Indiana diocese marks its 150th anniversary with eucharistic congress

Published: 2007-08-23

NOTRE DAME, Ind. (CNS) -- Thousands of Catholics from around the Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend made the pilgrimage to the University of Notre Dame campus Aug. 18 to celebrate the diocese's 150th anniversary. While oppressive heat and heavy rains affected much of the country, northern Indiana enjoyed an unusually mild August day, and persistent gray clouds even held back their sprinkles until everyone had gathered in the Joyce Athletic and Convocation Center at the university for the event's closing Mass. Some participants, particularly those from Fort Wayne, came on buses chartered by their parishes. Others drove with their families, often meeting up with fellow parishioners once they arrived on campus. Like some of the other pilgrims, the VanOverberghe family from St. Stanislaus Kostka Parish in New Carlisle proudly wore T-shirts with their parish's name on the front. Dan and Karen VanOverberghe, who are youth directors at their parish, expected their distinctive shirts to help them locate other members of their youth group in the crowd.

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