October 2017 Newsletter
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
 
We have an important announcement regarding the pro-life and family ministries in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis!

Recently a planning process involving a full review and evaluation of the Pro-Life & Family Life Office (PLFL) was completed.  After receiving input from an independent assessment, representatives from the parish community, the deans, leadership at the Catholic Center, and the Archbishop, a decision was made to create separate, complementary offices. 
 

Scott Seibert, MSW, LCSW,  will serve as Director of the Office of Family Ministries.  This office is responsible for all programs supporting marriage prep, wedding anniversary celebrations, NFP, as well as marriage and family enrichment.   Caren LeMark who coordinates the Pre-Cana Conference and Deb Van Velse, Coordinator of Healing Ministries serving the Bereaved and Divorced will serve from this office.  

 

The Office of Pro-Life ministries is renamed the Office of Human Life and Dignity.  We are currently recruiting for the position of Coordinator of Human Life and Dignity.  The leader in this role is responsible for Pro-Life activities, abortion ministries, and Health Ministries.  Jena Hartman, Coordinator for Birthline, will serve from this office.  

 

Keri Carroll will continue to provide administrative support for both offices.     

 

We are excited for the future and to see how God will continue to use us to build up His Church and serve the parish communities of Central and Southern Indiana!
The Office of Human Life and Dignity
Employment Opportunity: Coordinator, Human Life and Dignity
                                                            
The Coordinator of the Office of Human Life and Dignity assists the Archbishop, pastors and parishes of the Archdiocese by providing programs  and activities supporting the sanctity of human life.  In this capacity, the position provides service, support, and resources for public education, prayer, pastoral care, and public policy.  The ministries of this office are committed to protecting the dignity of every person from conception through natural death.  Programs include Birthline (assistance to pregnant women), Project Rachel (post-abortion healing), health ministries, and Pro-Life activities. 
 
The qualified candidate is a professed and practicing Roman Catholic who can clearly and accurately articulate the teachings of the Church with respect to the sanctity of human life. A bachelor's degree in theology or a related field is required, and a master's degree is preferred.  Applicants should have at least 3 years of paid or volunteer experience in a parish or Catholic agency serving as a Respect Life Coordinator or an equivalent position.
 
Please e-mail cover letter, resume, and list of references, in confidence, to:
 
Ed Isakson
Director, Human Resources
Archdiocese of Indianapolis
1400 N. Meridian St.
Indianapolis, IN 46202
 
Equal Opportunity Employer
Corrections: A Ministry of Hope & Salvation
The Prison Ministry of the Archdiocese of Indianapolis is hosting a conference entitle Corrections: A Ministry of Hope and Salvation  on October 28, 2017 from 9 a.m - 4 p.m. at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church (1306 27th St., Columbus, IN 47201).  Persons currently involved in or interested in learning more about prison, jail, and/or re-entry ministries is invited to attend.  Presenters include Fr. Jim Farrell of St. Pius X in Indianapolis, Fr. Clem Davis of St. Bartholomew in Columbus, IN, and Fr. Ron Cloutier who is the Director of Corrections Ministries of the Archdiocese of Galveston/Houston.  Registration begins at 8:30 with the program beginning promptly at 9 a.m. For more information please contact Lynne Weisenbach at 317-592-4012. 
Indiana March for Life: January 22, 2018
Save the date!  Monday, January 22, 2018 is the 45th solemn anniversary of the Roe v. Wade ruling in the United States of America.  To remember that date, we will begin the day with Mass with both Archbishop Charles Thompson of Indianapolis and Bishop Timothy Doherty of the Diocese of Lafayette at St. John the Evangelist Church in Indianapolis at Noon.  This day will also include Mass, a march to the capitol building, various speakers, a prayer service, and wrap up with at Youth Rally back at St. John's.  More details are to come, but mark your calendars.  It is sure to be a powerful event for individuals, youth, and families of Indiana!
Congratulations to Emily Taylor & Josh and Cara Bach
Emily Taylor is the 2017 recipient of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Pro-Life Youth Award.  Emily diligently works with faculty and staff of the secular school, Herron High School, to organize and lead a Pro-Life Club.  Despite challenges from peers and faculty, she continues her perseverance to promote the sanctity and dignity of life!  

Josh and Cara Bach are the 2017 recipients of the Archbishop Edward T. O'Meara Respect for Life Award.  Josh and Cara have adopted 5 beautiful children, and have opened up their home as foster parents for other children in need.  They work to further the cause and bring attention to the great need for foster care in their community, and provide support for those who may be considering a call to foster or adopt children.  At their parish of St. Joan of Arc, they have begun an Adoption and Fostering Support Group ministry.
THE OFFICE OF FAMILY MINISTRIES
Marriage Prep and Enrichment Opportunities
Worldwide Marriage Encounter
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:
  • November 3 - 5: Indianapolis
  • November 10 - 12: Fort Wayne
  • January 26 - 28, 2018: Fort Wayne
PREPARE-ENRICH Inventory
The Office of Family Ministries is excited to announce that we now offer certified trainings in the online version of the PREPARE-ENRICH Inventory.  This version offers an updated facilitator report, couple report, versions in English, Spanish, German, Korean, French, Chinese, Romanian, Japanese, Italian, and Portuguese.  This tool is online and provides addition versions including pre-marriage inventories, inventories for married couples/enrichment, many useful facilitator guides and additional assignments.  It also has a complimentary Catholic Catechetical tool to discuss the beauty of the Catholic Church's understanding of the Sacrament of Marriage.  For more information, please contact Scott Seibert by phone at 317-236-1527 or by email.  
Grief and Divorce Programming
Being and Belonging Retreat
"Being and Belonging...A Retreat for Separated and Divorced Catholics" will take place October 6 - 8th at Fatima Retreat House, 5353 E. 56th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.  This retreat is open to all faiths.  Retreatants are invited to relax as they journey with others, listening to their stories and exploring a common loss. The program will help deepen an understanding of the healing process, increase a sense of belonging, and help participants discover and affirm that God is with them in their struggles and hope.  For additional information please contact The Pro-Life Family Life Office at 317-236-1586 or email dvanvelse@archindy.org .  To register, call Fatima at 317-545-7681.
Annulments: What the Catholic Church Teaches
Join us Wednesday, October 25 from 7-9 p.m. at the Catholic Center (1400 N. Meridian St., Indianapolis IN) for a general information session regarding the annulment process.  This interactive meeting is designed to answer your questions.   The presenters include Fr. Joseph Newton, Judicial Vicar, Joe Gehret, Advocate, and Judge Instructors Ann Tully and Nancy Thompson.  There is no cost for this event and no registration required.  For more information please contact Deb Van Velse at 317-236-1586 or by email.  
Holiday Divorce Support - Divorce and Beyond
St. Mark Catholic Church (535 E. Edgewood Ave.  Indianapolis, IN) will host a holiday session of Divorce and Beyond which is a 6-evening program on Wednesdays from 7-9 p.m. beginning November 8, 2017.  This support group offers all separated and divorced an opportunity to be with others who understand the challenges of facing the holidays after a divorce or separation.  The cost of this program is $30 which includes all materials.  The program will run on Wednesdays from November 8 - December 20, 2017.  For more information please contact Deb Van Velse at 317-236-1586 or by email.   
Mid-North Catholic Community Memorial Mass for the Unborn
If you have lost a child, grandchild, sibling, family member or friend miscarriage, stillbirth, ectopic pregnancy, abortion or early childhood loss, please consider joining us in prayer at St. Joan of Arc Church at 7 p.m. on Monday, November 13.  Our hearts go out to you.  Our prayers are with you.  For more information please contact Joe Sheehan at jsheehan@sjoa.org
For a complete list of upcoming Pro-Life and Family Life events in and around the Archdiocese please visit our website at www.archindy.org/plfl/events
To find out more about each of the ministries 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.

Peace of Christ,

The Staff of the Offices of Family Ministries and Human Life and Dignity

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

Mission Statement
We seek to promote the growth and sanctification of the human family by protecting the dignity of every person from conception through natural death. 

Office Staff
Scott Seibert, MSW, LCSW
Director, Office of Family Ministries
Interim Director, Office of Human Life and Dignity
(317) 236-1527
sseibert@archindy.org

Deb VanVelse, Divorce & Bereavement Ministry Coordinator 
(317) 236-1586
dvanvelse@archindy.org
Jená Hartman, Birthline Coordinator
(317) 236-1433
Caren LeMark, MA
Pre-Cana Administrator
clemark@archindy.org
Keri Carroll, Administrative Assistant
(317) 236-1521
kcarroll@archindy.org