Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Mass Schedule Thurs. Dec. 24, 4:00 pm., 6:00 pm., Midnight (Vigil Service begins at 11:30 m.)
Fri. Dec. 25, 10:00 am., 12:30 pm. Spanish
Mary Mother of God Mass Schedule
(Holy Day of Obligation)
Thur. Dec. 31, 4:00 pm., 6:00 pm. Spanish
Fri. Jan. 1, 10:00 am., 12:30 pm. Spanish
On Saturday and Sunday, October 17th & 18th, forty-four parish high school teens braved the cold and the flu (eight others missed the event due to illness) to become more aware of the plight of the homeless, both here in Indianapolis and around the world.
Participants painted homes as part of the Coat of Many Colors, made “care packages” for the homeless and needy (which were distributed to parishioners after Masses last weekend), watched a movie about homelessness, and gathered around a fire pit for warmth as they discussed various Catholic social teachings.
The centerpiece of the 28½ hour experience was the choice for all participants (and eight adult chaperones) to sleep overnight in large boxes (lovingly donated by parishioners Mary Ann and Fred Madsen) in our outdoor courtyard, as a way for these teens to recognize that homeless people are every bit as valuable and loved by God as we are.
The temperature dropped below 30 degrees, but, to their credit, the teens did not complain about their conditions, for they knew that, unlike the daily homeless experience for others, the teens’ Saturday night challenges were temporary. (Last year’s group numbered only sixteen, so this was a BIG step forward for many of our teens, and for our Youth Ministry Program.)
The overall message of the participating teens to their fellow parishioners is this: “Pray for the homeless person and, if time and safety permit, get to know them, for they (along with us) make up the Body of Christ.”