.