Editorial
‘Run for vocations’ was a powerful witness of faith
Several thousand and still counting.
That’s the current estimate of how many prayers were pledged for the 90 individuals who comprised the “Run for Vocations” team that participated in the One America 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis on May 3.
From reciting the rosary to praying Hail Marys, from offering the holy sacrifice of Mass to praying Our Fathers, hundreds of people from all across the country made commitments to pray for vocations.
The prayer pledges came from as far away as Los Angeles. Prayers were also offered from Denver; Austin, Texas; and Arkansas.
To read prayer pledges for the team, log on to www.archindy.org/vocations and click on “Send in your prayer pledges.”
If the power of prayer was ever in doubt in this endeavor, the messages received on the team’s weblog affirmed that people across the United States—and people traveling halfway across the world—were honored to answer the call to offer their petitions for vocations.
One weblog visitor who is planning a pilgrimage to the Holy Land later this year said he will leave his prayer request for vocations at the Western Wall of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Kudos to Father Rick Nagel, archdiocesan associate director of vocations, for initiating this simple idea which ended as a powerful witness of faith.
As the simple yet compelling message shared on the running shirts worn by Father Nagel’s team during the Mini-Marathon stated, “Vocation. … Everyone has one. What’s yours?”
For the hundreds who answered Father Nagel’s call, their vocation indeed includes praying for others.
By simply offering their petitions, they have touched the lives of countless others.
When it comes to nurturing more vocations or any other challenge that we face in life, may we always remember what one team member said: “The power of prayer is immense.”
—Mike Krokos
A spirit worth emulating
They usually minister quietly, giving of themselves selflessly with little or no fanfare.
It could be serving as a catechist, bringing Communion to the homebound, being a voice working for justice and equality in our community or serving as a good steward both locally and globally.
When it comes to volunteerism, visit any parish in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and you will invariably find people who are stepping up to the plate and offering their hands and hearts daily to serve others.
This week’s front-page story on the annual Spirit of Service Awards Dinner, which raised $245,000 for Catholic Charities Indianapolis, justifiably puts several humble archdiocesan servant-leaders in the spotlight.
Though they deflect the praise they receive for sharing their gifts with others, each honoree reflects the words that the late Pope John Paul II once shared: “It is not enough to discover Christ—you must bring him to others!”
Bringing Jesus to others is indeed what these servant-leaders have done in their parishes and community for years.
Sadly, the work never ends at Catholic Charities and its agencies throughout the archdiocese. In fact, the needs of the less fortunate continue to grow. If you are interested in learning more about volunteer opportunities in your area, visit Catholic Charities’ Web site at www.archindy.org/cc.
We congratulate all the people recognized at the 2008 Spirit of Service Awards Dinner, and pray that others may follow their lead in putting their hands and hearts into action.
—Mike Krokos