Magnanimous Souls
Dear Friends,
Peace be with you! One of the great gifts of being a priest is all the awesome people
I have the chance to encounter in my life journey. Some come into my life for just
a moment and others are with me for a lifetime journey. Our St. John ministry
team has been a great blessing to me over the past seven years. Two of our team
members have recently made life changes.
Lynette Koffskey has retired as our bookkeeper and is now enjoying travel, time
Lynette Koffskey with her family
with family and friends and even sewing for the church! She has been a priceless
gift to St. John’s since Jim Fillenwarth hired her in 2006. With her degree in business
from Indiana University and a real knack for numbers, Lynette has been a great asset
to assist with the growth of the parish and its needed financial stability. She was
instrumental in the Super bowl Outreach, 175th Anniversary celebrations of the
parish and the restoration of the church after the 2013 fire.
Lynette also served our homeless neighbors at the door with great dignity and
love. She would often say that she had a “God Moment” as she served the poor
and saw Christ in them. Undoubtedly, Lynette has been the hands and feet and
voice of Christ more than she will ever know! Some of my favorite encounters with
Lynette were at our weekly one-on-one meeting to pay bills and sign checks. It was
here that often she would share an encounter that had touched her heart about a
neighbor, visitor or friend of St. John’s. I always thought to myself, “What a great
minister of the faith Lynette is… a great bookkeeper, but so much more than that…
Nick Meyer and his wife Stephanie
an outstanding minister in the Church!
It has been a great joy to serve alongside Lynette as she is such a kind, steadfast and encouraging human being! When there
was great transition at St. John’s due to the growth of the young adult community, Lynette was always quick to affirm me and
the vision of engaging the young church. Having two young adult children of her own and a husband (Rick) who worked years
in Catholic Education, Lynette really saw the value in supporting our young adults on their journey of faith. Thanks so much to
Lynette Koffskey, a good and faithful servant of our Lord and His Church and a great friend in Christ!
Nick Meyer began his work at St. John’s as our first Director of Development in July, 2014. As a former FOCUS Missionary, Nick
came with a servant’s heart and love for people and the Holy Church. He was hired at a rather tumultuous time as we were in
the heart of the church restoration from the 2013 arson fire and beginning a capitol campaign to raise funds for additional needs
of the church.
Nick dove right into being trained and implemented a half million dollar campaign to expand the narthex space, install
handicapped and family friendly restrooms, a handicap ramp and the beautiful new glass doors. Through dinners, individual
meetings and printed and social media, Nick led an awesome campaign and we were able to exceed our goal in nine months!
In addition, Nick worked to increase awareness of being good stewards and tithing in the community through a small
group book study, Financial Peace Seminars, weekly bulletin columns, online presence and countless individual meeting with
parishioners. He made great strides in encouraging those he encountered to be true servants, sharing time talent and treasure
with God and others. Nick understood that all we have is a gift from God and are called to be great stewards of these gifts,
Continued on page 2.
Fr. Nagel’s Column
Fr. Nagel’s column continued
sharing generously with others in our community who are in need. He also had a
leadership role in the Christkindl Village fund raising through sponsors, vendors and
event planning. This past year was a great success with our first festival profits of nearly
$5000. I have to say that as a spiritual father, I am deeply proud of Nick and all his
contributions to St. John’s in such a short period of time!
2015-2016 IUPUI FOCUS Team
Nick has discerned that God wants him to “Go Out” into the workplace of the world to
touch lives there from day to day. He is now serving as an Account Executive for Lesson.
ly, an online training software firm which helps foster employee confidence, one lesson
at a time. We will miss Nick but hope that he and his wonderful wife Stefanie will staying
close to St. John’s and will be engaged in our community for years to come!
Seven years ago I was called to serve here at St. John’s and on the campus of IUPUI as
chaplain. One of the first acts of ministry I implemented was hiring Missionaries to serve
on the campus from the Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) apostolate.
These missionaries have been servant leaders to share the Good News of Jesus Christ and
His Church to those who are searching for truth in their young adult lives.
Each year we have turnover of missionaries as they complete their commitments or
are transferred to another campus. This year, four of our missionaries are moving on
from IUPUI and have taken on new life endeavors. Brooke Yessa and Meghan Gangestad
have been with us for three years and have served so diligently the campus, students
and church! Both of these young women have deeply touched countless lives as they
invested in college women through bible studies, social events, FOCUS Conferences and
daily life.
Brooke Yessa with IUPUI student Courtney
Roach who will be on mission to Argentina Brooke is a deeply kind hearted person with great compassion and love for all of God’s
this summer.
children. I have been blessed to travel to Haiti on mission twice with Brooke and IUPUI
students. Here I witnessed her abiding love of God as she served Him in the poorest of
the poor. I will never forget her lovingly hold an orphan child for hours as if she was her
own. Etched in my mind with always be Brooke’s great smile and warmth as she served
both our Haitian sisters and brothers and our students on the campus.
Meghan Gangestad with her husband Justin
and their son Thomas
One student shared with me that she has no idea what her life without Brooke Yessa
in it would look like. While she never expected to grow in her faith while in college,
through Brooke’s genuine friendship and love, she not only grew but now desires to
be a lifelong missionary disciple. Countless students would share the same sentiment
about Brooke’s investment in their lives. Thankfully, we will continue to share in Brooke’s
life as she will be starting an accelerated Bachelors of Science Nursing (BSN) at Marian
University in the fall and remain a St. John Parishioner.
Meghan Gangestad will be moving home to Minnesota with her husband Justin and two
sons, Thomas and baby G (due in August.) Meghan and Justin have been a bright light in
our community for the past three years! Justin came to IUPUI to study dentistry and Meghan followed as a full time missionary.
Justin was himself searching and while here came into full communion with the Catholic Church.
As a newly married couple, the two of them traveled to the Holy land on pilgrimage with us in March of 2014. I will never forget
the joy we shared there, especially on the Mount of the Beatitudes, early morning hikes to see the door of the Holy Sepulcher
open (4 am) and the happenings at the Garden of Gethsemane that would change both my life and theirs. They have been a
great team of steadfast servants, investing in the lives of countless men and women on the campus and sharing the Joy of the
Gospel.
Their family has been a beautiful witness of the holy family as they seek to immolate Joseph and Mary in their lives. Their son
Thomas has brought great joy to the campus as they have allowed us to be apart of his young life. It has truly been a gift to so
many students to witness what a happy, healthy and (striving for) holy family looks like. They will be sorely missed but there is
great goodness in their return home to live within miles of both sets of their parents as Justin begins his new career as a partner
2 | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Spring 2016
Fr. Nagel’s Column
in a local dental practice.
David Jaramillo with two of his disciples.
David Jaramillo has served the past two years at St. John’s and IUPUI. David, a native
of Ecuador and a Ball State Graduate, is a gifted musician and lively spirit. David has
diligently invested in the lives of our campus men and has a gift to enter into deep
friendships. His sense of humor, approachability and genuine growth in relationship with
Our Lord has made an impact on many lives.
Through David’s commitment to challenge other men to greater faith, fruits have been
born that will impact the world for years to come. One of David’s disciples is himself
headed off to be a FOCUS missionary this fall. Another of his disciples is starting a new
campus ministry at Ivy Tech this fall. David will begin serving this fall at the University of
Wisconsin – Platteville and continue his good works for the Church.
Craig Novak served this past year as FOCUS Team Director at IUPUI. Craig and his wife
Maria are both Indiana natives and returned home after three years of service at Loras
College in Dubuque, Iowa. Craig has shared his gifts of administration with the team as he
led the others to be effective disciple makers on the campus. His commitment as a team
leader has grown the call to raise up disciples of Jesus and His Church through prayer,
Craig Novak with his son Xavier prior to the bible studies and real relationship with the students.
St. John’s Indians game last year
One of the great gifts that Craig has brought to the ministry is a deeper commitment to
prayer for the students. He initiated a weekly prayer group and encouraged students to attend a Spiritual Boot Camp to learn
more about the Holy Spirit. We are blessed to have Craig, Maria and their sons Xavier, Eli and Baby N. staying on as parishioners
at St. John’s as Craig begins his new ministry with FOCUS National as a regional director of development in the Midwest region.
I am deeply grateful to God for all of these magnanimous souls who have made a difference in our lives and world through their
YES to God in service at St. John’s! May they be blessed as they continue to serve as missionaries of the Good News wherever
God leads them. There will always be a home for them at St. John’s. While the history books may not mention them by name,
may the eternal records show that these servants have “competed well, finished the race and kept the faith” as they ministered
with great zeal here in the heart of our city! Well done my good and faithful servants!
With a Father’s Love,
Father Rick Nagel, Pastor
Faith Formation
Book Studies Build Community
For the past four years, St John has been offering small group book studies that meet at various locations around the city on
different nights. The studies have been great in helping to build up our community while enriching the faith lives of those who
participate. If you have not yet tried a small group, we invite you to consider doing so! We continue to offer our book (and now
video) studies three times per year - Lent, Summer, Advent. Here are a few reflections from participants from the Lenten study:
“The Apostolate of Smiling from the second chapter really stood out. Not only does it make the stranger feel welcome, but there’s
something about a smile that impacts just about everyone you encounter. -George Spohrer
The best part of the book study was “...spending time with other parishioners who have now become great friends and learning
about God’s word together.” -Melynda Ludwick
“The insight from others in our group has motivated me to be a better Catholic and person.” -Monica Yearwood
“Simply spending time sharing my faith with a group was great. Especially when it led to re-evaluating aspects of my life and
Lenten practice.” -Odaro Omusi
Spring 2016
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | 3
Faith Formation
Journey to Full Communion
So this one time, a United Methodist pastor became a Catholic…My husband Chris
and I moved from South Carolina to my home of Indiana about a year ago. He’d
been battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma since 2012, and received news of a terminal
relapse in February of 2015. He could no longer pastor his church, and we had to
get our three children stabilized before his death. So I started applying for work,
and God opened door after door, and in April 2015 we moved into our new home in
New Palestine, in the neighborhood adjoining my parents’, and I began work at the
Indiana Philanthropy Alliance in downtown Indianapolis.
In June of that same year, I was in my office in the Symphony Center, working, and
in the context of a conversation with a Catholic friend from divinity school, read a
Jewish midrash article on the story of Joseph. Although my trust in God had been
protected throughout the intensity of caregiving for my husband with three small
children at home, previous understandings of God’s providence and presence had
necessarily shattered under the weight. The article brought together strands and
shards of what had been broken, in a new configuration that was vast and strong
enough to accommodate what we were living through.
I laughed to my friend: “That was amazing. Maybe I should become Jewish.” He
joked back, “No, you should be Catholic.”
And at that moment, one of the most profoundly startling and intense mystical
experiences of my life occurred. A red door opening in front of my eyes. A heavy,
golden presence filling my office, making it hard for me to keep from going under
my desk, experientially fulfilling what I’d believed intellectually about holiness and
terror and awe.
Elise with her husband Chris on the day that she was
received into full communion.
So naturally…I left. It was lunchtime, and I had a beer at MacNiven’s with my producer, and tried to tell myself that all the
transitions and stress had given me a new, interesting sort of panic attack.
But afterwards, I wanted a church. So I went into Christ Church on the circle, and the presence had been waiting for me, and I
wanted to call out for prayer to Mary, of all things, and knew that God was asking for a response – do you trust me? I said yes,
in tears.
In subsequent days, I found myself hungry to be in the room with the Eucharist. I looked to see what the closest Catholic church
was, and I started lurking in the back of St. John during midday Mass. The first day I attended, the lector was speaking to me
when he read, “Trust yourself to the apostles.” I reached out to a friend from Duke University who teaches at Providence College.
She asked if I’d like her to find me a priest. I said yes. Two weeks later, she wrote me, said – “I found someone who knows Indy.
He said he would go to Father Rick Nagel, at St. John the Evangelist, with anything.”
This story is much longer, and God has been tender and gracious with confirmations – it is no small thing to relinquish an
ordination 10 years in the earning, a vocation in which I have received and offered deep blessing. I will be blogging about it at
www.elisebarrett.com if you’re interested in more details. But let me take you to February.
My husband’s cancer metastasized to his brain, and we knew time was short. Hospice began. Chris had commissioned an icon
to be written for me by a dear friend from Duke for my entrance into the church; he wanted to be there. And Father Rick and
Archbishop Tobin created space for it to happen. In mid-February, Chris and I, my parents, his parents, and a few other family
members gathered at St. John’s, and I was received into full communion, Jesus claiming me in a new way as the Eucharist filled
me. Chris beamed. I remember being in the parking lot after, bizarre sunshine and warmth and spring all around, Father Rick
waving his arm at it all and smiling, “Look! God gave you a little Easter!”
I held my husband as he died on February 24th, and hold on to the hope that these tastes of Easter we receive this side of
Jordon are true, transformative icons of the eternal Easter God is preparing for those who love him.
-Elise Barrett, RCIA Program
4 | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Spring 2016
Faith Formation
St. John Welcomes New Members into the Catholic Church
At the Easter Vigil, Saturday March 26, St. John’s
was blessed to welcome 34 into full communion
with the Catholic Church. Elise Barrett was
welcomed into full communion in February so that
her husband Chris, who was suffering from cancer,
could be present (read her story on page 4).
+ George Abernathy
+ Brandon Arnold
+ Ryan Ball
+ Elise Barrett
+ James Bennett
+ Adam Berning
+ Sara Britt
+ Rachel Brozinick
+ Richard Denney
+ Katie Egenolf
+ Adam Elsner
+ Kay Epling
+ McKenzie Epling
+ David Flannery
+ Lisa Gomez
+ Jason Gray
+ Emmanuel
Hermosillo
+ Alexander
Kassenbrock
+ Ashley Lamb
+ Amanda Lee
Children Baptisms
The following four children
were baptized at the
Easter Vigil on March 24.
+ Jace Egenolf
+ Jackson Egenolf
+ Oliver Gray
+ Nash Gray
2015-2016 RCIA Program
+ Aaron Pfeiffer
+ Trevor Long
+ Samantha Poliskey
+ Lexi Lucchese
+ Justin Raisor
+ Anthony Mills
+ Carolyn Rauhala
+ Bonnie Mini
+ Laura Schlafer
+ Jorge Padron
+ Jesse Smith
+ Joshua Soeurt
+ Melanie Stepro
+ Patrick Vogt
+ Abby Weingardt
May Confirmations
The following were confirmed at SS. Peter &
Paul Cathedral:
Youth Confirmations - May 18
+ Manuel Combarro
+ Henry Gramling
+ Edward Gramling
+ Cecilia Linn
Adult Confirmations - May 15
+ Kyle Hankins
+ Erin McCammack
Youth Confirmations from May 18 at the Cathedral
Social Justice
Pro-Life Ministry Creates a Culture of Life
40 Days for Life - Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of the Spring 40 Days for Life
campaign. However, it took a hardy group of parishioners to brave the cold and snow
they found outside of Planned Parenthood this year. They offered up those sacrifices
while praying for an end to abortion. On Friday at 3pm each week, St. John parishioners
gathered to pray the Divine Mercy chaplet and a rosary. These prayers were joined
with prayers across the world. During this past campaign 6 abortion workers quit, 3
facilities closed, and 631 mothers chose life for their children. At least 4 lives were saved
here in central Indianapolis. Look for info on the Fall campaign beginning in September.
All are welcome to join us to pray for an end to abortion and respect for all life.
Pro-Life Film Series - The Pro-Life Film Series sponsored by St. John and Holy Rosary
continues this year. This quarterly series presents a wide variety of films and documentaries focusing on life issues. The most
recent film was shown Friday, May 13th at St. John. The evening started at 6:30pm with a viewing of Scott Klusendorf’s lecture,
“Defending Life on Hostile Turf”. Participants learned how to defend life and respond to arguments from pro-choice individuals.
For more information on the pro-life film series contact Sheryl Dye at [email protected].
-Sheryl Dye, Sanctity of Life Commission Member
Spring 2016
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | 5
Social Justice
Charity Knows No Bounds - Mission to Haiti
“No single act of love for God will be lost; no
generous effort is meaningless; no painful
endurance wasted.” -Pope Francis
Though our trip to Haiti was chronologically
brief, the impact will last a lifetime. A
new portion of this mission trip with IUPUI
students, myself and Fr. Rick included
volunteering with the Missionaries of Charity
in Port-au-Prince before visiting our sister
parish in Môle-St. Nicolas. Our service there was rather simple - helping care for the
young children that live with the sisters. This meant hours of holding frail and weary
children, feeding them, changing diapers, singing to them, etc. This trip was a profound
experience of giving and receiving mercy. We truly saw the face of God in the Haitians.
Each night we gathered as a group to reflect on the events that took place. At the end
of our first day serving alongside the Missionaries of Charity, we discovered that we
carried out all of the spiritual and corporal works of mercy! This helped teach us that
mercy is not only a movement of the heart (compassion toward someone suffering) but
additionally an extension of our hand, to help the one in need.
Throughout our time there I kept thinking “charity knows no bounds.” True charity
doesn’t act based on social status, race, gender, etc. but rather extends to all people.
Since we are all members of the same family when one suffers, we all suffer; when one
rejoices, we all rejoice (1 Cor 12:26). Charity allows us to care for one another in the
best way possible in a given circumstance.
Though our work there was simple, no act of charity and mercy is ever wasted. I found
it particularly significant to attend to the children that were connected to an IV. Most of
the children were scooped up into a missionary’s arms and carried around the complex,
but these more frail children were confined to their cribs. One girl connected to an IV
especially broke my heart as I found her whimpering in her crib, too malnourished
and weak to even cry. As soon as I picked her up, her entire body relaxed and she
fell soundly asleep. I couldn’t put her down – I stood by her crib holding her, singing
to and praying for her. All of us from this mission trip have ceaselessly prayed for the
children we cared for; they will forever be etched in our hearts, for the love we gave
and received from them intimately and radically changed us.
However, our trip did not end with the Missionaries of Charity! On the second part of
our trip, we traveled north to visit our sister parish, St. Nicolas. We joined them in
daily Mass, visited families, school children, and neighboring communities. One visit
to a small secluded community (La Presqu’ile), maybe one mile from Mole (just across
the bay) was especially beautiful. There is no water source in this community, so daily
they must row their boats to Mole in order to fill water jugs. Their abundant joy during
our visit was deeply moving. Our hope is that through the new water system St. John
will put in Caranage, the people will have a shorter distance to travel to obtain clean
water.
I am so blessed to have gone on this mission trip and hope to continue serving our
brothers and sisters in Haiti. This experience has stretched my heart in order that I
may be more loving and merciful, and it has helped me see God’s face in everyone I
encounter – for these things I’m eternally grateful.
-Brooke Yessa, FOCUS missionary/Haiti Mission Leader
6 | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Spring 2016
Social Justice
St. Dismas Jail Ministry
This past winter, St. John’s Dismas Jail Ministry celebrated its one-year anniversary. Eight volunteers regularly serve the spiritual
needs of the men and women detained in Indianapolis’ downtown correctional facilities. When our ministry started on March 1,
2015, we were granted access to only one of the jails overseen by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department. I am now pleased to
report that we have a Catholic presence in all of the jails located within our parish boundaries. While our access is somewhat
limited in two of these detention centers, our dedicated team provides a message of God’s love and mercy.
The book “Beautiful Mercy” is currently being distributed in an effort to share a message of dignity and hope to those who
are looking for a “second chance.” In one of the chapters of the book, we are reminded that no one wants to be defined by our
worst actions. God does not want that for us either. The only sin not forgiven is the sin that we have not asked God to forgive.
Mercy and redemption is for everyone. -Dave Bartolowits, Dismas Jail Ministry Chair
Worship & Devotion
Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through
the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” -1 Peter 1:3 Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has called us into an Extraordinary
Jubilee Year of Mercy from this past December 8, 2015 through November 20, 2016. For more information on the Jubilee Year
of Mercy visit our website at: www.stjohnsindy.org/year-of-mercy
During the Jubilee Year of Mercy, opportunities to receive a plenary indulgence are available by making a pilgrimage to a Door
of Mercy. The following must be fulfilled in order to receive the plenary indulgence by visiting a Door of Mercy: 1) Pass through a
designated Door of Mercy 2)Make a profession of faith in the church 3)Pray for the Pope’s Intentions 4)Meditate on mercy while
receiving the Eucharist 5)Receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation within 20 days of visiting the Door of Mercy.
Adoration
Doors of Mercy
Confession
On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3, St.
John began our extended Holy Hours of
Adoration, offering 24 hours per week
of Adoration. Our weekly holy hours
currently include: Sundays 11am-7pm,
Tuesdays 6am-12pm, Thursdays 1pm10pm, and Fridays 11am-12pm. If you are
interested in signing up for one of the Holy
Hours when we expand further, contact
[email protected].
Thanks to all who have already taken a
weekly Holy Hour with Jesus!
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
(sometimes referred to as confession) is
one of the greatest gifts God has given us.
It is an outward sign instituted by Christ
to impart grace to the soul. By confessing
our sins, we are brought closer to God—
helping us to be healthier, more influential
members of our faith community.
Confessions are offered at St. John
Monday-Friday from 11am-12pm prior to
our 12:10pm daily Mass.
St. John parishioners walk through the Cathedral’s
Door of Mercy on the Holy Thursday Altar of
Repose Pilgrimage.
One of the components of the Jubilee of
Mercy is that the Holy Doors throughout
the world will be opened during this Jubilee
year. Each of the Holy Doors are a Door of
Mercy for people to experience the love and
mercy of God. In our Archdiocese there are
two Doors of Mercy - one at SS. Peter & Paul
Cathedral and one at St. Meinrad Archabbey
in St. Meinrad, Indiana.
Spring 2016
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | 7
Worship & Devotion
Divine Mercy Sunday Eucharistic Procession
On Divine Mercy Sunday, April 3 St. John’s
brought Jesus to the streets in a Eucharistic
Procession that followed the 10am Mass. The
procession was up and down Georgia Street.
The Divine Mercy Chaplet was prayed followed
by songs of praise to Jesus Christ, our Lord and
Savior.
Pictured below and to the left are photos from
the Mass and procession around downtown.
More photos and videos from the Mass and
procession are available online at: www.
stjohnsindy.org/divine-mercy-sunday
Drawing closer to the Lord during Holy Week
When I was asked to share my Holy Week experience, I was quick to say yes.
As I sit down to write, “Wait, what was I thinking?” YOU HAD TO BE THERE!
....but I’ll try. Father Nagel’s tearful yet powerful homily filled the church with
a sweet spirit of humility on Holy Thursday. I had to watch it again online and
at 10 mins and 30 secs in, I remembered I was restraining myself from jumping
to my feet and shouting “WE love and appreciate you, Father Rick.” I believe
everyone there felt the same. My father and I were asked to participate in the
washing of the feet. I listened as Father very thoughtfully spoke to each of us as
the water was poured. When it was my turn, I could not contain the emotions. I
wept as I witnessed my own pastor being the hands and feet of Jesus and felt
so grateful to share this experience with my 86-year-old daddy.
There was a spirit of expectation on Good Friday as I headed to Mass. I shared
Father Nagel washes Anita Hall’s feet at Holy Thursday
the beautiful reverence of this solemn day with my pew mates, Sheila and Lynn,
Mass.
as we listened to “what is good about Good Friday” During the Veneration of
the Cross, a mother pressed her baby’s hand against the cross where the baby continued to hold it in place as if she felt His
presence. More tears.
Easter Vigil was a grand reveal of God’s hand on our church with 34 RCIA candidates coming into full communion with the
church. I was incredibly moved by cantor Michael Padilla who also cantored on Good Friday. Our St. John’s choir, under the
direction of our music director, Francisco Carbonell, helped create a sacred space for us to usher in the Holy Spirit.
On Easter morning, I had the honor of leading my parish family in song and celebration. I am so thankful for Father Nagel’s
Lenten challenge to attend all Holy Week Triduum services. I truly felt like I was in the presence of a community of saints.
-Anita Hall, St. John Parishioner & Cantor
8 | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Spring 2016
Worship & Devotion
Easter Triduum
St. John’s 3pm Good
Friday Service on
Friday, March 25.
Father Nagel washes
the feet of 12
parishioners during
the Holy Thursday
Mass, March 24.
The Altar of Repose
began immediately
following Holy
Thursday Mass and
went through Good
Friday at 3pm with
parishioners keeping
watch with Jesus in the
Sacred Heart Chapel at
St. John.
The Easter Fire is lit
at the Easter Vigil
on the front steps of
St. John’s.
Altar of Repose
Pilgrimage - Stop at
Sacred Heart Catholic
Church
St. John welcomed 34
into full communion
at the Eater Vigil.
Here, Justin Raisor is
being confirmed with
his sponsor, Brooke
Raisor.
Baptisms
Nov 29, Bridget Verhiley, daughter of Brandi & Chris
Nov 29, Eli Schlafer, son of Laura & Jason
Dec 6, Clara Valencourt, daughter of Lindsay & Jesse
Dec 27, Cole Geiger, son of Laura & Mark
Jan 17, Piper Cook, daughter of Jennifer & Kalvin
Feb 7, Gabriel Nygren, son of Melissa & Joshua
Spring 2016
Feb 21, Henry Butz, son of Marikate & Jacob
May 1, Ruth Bedwell, daughter of
Caitlin and Mark
May 1, Mathias Binks, son of Cassandra and Tony
May 15, Cole LeClere, son of Sarah and Kyle
May 15, Andrew Isaacs, son of Lori and Michael
May 15, Madeleine Mryan, daughter of
Caroline and Michael
May 22, Nova Watkinson, daughter of
Nissa and Terrence
May 22, Anastasia Proctor, daughter of
Kristin and Andrew
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | 9
Worship & Devotion
Weddings
Weddings—Please pray for those parishioners who have recently been married or will be getting married in the coming months
from St. John. (Couples listed from November 2015-May 2016)
Parishioner Weddings
Mary Fisk & Patrick Kunkel 11/14/2015
Holly Moore & Robert Vickers 11/21/2015
Christie Mock & Zak Davis 11/21/2015
Tracy Cherf & Justin Toombs 11/28/2015
Gabriela Carrero & Daniel Ross 12/27/2015 (St.
Thersa of Avila, Cincinnati, OH)
Maria Harlan & Nicholas Lesch 1/2/2016
Brooke Csukas & Justin Raisor 1/30/2016
Molly McClellan & Matt Janicke 4/2/2016
Jamie Farrell & Nick Salfity 4/8/2016
Emma Castator & John Haas 4/9/2016
(St. Joseph, Gretna, LA)
Michelle Wolschleger & John Lucia 4/30/2016
Mimi Huang & Jake Todd 4/30/2016
Autumn Grayson & Shane Monaghan
4/30/2016 (St. Mary’s, Niles, MI)
Lindsey Scheckelhoff & Shoaib Rasouli
5/14/2016
Sarah Tangeman & Michael Hupf 5/14/2016
(St. Columbkille, Papillion, NE)
Gabby Smith & Jacob Smith 5/21/2016
Non Parishioner Weddings:
Erin Duvelius & Matthew Jonker 4/9/2016
Melanie Straessle & Chris Day 4/16/2016
Madeline Robertson & Seth Biggerstaff
4/23/2016
Laura Hazelton & Brandon Jones 5/7/2016
Erika Barrios & Billy Falotico 5/7/2016
Lauren McMahel & Matthew Corsaro
5/21/2016
Deaths
Pray for these St. John Parishioners who have passed away. May their souls & all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace.
Michael Shore - Dec 26 Claire Connor - Mar 12
Mark Ogden - Jan 13 Dorthey Osburn - May 7 Gregory Obrecht - Jan 24 Alayna Naber - May 21
Chris Barrett - Feb 24
Fellowship
Happy 100th Birthday
Parishioner Norma Gantner celebrated her 100th
birthday on Tuesday, April 19. Happy birthday to
St. John’s oldest parishioner! Norma loves sharing
her faith. When asked how to help people having
trouble keeping their faith, Norma replied to just let
people know how you feel about the faith and show
what you do to make your faith real. Then hopefully
by your example people will realize their own faith.
Far left: Norma in her younger days; Right: Norma and Father
Nagel one year ago on her 99th birthday.
Young Adult Lenten Series
This past Lent, the young adult community held
a Friday night Lenten series, for ages 18-35, to
learn and live out the Spiritual and Corporal
Works of Mercy. Each evening started with
Stations of the Cross, followed by a presentation
on a Work of Mercy. After the presentation,
young adults gathered over a simple soup meal
to discuss the presentation and ways to put
the Work of Mercy in action including going
out to serve the homeless in our downtown
neighborhood.
10 | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Stations of the Cross prayed Fridays at
6pm during Lent.
Small groups help young adults dive deeper in
faith.
Spring 2016
Fellowship
Shrove Tuesday
St. John has a long and storied history where traditions are honored, embraced,
and truly celebrated. Shrove Tuesday dinner on the eve of Ash Wednesday
is no exception. The 2016 Shrove Tuesday dinner was the largest yet, with
approximately 120 parishioners, family, and friends gathered at The Old
Spaghetti Factory for faith, food, fun, and fellowship. Many attended the
reception at the St. John rectory before dinner for appetizers and drinks.
The tradition of Shrove Tuesday extends far beyond St. John and pre-dates our
parish by centuries. The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney provides an excellent
history of Shrove Tuesday and claims that the observance dates back to 1000
A.D. According to the Archdiocese, “Shrove” is the past tense of the English verb
“shrive” which means to obtain absolution through the Sacrament of Confession
and by penance. Over the centuries, Shrove Tuesday grew to include feasting on
foods that were prohibited during Lent. Today, it is also known as “Fat Tuesday”
and “Mardi Gras” and is celebrated in many ways - from making pancakes in
England to parades and music in New Orleans.
As I reflect on this year’s Shrove Tuesday dinner, I am filled with a thankful heart
not only for those who volunteered their time and talent to make the evening a
success, but for the great joy that springs forth from a gathering of community.
New friendships are forged. Old friendships are rekindled. Laughs and smiles
are shared. Faith is deepened. God is truly present in these joyful moments!
Since the Shrove Tuesday reception and dinner have grown so much through
God’s blessing, the Fellowship Commission will be looking at other nearby venues
with more capacity for the 2017 event. Here’s to continuing and growing this
time-honored tradition next year!
-A.J. Fricke, Fellowship Commission Chair
Above photos: Parishioners enjoy an evening of
fellowship with each other.
IUPUI College Campus Ministry
New Missionaries
Starting this fall, St. John will send off two parishioners into missionary
work. Below is a snapshot of each of the mission organizations these
missionaries will serve with over the next year. For more information on
those who are on mission from our parish, visit www.stjohnsindy.org/
mission.
Gabriela Figueroa -As a Simple House lay missionary I’ll be serving the
poorest neighborhoods of Washington DC or Kansas City, MO. Missionary
volunteers visit families in project neighborhoods and the homeless
in their camps. These visits aim to create an authentic friendship that
benefits the poor and glorifies God. Our motto is to “wonderfully and
radically fall upon the cross of Christ for grace and support.”
Bobby Vogel -As a FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)
Missionary I will be on a college campus doing student outreach, inviting
students to make Christ the center of their lives. I will dive deep with
the students into His Word through Bible studies, prayer, discipleship,
and national conferences; building up the students in their Catholic
faith and teaching them how to be missionary disciples and leaders in
evangelization on their campus.
Spring 2016
Gabriela Figueroa
Serving at A Simple
House of St. Francis
and St. Alphonsus
Bobby Vogel
Serving as a FOCUS
Missionary
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | 11
IUPUI College Campus Ministry
Thanksgiving Dinner
This year I had the privilege of being on the Catholic
Student Organization Board and holding the Social Chair
position. In having this position, I get to be in charge of
the Catholic Student Organization’s Thanksgiving Dinner
as well as many other social events. Every year CSO has a
Thanksgiving Dinner for the students involved in Catholic
Student Organization. It is a pitch-in style dinner where
students and/or FOCUS Missionaries sign up for a certain
dish and bring it to the dinner. I knew that I was in charge
of this event from the beginning of the school year. But
when the event finally rolled around, I never thought that I
would’ve enjoyed it as much as I did.
On the day of the event, everything was going smoothly. I
had set up all of the tables and chairs and everything looked
very festive and in the Thanksgiving spirit. While I was
preparing all of the dishes and making sure that the turkey
and ham wouldn’t burn in the oven, all of the students of
CSO were in Mass. Once Mass was finished, they came to
the basement of St. John where we held the dinner and
got seated. It was so awesome to see the joy on the faces
of those students, as they smelled the delicious dinner. It
was a beautiful time of faith and fellowship. This dinner
tends to be a time when all students involved in CSO come
together. Not everyone can make it to every event that we
as CSO leaders offer, but almost everyone tries to make it
to this dinner. It was so amazing to see some familiar and
some not-so-familiar faces at this dinner. Thankfully after
this event, a lot of the not-so-familiar faces started to come
around to more events and grew closer in our community.
I am so thankful for this dinner and the spiritual fruits that
the Catholic Student Organization gained from this event.
-Courtney Roach, Social Chair
Valentine’s Dinner
As a member of the
Catholic Student
Organization
of IUPUI, the
Valentine’s Day
Dinner has always
been one of my
favorite events of
the year. For this
holiday, we take
the opportunity to
gather the men of
CSO, and organize
an evening for all
of the women in
our community.
Students enjoy the Valentine’s Dinner
It is a wonderful
opportunity for us to honor them as the pinnacle of creation,
and to show them the proper respect that they deserve.
This year, we had Mass at St. John’s, followed by a dinner
served by the men, in the basement of the rectory. We had
men volunteer to help set up, serve the food, and even put
up some tasteful Valentine’s Day decorations. The women
were served spaghetti and homemade meatballs, because
spaghetti and meatballs was the most cliché Valentine’s
Day meal we could think of. Our vice president of CSO and
resident connoisseur of romance, Kyle “Linguini” Richart,
ensured that the lights were properly dimmed, and that every
table had a candle placed on it as a centerpiece. (I should also
mention that Kyle has a bit of Italian heritage, which I theorize
is where all of these romantic instincts come from.) And of
course, no Valentine’s Dinner is ever complete without the
smooth, soothing voice of Frank Sinatra playing lightly in the
background. We, being a clever group of young men, expertly
weaved all of these elements together to throw a perfect
evening for the ladies of CSO.
At the end of the night, when all of the women were properly
swooned, we came to the grand finale of the event. The men
gathered at the front of the room to serenade the women
with a tasteful rendition of the song L-O-V-E, by Nat King Cole.
Prior to singing the song, we gave each girl a rose, along with
a handwritten note that portrayed our gratitude for their
presence in our community (I know, pretty good, right?).
I like to think that everyone left that night feeling valued and
appreciated. This dinner always serves as a beautiful event
where the women are shown that they are valued, and the
men are able to learn how to treat women the way they are
supposed to be treated.
-Jake Day, Vice President of Finance
12 | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Spring 2016
IUPUI College Campus Ministry
FOCUS Conference
From January 1-5, FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students)
hosted a Student Leadership Summit (SLS), with 3,400 attendees from
around the country. SLS is designed to equip student leaders to fulfill
the Great Commission. This year, IUPUI brought 19 students who were
excited to learn more about how to grow in their relationship and love of
Jesus, and share that love with others.
What happens at the conference? Aside from structured time for daily
Mass, prayer, and adoration, the students had a variety of keynote
speakers to attend, with topics ranging from learning ways to pray;
learning how to build, plan, and lead a Bible study; and how to reach
IUPUI at Student Leadership Summit
out to their peers and share their relationship with Christ and their faith
with others. Immediately after attending the keynote breakout sessions in the morning, the students came back together after
lunch for a “power session,” in which each of them were placed in a small group of 8-10 people to take turns teaching the rest
of their group what they learned earlier that morning. The students acknowledged the power sessions were an intense time
of learning, but they all loved being able to engage each other in their group by playing the role of the teacher and the student.
Because of the setup and structure of the power sessions, the students will now be able to live out 2 Timothy 2: 2, which says,
“and what you have heard from me before many witnesses, entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
-Craig Novak, FOCUS Team Director
March for Life
I had the wonderful opportunity of traveling to Washington
D.C. in January to attend the March for Life. This was such
a great opportunity to pray for the end of abortion and
also pray for those people who have had an abortion or
thinking about having an abortion. Having the opportunity
to march in the middle of a blizzard with thousands of
people from all over the country was amazing. The amount
of people despite the blizzard was truly inspirational. It was
unbelievable to see so many young adults come together, as
well as a group of students from campus, for the sanctity of
life. Although the weather was not on our side and it would
have been very easy to leave and stay warm, we decided
IUPUI Students at March for Life, from left to right: Jake Day, Andrea
to fight the weather and stand up for all those unborn
that have no voice, who have no one to stand up for them. Silva-Flores, Bobby Vogel, Alexandra Makris, Jacinta Fey, Megan Henle, Bri
Knowing that you are the voice for those who don’t have Campbell, Courtney Roach, Carol Guzman, Fr. Rick Nagel, Rhea Mathew,
David Jaramillo
one was very powerful.
One powerful moment that I witnessed at the March for Life was the pep rally before the march. A couple of women spoke
about how they had an abortion and how much they regretted their decision. It was very powerful to listen to their struggles and
how they are focused on helping women by getting them to realize the sanctity of life, as well as preventing as many abortions
as possible. It was also great listening to the fathers’ experiences of those babies that had been aborted. Not many people think
about how the dads are affected; listening to their story and how it could have been different was inspiring. Knowing that people
who have had abortions are now trying to raise awareness and also on how to prevent abortions is remarkable.
When the march began, our small group started to pray a rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet; a little while after that, many
more people started to pray with us. This was very powerful because we were all there for the same reason even though we
did not know each other. It was very moving to march and pray in the heart of Washington D.C., along with people noticing
all the marchers and spreading the awareness of the sanctity of life. Having the opportunity to travel with fellow students and
Father Nagel was great, and sharing these moments with them was incredible. If you have never attended the March for Life I
would highly recommend it! -Carol Guzman, Social Justice Chair
Spring 2016
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | 13
IUPUI College Campus Ministry
Everyone has a vocation...what’s yours?
The Race for Vocations took place on Saturday, May 7 as part of the Indianapolis
Mini Marathon and 5k race. This year the vocations team had 304 runners and 106
of those runners were from St. John’s! The Race for Vocations is a great witness
to building up and supporting a culture of Catholic vocations in Indiana. Each year
runners wear blue Race for Vocations running shirts. Now these shirts are common
all over the race course and have engaged many of our runners in conversations
about what are vocations and how each and every one of us are called to the
universal vocation to holiness.
There were many great successes that were part of the this year’s race from
runners getting record times to those who may have never done a race before
coming out and doing it for the first time to pray for an increase in vocations to the
church. Some of the successes of this year include:
Then engaged, now married couple Shoaib &
Lindsey Rasouli race for vocations
St. John parishioner, Peter Coleman, was 3rd to finish the 5k with a time of 17:19!
Glenmary Seminarian, Antonio Marchi ran the mini in 1:11:15!
In addition, 5 engaged couples ran the race together:
Harrison & Kim Martin, St. John Parishioners (married post race)
Brad Hinshaw & Morgan Mills, St. John Parishioners
Shoaib & Lindsey Rasouli, St. John Parishioners (married post race)
Scott & Elisabeth Williams (married post race)
Jeremy Abney & Morgan Welsh, St. John Parishioners
Race for Vocations - best finish times for the 5k and
Mini Marathon
Interested in joining us for next year’s race on May 6, 2017? You can sign up today with the Race for Vocations team at: https://
raceforvocations.org/ For questions on the race or how you can get involved email Megan Fish at [email protected].
Made for Greatness
April 15-17, I got a chance to go on a
retreat with many of my fellow Catholic
students of IUPUI Catholic Student
Organization (CSO) to share our Catholic
faith together. The retreat I am talking
about was the Made for Greatness Retreat
that was put together by IUPUI’s CSO, along
with help from St. John’s Parish, as we went
to the CYO camp in Nashville, IN to get a
chance to grow with, and strengthen our
own relationships with Christ, which was
truly a blessing to be part of.
The retreat began Friday evening as we
IUPUI Made for Greatness Retreat
arrived at the camp site and unloaded our
bags from the cars into our cabins, and lasted until the following Sunday afternoon. All of us there were looking forward to getting
away from the stresses of school and work. The theme of the retreat was “Be Not Afraid”, which is meant to act as a guide to
help us in the CSO to actively live out our faith as Catholics as we move forward in our lives from college to the working world,
where some may not share our faith.
The retreat included many activities through the weekend such as talks, testimonies, fellowship, and also free-time for us to enjoy
the great weather we had down in Brown County. Overall, I can truly say that this retreat was by far one of the best experiences
I’ve had in college while attending IUPUI! -Alex Niksch, CSO
14 | St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church Spring 2016
Upcoming Events
Spring 2016
St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church | 15
the Evangelist Catholic Church
“Where Heritage
& Hope Meet”
A beacon of LIGHT for the
City of Indianapolis
Spring 2016
St. John the Evangelist
Catholic Church
126 West Georgia Street
Indianapolis, IN 46225