Miter Society membership continues strong growth

Tom and Caitlin Landrigan, members of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis, kneel in prayer during the annual Miter Society Mass on May 2 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis. The society’s membership is made up of Catholics in central and southern Indiana who have contributed at least $1,500 to the “Christ Our Hope: Compassion in Community” annual appeal. (Photos by Sean Gallagher) Click for a larger version.

By Sean Gallagher

The strong growth of the Miter Society was highlighted during its annual Mass celebrated on May 2 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, and the reception that followed across the street at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center.

The Miter Society is a group of Catholics across central and southern Indiana who contribute at least $1,500 to the “Christ Our Hope: Compassion in Community” annual appeal.

In 2010, there were 664 members of the Miter Society who contributed $1.6 million. In 2011, that number rose to 763 members, a growth of 15 percent. The current Miter Society members are spread across 110 parishes in the archdiocese, which is approximately 75 percent of the parishes in central and southern Indiana.

Those 763 current members contributed a combined $1.9 million to Christ Our Hope.

Bishop Christopher J. Coyne, apostolic administrator and the principal celebrant of the Miter Society Mass, told the 180 members gathered that he is grateful that they have “used what God has given you … for the greater good, for the sake of others, for the sake of the kingdom, for the sake of salvation for yourselves and hopefully others, to bring them closer to Christ.”

That happens concretely, Bishop Coyne later explained during his remarks at the reception, through the appeal’s support of Catholic education, Catholic Charities, the formation of future priests and deacons, and the care of retired priests.

John and Dottie Soller, longtime members of the Miter Society and St. Joseph Parish in Shelbyville, attended the group’s Mass for the first time this year.

Dottie, who recently retired after working for 52 years as a registered nurse, spoke before the Mass about her deep conviction to support the Church.

“When our eight children were growing up, we were sort of desperate,” Dottie said. “But I told John that we needed to increase our donation to the Church. And he said, ‘We don’t have any more to increase.’ And I said, ‘Well, that’s why we need to increase it. We just need to see if God will really not let you outgive him.’ And it was true.”

Tom and Caitlin Landrigan also attended the Mass. The couple, who have been married for three years, are similarly convinced that helping to fulfill the Church’s mission through giving is an important part of their lives of faith.

“I think particularly that in these times, especially with the political and economic climate that we’re in, it’s that much more important to support the Church,” said Caitlin, who along with her husband, is a member of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish in Indianapolis. “And seeing on how many fronts she’s being attacked, we need to be supportive. And it’s nice to see people coming forward.”

Stephen and Diane Keucher, members of St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Bloomington, have been very involved in their faith community for years. And their son, Michael, is an archdiocesan seminarian.

All of this helps them to appreciate the wide and varied ministries in central and southern Indiana supported by Christ Our Hope.

“We’ve both been involved in the nitty gritty levels of parish life, with finances and things like that,” Diane said before the Mass. “And so we know how difficult it is to make things work. These last few years [with the tough economy] have been particularly challenging for the archdiocese.”

At the same time, Diane was encouraged by the broad and growing membership in the Miter Society.

“It’s very reaffirming and uplifting to know that there are people who make the sacrifices that they do for the Church,” she said. “It’s good to come to things like this, and meet different people because people serve the Church in so many ways.”

Deacon candidate Ronald Pirau, a member of SS. Francis and Clare of Assisi Parish in Greenwood, is a member of the Miter Society who attended the Mass.

Over the nearly six years that he has been involved in the archdiocese’s deacon formation program, he has become well acquainted with the many ministries supported by Christ Our Hope. He has also met many of the Miter Society members who support them so generously.

“I find it very humbling,” said Pirau about Christ Our Hope’s support of the deacon formation program. “People are giving very generously from their heart to enable this ministry to continue. Having such a wide representation [in the Miter Society] is very inspiring.”

Bishop Coyne summarized the gratitude of many people present at the Miter Society Mass in remarks made during the reception.

“Everything we have comes from God,” he said. “We acknowledge that and thank God by our giving back. You are carrying out the Church’s mission in your parish and our archdiocese by your support of the annual Christ Our Hope appeal and by joining the Miter Society.”
 

(For more information on the “Christ Our Hope: Compassion in Community” annual appeal and the Miter Society, log on to www.archindy.org/ChristOurHope.) †