Race for Vocations back to full in-person event on May 7

Shoaibullah and Lindsey Rasouli, members of St. John the Evangelist Parish in Indianapolis who were engaged at the time, take part in the then-Finish Line 500 Festival 5K in 2016 as part of the Race for Vocations team. The team is back to full in-person participation this year after having no event in 2020 and a limited event in 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic. (Submitted photo)

By Sean Gallagher

After two years where the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon and its accompanying Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K were run virtually because of the coronavirus pandemic, both events will take place in-person on May 7 in Indianapolis.

That also means that the Race for Vocations (R4V) is also back at full force. In 2020, there was no R4V. Last year, a limited event began and ended at St. Michael Parish in Greenfield.

Started in 2008 and now sponsored by the Indiana Council of the Knights of Columbus, the R4V team consists of people taking part in the mini-marathon or 5K who wear shirts promoting vocations.

People can also support the R4V team by being part of cheer blocks along the routes of the two events and serving as R4V advocates who promote the team in parishes and other organizations.

Archdiocesan vocations director Father Michael Keucher has been a member of the R4V team many times.

“It’s awesome,” said Father Keucher of the R4V coming back to full participation as it was before the pandemic. “It’s exciting to get everybody back together. We are going to have an event that will have new life in it because we had two years where it was very different.”

Father Keucher encourages people to sign up for the R4V team, both those who already signed up for the mini-marathon or 5K or those who have not yet registered for either event.

“It’s more exciting and a lot more enjoyable to run when you’re running for a purpose,” said Father Keucher.

“And what greater purpose could there be but vocations? Not just your own vocation, but also the vocations of your children and of your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.”

Team members and R4V supporters are invited to take part in a Mass for vocations at 6:30 p.m. on May 6 at SS. Peter and Paul Cathedral, 1347 N. Meridian St., in Indianapolis. A pasta dinner will take place after the liturgy at the nearby McGowan Hall, 1305 N. Delaware St., in Indianapolis. The cost for the dinner is $10 per person.

Father Keucher has been the celebrant of the Mass for vocations the night before the mini-marathon and 5K several times.

“We come together in Christ,” he said. “He’ll be the food that we need to get through the race.”

After team members complete the mini-marathon or 5K, they and other team supporters are welcome to an after-race party at Military Park in Indianapolis.

For more information about the Race for Vocations or to register as a team member, visit raceforvocations.org.

For more information about the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon or to register for it, visit www.indymini.com/p/mini-marathon. For more information on the Delta Dental 500 Festival 5K or to register for it, visit www.indymini.com/p/5k. †