Catholic school children at St. Mary of the Pines Church in the Diocese of Trenton participated in a Eucharistic procession to the church. The Eucharist and the pilgrims of the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route passed through there in June, en route to Indianapolis. The pilgrims are in Greenfield this weekend.
Pilgrims to make stop here
GREENFIELD — A journey that began in May passes through Greenfield this weekend as its travelers near their destination, the National Eucharistic Congress in Indianapolis. A local procession on Sunday morning is meant to be a highlight of the stop.
Four groups of pilgrims — setting out from north, south, east, and west — have pressed toward Indianapolis. The four routes are named for saints; the group stopping in Greenfield is traveling the St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Route. This caravan began at New Haven, Connecticut, on May 17. It has passed through New York; New Jersey; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; Pennsylvania; West Virginia; and Ohio.
The group of “perpetual pilgrims” selected to travel each route includes a seminarian and several young adult laypeople. Seminarian Christoph Bernas is on the Seton route, along with laypeople Dominic Carstens, Zoe Dongas, Marina Frattaroli, Natalie Garza, Amayrani Higueldo.
Each group carries the Eucharist with it, a consecrated host carried inside a monstrance, an ornate golden vessel. As Catholics reverence the Eucharist as the body and blood of Christ, to travel with the Eucharist is to journey with Jesus.
“… The pilgrimage of Christian life is in fact a Eucharistic procession, because Christ himself accompanies us each day… in the holy Eucharist,” said the Rev. Roger Landry in a post on the pilgrimage blog. Landry has been a priest for 25 years and is chaplain for the Seton Route.
Landry spoke Friday evening at St. Michael Catholic Church, where he and other Seton travelers were welcomed with a dinner. Eucharistic adoration continued overnight with the Eucharist that has been on the journey. The pilgrims were scheduled to work at Hancock County Food Pantry on Saturday morning (July 13).
After the 8 a.m. Mass on Sunday (around 9:20 or 9:30 a.m.), a Eucharistic procession will depart from the parish parking lot and pass through surrounding streets for about three-fourths of a mile before returning to the parking lot.
Landry will also speak at the National Eucharistic Congress, which runs July 17-21 in Indianapolis. This nationwide gathering of Catholics is expected to draw 50,000.
Free dinner is Thursday
CUMBERLAND — St. John United Church of Christ will serve a free community meal from 5-6:30 p.m. Thursday. The church is located at 11910 E. Prospect St. Everyone is welcome.
Information: 317-894-7958, www.stjucc.com
Trio’s concert is Sunday
GREENFIELD — Divinity Trio will be in concert at 4 p.m. Sunday at St. James Lutheran Church, 1741 S. State St.
A free-will offering will be accepted.
Block party to offer supplies, haircuts
GREENFIELD — Realife Church plans a Back to School Block Party from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday (July 13) at Greenfield-Central High School.
It will feature free groceries, free school supplies, free haircuts, free children’s shoes, family photos and lunch. Families will also be able to connect while children play in the Kids Zone.
The event is open to all residents of Hancock County, regardless of background or affiliation. Admission is free, and guests are encouraged to bring their families and friends to participate in the festivities.
For more information about the event or partnership opportunities, send email to [email protected].
McCordsville church to serve dinner
McCORDSVILLE — The next community dinner at McCordsville United Methodist Church will be from 4:30-7 p.m. Saturday (July 13) at the church, 6247 W. Broadway, McCordsville.
Information: mccordsvilleumc.org
Golf outing to aid Love INC
GREENFIELD — Axis Worship Center of New Palestine will sponsor a golf outing Sept. 20 to benefit Love INC.
It will take place at Arrowhead Golf Course, 3974 Clubhouse Drive. Check-in starts at 10 a.m., with a shotgun start at 11.
Cost is $60 per player, which includes 18 holes with cart and a Chick-fil-A meal.
Hole sponsorships are available for $100. Volunteers are needed for the event.
Information: 463-266-8028
Next concert in series is July 27
MOHAWK — The Music at Mohawk concert series continues from 6-8 p.m. July 27 with acoustic duo Patchwork outside Mohawk United Methodist Church, 2045 W. CR 400N, Greenfield.
Husband-and-wife duo Rick and Holly Garrett play guitar, fiddle, mandolin, and hammered and mountain dulcimers. They bring a mixture of traditional and contemporary folk music. They also perform oldies, gospel, bluegrass and original music.
Concertgoers are encouraged to bring lawn seating such as blankets or chairs, and may bring food and non-alcoholic drinks. A tip jar will be out for the audience to show appreciation and offset costs.
Concerts take place at the church’s west lawn and shelter house. Parking is available in the south church parking lot, with parking for people with disabilities west of the church.
Restrooms are available, and children can play on the church playground.
The series concludes with The Occasional Blues Band Plus on Aug. 17. Besides blues, the group also plays gospel blues, 1960s Motown and some classic rock, jazz and country.
