October 31, 2017 // Diocese

Around the Diocese: November 5, 2017

Todays Catholic

Christ the King inducts National Junior Honor Society class

SOUTH BEND — Christ the King School recently welcomed 12 students to its newly formed National Junior Honor Society chapter during a ceremony at an all-school Mass.

This year’s eighth-grade inductees are Seth Badics, Mackenzie Crane, Becca Dosch, Emily Fenske, Emmanuel Thomas and Kristi Tingwald. Seventh-grade inductees are Jennifer Danh, Ryan Goffinet, Alexis Maneld, Eleanor Munn, Sam Thomas and Aleksey Zielinski.

This is the school’s second year participating in NJHS. Students are eligible for achievement at the end of their sixth- and seventh-grade years for induction the following fall. The adviser is Maureen Terry.

“We are proud to be able to recognize the outstanding scholarship, service, leadership and character of our seventh- and eighth-grade students this year,” Terry said. “Our new members exemplify these pillars, and we know membership in the NJHS will help our already excellent students to strive to do wonderful things in and out of the classroom.”

Students are eligible for NJHS membership based on scholarship, service, leadership and character, and must maintain a cumulative grade percentage of 96 out of 100 at the end of each trimester.

Agencies receive support for initiatives and programming

ELKHART —  The board of directors of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County on Oct. 12 approved $961,750 in new grants to nonprofits serving Elkhart County. Two Catholic entities were among those receiving a Community Investment, Good Neighbor or Rapid Response grant from the Fund for Elkhart County during the first quarter of fiscal year 2017-18.

The award recipients for Youth Development, a subgroup of Community Investment Grants category, included $50,000 to Marian High School, Mishawaka, for an Elkhart bus; and $60,250 to St. John the Evangelist School for a technology project that will put iPads in the hands of students.

Community Investment Grants address youth development, vibrant community or quality of life issues and respond to requests of $10,000 to $250,000. Submissions are reviewed by volunteer committees and are awarded twice a year. The committees are comprised of a diverse range of community members who are engaged with their respective sectors and work to be aware of emerging and ongoing initiatives.

“Our local nonprofit partners continue to develop programs and initiatives to build stronger communities within Elkhart County” said Jill Sigsbee, Community Foundation grant chairperson. “The Community Foundation is pleased to support these efforts that will positively impact our children and families for generations to come.”

Gold Mass slated for Notre Dame

NOTRE DAME — The inaugural Gold Mass for scientists and engineers at the University of Notre Dame will be celebrated at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the university campus.

Father Terrence Ehrman, CSC, assistant director of the Center for Theology, Science and Human Flourishing, will preside and preach.

Named for the color of the hoods worn by individuals graduating with a Ph.D. in science, the Gold Mass is also associated with St. Albert the Great, the patron saint of scientists.

While the Gold Mass is a new tradition at Notre Dame, the initial Gold Mass for scientists and engineers was celebrated on Nov. 15, 2016, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. The tradition was established by the Society of Catholic Scientists, an idea that grew from a seed planted in a 1988 letter from St. John Paul II to Father George Coyne, SJ, director of the Vatican Observatory. In that letter, the pontiff wrote, “Science can purify religion from error and superstition; religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes. Each can draw the other into a wider world, a world in which both can flourish.”

In addition to the Gold Mass, activities include a reception in the galleria of Jordan Hall of Science at 6:15 p.m., and an Edison Lecture at 7:15 p.m. in Jordan Hall of Science, Room 101. The lecture will address the question of the compatibility of faith and science. The featured speaker is Jonathan Lunine, the David C. Duncan Professor in the Physical Sciences at Cornell University and director of the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Sciences. A member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, Lunine is also a founding member and current vice president of the Society of Catholic Scientists.

People of all denominations and faith traditions are welcome to participate.

Men’s conference registration opens

FORT WAYNE — Become fully alive in Christ when by attending the eighth annual Rekindle the Fire Diocesan Men’s Conference on Feb. 24 at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne. Registration is now open at www.rekindlethefire.net.

Conference speakers include world-renowned Theology of the Body expert Christopher West, inspirational storyteller Joe Farris and Bishop Kevin C. Rhoades. The day includes opportunities for confession, eucharistic adoration, to visit Catholic vendors and celebrate Mass with Bishop Rhoades.

An early bird registration discount of $40 is available through Dec. 31. After Jan. 1, registration is $45. New this year is special pricing of $25 for middle, high school and college students.

Handel’s ‘Messiah’ to be presented

DONALDSON — The “Messiah,” by George Frideric Handel, will be performed by the Ancilla Domini Community Choir and Orchestra in the Ancilla Domini Chapel at The Center at Donaldson at 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18. This performance is presented by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ and the Mary Lou McCarthy-Artz Concert Series.

There is no admission fee, but a freewill offering will be accepted. A reception will follow the performance in Cana Hall, 9601 Union Rd.  Visit www.theCenteratDonaldson.org for information.

Fourth-grade students Claire Bloom and Felicity Barton, from left, dressed as St. Gianna Molla and St. Dorothy of Caesarea, attended the All-Schools Mass at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in the morning of Oct. 26, then went live on Redeemer Radio’s Sharathon in the afternoon with representatives of their parish. They attend Most Precious Blood School in Fort Wayne. — Provided by Karen Lohmuller

A Pumpkin Festival that took place at St. Joseph School in Garrett in late October offered fellowship for families and celebrated the fall season. The school’s HASA organization hosted and coordinated the event. The children, some dressed in costume, played games, had their faces painted, ate treats and more; family members were offered a homemade meal of chicken and noodles, potatoes and pies. Cash, gift cards, toys and Notre Dame tickets were among the raffle prizes that were given away. — Provided by Jill Hamblin