Indianapolis parish to host annual Lenten speaker series

By Sean Gallagher

Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish, 520 Stevens St., in Indianapolis will host its 12th annual Lenten speaker series titled “Spaghetti and Spirituality,” on Feb. 29, March 7, March 14 and March 21.

Before dinner and each week’s presentation, the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for adoration following the conclusion of the traditional Latin Mass at noon. Another Mass, celebrated in English, will start at 5:45 p.m.

A light, meatless pasta dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. at Msgr. Priori Hall. Each presentation will begin at approximately 7:15 p.m. and ordinarily conclude by 8:30 p.m.

In years past, Holy Rosary’s annual 40 Hours Devotion has been included during “Spaghetti and Spirituality.” This year, it will take place in October near the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which is usually observed on Oct. 7.

Bruce Konicek, a Holy Rosary parishioner who helps oversee the “Spaghetti and Spirituality” series, said that the speaker series has drawn an average of 200 participants per session in recent years.

“Depending on the speaker, we can get visitors from nearly 50 parishes,” Konicek said.

People attending sessions during this year’s series will have the chance to learn about the Church’s perspective on the continuing economic problems of many people in society, how the example of the saints from the past can help us today, discuss the growing secularization of society and hear a presentation about caring for the elderly.

On Feb. 29, Charles Clark, professor of economics and senior fellow at the Vincentian Center for Church and Society at St. John’s University in New York, will speak on the topic “A Catholic Perspective on the Financial and Economic Crisis.”

“Professor Clark has written extensively both in this area and about Catholic social justice,” Konicek said. “This is a timely discussion which I think will interest many Catholics.”

On March 7, Holy Rosary will welcome Dominican Mother Mary Assumpta Long, a co-foundress of the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist in Ann Arbor, Mich.

She will discuss “Great Saints in Turbulent Times: What about the Present Moment?”

In the next session on March 14, international Catholic apologist and speaker Raymond De Souza will give a presentation titled “De-Christianization and the Catholic Counter-Revolution.”

“I am hopeful that both Raymond and Mother Mary Assumpta will convince each of us that we are called to live by examples set forth by Jesus Christ and by the saints,” Konicek said.

“Spaghetti and Spirituality” will conclude on March 21 with a presentation by Carmelite Sister M. Peter Lillian Di Maria on the “Theology of Suffering.”

Sister Peter Lillian has been director of the Germantown, N.Y.-based Avila Center for Gerontology since 1997. She has more than 30 years of experience in continuing care ministry, and has developed successful dementia care programs.

“I think we are seldom equipped, especially from a Catholic understanding, to reflect on our own calling for caring for an elderly parent, spouse or loved one,” Konicek said. “I believe Sister Peter Lillian will shed light on this matter, and give an inspirational viewpoint from the Catholic Church’s teachings.”

Konicek is looking forward to the Lenten series at Holy Rosary, which highlights the hard work of the parish staff and the volunteerism of many fellow parishioners.

“I am absolutely amazed by the dedication of parishioners who [volunteer] their time to make this program successful,” Konicek said. “Over 1,000 meals are prepared throughout this Lenten program. Knowing that visitors and parishioners alike are fed both spiritually and nutrionally makes me so proud of our parish, its staff, volunteers and, of course, the endless support of [Holy Rosary administrator] Father [Michael] Magiera.”

(People interested in attending any of the presentations are asked to call Holy Rosary Parish at 317-636-4478 by no later than 5 p.m. on the Monday prior to each Wednesday seminar. For more information about “Spaghetti and Spirituality” or to register for each session online, log on to www.holyrosaryindy.org/spaghetti.html.) †