Campaign helps parishes reach long-held goals

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein is presented with a plaque during the Sept. 16 dedication of the new parish life center at St. John the Baptist Parish in Dover. Standing in front of the archbishop is parishioner Jim Hountz, chairman of the facility’s building committee. Other members of the committee standing to the side are, from left, Ed Graf, Jamie Graf, Gary Gaynor and Joan Brewer. Standing behind the archbishop are, from left, Ford Cox, master of ceremonies for episcopal ­celebrations, and Father Joseph Feltz, dean of the Batesville Deanery. Father George Plaster, pastor of St. John the Baptist Parish, stands to the archbiship’s left. The plaque ­recognized the committee and the dedication of the parish life center.

By Sean Gallagher

The heart of the Legacy for Our Mission: For Our Children and the Future campaign is placing the ministry of the Church in central and southern Indiana on secure footing for generations to come.

In looking to the future, reaching the campaign’s $100 million goal is an important part.

But it isn’t the only part.

Encouraging Catholics across the archdiocese to grow in gratitude for God’s blessings and to respond by giving generously in time and talent is another key element in making sure that the Church’s mission is carried out now and into the future in the archdiocese.

The members of St. Joseph Parish in St. Leon and St. John the Baptist Parish in Dover heartily embraced these ­elements in their participation in the ­campaign.

Through it, they were able to accomplish goals that they had discussed for many years.

Each parish wanted to construct a parish life center that would facilitate the ministry of their growing faith communities.

Through prayer, sacrifice and a lot of hard work shared together, the parishes were able to fulfill their dreams.

Archbishop Daniel M. Buechlein dedicated both new facilities on Sept. 16.

“Both parishes have been planning for new halls for quite a few years,” said Father George Plaster, pastor of both parishes.

“To see the parishes reach this goal gives a real sense of accomplishment. It’s really been an exciting time for us.”

Wally Kraus was excited as he saw the parish life center go up at St. Joseph Parish, where he is a member.

Kraus, the chairman of the center’s building committee, along with several other parishioners, had desired such a facility, which includes a gymnasium, for a decade.

“I’m elated,” Kraus said. “I think almost everybody else is, too. We can hardly believe it.”

But more than just being excited about having the building completed, Kraus was amazed by how it went up.

Members of the parish made significant financial pledges to pay for its ­construction. They also put their own sweat into the project by volunteering hour after hour of their own labor, putting up drywall, installing floors and hanging cabinets.

“We probably did $75,000 [of] work ourselves in volunteer labor,” Kraus said.

As a result of their efforts, the facility has been named the St. Joseph the Worker Parish Life Center to highlight the sanctity that people can find in ordinary work, Father Plaster said.

“To me, the amazing thing was just watching how the Lord worked through a lot of people,” Kraus said. “I saw everybody pitch in and become a part of this. Just putting the building up brought the parish a lot closer together.”

The same can be said of the parish hall at St. John the Baptist Parish in nearby Dover.

It features a meeting hall, kitchen, bathrooms and a storeroom.

Many parishioners who own ­construction businesses donated their labor to make the parish hall a reality.

“I’ve been in construction for more than 30 years,” said Jim Houtz, a member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Dover and chairman of the parish life center’s building committee.

“These people gave from the heart. I don’t even want to try to think about how much money that [they donated in labor].”

Although it’s been open only a short time, Father Plaster has already seen how the parish hall has affected his parish in Dover.

“The new hall is really an improvement for activities and for the parish as a whole,” he said. “We’ve already had a number of activities there. And so we’re seeing the improvement in the overall running of the parish right away.”

When Hountz looks at the completed parish life center, he sees more than bricks and mortar. He also sees people.

Hountz shared this vision with Father Plaster when, after construction was completed, he was able to give his pastor the key to the building.

“I held the key and I looked at him and told him, ‘This key does not represent the key to a new building. It represents the time and talents and treasures of this parish.’ ” †