Landscape Maintenance and Beautification Ministry
Serving as Faithful Stewards of Our Parish Grounds
Lucy Bedwell loves to be outside and spend time in the garden. When she sees something out of order on the parish grounds, she takes care of it. So, this led to an idea — why not start a committee of other people who also care about our outdoor spaces? So, the Landscape Maintenance and Beautification Ministry was born.
“This committee is in charge of edging beds, weeding, planting flowers, spreading mulch, trimming shrubs, picking up trash, and anything to make our grounds inviting,” Lucy says.
Some parishioners live with a smaller yard and no garden, so this ministry serves as an outlet for them to enjoy gardening. It’s also a fantastic stewardship opportunity for people who don’t have much extra time. Even an hour of weeding can make a big difference.
While this ministry is in its infancy, Lucy looks forward to seeing it grow and develop. About 40 people showed interest as part of the Stewardship Renewal — there were even several young parishioners who signed up to be involved.
“This is perfect for those who like to be outside and
continued on back cover
may / june / july 2023
Lucy Bedwell enjoys helping with landscaping tasks at St. Jude
Mothers and Stewardship
We celebrate the month of Mary during May, and during this month, we also celebrate Mother’s Day. It seems fitting that we honor our mothers during May, since Mary is given to us by God as the example of true Christian motherhood.
Those who are called to be mothers have been blessed by God and called to fulfill a very important responsibility. Mothers are the vehicle through which God brings new life into this world. When we talk about Christian stewardship, we talk about sacrificially returning to God what we have been given. What can more clearly be a demonstration of complete sacrifice than the relationship between mother and child during the nine months of growth in the womb? During these nine months, the child’s life depends on the actions of the mother as her energy and nourishment goes directly to the growing baby.
Although this relationship may change to some extent after the child is born, a mother’s sacrifice for her child is far from over after the birth. The role of the mother is critical in the child’s development — both spiritually and physically — throughout life. Mothers provide the comfort, nurture and support necessary for their children to become productive citizens and responsible Christians.
The job of a mother is not an easy one. This is a fact that Mary, the mother of Jesus, knew very well. She worried when her young Son appeared to be lost, only to find Him later in His Father’s house. She was probably concerned as Jesus began His public ministry — not knowing what difficulties and rejections He would encounter along the way. And, Mary must have experienced great anguish as she watched her Son’s body being crucified to a cross.
May all mothers look to Mary as their model for motherhood and ask her intercession as they strive to fulfill their God-given role in their children’s lives. During the month of May, let us all take some time to express our appreciation to our mothers for allowing us to come into this world, for loving us, and for serving as an example of what it means to be a steward for life.
2
A LETTER FROM OUR PASTOR
Honoring Our Lady in May
Dear Parishioners,
May is Mary’s month. For centuries, Catholics throughout the world have included special devotions to the Blessed Mother in their activities during May. Best known, I’m sure, is the widespread and ever-popular practice of crowning an image of Our Lady with flowers during the month.
May is a beautiful month, full of renewal and hope. The March winds and the April showers have done their work, and the spring flowers are in bloom. Even though the earliest signs of spring have passed, May doesn’t quite have the look or feel of summer. It is spring at its finest! And it’s not only the flowers or trees that show new life in May. For many students, May is the month to prepare for graduations, and these students will soon move on to new phases in their lives.
And of course, May is a month of joy for all of us who claim the Church as our spiritual home. We spend the whole month this year in the Easter season, which closes with Pentecost on May 28. The joy of the Resurrection, the glory of the Ascension, and the
descent of the Holy Spirit are the themes that fill our Christian calendar.
But as we rejoice with Mary at her Son’s triumph over sin, Satan, and death, we remember her faithfulness to God’s will throughout her life. Indeed, she can be viewed as the model Christian steward. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops pointed to her in its pastoral letter on stewardship: “After Jesus, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary who by her example most perfectly teaches the meaning of discipleship and stewardship in their fullest sense”
(Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, 41).
Let us follow her example of total dedication to God as we rejoice in the blessings He gives us this month!
In Christ, Fr. Peter Marshall Pastor
“After Jesus, it is the Blessed Virgin Mary who by her example most perfectly teaches the meaning of discipleship and stewardship in their fullest sense”
(Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, 41).
3
RCIA: Coming Home
When someone starts to seriously inquire about the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults (RCIA), they quickly learn that this is not a program — this is a process. Becoming a full member of the Catholic Church is a decision that one doesn’t take lightly. Catholics believe the entirety of Church teachings, so the process of becoming Catholic might seem daunting. But thanks to a dedicated team, those attending RCIA classes learn the important aspects of the faith and have a safe place to ask questions.
Theresa Summons has been attending RCIA classes since the fall. Her son began attending St. Jude last year, and with the wonderful experiences he has had at the school and seeing the joy that the faith brings to his peers, he asked to be baptized and receive the sacraments. Between the interest of her son and the warm welcome that they have experienced at the parish, Theresa began attending the RCIA classes.
“The most important thing the program has brought is a safe space to ask questions,” Theresa says. “I never feel like my questions are forbidden or that I am wrong to question certain teachings. The speakers have given me
a thread of knowledge that I can pull to continue reading and growing within the faith.”
The classes take place on Thursday evenings for two hours, following a schedule of three weeks in a row, and then take a week off. Classes follow the curriculum of the This Is Our Faith book. Each meeting has a speaker who comes in to talk about the topic being covered that week. After that, there is an opportunity for discussion in
continued on page 5
“For those are considering starting RCIA, I would encourage them to just do it. It is never too late and there is no pressure if you find that it isn’t right for you. In the end, you will be glad you dedicated the time to yourself.”
4
(Front row, from left) Jan Harris, sponsor; Joyce Roell, team member; Kellie Kriech, catechumen; Vivian Combs, candidate; Theresa Summons, catechumen; Tammy Stewart, team member; (back row, from left) Herb McClain, candidate; Caryn Hudspeth, team member; John Stewart, team member; Bradd Stoops, catechumen; David Meece, candidate (not pictured — Nick Banks, candidate)
— Theresa summons
Home to the Catholic Church
small groups. Different ministries at the parish also come in and share about their ministries and provide a snack for those in attendance. This allows the candidates and catechumens to meet others within the parish and learn more about the different opportunities to get involved in the community.
Herb McClain started his journey through RCIA this year when he was looking for answers and an understanding of the Catholic faith.
“I was lost in my beliefs,” he says. “Having married a Catholic woman and attending Mass, I started finding answers. So I decided to take the step. The classes have been great and they have such strong speakers. It has been great going through this with the others in our classes and it has been an enlightening journey.”
This year, there are three catechumens. Catechumens are those who have never been baptized and will receive the Sacraments of Baptism, First Communion, and Confirmation at the Easter Vigil. The tradition of catechumens coming into the church at the Easter Vigil is a tradition that began in the very early years of the church.
Five candidates are going through the RCIA process this year. Candidates have been baptized but have not received their other sacraments. They will receive the other sacraments of initiation at a special Mass at Sts. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis in June.
Tammy Stewart has been co-directing the RCIA classes for the last couple of years.
“During this process, some decide that they need more time before receiving their sacraments and that is completely acceptable,” she says. “It is such an honor and a joy to walk alongside the candidates and catechumens as they go through this process. It is special to see the Holy Spirit working in them.”
“For those who are considering starting RCIA, I would
encourage them to just do it,” Theresa adds. “It is never too late and there is no pressure if you find that it isn’t right for you. In the end, you will be glad you dedicated the time to yourself.”
The catechumens and candidates are looking forward to receiving their sacraments at the Easter Vigil and the Mass in June. The parish is blessed to have a dedicated team to lead the participants through the RCIA process.
5
Kellie Kriech, Caryn Hudspeth and Theresa Summons
Joyce Roell, Heb McClain, Jan Harris and Bradd Stoops
Join Us at the Parish Festival Opportunity to Grow in Community and Service this June
This year’s St. Jude Parish Festival will take place from June 1 to 3. Offering plenty in the way of carnival rides, food, Bingo, Monte Carlo, children’s games, live music, and much more, the Parish Festival is a community-wide event that strives to bring people together.
Scott Strother is the Chairperson for the 2023 event. A parishioner at St. Jude since he was in the sixth grade, Scott has been attending the festivals since he was a child. For him, it is a way to be a part of the community. He was delighted when he was asked a few years ago to take on a larger role in planning and managing the festival.
“This festival started as a way to bring the community together, not just for Catholics, but everybody in our local community,” Scott says. “When you bring people in and they have a good time, it helps them feel welcome and allows them to see what we do as a parish.”
A primary mission for the event has been to help parishioners and community members get to know
one another. Over the years, it has turned into so much more. It is a chance to live out the call to stewardship by volunteering time and talent to help serve the community.
“Christ was a servant leader and this festival offers the opportunity for parishioners to follow in His footsteps,” Scott says. “I try to do my best to be involved in the parish, always helping where I can. I strive to grow my community through my joy and my love of the church. Volunteering helps bring us closer to our community and Christ.”
This festival is a major commitment for the parish and it takes the time and talent of many people in order to make it a reality. There are many different ways to get involved and Scott encourages everyone to find some time to help out.
“There is something for everyone to help with,” Scott says. “Setup and teardown of the festival, trash cleanup, or working one of the many booths at the festival are just a few of the ways you can help.”
If you are interested in getting involved with the 2023 Parish Festival, please reach out to the parish office at 317-786-4371.
6
“This festival started as a way to bring the community together, not just for Catholics, but everybody in our local community. When you bring people in and they have a good time, it helps them feel welcome and allows them to see what we do as a parish.”
7
— scoTT sTroTher
5353 McFarland Rd.
Indianapolis, IN 46227
(317) 786-4371
www.stjudeindy.org
MASS SCHEDULE
Weekend Mass
Saturday Anticipation — 4:00 p.m.
Sunday — 7:30 a.m., 10:00 a.m.
Weekday Mass
Monday/Wednesday/Friday — 8:30 a.m.
Tuesday/Thursday — 6:00 p.m.
Holy Day Mass
See Bulletin
Sacrament of Reconciliation
Tuesday/Thursday — 5:00-5:45 p.m.
Saturday — 3:00-3:45 p.m.
Anytime by appointment
Landscape Maintenance and Beautification Ministry
garden,” Lucy says. “Even if you just have a few minutes, we will take you.”
Lucy has observed that many places around our community and nation look like no one cares — she doesn’t want that for St. Jude.
“I want people to drive by here and say, ‘Wow, people take care of this church, and they care,’” she says. “I want to give it that extra touch.”
A member of St. Jude for more than 40 years, Lucy has done everything from serving on the Parish Council to working with the St. Vincent de Paul Society. This ministry combines her love for working with people and gardening. When Lucy reflects on her time with this ministry, she remembers a quote
continued from front cover
by St. Augustine — “whatever you do, do it well, and you have praised God.”
As a visual person, Lucy knows this ministry is a good fit for her, and it will make a difference at St. Jude.
“Truth, beauty, and goodness — those are the hallmarks of the Christian ethos,” she says. “Everybody innately knows what is beautiful. When we have an outdoor space that is beautiful, that will inevitably lead people to God.”
Lucy also knows this ministry will help parishioners meet other parishioners, which is important to build community here at our parish.
“People can work alongside other people outside in nature,” she says. “What can be better than that?”
To get involved in the Landscape Maintenance and Beautification Ministry, contact Lucy Bedwell at lebedwell@sbcglobal.net or 317-491-3962.
