St. Jane Frances School closing

Dear Parishioners,

St. Jane Frances has been a great school. I don’t think there’s a better one in the Archdiocese. From it’s inception 72 years ago in 1948 with 3 grades and 105 students under the leadership of 3 School Sisters of Notre Dame, the school grew into one of the largest and finest in the Archdiocese.

When I arrived here in August 2009, the enrollment for the 2008–2009 year was 568. But the stock market crashed in September 2008. It went down 771%, the biggest ever. So people lost their jobs, and enrollment dropped by 30% (171 students).

Naturally, rumors abounded that the school would close. That was never our intention, consideration, or even a thought. As enrollment declined over the next 4 years, the rumors of closure persisted, but we knew that with our faculty and staff, we were strong, vibrant, and viable.

Since then we have had good years and bad years financially, but overall we’ve broken even until this year because of the Covid-19 pandemic. Still we were determined and committed to continue.

However, while enrollment and reenrollment were not so bad, many parents were, because of the pandemic, reluctant to sign up for FACTS (the tuition payment plan). By the end of June, we had approximately 80 students signed up for FACTS and 80 not signed up. Therefore, we would not have the funds to pay the faculty, staff, and the other expenses of the school.

The school, as it was constituted, was no longer viable, so we had to make a decision and let families, faculty, and staff know as soon as possible in order to make other arrangements for the new school year before it was too late.
Our plan is to transition the school to a K-2 to K-4 and eliminate the K to 8 for the time being, in the hope of rebuilding in years to come. Hopefully, that will come to fruition in the not too distant future.

In the meantime, let us pray for all those affected, that God may comfort them in their pain and sorrow, and that good solutions will be found for all concerned.

Fr. Carl

What Can You Do About It?

Dear Parishioners,

I teach a class at Catholic University to seminarians about ministry. They are going into a vocation that is guided by the idea of service to others in their roles as pastors, teachers, and administrators. It is fundamental to our Christian identity and at the heart of evangelization. Christ poured himself out for others. He gave all of his life in the service of others. We are all to follow his example.

In giving to others, most of the time, the other person we are serving is different than us. Maybe they come from a different state with somewhat different cultural norms. Or they are different ages than us, or a different gender and subsequent different outlook on life issues, or their racial background is different than our own. However, an important idea that helps to mediate our service to others is the idea that we are all children of God made in the image of God. I look at the soul as that part of us that contains the fire that God put into it. He has kindled a piece of himself, and it resides in our soul.

Of course, we also manifest God’s likeness. Women, men, children, Asians, African Americans, Caucasians, Hispanics, seniors, youth, babies: we all have been created in the image of God. The idea, I think, means that God goes beyond the color of our skin or the type of hair we have or the language we speak. It goes beyond the habits we engage in due to our culture and background. We all reflect somehow the parentage of God (and this is the miracle only God can perform) just as a child looks a little like both of his or her parents. We, as well, all imitate God somehow in how we are.

This brings me to a risky question. How are you with your Godly sisters and brothers? If we are all children of God, how are you treating and serving others, not just your family but others in your neighborhood? The protests around the country are calling to mind that some of us in this family of God’s children are victims of racism and not being treated justly. I am asking myself where am I with that, and what can I do about it. I ask you the same.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Freedom To Say Something Nice!

Dear Parishioners,

This weekend we celebrate our independence and the many freedoms our ancestors won for us through their courage and persistence in opposing the forces of tyranny. Today, we enjoy freedom of religion, freedom of assembly, and freedom of speech. However, none of these freedoms is absolute. If the press writes something libelous, it can be sued. If a religious sect practiced human sacrifice, the members would be jailed. Freedom of assembly cannot be used to justify treason or mutiny, and freedom of speech cannot be used to maliciously slander a person.

As Catholics, we have several commandments that deal with speech. The second, which deals with the Lord’s name, makes lying under oath not just a crime against the state but a sin against God.
The eighth commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness against your neighbor” has for its immediate focus a lie or falsehood that does injury to one’s neighbor. That’s called slander or calumny. However, the Church teaches that the commandment is broader in scope and lists detraction as a sin against the eighth commandment. Detraction is the unjust violation of the good reputation of another by revealing something true about him when there is no need to do so. It’s gossip, and Pope Francis has spoken out against it many times. In other words, if we cannot speak good of another person, we shouldn’t speak about him/her at all.

This summer, as we socialize with our family and friends, let us refrain from any negative gossip, and build up the reputations of the people we know, the schools our children attend, and the parishes to which we belong. Who knows? Maybe we will start a trend towards a more civil discourse in our society and help heal some of the divisions that threaten the tranquility of our United States

Fr. Carl

Together

Dear Parishioners,

One of the things that I have experienced lately is that of being alone. Even if I go out in public to the grocery store or for a pickup at Target, with a mask on, I feel alone and separate from others. The pandemic has also had an insidious effect on my thinking in that I don’t know if the person who is approaching down the aisle or bringing things to my car is infected or not. I like to trust others and expect good to come from our interaction, but the virus has injected a degree of distrust into things. So, my recent experience has included a little bit more alone time and separation for others. Now I make it up with Zoom family meetings where the 5-year-old hams it up for the camera and makes all the faces she can. Also, I have connected with friends from Indiana online, and this can be personal and up close.

I am reminded that we are a communitarian religion guided by a triune God of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, a God in relationship, expecting us as well to be in relationship. I do not simply relate to God in my own unique way, having a special exclusionary relationship. No, I am a child of God among many, speaking not as a me but as a we. For me, God is less exclusionary and more inclusive. It is not a special club with a secret handshake. I am a part of creation that God pronounced good in Genesis. In Jesus’ final discourse in John (17:22) he says, “And I have given them the glory you gave me so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may be brought to perfection as one…” so we are to be one in Christ. He also makes the point that He is with us, and we are not alone in Matthew (28:20), “And behold I am with you always until the end of the age.” Let us find comfort in our being church together, having a Savior with whom we are one and Who is with us always. There is great solace in these words. May God help us to persevere through these tough times and remember our connectedness with Him and each other.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Mutual Sacrifice

Dear Parishioners,

Life here at St. Jane’s is starting to open up again. Our sinners are returning to confession Saturday afternoon in the Hall. The first weekend of Masses in the church saw an average attendance of 50 at our four Masses. And last weekend, the average was up to 75 per Mass. However, there is plenty of room; with social distancing, we can accommodate 126 individuals and even more if families sit together.

I am particularly pleased with everyone’s support. I have received a number of communications in support of our efforts to bring information and the Mass to you by electronic means. I also appreciate the continued financial support you have given either by online giving or mailing your envelopes to the rectory. Thank you so much.

The month of June is a month when many couples get married. In 1981, Pope St. John Paul II wrote about the connection between married love and the cross. “In the sacrifice which Jesus Christ makes
of himself on the cross for his bride (the church), there is completely revealed that plan which God has imprinted on the humanity of man and woman since creation; the marriage of baptized persons thus becomes a real symbol of the new and eternal covenant sanctioned by the blood of Christ.” In short, married couples are called upon to reflect on Christ’s sacrificial love and incorporate it into their marriage and rise above petty selfishness. As a reminder of their call to mutual sacrifice, it is essential to have a crucifix prominently located in the home, for whatever loving sacrifices a husband or wife may make pales in comparison to our Lord’s sacrifice on Mount Calvary.

Fr. Carl

Challenging Times

Dear Parishioners,

Isn’t it the case that life will always bring surprises.

Notable for me is the fact that astronauts from the US went up in a US rocket to the Space Station. It takes me back to the moon landing years ago when I was much younger. I can remember the grainy, black and white image of Neil Armstrong with his, “One small step for man, one leap for mankind” statement upon setting foot on the moon. The crisp images of the SpaceX launch and docking with the Space Station are a reminder of how far things have come. But also, we are in the midst of yet another death of an African American at the hands of a policeman caught on video. How much longer will racism show its ugly and vile face in our culture? And finally, it seems that the pandemic numbers are decreasing, slowly yet still with fatal consequences. The lower numbers coupled with the opening up of society, churches included, may slowly bring our world a little closer to normalcy. I don’t think however that things will be as they were, but we shall see!

We have been through a great deal of pain and suffering, and hopefully it will lessen. I reflect on these things because our Christianity, our Catholicism, must inform our reaction to the events in which we find ourselves. I believe that Christ came not only to reconcile us with God but to inform our way of life. We are to create with our lives, the city of God, the kingdom of God. I am reminded of the old adage, “may you live in interesting times,” very pertinent for the year 2020. It is also the case that God continues to be present to us and calls us to live out the wisdom of scripture, the virtues of faith, hope, and love, the community and holiness of church, the precept of service to others, and the embodiment of goodness and truth in the life and being of Jesus Christ.

Let us seek out the Holy Spirit as guide and companion as we live our lives in these interesting and challenging times. The mysteries of the universe are still before us, the challenge of treating all with dignity and respect still exists, and the need to care for each other in the light of sickness and death is still our call. God be with us, strengthen us, and lead us to right choices.

Blessings,
Deacon Steve

Welcoming Back Safely

Dear Parishioners,

We are preparing for your return back to St. Jane Frances. We have been busy ordering cleaning supplies, making sure that we are following the health and safety guidelines, and preparing for your arrival when we are able to gather as a large group. Just over two months ago, we had to close our doors to gatherings. We are very excited to welcome our Parish family back.

Even though we are in the planning phases of opening soon, please remember that the state is still under the “Safer at Home” order. If you are in the age range where you are at higher risk, have underlying health conditions, or are uncomfortable with attending public gatherings, Archbishop Lori extended the dispensation from the obligation to attend Mass. We will still be live-streaming Mass at 5:00 pm on Saturday afternoon.

If you are attending Mass, please know that keeping our community safe is our Number 1 priority. When we fully open, we will be asking for your help. Enclosed in the bulletin are some new procedures that I would ask that you become familiar with before we open for Mass. Again, we look forward to welcoming everyone back safely.

Fr. Carl