Indiana families welcome french exchange students

By Kerin Buntin
For The Catholic Moment 11-25-18

France and America have a strong and profound histo- ry of friendship, particularly in Indiana.
St. Theodore Guerin was born in France in 1798, laid to rest in Indiana in 1856 and canonized in 2006.
The first and only Indiana saint has numerous name- sake schools, patronages, tributes and awards, includ- ing a memorial highway
sign along U.S. Route 150 in her honor.
She is the co-patron of the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indi- ana and her words might be more prevalent today than ever before: “Love the chil- dren first, then teach them.”
Some northcentral Indi- ana families whose children attend St. Theodore Guerin High School in Noblesville and Central Catholic Junior- Senior High School in Lafayette have put the words of St. Theodore
Guerin into action by open- ing their hearts and their homes to “Inspired Gate- ways” French Catholic exchange students.
The primary role of a host family is to share the Catholic faith with the next generation of leaders, and to be willing to discover com- mon values and history that bring prominence to the Uni- versal Church.
David and Teresa Cramer, parishioners of St. Lawrence Church, Lafayette, respond-
ed to the opportunity to share their faith.
The Cramers were the first French Catholic host family in Central Catholic history.
Because they hosted for- eign exchange students pre- viously, and had traveled to visit their older son who studied at Harlaxton College in Grantham, England, they wanted to provide a unique opportunity for their
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We could not have received a more wonderful gift’ (Continued from Page 1)
younger son to learn about French culture.
The Cramers took their French exchange student, Archibald Lecointre, to Chicago to experience vari- ous sights and sounds, including a jazz musician; and they attended a Pacers game when native French- man Nicholas Batum and the Charlotte Hornets played at Bankers Life Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
“We thoroughly enjoyed every day with Archibald,” David Cramer said.
“It was like leaving my own family when I left Indi- ana,” Archibald said. “I hope the Cramers will come to France.”
Maggie and Paul Hunck- ler, from St. Maria Goretti Parish in Westfield, hosted Clementine Crussol.
“It was a very special month for the Hunckler fam- ily and we could not have received a more wonderful gift than to spend it with Clementine, especially Thanksgiving,” Paul Hunck- ler said.
One unexpected result from their experience was the invitation that their daughter, Danielle, a student at Guerin Catholic High School, received to visit France.
The international trip expanded the girls’ friend- ship and strengthened
Ali Dulin, a junior at Guerin Catholic High School, poses for a photo with exchange student Maylis Luzzatto- Guiliani.
Being a host family helped their family grow, learn and make connections that otherwise would not have happened.
The hardest part for the Mosters was saying good- bye when it was time for the visiting students to go back to France.
However, their daughter, Caroline, and son, Ethan, traveled to France to stay with their French compan- ions over the summer.
“The experience changed the trajectory of our family life,” Brenda Moster said. “We could never have pro- vided a trip to France for our kids without the friendships they cultivated. This was so much more than vacationing in France on our own!”
The most impactful part of hosting for the Moster family was sharing their faith.
Giving generously is a guiding principle of life taught in Scripture.
When Tamara and Jimmy Dulin, parishioners at St. Elizabeth Seton Church in Carmel, said “yes” to host- ing a French Catholic stu- dent, they never realized the generosity of friendships and travel opportunities that would emerge.
During the summer of 2018, their daughter Ali, a junior at Guerin Catholic, spent one week in France with the family of Maylis Luzzatto-Guiliani.
It was such an incredible experience that the Dulins felt called to host another French Catholic student in the fall of 2018.
In the summer of 2019, Ali will travel back to France and Italy for two months and visit Maylis’ grand- mother on Lake Como, in Italy.
James McNeany, principal of Guerin Catholic High School, said, “The partner- ship between ‘Inspired Gate- ways’ and Guerin Catholic High School has been a blessing to our school. It is part of our mission state- ment to be committed to serving diverse backgrounds which serves the greater Church and enriches our overall school environ- ment.”
While in Indiana, some French Catholic students also visit the Shrine of St. Theodore Guerin, located at the motherhouse of the Sis- ters of Providence of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, near Terre Haute.
It is good and holy to remember the words of St. Theodore Guerin: “You will be happy yourself in making other happy.”
St. Theodore Guerin, pray for us!

Kerin Buntin has a master’s degree in pastoral theology and can be reached on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn or at info@ PeaceLovePilgrimage.com.

 

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’Young Life’ is evangelization opportunity for adults

This column was originally published in part in The Catholic Moment on December 16, 2018. Page 9.

Have you ever heard of Young Life? If you said “no,” that makes two of us!
When my husband, Eric, and I entrusted our teenage daughter, Shannon, to the care of friends while we traveled to Italy for 10 days, we arrived home excited to share our Vatican highlight — Eric captured Pope Francis’ hand clasped with mine on our
25th wedding anniversary.
When we returned we learned of Shannon’s desire to attend Young Life camp and we jumped into Young Life eager to share our gifts. Eric was excited and sur- prised to find out that more than 200 dads show up on a given Monday night to play basketball with their kids!
Young Life is a not-for-profit Christian organization that focuses on real rela- tionships with adults who care about teenagers. Young Life represents more than 4,000 staff and 40,000 volunteers ministering in more than 80 countries
around the globe.
While the Church calls all
baptized Christians to work together to proclaim the Gospel and promote the common good, Young Life is ready to partner with the Catholic Church in an ecu- menical gift exchange:
• Young Life exists because of adult leaders that want to live their faith out- side the four walls of a church.
• Young Life leadership is open to any adults 18 years or older with a desire to engage in the ministry dri- ven by the vision — that every adolescent will have the opportunity to know Jesus and grow in their faith.
• Young Life leaders are willing to demonstrate authentic, faith-based friendships and share the love of Jesus by mentoring teenagers.
Young Life groups throughout Indiana are thriving, but there is huge potential for enormous growth in high schools and middle schools. Some areas that are active throughout the Diocese of Lafayette-in-
Indiana include, but are not limited to, Muncie, Lafayette, Lebanon, Zions- ville, Carmel and Fishers.
Ian Faulkner, the Fishers area Young Life director, emphasized that Young Life does not and cannot replace the Church. Young Life adult leaders simply walk along- side teens and point them back to the Church. The overall goal is to engage Catholic speakers and Catholic adult leaders to share their faith journey by incorporating the sacra- ments and the saints with Young Life teens.
Pope Francis describes evangelization: “Christians must be willing to move where the Spirit leads them and not be benchwarmers on the sidelines of efforts to evangelize. A ‘couch potato’ evangelization doesn’t exist. Get up and go! Be always on the move. Go to a place where you must speak the word of God.”

There are many Church documents that have been written by previous popes about evangelization in the Catholic Church, and there is a long history of how Catholics should evangelize the faith. Throughout every age, the Catholic Church’s greatest joy and challenge is to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus in ways that engage, inspire and challenge indi- viduals and the culture at large.

Young Life is on the cut-ting edge of youth ministry by adapting to the ever- changing world of kids today. The first forum, being organized by the National Leadership Team for Young Life in collaboration with the Diocese of Brooklyn in New York, is under the leadership of Auxiliary Bishop James Massa. It is an invitation for pastors, priests, youth ministers.

I was thinking to myself, “What is Young Life camp and where is it?” Eric, the avid CPA in the family, was eager to learn how much it would cost. The moral of our story is: God works miracles every day if you are still enough to recognjze them.

We quickly surmised that Young Life is much more than a worldwide, week- long summer camp, it is a weekly gathering at a public place and it’s all about Jesus!

Eric and I never had the experience of attending summer camp, so the idea was new to us. Camp just wasn’t a thing growing up in our generation, or so we thought.

We didn’t know Young Life has been around for generations. Founded in 1938, it is a worldwide min- istry reaching more than 1.7 million high school students, middle school students, col- lege students, students with disabilities, teen moms and military, every year.

The invition is to Young Life leaders, parents, bishops, diocesan staff, teachers and administrators to come to the historic gath- ering in New York City on Jan. 24-26, 2019.
The idea is to have a team of Indiana adults represent- ing both Young Life and the Catholic Church in New York. We want people there, and particularly the right people — bridge builders, evangelizers, those who have a passion for Jesus, for kids and for the Church.
The experience will foster unity and relationship, the ability to really get to know each other, and cast a com- mon vision for reaching the next generation of teens.

Joe Reitz, former Indi- anapolis Colts player and parishioner at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, Carmel, shared his support for a Young Life Indiana team. He said, “Faith was first throughout my football career and serving others is at the heart of my life. My first responsibility is to God,
to be a loving and servant Christian.”

Butler University men’s basketball coach LaVall Jor- dan said, “My wife, Desti- nee, and I support Young Life and are grateful for the positive faith journey that it is providing for our three daughters.”

The Indiana team is growing. This is a defining moment in the Catholic Church. How will you respond? Registration infor- mation may be found at https://younglifecatholic forum.splashthat.com.

You can learn more about how to get involved in your local Young Life by entering a zip code into the Young Life locator on the Web site http://www.YoungLife.com.

Kerin Buntin has a master’s degree in pastoral theology and is a freelance journalist and founder of Peace Love Pilgrim- age. Her greatest blessing is wife and twice-blessed mom. Follow Kerin Buntin on Twitter and LinkedIn.

How God’s Test became my Testimony; turning a Passion into a Purpose

 

 

I want to share with you why the feast day of Saint Louis de Montfort is so important to me. 

My husband, Eric and I responded to God’s call 18 years ago when we moved from Chicago to Fishers, Indiana. 

Like many of you, Saint Louis de Montfort became our home away from home, a place where friends quickly became family.

I am always amazed at God’s perfect timing especially when you look back upon a situation that was once difficult and later can see the many graces of God at work.

Seven years ago while I was studying for my masters degree in pastoral theology, I was being treated for an illness at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota; it was about the same time that my mom was robbed, beaten and strangled in her Chicagoland home by an intruder. When I arrived at ICU, I knew my mom was going to be okay because when she heard my voice whispering a Hail Mary into her ear, she immediately responded by squeezing my hand. Because she was breathing with the help of a ventilator she couldn’t speak a word.

It was an incredibly painful time physically, emotionally and spiritually. I prayed that God would give me some sort of a sign.

The next thing I knew the doctors told me that my surgery would be on April 28…..the feast day of SLDM. A sure sign!

Someone told me to ask the surgeon if he would pray with me before my surgery and the last thing I remember was praying a Hail Mary.

When I woke up from surgery, by the grace of God, my husband Eric and our 2 young children were surrounding me. Of course I was thinking “am I all better? What did the doctors say?” Eric didn’t know the answer, so he responded by showing me a text on my phone. It said:

“the Saint Louis de Montfort staff prayed the rosary today for your healing.”

Another incredible sign!

 

When I asked, God gave me the signs that I needed to see! There was no doubt in my mind that God was calling me to a deeper relationship with Him through the intercession of Saint Louis de Montfort. 

Throughout the healing process, as if I didn’t have enough grad school books, I started to read the writings of St. Louis de Montfort, most notably his book on Marian Consecration. I learned ….. SLDM was born in 1673 in France and died at the age of 43 and he was a Priest for 16 impactful yrs. 

TODAY, nearly 300 years after the death of Saint Louis de Montfort, he is known as THE pioneer of Mariology, the study of Mary the Mother of God; a degree offered at catholic universities throughout the world. Incidentally, Fr Leo Patalinghug our keynote speaker tonight studied Mariology in Rome, under JPII.

Saint Louis de Montfort is one of the earliest and greatest promoters of the rosary and his writing influenced Saint John Paul II so much that Pope John Paul II dedicated his entire pontificate and his papal motto to Mary, citing the words of Saint Louis de Montfort. Pope JPII credited Saint Louis de Montfort in his encyclical on the rosary stating that the writing of SLDM marked a turning point in his life.

I believe that signs are everywhere but we have to BE still to recognize them. When I picked up National Geographic magazine in the grocery store check out line, I saw MARY

 

 

on the cover of June 2018 as a sign that our world is desperately in need of messengers to pray the rosary. I know first hand what an incredible feeling it is to be on the receiving end.

My hope and my prayer is that when you leave here tonight you will recognize a saint working in your life, like Saint Louis de Montfort did in mine. Thank you.

French Patron Celebration Honors Mary, Our Mother

Originally published in the May 2018 Newsletter for Saint Louis de Montfort Catholic Community. Fishers, Indiana.

Few Catholic priests have led a life as fascinating as our featured guest and keynote speaker, Father Leo Patalinghug. He studied Mariology (Mary, the Mother God) at the Pontifical University in Rome under Pope Saint John Paul II; and not only did he have everyone filled with laughter and joy; he captivated the SOLD-OUT audience with the reasons why he is a “Mamma’s Boy!”

• “It is hard to capture the beauty and essence of the evening in words!” Rosie Zatkulak
•  “The French Provencal Bistro dinner and candlelight rosary was a creative way to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the founding of Saint Louis de Montfort” Deborah Mader.
• Mary Owen said, “I loved the French themed food, it was delicious and more tasteful than anything I have ever made at my house.”
• Christopher Kennedy said, “The rosary was the highlight, I felt an amazing warmth and sense of community.”
• Many people asked why are we celebrating 40 years? Fr. Pat said, “Why not?! Because I won’t be here in ten years and this is a momentous way to celebrate our patron, to Jesus through Mary.”

World renown chef, Fr. Leo Patalinghug celebrated the feast day Mass sharing “what binds us together and what binds God to us, is food.” The Gospel (John 15:1-8) came to life with a fruitful, energetic message about pruning so that we can all bear good fruit in our lives.

The Knights of Columbus chefs prepared the French menu with Fr. Leo while a photo collage wall highlighted the last 40 years, coupled with a video that introduced the life of Saint Louis de Montfort from his birth in 1673 to his death at the age of 43. Known as the pioneer of Mariology, Saint Louis de Montfort was a priest for 16 impactful years.

Bishop Higi sent a letter of gratitude to Saint Louis de Montfort parishioners, while the historian and founder of the parish, Judy and Dave Kinder highlighted the tough times that brought us to where we are today. Prominent symbols of the evening were displayed at each place setting that included a glow in the dark rosary ring and the Saint Louis de Montfort consecration prayer on a holy card; all 250 people in the tent joined together to recite the prayer.

The candlelight rosary was a highlight of the holy and sacred evening, a replica of the candlelight rosary that takes place every night in Lourdes, France and Fatima, Portugal. Did you know Mary is on the front cover of National Geographic June 2018 issue? Maybe that is a sign that our world is desperately in need of messengers to pray the rosary.

Each person held a candle and joined in prayer for the intentions in the silence of their heart, and for the prayer intention names announced prior to each mystery, including family, friends, former St. Louis de Montfort priests, bishops and Pope Francis. The Joyful Mysteries were led by Fr. Pat, Fr. Leo, Fr. Derek Aaron (Our lady of Mount Carmel), and former Associate Pastor, Fr. Dave Hellmann (Saint Laurence in Muncie), one decade was spoken by a guest in French.

The real beauty was Our Beautiful Blessed Mother watching over us and protecting us with her mantle from a pillar on the stage!

Local Indianapolis Artist Impacts Lives in More Ways than One

New Processional Cross Blessing to take place in 2018 at Saint Louis de Montfort Church in Fishers, Indiana.
Sacred artists communicate Christ’s message which is why artists are so important in the Catholic Church. Maybe the names Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Donatello, Botticell, Berini or Rembrandt strike a chord, maybe not. Over time, I have developed a deep appreciation for many forms of art that depict rich history and profound meaning.

Likewise, local Indianapolis artist, Ryan Feeney tells a story without using any words. Through the generosity of Saint Louis de Montfort parishioners, Bob and Joan Smith, a new processional cross was made possible. Feeney was the commissioned artist chosen to design a bronze sculpture of Christ.  The processional cross is the last of nine liturgical pieces integrated into the 2011 renovation and enhancement at Saint Louis de Montfort Church in Fishers, Indiana.

Feeney’s task was to tell the story of pain and suffering that Jesus endured. Suffering is one of the greatest mysteries of the human experience. Pope John Paul II wrote a letter on the Christian meaning of salvific suffering in 1984. Saint Pope John Paul II said, “And we ask all you who suffer to support us. We ask precisely you who are weak to become a source of strength for the Church and humanity. In the terrible battle between the forces of good and evil, revealed to our eyes by our modern world, may your suffering in union with the Cross of Christ be victorious!” (SD).

We have all been there! Suffering is inescapable. Be it physical, mental or emotional, it can be a dark place. We might ask God, why me? And, then hopefully we realize that God is calling us to a deeper relationship with Him. Scripture tells us “For Christ died for sins once and for all, a good man on behalf of sinners, in order to lead you to God. He was put to death physically, but made alive spiritually” (1 Peter 3:18).

Feeney, a full time firefighter for the Indianapolis Fire Department works daily in life threating situations. You may have heard his name being tossed around like a football as the Colt’s unveiled Feeney’s most notable half-ton bronze sculpture of Peyton Manning in October 2017. By sharing his God given talents, Feeney’s work continues to impact the lives of countless others for generations to come. Feeney said, “getting the job for the Colt’s was a bit of a Hail Mary”.

Feeney is a native of Indiana and has a growing list of accomplishments around Indianapolis that include the Peace Dove sculpture at the Indianapolis Library; the Fallen Deputy memorial at the entrance of the Marion County Jail; the life size corpus of Jesus above the altar at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Indianapolis; a fireman at the Indianapolis Professional Firefighters Union represents duty, honor and sacrifice; a bust of Father Thomas Scecina who was killed in WWII is prominently displayed at Scecina Memorial High School; and a bronze eagle rests at the Indianapolis 9/11 Memorial.

In searching for a bronze sculptor, the art team at Saint Louis de Montfort first saw the bronze memorial shoes of the late, Jen Maginot at Cathedral High School. Her bronze shoes led to Sincerus Bronze Art Center, a full-service foundry in Indianapolis where Feeney was finalizing the life size Peyton Manning bronze sculpture. Walking through the foundry step by step and seeing concept drawings turn into modern day clay molds is awe inspiring.

Saint Louis de Montfort Church is not new to the idea of commissioning artists in Indiana. In 2010, the church renovation and expansion that includes the altar, presiders chair, ambo (pulpit), ambry (holder for sacred vessels), glass blown vessels used to hike the sacred oils, processional candles, altar candles and the sanctuary lamp. It was an important aspect to find local artists to enhance the liturgical space because the Catholic Church prefers the integrity and energy of a piece of art produced individually by the labor of an artist above objects that are mass produced (BLS 147).

The bronze corpus bears the weight of mystery, awe, reverence and wonder. Parishioner, Adam Smith was an integral part of the art process that began in 2015. God called Adam Smith to pray about what the design for a new processional cross would look like. Adam collaborated with Fr. Pat while visiting many churches in Italy, in 2016.

In 1700, several months after the ordination of Saint Louis de Montfort, Montfort himself designed a cross to carry with him that was otherwise kept in the corner of his meeting room. On it he inscribed, in simple and forceful evangelical terms: CARRY YOUR CROSS, DESIRE CROSSES. The glory of suffering with Christ, the crucified Eternal and Incarnate Wisdom. Montfort’s cross became known as the Wisdom Cross, or the Cross of Poitiers. The Mariology of described in Saint Louis de Montfort books covers the meaning, the symbols and the love of the cross as a follower praying to Jesus through Mary.

Feeney and Smith recalled anatomy class and discussed the reason why every part of the body of Jesus is stretched the way it is. The triceps, ligaments and torso tell a story of suffering. The bronze corpus (Latin for body) compliments the fabricated cross created by Adam Smith. Smith incorporated a replica of the church stained-glass windows, symbolic icons on stones and the French translation of a prayer written by the church patron Saint Louis de Montfort.

The cross is meant to draw the People of God into a deeper awareness of their lives and into their role and responsibility in the wider world.

The central image of Christianity is a crucifix, calling to mind the passion, resurrection and Christ’s final coming in glory. Every work of Christian art shares in the image of suffering, death and resurrection, recognition that by his wounds we are healed (BLS 144).

So, the next time you wear a cross around your neck or kneel before the cross, remember that it isn’t just the cross alone that tells a story. It’s Jesus’ dying and rising on the cross that sets our faith apart! The crucifix is the most prominent symbol of Christianity.

Sources:

(BLS) Built on Living Stones. Art, Architecture and Worship. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

(SD) SALVIFICI DOLORIS Apostolic Letter. Saint Pope John Paul II. 1984.

By: Kerin Buntin, M.A. Pastoral Theology

Date: 12/1/17

Holy ground at the Basilica of the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton

There is no such thing as coincidence, rather it can be defined as God’s providence.

My beautiful niece and God-daughter, Emma Grace Donovan was born on the feast day of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, January 4, 2001. That was thirty-five years to the day, after I was born.

Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, pray for us!

Yesterday Emma was Confirmed by Bishop Adam Parker. I was truly blessed to help Emma discern a Confirmation name and to stand by her side as Sponsor. During the Mass, I tried to hold back tears but failed miserably when the canticle of the Saints was sung.

In his homily, Bishop Parker summarized my exact thoughts when he said there is no such thing as coincidence. Bishop Parker was called to be a Bishop by Pope Francis exactly thirty years to the day after he was Confirmed. He is also the youngest Bishop in the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

I was truly blessed to go with my sister and her family to visit the National Shrine of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton located one hour from their home. While there, we watched a short movie on the incredible life of Seton and we walked in the footsteps of the home where Seton once lived. We learned it is the 200tg Anniversary of the Narional Shrine! We attended Mass and kneeled at the tomb of Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton in a defining moment of grace. We also received a Plenary Indulgence.

It was a day that I have been looking forward to for a very long time but the day was so extraordinary and reached far beyond my expectations. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit might help me to guide others to see the face of Christ more clearly through the Saints, the Sacraments and SoulCore.

You are invited! Visit our website at http://www.PeaceLovePilgrimage.com or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!

There is a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!

 

A wonderful prayer in Saint Elizabeth’s name is:
Lord God, you blessed Elizabeth Seton with gifts of grace as wife and mother, educator and foundress, so that she might spend her life in service to your people. Through her example and prayers may we learn to express our love for you in love for our fellow men and women. We ask this through Christ our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Today is the 100 Year Anniversary of Our Lady of Fatima

Our Lady said that the rosary can stop wars, and can bring world peace. We have to do what she said, and live good lives. There’s no other plan from heaven that’s so specific, for what we’re going through now. She [the Blessed Mother] spelled it out. Prayer, penance, the First Saturdays’ devotion—and live a good, holy life. That’s the answer.

–from the book Our Lady of Fatima: 100 Years of Stories, Prayers, and Devotions

Peace Love Pilgrimage will depart from Indianapolis for Fatima, Portugal in about one month. We are truly blessed to be led under the spiritual direction of Father Travis Stephens from the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana.

Fr. Travis is a convert to the Catholic faith, and has (4) college degrees. This year he is celebrating 5 years in the Vocation of the Priesthood. Although he is an avid traveler, most recently visiting his brother in Korea this will be his first organized pilgrimage. A little unknown fact about Fr. Travis is that he is an iconographer and of course God wanted his first icon to be of Mary.

We have 13 pilgrims going to Fatima, each one just like Fr. Travis was called by name and chosen by God.

Listen to the Catholic Radio Indianapolis link below to hear Fr Travis speak about the upcoming pilgrimage to honor the 100 Year Anniversary of the Apparitions.

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-w9fex-6912db#.WOlnHonM8As.twitter

Please pray for us that we will be made Holy in the image and likeness of God and that we may be worthy of the promises of Christ. Amen.

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us.

Coming soon to the Saint Shop is a sterling silver absolutely gorgeous pendant of Our beautiful blessed Mother, Mary with her child Jesus by Father Travis Stephens.

There is a time for everything. Ecclesiastes 3:1