Special to The Message
It was a perfect morning for a run Oct. 5. There was little wind, hardly a cloud in the sky and the temperature was in the low 60s. While most of the residents in the city and surrounding areas were likely pouring their first cup of coffee and rolling out of bed, 1,643 runners and walkers were at the start line ready to race in the YMCA’s 21st annual Evansville Half and 5-miler. This year, however, there was something a little different. As one photographer commented to a participant, “Wow, there are a lot of you in blue shirts! That is awesome!” Those blue shirts were Evansville Diocesan blue shirts, and the first t-shirt design for the inaugural Race for Vocations, which took place in conjunction with the Evansville Half Marathon and 5-miler. Of the 1,643 racers, over 80 of them were Race for Vocations runners and walkers witnessing to their Catholic faith by wearing their t-shirts and supporting each other’s individual vocations and everyone’s call to holiness through their vocation.
The Race for Vocations was initially started in the Archdiocese of Indianapolis in tandem with the Indianapolis Mini Marathon. Both Father Tyler Tenbarge, Diocese of Evansville Director of Vocations, and Anna Bragin, a parishioner in the Diocese of Evansville, participated in the Indy Mini Race for Vocations a number of years ago. After moving to the Evansville area, Anna connected with Father Alex Zenthoefer, diocesan Vicar General and Rector of St. Benedict Cathedral, who encouraged her (along with her husband, Nick Bragin) to go out and be a witness. From there, she felt called to bring the event to Evansville. After a brief phone call between Anna and Father Tenbarge, it was clear to them it would be something that the Diocese of Evansville should test and see if parishioners in the diocese would find fruitful. Father Tenbarge initially said he hoped for at least 25 participants; Anna said she would bet on 60; they both were humbled by the response of over 80 participants in the inaugural Race for Vocations in the Diocese of Evansville.
The Race for Vocations is an initiative that challenges individuals, both spiritually and physically, to train for a race while supporting other participants in their prayer intentions and sacrificing both spiritually and physically for the intention of promoting their own and others’ vocations. As Pope Benedict XVI stated, “Each of you has a personal vocation which He has given you for your own joy and sanctity. When a person is conquered by the fire of His gaze, no sacrifice seems too great to follow Him and give Him the best of ourselves. This is what the saints have always done, spreading the light of the Lord … and transforming the world into a welcoming home for everyone.”
Participants in the Race for Vocations registered on the YMCA’s Evansville Half and 5-miler website. They were then encouraged to fill out a Google form for the Race for Vocations to be included in the weekly emails with participant prayer intentions. There was no cost to participate in the Race for Vocations, thanks to private donors who sponsored the t-shirts. Participants were only asked to contemplate and pray intentionally about vocations during their training before the race, then wear the t-shirt on race day.
Leading up to the race, Bishop Joseph M. Siegel also graciously offered the sacrifice of the Mass at St. Benedict Cathedral on Oct. 3. Participants, family and friends were all welcome to join and pray for each other at Mass, then celebrate together with a spaghetti supper sponsored by the St. Benedict Cathedral Knights of Columbus. Cookies were made by the Cookie Disciples, a group of parishioners at St. Benedict Cathedral, and placemats were made by students attending the school. Following the race, participants gathered at Sts. Mary and John about three blocks away from the finish line to enjoy a tailgate sponsored by the Columbiettes.
Many thanks go out to all the groups and individuals who helped sponsor this event. A special congratulations and thanks go out to all the participants who ran and walked in the Race for Vocations, where 16 parishes in the diocese had participants, and 16 of our participants finished in the top three in their categories. Five participants placed in the top 15 overall; well done! Our participants beautifully exemplified St. Paul’s words in 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith.”
