Compañeros en Cristo Update

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The Rev. Canon John Schramm emailed the following Compañeros en Cristo update on April 29, 2024.

It is with great delight that I send you this message. I heard from Madre Rosa Angélica today. You know that we have sent some money to her on behalf of her parish, San José de la Montaña. St Thomas sent $500 from money they had earmarked for Honduras, and the diocese also sent $500 through Compañeros en Cristo. 

I heard today what Madre Rosa actually did with the money. She hired a bus and took the whole parish to the diocesan retreat center, Muchilena, Omoa. Yesterday the bus took the whole parish and they had mass and teachings in the chapel whose foundations and first structure the Diocese of Northern Indiana began. Then they played games with the children and adults, and went swimming in the ocean nearby. Even the hard-working women who always do the cooking and such were able to spend time in the water. I have pictures appended to this email.

I hardly need to tell you what a blessing to the people of San José this was. These are poor folks, as you know, and a trip by bus to Muchilena and much less the beach on the ocean, these are things they cannot afford. I daresay that this will be a blessing that they will remember for a long time to come. And we can be pleased to think that somewhere along the line they will remember us in Indiana who enabled their priest to give them this blessing. Madre Rosa spent most of the money on the parish and so still lacks $170 for her alb. But I think I have a source from which I can secure this amount. Enjoy the pictures and keep Madre Rosa Angélica and the Church of San José de la Montaña in your prayers.

Diaconal Transitions

Deacon Clay Berkley

Grace and peace be with you in Jesus, the Light for all people!

As I began my eighth year of Episcopal ministry last summer, I entered into a time of discernment regarding possible diaconal transitions.  I would like to share those transitions with you.

Having served at St. David's Elkhart since his ordination in April of 2014, through the challenges of the COVID 19 pandemic and three clergy transitions which included conversations most recently with Father Robert Armidon; Deacon Clay Berkley and I agreed that it was time to discern a new diaconal ministry for him in our diocese.  As of 1 January 2024, Deacon Clay will be assigned to the Cathedral of St. James and become the Missioner for Deacons. His duties will include accompanying me, based on his availability,  on selected visitations especially to those faith communities in our diocese who have not experienced Diaconal Ministry.  This will provide an opportunity to highlight the ministry of Deacons in their unique liturgical role as well as conversation during coffee hour about the various ministries our deacons are engaged in throughout the diocese.  He will also assume a role, yet to be determined, in the EDNIN School for Faith and Ministry, working alongside The Rev. Canon Terri Bays and The Rev. Canon Ted Neidlinger.

I also want to take this opportunity to thank Deacon Anne Wietstock who has served as the Missioner for Deacons since September of 2016. She was elected by her deacon colleagues to serve in this new ministry which I introduced to the diocese. I am grateful for the gifts of her hospitality, compassion and pastoral care for our deacons engaged in various ministry sites throughout the diocese and those in local formation for the diaconate and as well as her service on the Commission on Ministry which will continue.

Deacon Anne and Deacon Clay will work with Dean Brian Grantz and me in discerning how best to serve the Cathedral community and surrounding South Bend community and its needs.

I invite you to uphold both of these faithful servants in your prayer during this time of transition.

Every blessing,

Doug 
(he, him, his)