October 9, 2009

Letting our faith ‘SHINE’

Kitty Fischer, at left, the parish council president at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, rakes weeds and dirt away from a curb on Oct. 3 near Holy Trinity Church in the Indianapolis West Deanery. She was among more than 400 volunteers who helped clean some of the streets in the near west side neighborhood as part of the Parish Partners volunteer effort with St. Barnabas, St. Anthony and Holy Trinity parishioners of all ages. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

Kitty Fischer, at left, the parish council president at St. Matthew the Apostle Parish in Indianapolis, rakes weeds and dirt away from a curb on Oct. 3 near Holy Trinity Church in the Indianapolis West Deanery. She was among more than 400 volunteers who helped clean some of the streets in the near west side neighborhood as part of the Parish Partners volunteer effort with St. Barnabas, St. Anthony and Holy Trinity parishioners of all ages. (Photo by Mary Ann Wyand)

On Oct. 1, the Archdiocese of Indianapolis kicked off a yearlong ministry of social renewal, which is known by the acronym SHINE—which stands for “Spreading Hope in Neighborhoods Everywhere.” In this effort, every Catholic in the archdiocese is being called to a life of service, to make a difference in the lives of others.

The kickoff event at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis attracted more than 600 participants from parishes, schools, agencies and institutions throughout central and southern Indiana.

Through SHINE, archdiocesan leaders are shaping the next 12 months as a celebration and renewal of our local Church’s commitment to serve others in need. It’s the archdiocese’s response to Pope Benedict XVI’s call for the Church to respond with a universal revitalization of its ministries of charity.

The Catholic Charities-led initiative began with a daylong series of keynote speakers and workshops on Oct. 1 designed to further equip our archdiocese for the social mission of the Church.

News stories from the event:

Photos from the event:

Web Links:

 

(For more information about “Spreading Hope in Neighborhoods Everywhere,” log on to the Web site at www.spreadinghopeeverywhere.com.) †

Local site Links: