CCCATHEDRALATHEDRALATHEDRAL N N NEWSEWSEWS February 2011 Volume 16 Issue 6 Tulsa, Oklahoma

Holy Family

Principal Jay Luetkemeyer is preparing to spend 24 hours on the School’s roof.

RCIA class grows in understanding and commitment.

Monsignor Gier humbled by award from National

Catholic Educators.

Women’s Club and Knights of Columbus

team up for Garage Sale.

Dear Parishioners of Holy Family Cathedral:

It is simply not adequate to say that I was surprised when the National Catholic Education Association called me to announce

that I had been chosen as one of eight Distinguished Pastors. One reason I was so surprised is that I did not even know they had

such an honor. I was aware of the Distinguished Principal Award because the Principal at Marquette, Mr. Jim Polhman, received

it when I was pastor of Christ the King. So I stand surprised and humbled by this honor and deeply appreciate those who helped

make it possible.

When I gave greater thought to this award I realized that I should not be so surprised because it truly reflects the very fine

school, faculty, administration and students who make up Holy Family Cathedral School. In my almost forty-five years of priestly

ministry I have experienced many aspects of Catholic Education. I have taught at Bishop McGuiness High School in Oklahoma

City and at Bishop Kelley High School here in Tulsa. I have had the privilege of working as Pastor of Immaculate Conception

School in Tulsa, St. Joseph’s in Muskogee, Marquette in Tulsa, St. John’s in Bartlesville and now here at Holy Family Cathedral

School. It has been a wonderful and fulfilling experience. My time here at Holy Family Cathedral School has been especially ex-

citing and fulfilling. The dedication of the faculty is truly remarkable and outstanding. We have a very fine principal who follows in

the footsteps of former great principals. The cooperation of the people of Tulsa in supporting this school and its goals is beyond

words to express. So I consider it a great honor to be the Distinguished Pastor of such a Distinguished School.

May I also express my deep gratitude to those of you who participated in making this Award possible. You truly “pulled one

over on me.” I was totally surprised.

I hope all of you will continue to support and encourage our school, its faculty and administration. Something truly wonderful is

happening at Holy Family Cathedral School. I am honored to be a part of it.

Identification Statement The Cathedral News is published ten times per year by Holy Family Cathedral located at 122 West Eighth Street, Tulsa, OK 74119. This is Volume 16 Issue 6. Periodicals Postage Permit 022-729 is Paid in Tulsa, Oklahoma. POSTMAS-TER: Send address changes to: Holy Family Cathedral, P.O. Box 3204, Tulsa, OK 74101-3204.

Three-Year Renovation Pledges update:

$71,912.87 is currently outstanding on the

pledges for the Renovation Fund.

Thank you for your continued generosity.

Sincerely in the Holy Family,

Msgr. Gregory A. Gier

Rector

From the RectorFrom the RectorFrom the RectorFrom the Rector

Photo: Cathy Nelson

Holy Family students are collecting change to

“Raise the Roof.” All proceeds go to repairing or

replacing our current roof.

Mr. Luetkemeyer promises to stay on the roof for

an entire school day if Holy Family can collect

$1,000. Midfirst Bank will match the school’s total,

up to $1,000. If the school were to raise $5,000

(with the Midfirst match counted towards the total)

Mr. Luetkemeyer promised to stay on the roof for

an entire 24 hours!

"This year, Holy Family's biggest need is to re-

place the roof which is leaking into classrooms and

causing an inadequate learning environment for our

School is Raising the RoofSchool is Raising the RoofSchool is Raising the Roof students. It is very important that we begin construc-

tion on a new roof this summer, and so I really had

to think outside the box to motivate our students

and families to give as generously as possible to the

replacing the roof campaign. We are looking for-

ward to this event being a tremendous success!" –

Mr. Luetkemeyer

As of the 14th of February Holy Family students

had raised nearly $600 towards their goal. If you

would like to support the “Raise the Roof” campaign

call the school office (582-0422) or send a donation

to HFCS, 820 S Boulder, Tulsa, Ok 74119. The 24

hours on the roof is scheduled for March 3rd.

Chili & Bingo

The Holy Family Cathedral Home

& School Association invites all

school families, parishioners, &

friends to enjoy dinner, fun, & fellow-

ship on Saturday, February 19,

2011 (after the Cathedral’s 5:00

p.m. Mass) at the John L. Rucker

Warehouse, 1227 S. Detroit Ave.

Enjoy chili (made by contest-

ants) with all the fix’ins (cheese,

Fritos, onions, crackers, etc.), soft

drinks, iced tea, and assorted de-

serts. Dinner costs $2 per person/

$5 per family. Bingo is 25¢ per

card or 5 cards for $1.

Each ticket entitles the holder to:

• Reserved Seating

• Dedicated Wait Staff (provided

by 8th Grade)

• Guaranteed Tastings of the

Winning Chilies Fixed to Order

• 5 Bingo Cards per Person

Per Game Delivered to Your

Table

Contact Kevin Shank at 939-

8036 or Amy Wright at 630-

5358 to purchase your V.I.P.

Tickets Now!

Your Source for a Quality Catholic Education located in the heart of Downtown Tulsa

Holy Family Cathedral School offers a fully accredited Pre-Kindergarten Three through 8th Grade education. With high standards of academic excellence, easy accessibility to major expressways, extended care lasting from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and close proximity to downtown businesses, Holy Family is right for you!

Open Enrollment begins March 1st, 2011.

Where Students Enter to Learn and Exit to Lead Visit www.HolyFamilyCathedralSchool.com or call 918-582-0422 for a tour.

Serving Downtown Tulsa for over 111 years.

Proud to be part of Downtown’s Resurgence.

Holy Family Cathedral School 820 South Boulder

Tulsa, Oklahoma 74119 (918) 582-0422

ANTHONY BULLOCK

CASEY MADDOX

CHRISTINA LACY

CHRISTOPHER GARRISON

EVAN CURTIS

JAMIE BEAR

JASON MCCRACKIN JODY BATES MEGAN RODRIGUEZ RUSSELL MARTIN SARAH ROSENCUTTER TIFFANY WINBURN VALERIE EARNHART

BY THE RCIA MINISTRY TEAM

Our classes have reached a stage that confirms

candidates’ and catechumens’ desire to complete the

journey. They have found acceptance of challenging

issues such as changes in the Liturgy. As they ex-

plore the basic concepts of what “liturgy” is, as we are

faced with upcoming changes to this basic foundation

of being Catholic. Those leading the sessions are able

to show the connection to the ancient roots of Christi-

anity while demonstrating how our study and research

leads to change. This is critical to our studies, be-

cause many of those entering are drawn by the time-

lessness of Catholic concepts. When they see that the

basic tenets of Catholicism have remained and still re-

main constant, they embrace the fact that our faith is

alive.

Overview of the Sacraments were presented and

their importance in bringing us grace, God’s life within

us, is part of each one. The general overview shows

how they work together and relate to each other. Then

each one is explored in detail to reveal its source and

function.

Social Justice is an important part of what these

students study. Catholic teaching tells us that our

works are vital, and that there is a preference toward

the weak and powerless. Our own Catholic Charities

offers excellent opportunities for individual service or

for donating to advance their work. Most of the people

served are not Catholic, but as help is given, they can-

not miss the love that comes with it. Our students ap-

preciate the importance of serving their parish, dio-

cese and the poor.

Sponsors have had the opportunity to attend a

session on the responsibilities of being a sponsor.

They understand the importance placed on their sup-

port and guidance of their charge during the rites and

in assisting the neophytes enter the Catholic commu-

nity.

Understanding and Commitment

HERE ARE PHOTOS AND NAMES OF SOME OF THOSE LEARNING OUR FAITH. PLEASE PRAY FOR THEM AND FOR ALL IN THE GROUP WHO ARE STUDYING. HELP WELCOME THEM INTO OUR PARISH COMMUNITY.

Notes from the Knightstand

BY MARTIN REIDY

A Time To Give

February-short and cold-

but soon will come the Spring!

Time to gather ”gold"

found in useless things!

For what you think is naught

and tossed away so soon

will no doubt be bought

at the sale in June!

February is, indeed, upon us and

Spring is, as they say, "just around the

calendar" - and that means it is Garage

Sale Pick-Up Time!

February, which literally means to

purify, to wash away, or rinse clean, is

the opportunity for you to “clean out”

those cupboards, closets and cubby

holes of all those unused, unloved,

and/or unwanted items and donate

them to the Annual World Famous

Holy Family Cathedral Garage Sale to

be held in June. Thus, when March

rolls around and our pick-up schedule

commences you just need to pick up

the phone and call for a quick and

friendly pick-up of your donated items.

As usual it will be the ladies of the

Women's Club tending the lines and

the Knights of the road to gather up

your “givings.” Now is the time! Don't

delay! Start that cleansing task today!

Help us help you help HF!

And last but not least may we extend

to the ladies one and all a heartfelt

Happy Valentine’s Day! Pax!

Note Bene! Lose a fedora? A base-

ball cap? Haven’t seen either since the

KC Christmas Dinner at Eddy’s? Worry

no more! I have both toppers and if you

were to be the bereft owner of either,

give me a toot as I have both of the

above.

Lenten Dinners Lent begins next month. The Cathedral will offer Stations of the Cross on Fridays of Lent, preceded by Adoration of the

Blessed Sacrament and Lenten Dinners.

Look to the March edition of the Cathedral News and to the parish bulletin for the dates, times, and menus of our par-

ish Lenten Dinners.

The Cathedral Women’s Club will have

the Temple Israel Sisterhood as our

guests at our March meeting - Thursday

March 3, 2011 in the Halpine Room fol-

lowing the 12:05 Mass.main dish and

salad will be provided, please bring a

special dessert or side dish. If you can

attend, please contact Helga Gorman, or

Nancy Mullikin. Thank you.

The Women's Club is seeking donations

for its annual Garage Sale fundraiser on

June 9-10, 7:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. and June

11, 7:30 a.m.-noon, in the Cathedral

Auditorium. Furniture, small appliances in

working order, household and yard items,

books, tools, jewelry, toys, antiques and

more will be appreciated.

Sorry, we cannot accept clothes, refrig-

erators, air conditioners, TVs or construc-

tion material.

Please call Mary 749-5286 or Ruth 627-

2175 for pick-up service which will begin

in March and end May 31.

Holy Family Cathedral

P.O. Box 3204

Tulsa, OK 74101-3204

Clear Creek Monastery Work Day: March 5, 2011

This service opportunity is designed for parish youth, but all parishioners may get involved. RSVP by Mar. 3 to Mike Malcom, mikemalcom@gmail.com, (918) 582-6247