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Transcript of October 2012
CCATHEDRALATHEDRAL N NEWSEWS October 2012 Volume 18 Issue 3 Tulsa, Oklahoma
Holy Family
Pope Benedict declares a Year of Faith Bishop to celebrate Opening Mass: October 11, 7:00 p.m. at the Cathedral
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Identification Statement: The Cathedral News Issue 3 October 2012 (USPS 022-729) is published 10 x per year (monthly, except for June and July) by Holy Family Cathedral at 122 W 8th St., Tulsa OK 74119-1402. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CATHEDRAL NEWS, PO BOX 3204, Tulsa, OK 74101-3204.
Dear Parishioners,
This past August marked a brand new experience for me in my life: being a new
priest. My life is full of new experiences right now, but one of them was that for the first
time in twenty-nine years, I did not go “back-to-school.” I watched as family, friends,
and our students here at Holy Family all made the annual transition from summer lei-
sure back to productive scholarship. But I was relieved that I was done with school; no
more learning, no more classrooms, no more exams, and especially, no more papers! Or
so I thought... Here I sit writing this article, learning every day just how little seven and
half years of seminary prepared me for the numerous tests and challenges that come
with being a young priest. To be honest, I am not surprised by this, but shouldn’t gradu-
ating from school for (possibly?) the last time bring some respite from the perpetual
quest for knowledge, understanding, and wisdom? Experience has led me to discover
that the answer to this question is a resounding “No!”
The conclusion may be obvious, but this lesson needs to be applied to our spiritual
lives too. Certainly there is the homily every Sunday that is supposed to help us under-
stand the Scriptures and apply their lessons to our lives, but is that all the maintenance
we need to be good Christians? St. Peter says in his first letter, “Always be ready to give
an explanation to anyone who asks you for a reason for your hope...” (1Pet. 3:15). Any-
one who has received the sacrament of Confirmation shares in the Apostolic Mission of
the Church to “...make disciples of all nations... teaching them to observe all that
[Jesus] commanded...” (Mt. 28: 19-20). This obligation to evangelize prompted Blessed
Pope John Paul II to call for a “New Evangelization” in 1983, not only to those who have
never heard the Gospel, but also a reinvigoration of the Christian witness of the faithful
who come to Mass every Sunday. But how de we engage this call to spark the fire of the
New Evangelization? Pope Benedict XVI has given us an opportunity, in part, by dedicat-
ing the next year to be a Year of Faith. A whole year meant to focus the Church on redis-
covering, deepening, and growing our Catholic faith. Because, just as I learned in my
experience of being done with school; we may have graduated from Religious Ed
classes, but we never really graduate from learning about our faith. And this is a re-
sponsibility we all share, not just the deacons and priests, not just the RE teachers, all of
us!
So what can we do to cooperate with the grace of this Year of Faith and respond to
the Holy Father’s Call? The Diocese has been planning several events and opportunities,
and there will be information about them coming to you on a regular basis, but here are
a few highlights:
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Cathedral News deadlines: Please submit articles and announcements to the Cathedral News by the 15th of the preceding month.
Email [email protected] or send your article to Mike Malcom at the parish office.
• Let the games begin! On October 11, 2012, every parish in the diocese will be simulta-
neously celebrating an opening Mass of the Year of Faith at 7:00 p.m. Bishop Slattery
will celebrate the Cathedral’s Mass, commemorating the 50th anniversary of the open-
ing of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the publication of the
Catechism.
• Extra, extra... The diocese will also be providing each parish with free Catechisms for
those who need one in order that each of us may study the basic truths of our faith.
• I Believe!!! The Holy Father has asked all Catholics to pray the Nicene Creed every day
for the next year since that is the most fundamental synopsis of our faith and then you
can learn more about what each phrase means by studying it with your Catechism.
• A touch of Class? If a dynamic and interactive environment is more your style, con-
sider coming to Deacon Mattox’s Bible Study on Thursday evenings at 7:00pm, or per-
haps get a refresher overview by attending RCIA classes on Wednesday nights at
7:00pm. There are also courses available through the Pastoral Studies Institute (PSI)
on a regular basis. And next Spring I hope to begin showing Fr. Robert Baron’s Catholi-
cism series once a week with a facilitated discussion.
With so many opportunities, and even more
than are listed here, can we afford not to take
advantage of the grace that comes from this invi-
tation? Blessed John Paul II adopted as the motto
for the Third Millennium the summons our Lord
made to Simon-Peter: “Put out into the
deep...” (Lk. 5:4). If like St. Peter, we trust in our
Lord’s call and respond, we too will garner won-
derful things!
Sincerely,
Rev. John Grant
See page 7 for more information about the Year of Faith.
4
Men in white
come give your hand
for the Truth
by which you stand!
For by your oath
and what be sewn
from this time on
you will be known!
Well now, the momentous news com-
ing out of September is the acceptance of
Knights B.D. Tidmore and Jon Conro as
Candidates into the Permanent Diaconate
program following the successful com-
pletion of their respective Aspirancy Year
of Formation on the 16th in the Cathedral
by Bishop Slattery.
In ancient Rome, a Candidate was, lit-
erally, "one who wore white" meaning that
in standing for office he represented
“truth and integrity” by the color of his
toga. Though through the centuries the
colors have changed, the name has re-
mained and we cannot think of two more
worthy Knights standing for “truth and in-
tegrity” than B.D. Tidmore and Jon Conro.
The Council applauds them both and
wishes them well as they commence their
quest for the Holy Grail of Ordination as
Permanent Deacons as several years of
strenuous study and thoughtful reflection
await them.
October 7th is the Feast of the Holy
Rosary - which happens to be on Sunday
this year - and promotion of the Rosary is
one of the four stated principles of the
Knights of Columbus, the other three be-
ing fraternity, support of clergy, and con-
cern for the suffering-be they the poor,
the downtrodden, come what may. As to
the Rosary the Council leads the Rosary
each Sunday in the Cathedral at 7:30 a.m.
prior to the 8 a.m. Mass.
As to the suffering we have and have
had various undertakings but none more
consistent than the rejected/dejected
Notes from the Knightstand BY MA RT I N REI D Y
known collectively as the homeless. Our
first action at our first Council meeting
some twenty years ago was to appropri-
ate $50/mo. for a weekly feeding project
at a time when such persons merely con-
gregated in a parking lot in all kinds of
weather behind a commercial strip at
Brady and Denver. We were not the insti-
gators but participants with loosely de-
fined group of fellow Catholics of all
races, gender and age known as the
“Brady Bunch.” This evolved over the
years into a monthly feeding program
Similarly instituted as to “people make-
up” by providing a complete dinner once a
month at the Day Center for the Homeless
at Archer and Elwood. This continued for
several years until February, 2011 when
the Council fell heir to this project in toto
when the previous group comprised
mainly of parishioners from St. Augustine
and St. Monica parishes were unable to
continue due to the consequences of age
B.D. T I D M ORE ( FRONT ROW, SEC OND FROM LEFT ) AN D J ON CON RO ( FRON T ROW, FI FTH ) ST A ND WI TH T HEI R B ROT H ER CA N DI D AT ES.
5
and infirmity which awaits us all. The
make-up of the group had changed over
the years/but the aforementioned were
the base group for about the last ten to
fifteen years. Rather than leave the Day
Center abruptly without a “dinner group”
the Council voted to continue to program
at least until the end of 2011 which would
allow both for the Council to evaluate our
financial position relative to this program
as the cost can easily be $100 to $200/
month depending upon various factors.
We serve dinner to approximately 120
persons on the first Saturday of each
month and every dinner is a balanced
meal. No cooking is allowed on site at the
Day Center so all food is prepared off-
site, usually in the Cathedral kitchen
though not all, and taken and served at
the Day Center. We cut every corner cost-
wise that we can and manage to feed a
person for about $1.00 excepting for
Christmas and Easter when costs can be
as high as $3.00/person. It appeared that
the end would be last December when, by
a fortuitous event, we were given a $1,000
donation by a parishioner so as to allow
us to continue this program into 2012.
This funding allowed us to continue
until August of this year and we are now
operating on dwindling savings, i.e, pro-
ceeds from Pancake Breakfasts. Foresee-
ing the eventual demise of this program
Monsignor Gier has consented to allow
us to come before the parish on Sunday,
November 4th and by means of a second
collection to hopefully continue this pro-
ject into 2013 if not beyond. Our "skin in
the game" if you will is $500.00. Whatever
is collected will be publicly announced in
the bulletin and in this Newsletter and
each month an accounting will be pre-
sented as to amount of money spent,
food served, and money remaining. we
not only buy all the food but also the sty-
rofoam plates, napkins, and 5 gallons of
milk for breakfast on the following morn-
ing. (The milk noted is requested of all
dinner donors.) We do have former volun-
teers donating food at various times -
and which we acknowledge and we are
grateful for their participation but it is not
sufficient.
Food costs, as I am sure you know, are
scheduled to increase by 10% to 20% in
2013 due to the severe drought of 2012.
We are aware of the many requests made
of you via various "second collections"
but we are hopeful that you will allow the
Council to continue this project in your
name and as members of Holy Family
Parish. We are also grateful to Monsignor
Gier for allowing the Council to come be-
fore you, as a Parish, with this request.
A final thought on this request is this:
A fourth objective of the Knights of Co-
lumbus is Pro-Life, and October is the
Month of Pro-Life. Currently, a compan-
ion project is underway - 4O Days of Life
in the Garden of Hope at E. 32nd & S.
Winston. If you cannot do an hour, stop
by and say a rosary - it all helps! The
Council wishes you well this month and
ask that you remember that it is Pro-Life
and not just Pro-Birth to which we are
called. Happy Halloween, everyone - and
don't forget Pancake Sunday on the 21st!
Pax!
40 Days for Life: Holy Family has been assigned to pray at the Garden of Hope on October 19 from Noon to Midnight. The Youth
Group will meet at 6:00 p.m. to pray for an hour. The Knights of Columbus will pray during the later hours. Please plan to spend
some time at the Garden of Hope. Visit 40daysforlife.com/tulsa for more information.
6
Each person who is a candidate for full
communion has a sponsor who travels the
path with him and provides an example of
being Catholic. For those inquirers who will
be baptized, their support sponsor is called a
Godparent, serving the same purpose, but with
a lifelong commitment. However, both spon-
sors and Godparents often become lifelong
friends with the inquirers.
These sponsors get to know their candi-
dates, and become witnesses to the candi-
dates’ moral character, faith and intention.
They stand with their candidates at the Rites,
providing support and introduction to the
community.
Sponsors are representatives of the Chris-
tian community, as they pray, worship and
socialize in the parish. They also do apostolic
work of justice and service. As a veteran of
walking the pathway of being Catholic, the
experience of their own journey serves to
complement a candidate’s faith experience.
Sponsor Qualities:
• Has a willingness to share faith, love, com-
mitment and relationship with Jesus
Christ.
• Knows the importance of having an active
prayer life and is sensitive to many differ-
ent ways of praying.
• Is welcoming and hospitable, an available,
kind and active listener, empathetic and
compassionate. He is trustworthy enough
to keep private matters confidential.
• Keeps informed not only about parish life,
but also what is happening in RCIA, the
various events and liturgical rites, espe-
cially during Lenten season.
• Willing to challenge your candidate. For
example, if the candidate has a lack of
commitment in attendance at Mass or
RCIA sessions, the sponsor would kindly
ask about the situation and consult the
initiation coordinator or pastor.
RCIA Sponsors Are Christian Companions BY T H E RCIA MI N I ST RY T EAM
As a parish sponsor, you share in the mission of Jesus Christ. You are helping
to bring others into communion with our loving God. Many of our inquirers have a
friend who has been involved in their lives and qualifies as a sponsor, but several
will need to have one or our parishioners volunteer to be that guide along the
spiritual journey. If you think you might be a good match for this work, please con-
tact the sponsor coordinator Katie Sikorski, [email protected] or 918-408-
6347.
7
3. The Year of Faith begins in October 2012 with a Synod on
New Evangelization. What is a synod?
A synod of bishops is a gathering of bishops, selected from
different areas of the world, who meet with the pope to dis-
cuss questions pertaining to the activity of the Church in
the world. This meeting of bishops helps to foster a closer
unity between the bishops and the pope, and provides
counsel to the pope. Pope Benedict XVI has situated the
Synod on the New Evangelization (October 7-28) at the be-
ginning of the Year of Faith (October 11).
4. How are Year of Faith and New Evangelization linked?
The New Evangelization is a call to each Catholic to deepen
his or her own faith, have confidence in the Gospel, and
possess a willingness to share the Gospel. The New Evan-
gelization is first and foremost a personal encounter with
Jesus Christ; it is an invitation to deepen one’s relationship
with Christ. It is also a call to each person to share his or
her faith with others. The Year of Faith, just like the New
Evangelization, calls Catholics to conversion in order to
deepen their relationship with Christ and to share it with
others.
5. How does the Year of Faith affect the average Catholic?
Every baptized Catholic is called through baptism to be a
disciple of Christ and proclaim the Gospel. The Year of Faith
is an opportunity for each and every Catholic to renew their
baptismal call by living out the everyday moments of their
lives with faith, hope and love. This everyday witness is
necessary for proclaiming the Gospel to family, friends,
neighbors and society. In order to witness to the Gospel,
Catholics must be strengthened through celebrating weekly
Sunday Mass and the Sacrament of Reconciliation.
The Holy Family Cathedral Women’s Club is collecting
toiletries for abused woman residing at the Day Spring
Villa. Donation boxes will be at the South and East Cathe-
dral entrances from October 14 through November 11.
1. What is the Year of Faith?
At certain times in the history of the Church, popes have
called upon the faithful to dedicate themselves to deepening
their understanding of a particular aspect of the faith. In
1967, Pope Paul VI announced a Year of Faith commemorat-
ing the 19th centenary of the martyrdom of Sts. Peter and
Paul. The 1967 Year of Faith called upon the Church to recall
the supreme act of witness by these two saints so that their
martyrdom might inspire the present day Church to collec-
tively and individually make a sincere profession of faith.
The upcoming Year of Faith declared by Pope Benedict XVI is
a “summons to an authentic and renewed conversion to the
Lord, the One Savior of the world” (Porta fidei 6). In other
words, the Year of Faith is an opportunity for Catholics to
experience a conversion – to turn back to Jesus and enter
into a deeper relationship with him. The pope has described
this conversion as opening the “door of faith” (see Acts
14:27). The “door of faith” is opened at one’s baptism, but
during this year Catholics are called to open it again, walk
through it and rediscover and renew their relationship with
Christ and his Church.
2. Why is the Year of Faith this year?
With his Apostolic Letter of October 11, 2011, Porta fidei,
Pope Benedict XVI declared that the Year of Faith will begin
on October 11, 2012 and conclude on November 24, 2013.
October 11, the first day of the Year of Faith, is the fiftieth
anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council
(Vatican II) and also the twentieth anniversary of the Cate-
chism of the Catholic Church. During the Year of Faith,
Catholics are asked to study and reflect on the documents of
Vatican II and the catechism so that they may deepen their
knowledge of the faith.
The Year of Faith: Frequently Asked Questions
The St. Francis of Assisi Tuition Assistance Trust Fund has provided
over $3 million in scholarship funds to families seeking a Catholic
education for their children. This year, in conjunction with its annual
Gala, there will be a raffle to win $5,000 in tuition credit to any of the
13 area Catholic schools. Tickets are $25.00 each or 5 for $100.00.
Call the School Office: 918-582-0422.
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Holy Family Cathedral
P.O. Box 3204
Tulsa, OK 74101-3204
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED