December 9, 2015 // Uncategorized

Around the Diocese: December 13, 2015

Todays Catholic

Advent Lessons and Carols at The Center at Donaldson

DONALDSON — Advent is the season of expectant waiting where Christians prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ at Christmas. Join them for nine biblical lessons of Advent and traditional Christmas Carols.

Director of Liturgy and Music Andrew Jennings will conduct traditional Christmas carols that will be sung by the choir and the audience, in the Ancilla Domini Chapel. The chapel is on the grounds of The Center at Donaldson and the concert will take place at 7 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 13.

The public is welcome to this free event to share in the anticipation of the celebration of Christmas. A reception will follow the performance.

The Ancilla Domini Chapel is located at 9601 Union Rd., Donaldson, just west of Plymouth, two miles south of U.S. 30. The concert and The Center at Donaldson are sponsored by the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ.

For more information on the concert visit the The Center at Donaldson Facebook page.

Lilly Endowment makes grants to encourage youth to explore theology

INDIANAPOLIS — Lilly Endowment Inc. is awarding $44.5 million in grants to help 82 private four-year colleges and universities located in 29 states and the District of Columbia to develop high school youth theology institutes.

Holy Cross College at Notre Dame, Saint Mary’s College at Notre Dame, and the University of Saint Francis in Fort Wayne are among the colleges and universities receiving the high school youth theology grants.

The grants are part of the endowment’s commitment to identify and cultivate a cadre of theologically minded youth who will become leaders in church and society. Although some schools are independent, many reflect the religious heritage of their founding Christian traditions, including Baptist, Brethren, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Reformed traditions, as well as Catholic, non-denominational, Pentecostal and historic African-American Christian communities.

With guidance and support from religion and theology faculty, chaplains and local pastors, young people will study sacred Scripture and pivotal theological texts; take part in service projects and hands-on ministry experiences; examine the moral and ethical dimensions of contemporary issues; and learn about religious practices, including prayer, contemplation and worship. Most programs will take place during the summer and offer short-term residential experiences to groups of students as small as 24 and as large as 300.

An additional grant to the Forum for Theological Exploration will establish a program that will bring together leaders of the high school youth theology institutes to foster mutual learning and support.

Heather Smith makes commitment as a Providence Associate

SOUTH BEND — South Bend resident Heather Smith recently deepened her relationship with the Sisters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods as she made a commitment as a Providence Associate on Saturday, Nov. 14, joining 27 other 2015 associates with the Sisters of Providence

Director of Providence Associates Sister Diane Mason said in order to become a Providence Associate, a candidate is paired with a Sister of Providence or Providence Associate companion and goes through a year of study, prayer and reflection. Smith’s companion was Providence Associate Jude Magers.

Sister Mason said the Nov. 14 commitment ceremony brought the total of Providence Associates to more than 220 in the United States and Taiwan.

In late October of this year, more than 40 women and men began their journey as Candidate-Associates. The associate relationship is open to people of faith, ages 18 and older.

To learn more visit ProvidenceAssociates.org or contact Providence Associate Debbie Dillow at 317-250-3294 or by email at [email protected].

Eric Day brings message to Ancilla

DONALDSON – Ancilla College hosted a lecture by Plymouth native, Eric Day, on Nov. 30. Day discussed his “Stay Positive” wristband program and the life benefits of behaving with a positive attitude.

Day, a two-time brain cancer survivor, found a friend in Allison, a fellow patient being treated at the Indiana University Health Proton Therapy Center in Bloomington. Before leaving, Allison wrote Day a letter with the message “Stay Positive” signed at the bottom in her best handwriting. Soon after, Eric began to spread his message through his wristbands. Embossed with the phrase “Stay Positive,” Day preaches that “You can’t always control what happens in life, but you can control your attitude.”

St. Anthony traditions open Year of Mercy

ANGOLA — The parishioners of St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Angola are planning various acts of mercy to celebrate the Holy Year of Mercy beginning Dec. 8.

The public is invited to a Live Drive-Thru Nativity at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 700 W. Maumee St., Angola, on Sunday, Dec. 20, from 5-8 p.m. where, in the comfort of their own car, people can experience the Christmas story in four live scenes. Throughout the journey they are accompanied by pre-recorded music at each scene supplied by John Peters. While Matt and Susie Zimmer have coordinated live animals at each of the scenes, over 150 costumed children and adults of the parish assume the roles of the people of Bethlehem and surrounding countryside.

Clem and Bonnie Sniadecki who are co-chairing this year’s event with Marilyn Karpinski, said, “As in years past, this event is open to the public free of charge. It is St. Anthony’s Christmas gift to the community.”

In addition to the Live Drive-Thru Nativity, The Gingerbread Project is underway with members of the youth group making and delivering gingerbread houses to members of the parish who are homebound, and the Angel Tree Program, chaired by Judy and Neil Nusbaum, is collecting donations of food and Christmas gifts to be delivered to numerous adopted families in need.