‘Run for Vocations’ team members train for Mini-Marathon in May

Julie Burns, a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis, runs on a treadmill at her apartment complex in Indianapolis while training for the One America 500 Festival Mini-Marathon scheduled on May 3. She will be a member of the archdiocese’s “Run for Vocations” team. (Photo by Sean Gallagher)

By Sean Gallagher

For several months, dozens of young adults across the archdiocese have been in training.

They’re running mile after mile to prepare for the One America 500 Festival Mini-Marathon on May 3 in Indianapolis.

They’re also in spiritual training because they hope running in the race, also known as the “Mini,” will raise awareness about vocations since tens of thousands of people participate in the marathon each year.

They’re all members of the “Run for Vocations” team, a program initiated by Father Rick Nagel, archdiocesan associate director of vocations.

And they’re asking that Catholics across the archdiocese join them spiritually in their effort by pledging prayers for every mile that they will run.

Those interested in praying for vocations should log on to www.archindy.org/vocations and click on “Send in your prayer pledges.”

Father Nagel and the other young adults on the team will wear a specially made T-shirt during the race. On one side will be the message: “Vocation … Everyone has one. What’s yours?” The other side of the shirt will list such vocations as the priesthood, religious life and marriage.

With so many thousands of people who may see the shirts, Father Nagel thinks the vocation runners’ impact could be big.

“Everybody is called to something special in life,” Father Nagel said. “To have that as a kind of billboard running down the street undoubtedly would get a lot of attention, and people would begin to think, ‘I wonder what my vocation is?’ ”

Victor Neff, a member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Parish in Aurora, is already pondering that question as an archdiocesan seminarian.

He will run in the Mini for the first time as part of the “Run for Vocations” team.

“Physical exercise has always been a spiritual part of my life,” Neff said. “I talk to God and pray when I run. It’s wonderful that a group of us can do this. It’s the Church praying and exercising together.”

Julie Burns, 27, a member of St. Joan of Arc Parish in Indianapolis, is also on the “Run for Vocations” team. She sees it as a chance for young adult Catholics to strengthen their faith together.

“I think that it is really important for young adults of faith to have opportunities for fellowship and consider the ‘Run for Vocations’ such an opportunity,” Burns said. “It makes me sad that I don’t see as many people my age at Mass as people from other stages of life. I think any opportunity that creates fellowship among young adults is wonderful because it can help build the young adult community within the Church.”

Lissa Ritter, a 35-year-old mother of five and member of St. Louis Parish in Batesville, has run in mini-marathons in other cities, and she and some of her friends jumped at the chance to participate in the Indianapolis race for what she called “a higher purpose.”

“I love the fact that I’ve asked family and friends to support me with [prayer] pledges,” Ritter said. “This alone has stirred up some great conversation and much-needed attention to vocations.

“In addition, while I’m out training, I’ve been praying with my friends.”

John Demerly, a 34-year-old member of St. Susanna Parish in Plainfield, also has five children and is a member of the “Run for Vocations” team.

While training for the Mini, he prays along with a recording of the rosary that he has on his mp3 Player.

He hopes that being part of the team will set a good example for his children.

“It is always my hope that at least one of my children considers the religious life,” Demerly said. “Certainly, this is God’s will more than it is mine so I will accept whatever he wills.

“I do hope that through showing my commitment to training that they will get a better understanding of the importance of physical activity, commitment, sacrifice and prayer.”

The evening before the race, all team members will gather for prayer at a Mass scheduled to start at 6 p.m. The runners will receive a special blessing at the Mass.

Catholics across the archdiocese, especially those who are making prayer pledges for the team, are invited to attend the May 2 Mass at St. John the Evangelist Church in downtown Indianapolis.

(Although registration to run in the Mini-Marathon is closed, Catholics who have already signed up and would still like to participate in “Run for Vocations ”can do so. Those interested should log on to www.archindy.org/vocations for more information.) †