GARY – Close to 200 Catholic faithful from the Diocese of Gary, many inspired by their participation at this summer’s National Eucharistic Congress, gave up extra sleep, a leisurely breakfast and that extra cup of coffee on Saturday, Aug. 17 to don their work clothes and lend a hand to those in need.
Dubbed a Day of Service, the diocese reached out to brighten an already sunny morning with service projects at six sites that made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people and had a ripple effect throughout Northwest Indiana.
Before they set out, the volunteers received a special blessing from Bishop Robert J. McClory at a Eucharistic Revival Day of Service Mass celebrated at the Cathedral of the Holy Angels. “Today we are going to be in action, serving others,” said the bishop in his homily. “But as Pope Benedict reminded us, ‘Remember also to give them the look of love that they crave.’ Thanks for coming here today … so that the mercy of Christ can shine.”
Bishop McClory then joined a group of volunteers who cooked and served a bountiful brunch to the 200 residents of the Carolyn Mosby Tower senior apartment community just blocks from the cathedral.
“I retired in June, and I attended Diocesan Day at the Eucharistic Congress, which was very inspiring,” said brunch volunteer Judy Kujawa of Our Lady of Sorrows in Valparaiso. “I now have lots of time to volunteer and it is so rewarding and fulfilling to perform services for others, putting my time to better use for the Lord, and sharing my blessings.”
Michelle Hudson, the resident council president who set up the brunch with the diocese, said she is “happy and excited” to welcome volunteers to the high-rise apartment building. “I enjoy doing different things for the residents.”
At Sojourner Truth House just a few blocks north in Gary, head of facilities Jermaine Chandler supervised a group of volunteers weeding the vegetable garden that grows produce for food pantry clients that line up weekly at the women’s resource center. “We love that we have volunteers who tend to the garden,” he said. “When our clients see how beautiful the garden looks, they are encouraged about gardening for themselves; I’d love to start a gardening class.”
Inside the food pantry, volunteers were stocking shelves and filling bags with canned goods and other nonperishables for the next distribution. “This food pantry is so organized, which makes it easier to serve the people,” said volunteer Adrienne Grabovac of Sacred Heart in Whiting.
At St. John-St. Joseph Cemetery in Hammond, Day of Service participants spruced up landscaping around memorial markers in one of the older sections of the sacred grounds.
St. Joseph parishioner Zachary Dotson joined Deacon Duane Dedelow in leveling the soil near a tomb and said rediscovering his Catholic faith reminded him of a key belief among the faithful. “Sometimes we fall into the thinking when we see headstones that they are just that, but we kind of forget the people that they represent,” explained Dotson. “We’re coming and paying our respects for those who have fallen asleep before us.
“We’re saying a little prayer for everyone, especially when we see the graves of a lot of young people,” said Dotson, a young professional who coordinates donation drives for the St. Joseph Soup Kitchen in downtown Hammond,
Heidi Szrom joined her husband, Rob Szrom, working with the crew from Lakeshore Valparaiso, a landscaping firm that they own. “There was a mention of this (project) at a service,” said Heidi Szrom, a Queen of All Saints, Michigan City, parishioner. “You help out where you can. When I heard the mention of landscaping, I thought this is what we do; we can do this.”
At the Missionaries of Charity convent in Gary, a flurry of activity surrounded the usual ministry coordinated by the resident nuns. Some volunteers filled grocery bags for the food pantry they operate, while others helped with outdoor beautification efforts.
“This is a chance for me to work on my corporal and spiritual works of mercy,” said Elizabeth Ring of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary parish in New Chicago. “We’ve already made some great connections here. I teach confirmation class and I’m going to bring my students here to do some service work.”
Ring added, “It makes you feel good when you can help other people. We know this food is going to people who need it.”
Also espousing St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta’s approach of “doing small things with great love,” a crew of Day of Service volunteers from St. John the Evangelist set up a grill and refreshment table, while fellow parishioners Frank Villareal and Kimberly Yekel applied a protective stain to a fence surrounding the sisters’ home.
A group of four volunteers were greeted at the Meals on Wheels Northwest Indiana headquarters in Merrillville by Dan Rueter, facility and logistics manager, who shared that the organization recently received grant money to purchase new Igloo coolers to help with the transportation of hot lunches to the elderly and homebound.
Rueter went on to provide some details about the daily operations of Meals on Wheels as the volunteers unpacked, tagged and labeled each of the more than 50 coolers for their designated routes.
“On an average day we have 26-30 volunteer routes and that’s just for driving,” he said. “We also have kitchen volunteers each and every day. It’s vital to our organization that we keep things running smoothly, and we couldn’t get it done without the help of volunteers.”
“I used to help deliver in Lake County before I moved,” said volunteer Michael Fish, of Michigan City. “It’s a big operation, and they do a great job.”
Fish said he enjoyed helping the clients, many of whom are single and live in food deserts (areas that have limited access to affordable and nutritious food).
Cathy Beiriger, parishioner at St. Joseph in Dyer, was also familiar with the Meals on Wheels program since several elderly neighbors had received assistance.
“I know a lot of people who depend upon this food,” she said. “My one neighbor in Merrillville got the frozen foods, and it was really nice that she could just take it out when she needed it. It’s a worthy cause.”
Chesterton resident Lynda Sandoval was inspired to sign up for the Day of Service after attending the National Eucharistic Congress. “It was a little overwhelming with all the people,” said Sandoval, a parishioner at St. Patrick. “I know we have Catholics everywhere, but for all of them to come together was special.”
Tom Koll grew up in Chicago but moved to Crete, Ill. about five years ago and joined Holy Name of Jesus in Cedar Lake where he enjoys being active. “The first time I went there I just felt so welcomed,” he said. “It was an unbelievable feeling, and I became more and more involved as time went on.”
Back at the cathedral, more volunteers filled hundreds of tote bags with donated toiletries and personal care products to be distributed to the homeless, shelter residents and migrant farm workers, while others spruced up the grounds.
Three team leaders, Anna Gonzalez, Felicitas Villa and Juana Enriquez, are beginning a new migrant outreach ministry that plans to establish an ongoing relationship with the three migrant farms in the diocese, bringing needed material items, including food and clothing, to dozens of workers in Hobart, Lowell and Knox, as well as reaching out with Masses, prayers services and Bible study classes to meet their spiritual needs.
“I didn’t expect this many people to turn out,” said Gonzalez. “It’s great to see others from my parish, and entire families, and I’m excited to set up a relationship with the migrants. It gives me hope that we can provide services for migrant workers and the homeless more than once a year, and not meet just their external needs, but their internal needs, too.”
Rosanne Kouris, Day of Service organizer for the Office of Missionary Discipleship and Evangelization, explained the event’s purpose: “This was a great time to put our faith into action. So many of our hearts have been moved by the Lord as we participated in the various Eucharistic Revival events taking place over the summer.
“But our love for Jesus isn't meant to be just for us,” she added. “Jesus gives us the Holy Spirit, stirring our souls like the apostles on the first Pentecost, in order for us to go ‘out in the streets’ to witness to Christ. The Day of Service gave us the opportunity not only to witness to Christ in love and action, but to do it, again like the apostles, in community.” with each other. Also, the service projects we are working on are meant to be fun and safe for all.
Caption: At the Missionaries of Charity convent in Gary (left to right) Dolores Little, Elizabeth Ring and Lynda Klekowski pack pinto beans for distribution to food pantries during the diocesan Day of Service on Aug. 17. Dozens of area faithful assisted in charitable endeavors putting faith into action as part of the National Eucharistic Revival implementation. (Anthony D. Alonzo photo)