November 8, 2016 // Uncategorized
Around the Diocese: November 13, 2016
The Indiana School Counselor Association awarded St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School Principal Lois Widner the 2016 Exemplary Administrator Award on Nov. 4 for her hard work and dedication as a principal and for her support of the school’s counselors and students. Widner was nominated for the award by school counselor Tara Walulik; she received it at a Gold Star Luncheon at the Marriott East Hotel in Indianapolis. She is pictured with a large poster signed by all of the school’s students, congratulating her on the achievement.
Encuentro training to begin
The Office of Hispanic Ministry will be conducting a diocesan wide Encuentro process training for parish teams on Saturday, Dec. 3. This training is required for all parish cocordinators and is a great resource for their preparation for the parish Encuentro process from January to May. Training will be presented in Spanish. For more information contact the Office of Hispanic Ministry at 574-259-9994, ext. 211 and 217.
Film released, ‘Under Caesar’s Sword’
NOTRE DAME — The Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture and the Religious Freedom Institute has announced the release of a new documentary film that explores how Christians respond to various forms of violence and persecution around the world. It is part of the “Under Caesar’s Sword” project, co-sponsored by the center, the institute and produced by Jason Cohen Productions.
Each year, 100 million Christians worldwide are persecuted for their faith — enduring interrogation, arrest and even death. How do they respond to this suffering? What can we learn from them?
This film chronicles not only the hardships Christians face but also their creative, powerful or simply last-ditch efforts to survive, to build alliances that improve their security and to resist the violation of their religious freedom.
To help church groups and classes engage with this film, a discussion guide is available. Arrangements to show the film at churches, schools and organizations can be made by visiting ntrda.me/2femnOj.
To view a trailer the entire film, visit ntrda.me/2f9TTGw.
Sacred Heart School, Warsaw, was presented with a $1,000 check from Old National Bank’s recent, five-state “Tools for Schools” contest. It will use the winnings for supplies and programs. Pictured from left are Kristine Alderfer, parent and volunteer; Jim Faroh, principal; John Warren, Old National Bank first vice president; and Wendell Bontrager, Old National Bank regional manager.
USF senior to host art auction for Syrian refugee relief
FORT WAYNE — University of Saint Francis communications senior Sarah Colagrossi is hosting the Hope for Syria Art Auction on Nov. 19, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Cinema Center, 437 E. Berry Street, Fort Wayne.
The art auction fundraiser is part of Colagrossi’s senior project. The proceeds from the silent art auction will go to Fort Wayne for Syrian Refugees and Sunrise USA for refugee relief. Admission is free and the event is open to the public.
For more information, visit Facebook.com/hopeforsyria.
Sankofa event will focus on mercy
SOUTH BEND — Close the Year of Mercy and Kick off Black Catholic History Month with Sankofa 2016. Sponsored by the diocesan Black Catholic Advisory Board, Sankofa will occur Sat., Nov. 12, at Saint Joseph High School, 453 N. Notre Dame Ave. Registration is from 9 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and the program concludes at 3:30 p.m. The day includes a morning keynote by Deacon Mel Tardy: “Black Lives and Church Matters: Moving from ‘Lord Have Mercy!’ to ‘Thank You Jesus!” Break-out sessions will include “A Taste of Africa: Stories From Togo,” “Abortion, Healing and Forgiveness,” “Cultural Competencies in Shared Parishes,” “The Collateral Consequence of Having a Felony Record,” and “How the African American Marriage Decline Affects Everyone.” The closing Mass will feature the Notre Dame Voices of Faith Gospel Choir. All races and religious faiths are invited to. Lunch is provided. Cost for the day is $15. For a schedule or to register visit www.diocesefwsb.org/dbcm or contact Mary Glowaski at 260-422-4611.
Institute to expand Science and Religion Initiative
NOTRE DAME — The McGrath Institute for Church Life has received a $1.675 million grant from the John Templeton Foundation to expand its Science and Religion Initiative — a multifaceted program that trains Catholic educators to raise the quality of high school science and religion education and develop useful learning materials for engaging dialogue between the disciplines. The program seeks to frame science education within the broader context of Catholic theology.
The three-year Templeton Foundation grant allows the Science and Religion Initiative to continue hosting seminars at the University of Notre Dame and other locations. Additionally, the initiative will support the development of online courses for teachers, a second edition of a high school textbook on the subject and a website to share lesson plans and other teaching resources.
“According to a recent national survey, the perceived conflict between science and religion is one of the main reasons young people say they leave the Catholic Church,” said John Cavadini, McGrath-Cavadini Director of the McGrath Institute for Church Life. “This grant allows us to address this misperception and help high school teachers create pedagogies that show that science and religion – far from being incompatible – are partners in the search for truth.” The Science and Religion Initiative, which received two prior Templeton Foundation grants, seeks holistic integration of theology, biology and physics. For more information, visit icl.nd.edu.
St. Aloysius celebrates ACE Lift-off
St. Aloysius students sit in a helicopter brought to the Fort Wayne-area school during its 2016-17 ACE Lift-Off event on Oct. 28.
YODER — St. Aloysius School, Yoder, celebrated the 2016-17 National Aerospace Connections in Education Lift-off event on Friday, Oct. 28, at 10 a.m. Distinguished guests, aviation demonstrations, displays and student activities were all included in the hour-long event.
The school community expressed its gratitude for those who serve our country, and the rest of the day consisted of student activities related to the science, technology, engineering and math curriculum.
St. Aloysius has weekly ACE lessons and activities throughout the year. The program is provided at no cost to schools across the nation by the Civil Air Patrol and a presenting sponsor, the Air Force Association. Aimed at grades kindergarten through sixth, the grade-level specific program uses the aerospace theme to enhance all academic subjects with an emphasis on STEM, and also promotes good character, physical fitness and service to one another. St. Aloysius includes seventh- and eighth-grade classes in the curriculum. Master Sergeant Anthony Vining of the 122nd Fighter Wing/CAP Squadron has taught the students for two years, bringing them hands-on STEM learning projects. This included a flight simulator, computer-based weather stations and cars, and an opportunity to build rockets.
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