Welcome, New Catholics
Father Jonathan Meyer baptizes Ashley Akins during the Easter Vigil Mass on March 31 in St. Martin Church of All Saints Parish in Dearborn County. Pictured at right is her sponsor Kyle Gutfreund. At left is altar server Luke Klare. (Submitted photo)
Since Easter 2023 and at Easter Vigil Masses held on March 31 in parishes throughout central and southern Indiana, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis welcomed 689 souls into the full communion of the Church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults.
Following is a list of the catechumens and candidates reported to The Criterion. (Additional new Catholics here)
Batesville Deanery
All Saints, Dearborn County
Stephen Kurelic, Charity Legge, Adam Lyness, Thomas Meyer, Charlie Stauffacher (catechumens)
Holy Family, Oldenburg
Courtney Bruns, Jozie Koenemann (catechumens); Jarron Koenemann (candidate)
St. John the Baptist, Osgood
Brian Thomas (candidate)
St. Joseph, Shelbyville
Angel Julian Caballero, Freddy Julian Caballero, Nelly Contreras Mendoza, Sara Donjuan Adame, Randy Foreman, Caleb Henson, Axel Sanchez Julian, Dylan Sanchez Julian, Randy Mendoza Julian, Jatzyry Julian Caballero, Veronica Mendoza Julian, Berenice Mendoza Julian, Mackenzie Nugent, Alexis Ramos, Linnette Sanchez Julian, Sheila Santiago Mendoza, Wendy Santiago Mendoza, Leslye Smith (catechumens); Michael Brock, Israel Contreas Caballero,, Eric Soriano Cruz, Andres Campechano Ixtepan, Mary Mayhugh, Crisel Mendoza Julian, Addy Mil Chapol, Emanuel Morales, Jennifer Soriano SanJuan, Thomas Spalding, Daisy Sutherland (candidates)
St. Lawrence, Lawrenceburg
Janice Bostick, Darrin Gaines, Shannon Hastings, Ralph Stalf (catechumens); Delaney Ferguson, Nataleigh Garland, Grace Gilles, Lisa Hudson, Jean May, Scott Morris, Scott Schnebelt, Beckett Wagner, Brynn Wagner (candidates)
St. Louis, Batesville
Chris Chia, Amy Pohlman, Savannah Pohlman, Lisa Schneider, Thomas White (catechumens); Rhonda Dickman, Kennedy Woodward (candidates)
St. Mary, Greensburg
Jade Hays, Lorna Redwine (catechumens); Payten Ewing, Jennifer Gaddis, Natalie Glidden, Kristol Hadler, Judi Ramer, Steve Ramer, Taylor Schwering, Caleb Stapp
(candidates)
St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, Aurora
Timothy Evans (catechumen); Kailey Bruegge, Brittany Camden, Graison Placke, Robert Raybourne, Macyn Webster, Sharon Wohlfrom (candidates)
St. Michael, Brookville
C. Justin Butler, Joseph Rasnick, Lesley Rasnick (catechumens); Danielle Broering, Mark Ison, Aiden Williams (candidates)
St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Bright
Ashley Akins, Ryan Berger, Emma Ohlhaut (candidates)
Bloomington Deanery
St. Agnes, Nashville
Zachary Burton (candidate)
St. Charles Borromeo, Bloomington
Leigh Ann Bauer, Kirby Chesser, Erik Knutson, Maya Koduri, Mona Koduri, Jessica Mooney, John Mooney, Makenzie Mooney, Michael Whippo (catechumens); John Allen, Alyse Cannon, Bradan Cannon, Sarah McConnell (candidates)
St. Jude the Apostle, Spencer
Gavin Kennedy, Nicholas Kennedy (catechumens); Amanda Kennedy (candidate)
St. Martin of Tours, Martinsville
Kalib Martindale (catechumen); Baylor Payne (candidate)
Connersville Deanery
St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, Richmond
Aubrey Bihl, Victorious Prince Mark Elijah, Clara Lipps, Joseph Lipps, Quinten Shepherd, Brennan Turner, Kameron Turner, Mason Turner (catechumens); Randy Allman, Sue Allman, Douglas Glass, Suzi Owens, Jesse Riley, Larry Riley, Matt Turner (candidates)
St. Gabriel, Connersville
Aiden Cullen, Andrew Cullen, Jason Cullen, Larissa Cullen, Noelle Smith (catechumens); Billie Bertch, Ashley Raider (candidates)
St. Mary, Rushville
Eliana Snow, Gracie Tallent, Jamie Tallent, Aaron Trebley, Preston Williams (catechumens); Mary Burklow, Angie Tallent (candidates)
Indianapolis East Deanery
Holy Spirit
Brittany Avila, Briana Avila-De Jesus, Arturo Moreno Beltran, Hendrick Bonilla Cuaya, Jean Bonilla Cuaya, Yosimar Avila De Jesus, Daniel De La Cruz, Angel Garcia Diaz, Jordan Garcia, Briella Gross, Briley Gross, Valery Madrigal Madrigal, Yareli Marquez-Narciso, Brianna Mercado Bravo, Erick Morales, Aracely Moreno Beltran, Emely Navarijo-Moreno, Isabel Navarijo-Moreno, Vanessa Ramirez de la Cruz, Jade Roldan-Rojas, Janeth Roldan Rojas, Blanca Soto Delgado, Jakeline Villasana-Del Carmen (catechumens)
St. Mary
Israel Munoz Serrano (catechumens); Aason Bailey, Christopher Hollopeter, Carli Meihofer, Alexander Prohaska (candidates)
SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral
Kimberly Goldstein (catechumen); Joshua Mathews (candidate)
St. Philip Neri
Cristofher Calle, Angel Casero, Alan Cuautle, Casey Dietrich, Eliana Garcia, Emily Garcia, Jonathan Garcia, Miguel Garcia, Shanty Horta, Alexis Juarez, Amber Mandujano, Keily Mandujano, Erick Mejia, Reyhan Rojas, Paloma Ruiz, Aislinn Sanchez, Hector Sanchez (catechumens)
St. Rita
Arlene Kimble (candidate)
St. Therese of the Infant Jesus (Little Flower)
Lindsey Honeycutt (catechumen); Allan Chorpenning, Jennifer Dye, Tim Hill (candidates)
Indianapolis North Deanery
Christ the King
Connie Haines, JD Haines, Nicholas Shear (catechumens); Myah Bear, Amber Collins-Gebrehiwet, Cailey Reardon, Sabra Stevens (candidates)
Immaculate Heart of Mary
Heather Dunn, Alexander Fauber, Michael Grover, Kyle Peckinpaugh, Jason Pittman, Magnolia Pittman, Zachary Pittman (catechumens); Michelle Brackett, Christopher Dunn, Kody Fisher, Linda Jackson, Michael Pittman
(candidates)
St. Andrew the Apostle
Avery Simpson (catechumen)
St. Joan of Arc, Indianapolis
Rayna Johnson-Jones, Matthew Jones, Riley White (candidates)
St. Luke the Evangelist
Lauren DeFazio (catechumen); Steve Crawford, Lauren DeLuce, Paul Kortepeter, Ryan Scott, Joshua Self (candidates)
St. Matthew the Apostle
Augustus Allen, Jonathan Fulton, Stashu Mazanowski, True Mazanowski, Timothy Toler III (catechumens)
St. Pius X
Plehboe Brown, Benjamin Hancock, Maggie Huffman (catechumens); Brant Larson, Amanda Pawlak, Vicki Semler (candidates)
St. Simon the Apostle
Nicholas Curott, Kristen Davis, Alexander Hosford, McKinley Jones, Gabrielle Kohler, Jessica Kohler, Molly Myers, Skylar Parsons, Roman Sessoms, Nicole Shaffer, Daniel Squier, Lincoln Stark (catechumens); George Kennedy, Michelle Kohler, Allison Wheeler (candidates)
St. Thomas Aquinas
Carissa Cartwright (catechumen); Christina Collins,
Kasey Kendrick, Erik Scheub, Georgina Schneider (candidates)
Indianapolis South Deanery
Our Lady of the Greenwood, Greenwood
Caitlyn Acosta, Ande Cai, Kendra De Jesus Reina, Valeria Garcia-Ponce, Jaylin Hawley, Dale Jones, Laurel Jones, Noe Kammogne, Rose Kammogne, Emir Meraz, Karen Morales, Alexa Rivas, Ximena Rivera-Juan, Carly Daniela Rodriguez-Sanchez, Yuritzi Teodoro, Jonathan Tiburcio-Morales (catechumens); Tinashe Chiuriri, Sarah Ritzline, James Watson (candidates)
St. Ann
Ronaldo Andrade, Fernando Diaz, Gabriela Diaz, Kenya Diaz, America Lopez, Soleil Lopez, Luis Martinez, Brayan Murillo, Alain Pougom, Joannick Pougom, Maxime Pougom, Juan Lorenzo Sanchez, Charisse Wyatt, James Wyatt (catechumens); Charles Gardner, Alejandra Lopez, Paloma Lopez, Jose Nolasco, Djamel Pougom, Magna Puerto, Aurora Rodriguez, Jennifer Sturgill (candidates)
St. Barnabas
Megan Andrews, Jennifer Carmichael, Regina Jones, Lily Monik, Susan Monik, Robert Thornton (catechumens); Charles Eldridge, Evelyn Eldridge, Jeff Gilmore (candidates)
SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi, Greenwood
Gabriel Duran, Gloria Duran, Pamela Duran, Eliza Gurley, Finn Gurley, Owen Gurley, Jewel McClain, Ryan Naylon (catechumens); Kristin Gurley, William Gurley, Jessie McClain, Steven McClain, Ava Schmeltzer, Luke Schmeltzer, Devin Shone (candidates)
St. John the Evangelist
Raeghan Johnson, Nicole Kimmel, William Rosenthal, Nathan Survance (catechumens); Derek Bishop, Cody Davis, Kayla Garrison, Adam Gaudin, Bailey Harkins, Tanner Hatton, Collin Matlock, Dallas Matlock, Riley Matlock, Stacey Matlock, Richard Nickerson, Matthew Nieland, Rachel Pecoraro, Laken Pedersen, Samuel Speelman, Laura Turner (candidates)
St. Jude
Levi Amonette, Nathan Amonette, Abigail Chamberlin, Heather Osborne, Mason Osborne, Renee Osborne, Ted Riley, Zayden Whitehead (catechumens); David Chamberlin, Stephanie Chamberlin, Trevor Church, Meghan Kremer, Beverly MacBurney, Ava Obermeyer, Nate Osborne (candidates)
St. Mark the Evangelist
Orion Feldman, Aiko Kite, Patricia Kurman, Nathaniel Link, Leo Pielsticker, Jovaris Rose III, Owen Sidhom (catechumens); Trinity Majorins, Grace Sidhom, Shauna Sidhom (candidates)
St. Patrick
Emily Correa, Rochely Castillo-Perez, Zoe Fajardo-Pacheco, Jessica Lomeli, Valery Monjon, Christopher Pablo-Eslava, George Pennington, Ainhor Perez, Bryan Perez, Giovanni Perez-Real, Maximinio Rivas-Reyes, Nain Rocha-Serna, Angeline Rodriguez-Flores, Jose Rodriguez-Flores, Telma Sandoval-Leira, Andrea Villanueva-Serrano (catechumens); Miguel Perez, Jr. (candidate)
Indianapolis West Deanery
St. Anthony
James Aaron, Jennifer Aguilar Peraza, Daisy Alvarez Flores, Valentina Arciga, Melanie Barrios, Kimberlee-lane Bell, Adan Ramirez Castillo, Noe Hernandez Cervantes, Guillermo Martinez Dominguez, Martin Clemente Dominguez, Katie Garcia Lopez, Daniela Hernandez Cervantes, Jordynn Kitson, Anthony Garcia Lopez, Billy Garcia Lopez, Justin Garcia Lopez, Sandy Lopez Luis, Guadalupe Martinez Dominguez, Joseline Martinez Dominguez, Janeth Michaca, Jan Murinchel Rodriquez, Gianna Murrieta Mota, Jacob Aguilar Peraza, Jazlin Rodriguez, Jeremy Rosas, Jared Salazar, Amaia Santos, Jeovanic Escobar Soto (catechumens); Amber Breman (candidate)
St. Christopher, Indianapolis
Ron Arterburn, Blake Chastain, Brooklyn Magee, Jonathan Matura, Emily Scharlau, Grant Warner (catechumens); Anthony Alcaraz, Valerie Bassett (candidates)
St. Gabriel the Archangel
Miguel Ortiz Álvarez, Alex Albarrán Ávila, Itzel Contreras Pérez, Franky Cortez, Aurona Diaz Gómez, Elena Diaz Simón, Erick Tabique Dubon, Daniela Fernández, Leonardo Frías, Jaykel Membreño Gongora, Alexander González, Kimberly González Turcios, Talía Gonzales Vicente, Eliab Pérez Hernández, José Orellana Lara, Samuel Martínez, Ashanty Mejía Jonez, Dieter García Oliva, Kimberly Pérez, Jesús Gonzales Quezada, Jorge Rivas Ramírez, Saraí Ramírez Méndez, Walter González Reynoso, Merin Mejía Serrano, Hosselyn Sleisin Barrera, Felipe Ramos Valencia, Helen Valladares-Mercado, Celestina Vicente Pelico, Sofia Zapata (catechumens); Keyreen Alarcón Jarquín, Amanda Antonio-Pérez, Karen Benítez Gutiérrez, Mirian Calderón Corrales, Henry Domingo Cardona, Adriana Cervera Pérez, Axel López Chirinos, Darwin Mejía Colindres, Esmir Calderón Corrales, Ariana Marín Correa, Tayla De Jesús, Milka De Jesús Velasco, Vanessa De Jesús Velasco, Oveth Solís Dionisio, Joselyn García, Christian Gómez, Walter Gutiérrez Hernández, Leandro Marquin-Alvarenga, Johana Mejía García, Marjorie Melgar Donis, Stephanie Paredes Rosas, Alexander Contreras Pérez, Felipe Téllez Pérez, John David Pérez, José Orellana Ponce, Sofia Quintana-Bonilla, Sophie Ríos-Santiago, Elyin Rizo-Alvizu, Jennayha Rodríguez Hernández, Alexis Rodríguez-Rodríguez, Janely Rodríguez-Sosa, Elisa Rosas Peralta, Gerardo Ríos Santiago, Jossmary Slacy Barrera, Ana Torres Hernández, Annabel Vila (candidates)
St. Malachy, Brownsburg
Karsten Anderson, James Bose, Colin Bozek, Kimberly Durm, Jacob Eklou, Aaliyah Eliassaint, Carter Eliassaint, Maya Eliassaint, Steven Moeller, Alessander Palacios, Cheri Smith (catechumens); Kenna Illingworth, Tyler James, Adam Jessee, Shelby Koonce, McKaylee Moser, Robert Sears, Victoria Sears (candidates)
St. Monica
Ivylynn Alvarez, Teres Andrades Garcia, Adrian Martinez Arciga, Brandon Bonilla, Jeremy Bonilla-Diaz, Aiden Juarez Cornejo, Keyla Felix Juan, Angela Gomez, Ximena Gomez, Piper Gomez Perez, Olga Gonzalez Gonzalez, Giovanni Gutierrez-Hernandez, Edgar Hernandez, Ximena Hernandez-Hernandez, Melanie Hernandez Pablo, Aiden Jimenez, Aily Jimenez, Alex Felix Juan, Nick Jeffers Lajpop, Emani Martinez Arciga, Julie Mejia-Schutt, Angelique Mendoza Morales, Kylie Nieto, Luiz Gomez Perez, Abigail Perez Flores, Yoselin Perez Flores, Jesus Sotelo Ramirez, Ernesto Vazquez Tlahuitl, Dayri Valencia (catechumens); Stephanie Ayala Benitez, Adela Becerra Valdez, Makayla Buckner, Manny Cantu, Erick Ronquillo Castro, Byron Lomeli Delgadillo, Sonia Dominguez Ceron, Leticia Gomez Apolonio, Jennifer Gonzalez, Juan Obando, Ivan Palacios, Stephanie Ramirez, Cecilia Ronquillo Moreno, Alfonso Francisco Sanchez, Denisse Sandoval, Ines Santiago, Ashley Torrento Clemente, Joanna Vazquez Tlahuitl, Marcela Verdusco (candidates)
St. Susanna, Plainfield
Douglas Billingham, Declan Boston, Connie Britton, Ava Dean, Carolyn Ferguson, Cecilia Garcia, Heather Heugel, Princess Lemon, Erik Lewis, Daniel Lickliter, Kimberly Pensamiento, Leland Shimer (catechumens); David DeLeon, James Fernandez, Douglas Hottman, Michelle Niegos, Hanna Owens, Stephanie Pitman, Stephanie Ramirez, Abigail Tandoc, Daniel Tandoc, Bret Wathen (candidates)
St. Thomas More, Mooresville
Nicholas Bandy, Theresa O’Farrell (catechumens); Patricia Agresta, Jennifer Tate, Rachel Walters (candidates)
New Albany Deanery
Holy Family, New Albany
Skyler Akers, Gracyn Teeter (catechumens); Paul Pearce, McKenna Roof (candidates)
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Jeffersonville
Robert Crotzer, Emily Fishman, Joseph Guttierez (catechumens); Todd Fishman, Alexis Guttierez, Gabe Guttierez, Camila Levario, Donnie Tidwell, Tyler Willoughby (candidates)
Our Lady of Perpetual Help, New Albany
Cassady Goad, Larissa Alles (candidates)
St. Anthony of Padua, Clarksville
Melanie Dixon, Delores Kopp, Kirsten Nalley (catechumens); Kylee Cornwell, Brandon Skaggs (candidates)
St. Augustine, Jeffersonville
Mitchell Jones (candidate)
St. Bernard, Frenchtown
Jessica Cortez, Jackie Pascual (catechumens)
St. John Paul II, Sellersburg
Anderson Boer, Cayden Bradley, Joziah Cornelius, Jameson Harris, Jackson Kremer, Madison Owens, Brian Sheckell, Jaylen Tolley, Cora Vickers, Cooper Zahnd (catechumens); Art Cash, Andrew Foley, Amber Harris, Thomas Harris, Marsha Ringle, Dena Rodgers, Aidan Saylor, Travis Sparkman (candidates)
St. Joseph, Corydon
Andrew Conrad (catechumen); Sarah Conrad, Barbara Haines, Nancy Keller, George Voorhees (candidates)
St. Michael, Bradford
Ethan Grayson, Noah Grayson, Clark Staples, Makein Thixton (catechumens); Ginny Smitley, Sharon Staples, Trent White (candidates)
Seymour Deanery
St. Ambrose, Seymour
Alma Baltazar, Hank Conner, Maynor David, Andrew Davis, Kenneth Gagner, Eduardo Pablo Hernandez, Storm Hicks, Alicia Martin, Itzel Mil Ramirez, Roger Nay, Gonzalo Pablo Hernandez, James Reyes, Felipe Sebastian Sebastian, Ignacio Vasquez Mota (catechumens); Jonathan Gardner, Ruth Hodapp, Andrew Stainbrook (candidates)
St. Bartholomew, Columbus
Jason Salamanca Aguilar, Angely Avelar, Eduardo Avelar, Jocelyn Congleton, Grayson Garcia, Michelle Gonzales, Jacob Salamanca Hernandez, Nicole Hernandez, Robbie Kelley, Lacey Meister, Tyler Meister, Marely Perez Torres, Akil Renteria, Diego Solano, Alex Trujillo, Axel Trujillo, Brayan Clavo Zamorano, Evelyn Zarate, Hanna Zarate, Javier Zarate, Karime Zarate (catechumens); Hilda Álamo Tapia, Marilú Álamo Tapia, Akari Arellano, Cristian Arellano, Alejandro Ascencio, Esteban Ramos Bañuelos, Maria Carabantes, Adaena Carvajal, Holly Cheek, Elsy Figueroa, Roger Dario Flores, Jessee Holt, Lillian Holt, Luis Vázquez Leos, Pascual Diego Pascual, Daniela Penaloza, Miki Penaloza, Anthony Perea-Midence, Charity Phillips, Fernanda Quintero, Danna Gallarrdo Rueda, William Toner (candidates)
St. Mary, North Vernon
Whitley Sanders (catechumen)
St. Patrick, Salem
Michelle Grimes, Christopher Kaiser (catechumens)
Tell City Deanery
St. Augustine, Leopold
Emily James (candidate)
St. Boniface, Fulda
Elizabeth Schaefer (candidate)
St. Meinrad, St. Meinrad
Morgan Hessig (candidate)
St. Paul, Tell City
Mady Dunn, Scarlett Litherland, Emma Pruitt, Landon Wathen, Logan Wathen (catechumens); Heather Wathen (candidate)
Terre Haute Deanery
Annunciation, Brazil
Emily Scharf (catechumen); Maxim Carroll (candidate)
Sacred Heart of Jesus, Clinton
Zackery Dill (candidate)
St. Benedict, Terre Haute
Jonas Fleenor (catechumen); Carol Tolin (candidate)
St. Joseph University, Terre Haute
Walter Marshall, Addison Shepherd, Adri Shepherd, Aiden Shepherd, Amber Shepherd, Asah Shepherd, Sarah Skaff (catechumens); Darian Hoesman, Luke Jones, Zachary Leek, Kyna Marshall, Cory Shepherd (candidates)
St. Margaret Mary, Terre Haute
Melody Luna, Dennis Snow (catechumens)
St. Mary-of-the-Woods, St. Mary-of-the-Woods
Emilee Roberston (candidate)
St. Patrick, Terre Haute
Sarah Shibuya (catechumen); Allison Allen, John Cope III, Jacob Gray, Taylor Pinnick, Kathy Strange, Hannah Sutterer (candidates) †