I know that I have not used this blog effectively, but I do hope to use it as a way of sharing my sabbatical experiences. To that end I submit this first entry detailing some of my plans for the next four months.

   On Easter Sunday, after our parishes last Mass, I begin my sabbatical. My early plans involve visiting with family and friends. It is always good to visit Indy. Although it is harder to call it home since the death of my parents several years ago. Nonetheless, I will gather with my family for Easter and then spend some time travelling with three of my brothers. For those who don't know, I come from a family with ten children. I now have 21 nieces and nephews and 19 great-nieces and nephews. It is quite a clan when we gather together.

    I will spend some time with them before beginning my first "bucket list" item: visiting Presidential Libraries. The first one I will visit is Harry Truman's on April 19, followed by Lincoln's on the 21st or 22nd...That's as far as I've planned right now, but I know I will hit several others over the following three weeks.

   A 6-week trip to Haiti will follow beginning in mid-May. After that, a family weekend in Brown County, and I will close out with three weeks in the Northwest. I am truly blessed to have this opportunity. I thank Lilly Foundation for their generous grant and all of you for allowing me this opportunity to work on my bucket list!

   Updates will happen throughout the sabbatical. Stay tuned!

     The great Feast of Pentecost is upon us. My homily for the weekend is focussing on National Geographic photojournalist, Dewitt Jones', video, "Celebrating What's Right with the World."

     Too often we fail to do that. At least I know that I do. It is so much easier to focus in on the negative...to look at the problems...to look at what is wrong with "them"--whoever "them" is. It is a challenge to see the positive. It is a challenge to see the good, to see what's right.

     Yet, I think that is exactly what the Feast of Pentecost invites us to do. It reminds us of the gifts of the Spirit that are given to the Church. It reminds us that each of us has received some gift from the Spirit as St. Paul says, "for the common good." 

     The feast of Pentecost invites us to search for our gifts...to discover  them...and then to use them for the good of others. Our gifts are not given for us. They are given for the benefit of others.

     Blessed Pope John XXIII once said, "When we die, I think God will ask us only one question, 'What did you do with the gifts that I gave you?'"

     This Pentecost may we use our gifts wisely as we find ways to celebrate what's right with the world. 

   With our celebration of Palm Sunday, we have entered into the Lord's passion. How might we experience the celebration of our faith to the fullest in this holiest of weeks? As I said last Sunday, we have the choice this week to walk with the Lord. What will you choose?

   Will you choose to walk with the Lord on Holy Thursday night? Will you walk with him while he washes the feet of his disciples? Will you choose to walk with him as he celebrates the Last Supper with his friends? Will you spend time in adoration after the liturgy as we begin to keep vigil for Good Friday? Holy Thursday is always a beautiful liturgy. I hope you choose to join us.

   I hope you choose to join us on Good Friday as we hear again of our Lord's passion. This Jesus who showed us how to live now shows us how to die. Will you walk with him the road to Calvary? Will you stand shoulder to shoulder with him as he offers forgiveness to the repentant thief? Will you reverence the cross as a reminder that we too must pick up our crosses and walk with the Lord? And as Good Friday ends I hope that you will choose to keep the fast of that day on into Saturday when I hope you will choose to attend the Easter Vigil.

   The Easter Vigil! Perhaps the greatest celebration of our Church year. Come join us as we light the Easter fire and bless it. Come hear us as we tell the story of our life as God's people. Hear the beautiful story of Creation, the story of Moses, the call to the water...the resurrection. Join us as we welcome some 10 new members into our faith family through the sacraments of initiation. See the joy on their faces as they receive our Lord in the Eucharist for the first time.

   These three days highlight our Church year. I hope you choose to join us!

   It was a joy to celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation with 23 of our young people from the Catholic Community of Jeffersonville. It was also a pleasure to welcome Bishop Christopher Coyne to our parish community as he presided over the Confirmation Mass. It was a joyfilled ceremony and Bishop Coyne challenged our young Church (and indeed all of us) to be on fire with the Spirit in our lives. No matter what our call, we are all challenged to live the Gospel to the fullest using the gifts of the Spirit that belong to us all.

    I want to thank Ann Northam and Barbara Renners and the rest of the Confirmation Team for their hard work in preparing our candidates for this sacrament. I also want to thank all of our parents and sponsors for all that they did to make this day possible. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of our young people. Thanks also to Karen Shadle and all of the musicians for making the music as special as the day itself. Finally, thank you to our candidates for choosing to complete your intitiation in our Church community. Our candidates include: Brooke Abbott, Karoline Bandy, Olivia Bass, Zac Beach, Ashley Carroll, Katie Federspiel, Alex Grove, Robby Harris, Nick Hayes, Riley Hieb, Scott Hoyland, Josh Hughes, Justin Hughes, Brad Koerner, Mary Kate Meyer, Ian Schlosser, Elizabeth Short, Katie Thieman, Nick Thompson, Jordan Ward, Sara Whitten, Kelsey Wright, and Michelle Zelli.

   And if I may echo the bishop's advice about letting God's Spirit be active in your life. Being fully initiated in the Church is not a completion of your involvement in the Church, it is a beginning. Like those early disciples of Jesus you are now sent to help make Christ real in the world. The world needs your enthusiasm and energy. Our parish needs you too! Please don't be strangers now that you are fully initiated in the Church. But may this day be the beginning of a life of prayer and service to God through the Church. God bless you all!

Fr. Tom