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 mikemalcom@gmail.com 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.

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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.

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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.

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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, KSikorski14@yahoo.com or 918-408-

6347.

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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

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