Newsletter 2012-01 A day in the bush

 Paragraph # 1 of the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults states the purpose of the RCIA in a few words…

   “The rite of Christian initiation presented here is designed for adults who after hearing the mystery of Christ proclaimed, consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts.  By God’s help they will be strengthened spiritually during their preparation and at the proper time will receive the sacraments fruitfully.”

 “Adults who…consciously and freely seek the living God and enter the way of faith and conversion as the Holy Spirit opens their hearts.”

 RCIA is for those adults who wish to be formed in the Christian faith for the first time.  These adults may never have experienced baptism; others may be baptized.  What adults in the RCIA have in common is their need and their desire for conversion to Christ.  Conversion doesn’t happen as a result of a set program: there is no timetable for conversion and no person can make conversion happen – it is the work of the Holy Spirit in the heart of each person that brings about conversion.  Conversion itself is more than a matter of turning one’s back on all that is bad or evil in one’s life, though this is certainly an aspect of conversion; conversion is the process by which we leave behind our former way of life to join ourselves to Christ Jesus, becoming his disciples.        

    At St. Monica the RCIA Team has long had a motto, “In support of journeys, not outcomes.”  This motto is the Team’s way of affirming every person who comes to RCIA seeking the Lord, seeking faith.  The first step in RCIA is the Period of Inquiry – and it is just what the name suggests: it is the time for “inquirers” to hear about Christ for the first time, and to ask questions about the Catholic faith.  Some persons may need to ask questions and inquire for a very long time, others may need only a short time: some persons will feel called to go further and actually become Catholic, others may feel called to break all ties completely.  No matter what the outcome is, we support those who seek faith, and we support their own personal timetable – the work of the Spirit within their hearts.   This honest sifting and sorting of what is in the heart of each person is important in RCIA; discernment is key.

    If and when an inquirer feels called to become Catholic, there is a discernment of readiness for the first major Rite of the RCIA, the Rite of Acceptance into the Order of Catechumens (for those who have not been baptized) or the Rite of Welcome for Baptized but Uncatechized Adults.  This Rite marks the movement into a new Period of the RCIA.  Information on that Period, the Catechumenate Period, will be included in next week’s Bulletin.

 This week Parishioners are encouraged to invite someone to Inquiry at St. Monica.  Who do you know who may be drawn to Christ?  Let them know they can come and learn more about the way of Catholic faith – with no obligation or cost!  RCIA brochures will be on the Narthex table throughout the month of August – take one and give it away.

For more information, visit our RCIA page under Ministries.

Dear Parishioners, 

Many people have asked why I did not properly introduce myself to you during our Masses.  While I realize that Sunday Mass is typically when a newly assigned priest would do so, I am a new priest, which means that I am full of ideals that have yet to encounter reality.  In other words, because we priests only get to see and interact with most parishioners on Sundays only, I did not want to waste that time with you by filling it with my words.  Ideally, homily time is a time where we all encounter God’s living Word especially as it interacts in our daily lives.  So, I thought I would instead give you my background via the bulletin.  So here it goes…. 

I was born and raised on the Southside of Indianapolis.  I have only one younger brother (who I admire and look up to almost more than anyone else in this world).  Our Lord gave him a wonderful wife, and they now have two kids (1 and 2 years old) with a 3^rd one on the way in October.  I really cannot say enough about the depth of pride I take their young family.  They are a tremendous source of strength, inspiration and Grace in my life. 

I am also blessed to have two amazing parents who have been fantastic examples for me in many ways, but particularly in the ways of faith, love, generosity, and loyalty.  They have always been a rock of support for me, especially in my decision to follow God’s call to the priesthood.  If I ever do something right and good, please thank them and not me. 

I grew up in Our Lady of the Greenwoodparish, where my parents gave me the gift of a Catholic education.  I actually began my schooling in the public school system, but switched to Our Lady’s school in the 6^th grade.  I then went on to and graduated fromRoncalliHigh School in 2002.  Upon graduation, I followed where I felt the Lord had been leading me for so many years: St. John Vianney College Seminary.  This seminary is located at theUniversity ofSt. Thomas up inSt. Paul,MN.  Pope Benedict once said that seminary, while being a place that is set apart for discerning a call to priesthood, is particularly a place where a man goes to intensely fall in love with Jesus Christ.  That is exactly what happened, but I will leave my call to the seminary and the proceeding years for another column.   

After graduation in 2006, the Archbishop asked me to continue my studies at St. Meinrad Seminary, which is also where Fr. Todd and Fr. Jeremy studied theology.  If you have not been there, I would highly recommend a visit.  It is a particularly beautiful place to visit in the Fall and Spring times.  I graduated from St. Meinrad this past May and after nine years of seminary, I was (finally) ordained a priest this past June 4^th by Bishop Coyne.  

My hobbies (right now) include spending time outdoors down in BrownCounty. I enjoy watching movies and reading a little each day.  Currently, I am re-reading Elie Wiesel’s, Night.  I do a bit of writing and am dabbling in graphic art, but I am really itching to get back into ice hockey.  I literally have reoccurring dreams about once p/month of this game that I grew up playing (that’s normal, right?), so please let me know if you are aware of any men’s hockey leagues up here.  Apparently, I am getting pretty desperate.

Editor’s note:  Fr. Boehm’s name is pronounced like Bame.

Several of his talks are available on MP3 download and are available at the following link.

 http://catholicmentoday.org/categories/Deacon%20Harold%20Burke-Sivers.aspx

 August 19, 2011 – The Future of the African-American Family: A Catholic Perspective

Discover why Black Catholic Families are a special witness to God’s loving plan in the world and fertile ground for future generations of Catholic men and women.  Deacon Harold will present this talk at St Rita’s Parish, Fr. Bernard Strange, Family Life Center located at 1800 N. Arsenal Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46202.  A pitch-in begins at 6:00 p.m. with the talk beginning at 7:00 p.m.  For more information call Jane Cooley at 317-632-9349, Monday-Thursday or download a registration flierhere.

Who should attend this evening presentation? All Black Catholic older teens, young adults and adults.

August 20, 2011 – Proclaiming Christ to Every Generation: The Treasures of Church Teaching

The 3 talks presented for the all-day conference will be entitled, “Flesh of My Flesh”: Fundamental Principles of Sacramental Marriage, The Family as Domestic Church, and Catholic Families: Building a Civilization of Love and Life.  Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at St Monica’s Parish located at 6131 Michigan Road, Indianapolis, IN 46228.  Msgr. Joseph Schaedel will be the Mass celebrant.  For more information call Patty Arthur at 317-236-1569 or e-mail parthur@archindy.org.   A registration fliercan be downloaded here.  

Who should attend these talks? All married couples including those just starting out their marriage, those with young children and those well into their marriage with grandchildren. Young adults not yet married and college students or seminarians should also attend. This conference may also be very helpful for those who have married outside the Church and wish to understand why they should seek direction their local parish pastor concerning their particular circumstances.

Below is the letter Fr. Todd received July 19, after Tom learned of us posting information about him. 

Fr. Todd,
I hope you are well.  Thanks for creating a link to my newsletters!  I have been here in Tanzania for a year and a half now.  I will be home in Indianapolis in May of 2012, just about 10 months from now.

Many experiences have come my way, both of great joy and sorrow.  I will try as best as I can to continue communicating.  Internet is always slow here, and rarely available.

The people Tanzania are facing an additional difficulty.   You may have heard about the drought in the Horn of Africa that is affecting Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan.  It is estimated that 10 million people are facing food shortages and in some cases starvation.  Some reports say 10,000 per week are fleeing south into Kenya where refugee camps are located.

Tanzania’s situation is not as dire yet.  But the spring rains here were very poor.  Rains normally come from January through June and again in October and November.  As of April when I came to Moita Bwanani and to the parish here we’ve had only about 5 days of rain.  Not good at all.  So we have about 3 months to go before the rains return.  The landscape here has turned a golden brown.

The government is beginning some food assistance to our part of Tanzania, although people here in the parish are not yet without food.  Little rain means little corn and little grass for the cattle.  Little rain also means low water levels in dams for hydro electric generation.  71% of the country’s power comes from hydro.  With water levels low power generation is greatly reduced.  Power rationing has begun across the country.  We have sporadic electricity now.  Sometimes for only two hours in either the day or night.  Right now we have power so I am able to send this e-mail, but it could but out at any time.

Businesses in the city of Arusha where we go for supplies are raising prices of everything.  They are purchasing diesel generators which produce electricity at much higher costs than the government.

Keep us in your prayers.  I will let you know how our situation changes.  Send my greetings to everyone in St. Monica who might remember me!

Amani ya Kristu,
Tom Fagan 
St. Josephine Bakhita Parish
Moita Bwawani
P.O. Box 3044
Arusha,Tanzania
Cellphone 255-68-886-0704
(from U.S. dial 011 before the number)

U.S. Office
S.M.A. Lay Missionaries
256 Manor Circle
Takoma Park, MD 20912
301-891-2037

http://sma.cua.edu/

Be part of the Conversation and meet new people! Come and help build the St. Monica Community!!
When: Every Wednesday night, from 6:30 till dark, starting June 15th till school starts.
Who: Anyone who knows how to play cornhole or wants to come to watch and learn.
Where: School playground
If you have your own cornhole set, please bring it.  Please bring your own refreshments.
This event is hosted by your St. Monica’s Knights of Columbus Council #11927
For more information please contact Mark Stevens at 908-6425 or email at mestevens2002@yahoo.com.