Proud To Be Catholic

My wife and I had the privilege to represent the Diocese of Gary at a Deacon conference in Texas in April. This annual meeting provides updates on the status of the Diaconate in our country, with talks given by national speakers and a representative of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops.

What struck me the most at the meeting was hearing of the various ways our Catholic Church is trying to help the marginalized through its evangelization and ministry efforts.

Know that you can be proud that our diocese is in sync with these efforts, and that our Deacons provide many types of similar outreach to those in need.

Examples include, but are not limited to: prison ministry, work with the migrant farm workers, work at nursing homes and hospitals in conjunction with parishes, and the Stella Maris Ministry.

Perhaps you do not know about the Stella Maris ministry. We have one Deacon in the Diocese who minsters to workers on cargo ships that dock in Northwest Indiana ports, providing spiritual and other support as needed.

At the conference, I heard about a fascinating ministry that has existed for many years in our country that I never knew about. There is a group of priests and deacons that work to answer the spiritual needs of circus employees, carnival employees, and traveling acts, such as Cirque Du Soleil. Oftentimes, these talented workers are looked down upon with a prejudiced eye due to the transient nature of their lives. Sixty percent of these employees are Catholic, numbering around 350,000, yet they often have to go unchurched due to their traveling. The Catholic Church is the only faith-based organization that minsters to their spiritual needs.

When I heard this, I was left with a sense of wonder and awe at how intentional our Church is by welcoming and helping all of God’s people. I was very proud to hear about such outreach, and I am sure you are as well. 



By: Deacon Tom Gryzbek