By Todd Brock
Executive Director, Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana
A program partnership between The Diocese of Evansville’s Office of Catechesis, the Office of Catholic Education and The Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana has made the implementation of the “Theology of The Body” curriculum a reality for 7,900 students in our Diocese this academic year through the first edition of The Catholic Foundation Grants funded by Catherine Groben. A $30,000 grant was presented in July 2024 toward this initiative, and it was our highest partnership grant awarded for our first iteration of what we hope to be a long history of capacity-building partnerships within the Diocese of Evansville.
The shared vision between these allied programs is to transform the world in response to the call of Jesus Christ to educate, inspire and proclaim. With the addition of the “Theology of The Body” curriculum, and also the supplementary training for our beloved teachers to support this ministry, the board of directors of The Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana found this opportunity to be in line with that vision: And also uniform to the Foundation’s efforts within Catholic Education within the Diocese.
“Theology of the Body” seeks to inspire confidence in our Catholic educational leaders to answer the questions that arise from our modern culture regarding gender, sexuality and identity in a developmentally appropriate way while holding fast to the truths of our shared Catholic faith.
The Catholic grants program, funded through The Catholic Foundation of Southwestern Indiana, seeks to provide opportunity while enabling our brothers and sisters to create, facilitate and serve others: Focused within our faith in God.
Catherine Groben’s foresight, and her own focus upon God, were the stones that were laid for 7,900 students this academic year to walk within faith.
If you have an idea focused within service toward our Catholic church or would like to know more about becoming an advocate for the vital work within ministry and service for our faith family, I encourage you to reach out and join us in our work at The Catholic Foundation.
We are grateful, Catherine, always … Thank you.