April 2017 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
 
As we prepare to observe the Christ's passion, death, and resurrection through the liturgies of the Triduum, let us call to mind that 

"Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the "Feast of feasts," the "Solemnity of solemnities," just as the Eucharist is the "Sacrament of sacraments" (the Great Sacrament)...The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him." (CCC 1169)
Save the Date: Annual Mission Day 2017

The Office of Pro-Life and Family Life, in collaboration with the Catholic Cemeteries Association of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, presents Mission Day: Building Comprehensive Parish Grief Ministry Teams. 

Maria Farrell, Director of GriefWork: A National Servite Ministry of Compassion will offer practical guidance to participants on how to enhance or develop parish bereavement ministry programs.    Maria will explain the nuts and bolts of building a team, the business of the ministry, and ways to accompany the broken-hearted.

The conference will take place at Our Lady of Fatima Retreat House on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 from 8:30 am - 4:00 pm. The cost is $30, which includes lunch and materials. C ontact Deb VanVelse by e-mail or 317-236-1586  for more information.

Volunteer for Birthline from Home!
Birthline assists between 35 and 40 families each week by providing diapers, clothing and other baby items. Volunteer for this vital ministry from your own home by becoming a Birthline telephone volunteer. All training will be provided.  Potential volunteers must have computer knowledge and a computer. Please contact  Jená Hartman at (317) 236-1433 or by e-mail to learn more about this important volunteer opportunity.
Life Issues Forum: We Follow One Who Wept
By Anne McGuire,  Assistant Director of Education and Outreach, USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities

"We follow One who wept..."

In C.S. Lewis's The Four Loves, we recall that, in addition to physical anguish, Jesus also experienced heartbreak. How consoling it is that He doesn't simply know about our pain, as if He were merely observing it from a distance. Jesus chose to enter fully into our humanity in every way (except sin), including the experience of immense suffering. Through this, we see that His love is characterized by deep compassion-a word rooted in the Latin for "suffer with." Out of love, Jesus suffers with us.

In times of trial, we see more clearly our need for God and each other. And although society often views dependence negatively, in His humanity, Jesus shows us this need as something to embrace. During his agony in the garden of Gethsemane, He turned to His friends for support: "My soul is sorrowful even to death. Remain here and keep watch with me" (Matthew 26:38).

So too, we can turn to God and others. In times of suffering, we may feel almost paralyzed: the thought of moving-physically, spiritually, mentally, or emotionally-can seem impossible. At these times, more than ever, we need to let ourselves be carried by others' support.

Jesus's request to "keep watch" with Him also calls us to stay awake and be watchful over others who are suffering. He wants to show His love for each person through the ways in which we care for each other. We see examples both of letting ourselves be carried and of proactively caring for others in the story of Jesus healing the man with paralysis.

Worldwide Marriage Encounter (WWME)
Remember when your spouse was your best friend? Looking for some time away from daily stresses to reconnect with that best friend? Worldwide Marriage Encounter is a great way for that to happen! You'll spend the weekend focusing on your relationship and rekindling the love you have for each other. God has blessed you with the Sacrament of Marriage and this weekend embraces that sacrament. Whether you are newlyweds or have been married many years, this weekend is designed for you.

WWME will be offered the following weekends in Indiana:
  • April 28 - 30: Indianapolis
  • July 14 - 16: South Bend
  • August 18 - 20: New Albany
  • November 3 - 5: Indianapolis
  • November 10 - 12: Fort Wayne
  • January 26 - 28, 2018: Fort Wayne

For Struggling Marriages
Retrouvaille - A Program for Troubled Marriages
Retrouvaille (pronounced retro-vi with a long i) is not a spiritual retreat, sensitivity group, seminar, or social gathering. Retrouvaille is a worldwide program that teaches couples how to rediscover each other and work through difficult times in their marriages. This program offers an opportunity for you and your spouse to work privately on your marriage. During the weekend phase of Retrouvaille, a series of presentations are given by a team of three couples and a priest. Tens of thousands of couples headed for divorce have successfully saved their marriages by attending the weekend and follow-up sessions.
  • Follow-up sessions do not need to take place at the same location where you attended the weekend. If there is not an upcoming weekend in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis, please consider the surrounding states by visiting the Retrouvaille website and search by state. For example, the Diocese of Joliet and the Archdiocese of Chicago (both in Illinois) have regular weekends as well.

Did You Know?

FACTS (Fertility Appreciation Collaborative to Teach the Science) exists to educate physicians and healthcare professionals using medical evidence so they may empower women and engage men to appreciate and care for their fertility.  As part of their education efforts FACTS has made available on YouTube nine short presentations which cover such topics as Scientific Basis and Physiology: Fertility and Family Planning, Overview of Methods, Effective Rates, and more.  
Upcoming Pro-Life & Family Life Events
Until April 9, 2017
40 Days for Life Prayer and Witness
Friday, April 7 @ 5:00 PM
First Friday Mass
Women's Care Center, Indianapolis
Saturday, April 8 @ 10:30 AM
Know Your Fertility Intro Session
85 E. Cedar St, Zionsville, IN 46077
*registration required
April 18 - May 23 @ 7:00 PM ~ 6 Consecutive Tuesdays
Divorce and Beyond Support Group
Catholic Center, Indianapolis
April 18 - May 23 @ 12 PM and 7 PM ~ 6 Consecutive Tuesdays
Seasons of Hope Bereavement Support Group
St. Simon the Apostle Parish Life Center, Indianapolis
Wednesday, April 19 @ 4:30 PM
Respect Life Divine Mercy Chaplet and Mass
St. Joseph University, Terre Haute
Friday, May 5 @ 5:00 PM
First Friday Mass
Women's Care Center, Indianapolis
Friday, May 5 - Saturday, April 6
Pre-Cana Conference ~ Marriage Preparation
Our Lady of Fatima Retreat Center, Indianapolis
Saturday, May 6 @ 7:30 AM
Traveling Helpers of God's Precious Infants: Terre Haute to Bloomington
Carmelite Monastery, Terre Haute
Wednesday, May 17 @ 6:30 PM
Know Your Fertility Intro Session
85 E. Cedar St, Zionsville, IN 46077
*registration required
To find out more about each of the ministries of the Office of Pro-Life and Family Life visit www.archindy.org/plfl.

Thank you for all you do to build a culture of life and a civilization of love in your parishes and communities.

In Christ, Our Life,




Rebecca Niemerg
Director

Join the conversation at www.facebook.com/plflindy!

Mission Statement
The Office of Pro-Life and Family Life recognizes that the family plays a special role throughout the life of each person. Sustained through prayer and worship, we seek to provide educational, pastoral, and advocacy programs that support the family and promote the dignity of each human person made in the image and likeness of God from the moment of conception to natural death in order to build a culture of life and civilization of love.

Office Staff
Rebecca Niemerg, Director
(317) 236-1569
Scott Seibert, MSW, LCSW
Marriage & Family Enrichment Coordinator

(317) 236-1527
sseibert@archindy.org
Keri Carroll, Administrative Assistant
(317) 236-1521
kcarroll@archindy.org
Joni LeBeau, Health Ministries
(317) 236-1475
Deb VanVelse, Divorce & Bereavement Ministry Coordinator
(317) 236-1586
dvanvelse@archindy.org
Jená Hartman, Birthline Coordinator
(317) 236-1433