Mission Integration Message

When I wrote about the value of Zeal last spring, it was in between the death of Pope Francis and the election of our current pope, Pope Leo XIV. In that newsletter, I shared my thoughts on how Pope Francis, through his shepherding of the Church for 12 years and the example he lived, led a life full of zeal. Today I am struck by another example of zeal.

As I type this, I am watching Pope Leo address the 2025 National Catholic Youth Conference gathered here in Indianapolis. What an amazing moment as Pope Leo is having a live conversation with the thousands of youth gathered at the conference (and those of us watching online), answering direct questions from young Catholics seeking to grow in their faith and having the desire to bring the Gospel to others. During his remarks, Pope Leo asked those in attendance and those watching to reflect on three questions: What can I offer the Church for the future? How can I help others come to know Christ? How can I build peace and friendship around me? Not to put words in the Holy Father’s mouth, but it sounds like he’s asking, “How will you live with Zeal?”

At Cathedral, we regularly hear the first part of Blessed Basil Moreau’s definition of zeal: the great desire to make God known, loved, and served. Not as often do we get to the next part of the definition: and thus to bring knowledge of salvation to others. True zeal cannot be an individual experience, it requires sharing that spirit with others. And that is what struck me watching the livestream of Pope Leo speaking to the NCYC. Over 15,000 young Catholics from across the country joining together to live out true zeal! Among those thousands includes a contingent of roughly 100 Cathedral students who not only have that inner desire for God, but to also share that love and joy with others. Knowing all the distractions in our students’ lives, knowing all the challenges and difficulties our students face, and knowing all the parts of our society that try to pull our young ones away from God, it is rather amazing to know these students, and all of our students, in one way or another, are answering the call to live with zeal. In participating in the Sacraments, retreats, Bible studies, and spiritual growth projects, our students are filling that desire to know and love God. In sharing their time to help others and donating to those in need, they are serving God through serving others – allowing them to experience God’s love through such acts of goodness.

When asked what gives him hope for the Church, Pope Leo said that the faith of the young people at NCYC gives him hope. Likewise, as we continue to work to develop the zeal within our Cathedral students in the classroom, on the playing fields, and on the stage, we should all have much hope for the good they will continue to share.

Our Holy Cross student of the month is senior Susannah Ferris. Her nominator said, "Susannah has a gift for identifying areas of need around her and never hesitates to take the initiative of addressing them. This quality extends beyond her role as the low brass section leader in the Band. She is a passionate advocate for social justice, speaking up for marginalized groups with empathy, courage, and clarity."

The Holy Cross educators of the month are Jordan Fox and Aly Weaver '12. One of their nominators said, "When they became aware of the federal delays in SNAP funding, they immediately recognized how deeply this could impact some of our Cathedral families. Rather than wait, they advocated that Cathedral prepare to support any student or family affected. Mrs. Fox and Mrs. Weaver quietly and faithfully lived out our Holy Cross mission, putting the most vulnerable first and reminding us what radical hospitality looks like in practice."

Congratulations to our Holy Cross Student and Educators of the Month!

Blessings,
Matthew Gring
Chief Mission Integration Officer