Ministry Spotlight on Father Chris Wadelton
Discernment to the priestly life came as a series of opportunities to say “yes” to small steps towards a career of helping others for Fr. Chris Wadelton. There were fifth and sixth grade opportunities presented by Father Steve Banet to serve at morning Mass, then stay to serve for a wedding, then a funeral and an evening Mass one snowy Saturday at Immaculate Heart of Mary School that provided a pleasant memory. There was a tap on the shoulder through the Called By Name program in high school at Chatard, and a memorable opportunity to serve as an adult chaperone for high school students in Honduras, where he fell in love with the people, the energy, and the work in orphanages and schools.
Choosing a major in Electrical Engineering Technology at IUPUI, due to his science skills, the 100% likelihood of employment, and the solid practicality, he enjoyed a successful, yet stressful career in industry, where other companies were constantly vying for the cutting-edge technological advances. Chris began to imagine a career that better fit the gifts God had given him, as he enjoyed volunteerism at church, working with the poor, and perhaps social work.
Entering seminary at 36, the path came in a series of small “yesses” toward the lower stress field of dealing with lives and souls, and guiding people at all stages of life when the wrong choices are vying for their attention.
After seminary, he returned to parish work in Indianapolis, where he could also be closer to his family of two brothers, and two sisters.
What is your favorite thing about bring a priest and why?
It is the Invitation into people’s lives at significant times, birth of children, death of parents, first communions, weddings, Quincenaras, and the privilege of the intimate nature and ability to give comfort and a bit of wisdom that is most humbling and important. Counseling for those in need of comfort, I have the opportunity to witness a different level of the heart of who we are.
What was your motivation to learn Spanish and to become fluent? How did you do it?
I was invited as an adult chaperone for high school students in summer 2003, in Honduras. There was a woman named Mae who had sacrificed her career and wealth in Los Angeles to return to her home country amid poverty and orphans. The ability to communicate better was the motivation to learn Spanish, and I later attended a Spanish language immersion program in Guatemala.
Have you ever had a crisis of faith, become angry at God (before or after becoming a priest) and if so, how did you handle it?
Thankfully, I have not. Struggles exist in all vocations, but I have had no traumatic setbacks or difficulties. My years of experience outside the church allows for an order of importance, and I feel that I can separate the big from the little.
In your opinion and experience, what are the most critical moral choices facing the Catholic electorate in 2020; i.e. Pro-life/pro-choice, incarceration and death penalty, integrity and morality in public office, care for the poor, the immigrant, the refugee, care of creation/climate change? How can we be well-informed in light of contradictory messaging?
First, we must recognize that all of these issues are life issues, with the potential to prevent people from living fully and achieving satisfaction in life.
We must recognize who benefits economically from policy decisions. Corporate jails, for example, profit enormously from mass incarceration, placing a price on each prisoner’s head. Voting our conscience requires that anytime a dollar value is placed on people’s lives, it is wrong. We need to put a spiritual value on life.
With the environmental issues, an example is the political support of coal to garner votes for the coal industry. No legitimate scientist thinks that coal is good for the environment, and there are alternative technologies with less powerful lobbies and lower profits which would also support new job opportunities.
All of these are life issues, and all are life-limiting if addressed the wrong way. We must be aware of our sources of information, as all information has a slant and have sold out to constituents. Unbiased information is difficult find, but critical to independent thought.
What is your vision for St. Bartholomew Parish?
My goals and dreams for St. Bartholomew is our opportunity as a parish for opening people’s minds and hearts. There are many special causes, events and fundraisers and we support very well. Helping people align faith with daily life is the challenge and the goal.
Some questions we would benefit from pondering is “Do Catholics live differently from the general population? What makes being Catholic different from all others who also participate in charity events?” My vision for St. Bartholomew is that we live differently in society because of our faith.
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by Jan Banister from an interview with Father Chris Wadelton
