When Anita Bardo and Felix Navarrete discussed the possibility of offering the first-ever archdiocesan-sponsored evangelization retreat in both English and Spanish, they never imagined the overwhelming success it would have.

When Lisa Gray recalls her most memorable moments from walking the Camino this past spring, she quickly focuses on the scenes involving two travelers, one Ukrainian and the other Russian.

After Pope Francis opened a Jubilee Year dedicated to hope in December of 2024, Merci McCoy began her “pilgrimage of hope” in Corpus Christi, Texas. And it continued north through several churches in the U.S., crossed an ocean to St. Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican and other European churches, and landed in late December at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral in Indianapolis, a jubilee site in the archdiocese where people could receive a plenary indulgence during the Jubilee Year of Hope.

As in years past, Fox 59 in Indianapolis will again broadcast SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral’s 10 p.m. Christmas Eve Mass beginning at midnight.

When the archdiocese purchased a farm in the southeast corner of Indianapolis in 1947 to develop a parish, it was decided the livestock barn would be converted for use as the church. Christ would become present at Mass where animals used to shelter. What better name for the parish than Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, an homage to the Savior’s birth in a Bethlehem stable.

Queridos hermanas y hermanos en Cristo: Aunque las narraciones del nacimiento de Jesús se encuentran en los Evangelios de Mateo y Lucas, es el comienzo del Evangelio de Juan el que nos da a entender el verdadero significado de la Navidad; a saber:

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ, While the narratives of Jesus’ birth are found in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke, it is the beginning of the Gospel of John that we are given to understand the true meaning of Christmas, namely:

The Church’s current Jubilee Year of Hope is scheduled to come to an end on Jan. 6 when the feast of the Epiphany will be celebrated in Rome. Although it’s ending and another ordinary jubilee year won’t take place until 2050, many members of Holy Spirit Parish in Indianapolis hope to continue to experience the effects of this jubilee year and share it with others for years to come.

It began in the archdiocese on Dec. 29, 2024, with a prayer service at the Archbishop Edward T. O’Meara Catholic Center, followed by a procession across the street for Mass at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, both in Indianapolis. Father James Brockmeier, rector of the cathedral, opened the 2025 “Pilgrims of Hope” Jubilee year.

The Christmas liturgical schedules for SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis, and the Archabbey Church of Our Lady of Einsiedeln of Saint Meinrad Archabbey, 101 Hill Drive, in St. Meinrad, are as follows:

Sixth in an occasional series After another day of walking during their 600-mile pilgrimage on the Camino, Peter and Christina Rosario were bone-tired one evening when they faced a disheartening reality. As they entered the town where they planned to sleep that night, they learned that the hostel for pilgrims there was already full. And the next hostel in the next town was another 2 1/2 miles away.

Every parent has their own list of criteria for judging whether a movie is appropriate for viewing with their child at a given age.

In November, the Vatican shared the favorite films of Pope Leo XIV as he prepared for a meeting with a group of Hollywood actors and directors.

Earlier this year, a group of young Catholics shared their “Official List of 100 Movies Every Catholic Should See.”

Here are the movies that Phil Thompson featured in his book, Lights in the Darkness: Exploring Catholic Themes in Twelve Extraordinary Films:

Phil Thompson doesn’t cry easily. but his tears flowed when he watched the movie The Spitfire Grill, the redemption story of a young woman who gets out of prison and seeks a home and healing. Thompson’s tears turned to cheers while watching The Lord of the Rings trilogy, savoring the fellowship, drama and adrenaline of a classic battle between good and evil.

The following Masses and special events for the feast day of Our Lady of Guadalupe throughout central and southern Indiana were reported to The Criterion.

Fifth in an occasional series Before the four friends began their journey on the Camino, they all embraced the succinct advice that Jane Blanchard shared in her book, Women of the Way: Embracing the Camino. “Don’t come to the Camino looking for answers,” Blanchard advised. “Come with an open heart.”

Elizabeth Yetter had reached a breaking point—getting the kind of devastating news that would challenge nearly all of us, leaving her shaken and scared. She had long tried to take care of her health, staying active by walking and exercising. Then came a time when she felt exhausted just doing her regular chores.

The Archdiocese of Indianapolis has made a name for itself in the Church in the U.S. It hosts more large national Catholic events than any other diocese in the country.