October 2023
In this email we bring you our continuing monthly series of blogs written by our seminarians. We hope you find their writings spiritually uplifting and educational.
Seminarian reflects on creating a woodcarving
of the parable of the prodigal son
Archbishop Thompson blesses seminarian Noah Sherman's woodcarving of the prodigal son
The thing that I looked forward to the most before I started making this image was the chance to spend dedicated time with the parable; a parable which has been so central to my own spiritual growth. As it has had such an impact on me, I wanted to outline that aspect of the parable which I have found to be most profound. Namely, the relationship of the father with both of his sons.
The main focus of the image is taken up with the joy of the younger son returning to the father. On either side are two servants, one bearing the father’s gifts and the other leading the fattened calf. Not only would the father return everything thing to his son, but he would even hold an elaborate feast in sheer joy that his son had returned.
On the far left of the image is the older son, watching from a distance as his brother returned from the dead. While the sin of the younger son was running away from the father’s love, the sin of the older son is never accepting that love in the first place. He is not only of the mindset that he is able to earn his father’s love, but that he must earn his father’s love.
It was my hope that all who meditate on the Gospel through this image might come to a more profound understanding of how they are a beloved by the Father. A Father who will do anything for them, regardless of whether they have been spending their life wading through sin, or working tirelessly thinking that the Father’s love must be earned.
Noah Sherman is a Bruté seminarian studying for the Archdiocese of Indianapolis and a member of the Class of 2025.
Seminarians Celebrate Parents and Pastors Weekend on September 16
Castle Nights
Castle Nights are opportunities for high school men to join the Bishop Bruté College Seminary Community for prayer, a meal, and conversation with our college seminarians!
Here is the upcoming schedule of Castle Nights:
October 18
November 15
January 17, 2024
If you know a young man that might be interested in attending, more information and registration can be found here.
Pray for our Seminarians
Please pray for our Bruté Seminarians. Find a printable version of this prayer card on our website.
Save the date for the 2024 Legacy Gala
Join us on February 9 for the fourth annual Archdiocese of Indianapolis Legacy Gala benefitting Catholic Charities, Catholic Schools and Bishop Simon Bruté College Seminary.
Qualified Charitable Distribution
Do you own an IRA? Are you 70 ½ or older? Maximize your giving impact and personal tax benefits at the same time! Consider supporting your favorite parish, school, or agency through an IRA qualified charitable distribution (QCD) gift.
For those eligible, this is often the most tax-advantageous way to charitably give each year, even if you don’t itemize:
- Tax-free giving – directly from your IRA to your favorite Church ministries (up to $100,000/year)
- Count towards RMD - satisfy your required minimum distribution for the year (for those 73+)
- Lower taxable income – even if you don’t itemize deductions, as QCDs don’t count as income
- Planned giving - conducive to annual giving all-at-once or strategically throughout the year
Learn more at www.archindy.org/IRAdonation or call (317) 236-1482 for questions or help. Please contact your IRA custodian for any specific forms/steps they may require.
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For more information
- If you wish to contact Bruté Rector Fr. Joe Moriarty, you can reach him at jmoriarty@archindy.org or call 317-924-4100.
- To inquire about donating to Bruté, please contact Ellen Sanders at esanders@archindy.org or call 317-236-1501.