Cathedral of Christ the King Newsletter — January 2021

Connection The

KING’S

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Welcome and Hospitality Team

Living Out Stewardship and Building the Body of Christ

W

e may be social distancing at this time, but distance does not hamper the warm welcome our parish Welcome and Hospitality Team extends to new parishioners.

Work is underway to take the welcome virtual as COVID-19 restrictions call for new ways to navigate parish life.

Typically, when a new parishioner registers at Christ the King, Advancement Director Katie Sheppard sends their name to team leaders Tag and Robert Heister, who then either email or call the newcomer, introduce themselves, and welcome them to the parish. Tag and Robert are joined in the ministry that numbers about 15 members.

New members are also sent a copy of our Stewardship Guide. This will allow them to see what ministries they might want to join. When they mail in their choice, the ministry leader will reach out in welcome.

In regular times, the new members

would then be invited either to a Knights of Columbus breakfast, or a new member reception that has been held twice a year. However, pandemic restrictions have kept these events from taking place.

“We’re having in-person Masses again, but there is no real opportunity chat after Mass,” Katie says. “We are unable to reach out in person, and this makes it particularly hard to extend newcomers a personal welcome from their new parish family.”

Despite the challenges, the ministry works to act in stewardship as it welcomes newcomers. continued on page 2

Inside JAN 2021

3 As the New Year Dawns, Let Us Be Generous and Giving 4 Catholics Returning Home Ministry Offers a Warm Welcome Back to the Church 6 The Patron of Catholic Schools in America St. Elizabeth Ann Seton 7 Parish Library and Bookstore An Important Resource for Growing in Faith and Knowledge

Connection The

KING’S

Welcome and Hospitality Team “Stewardship is not just about monetary gifts,” says Samantha Sexton, ministry member.

“We offer our gifts in time and talent, as well. We live in an ever-changing environment where people live on their phones and social media. Time is the only thing you can’t buy more of. So, when you extend a kind smile, a greeting, and take a moment to speak with someone — it’s extremely special. Those small gifts are monumental to all members of our parish, but especially new members. It’s important to be present and engage with members early on to make sure they feel welcome and wanted in their new church home.”

The ministry has been exploring using platforms like Zoom to reach out to new parishioners. As this work has been underway, Katie says she found a helpful quotation — “People are first attracted to a church by the worship, but they stay because of hospitality and friendship.”

“If we want to build community, we have to begin with hospitality,” she says. “When you build community, people are willing to give back. We’re a big parish, with 2,000 members. We have about 1,600 active parishioners. We have a lot to offer, but someone can also get swallowed up. It is important to connect these parishioners to a ministry.”

The ministry also is looking at the newcomers’ demographics — for example, whether he or she is married, single or widowed. A ministry member who closely matches the newcomer’s stage in life could make the second phone call.

Newcomers are made to feel at home by the personal phone call they haven’t expected, and by an invitation to a reception.

“As soon as a new parishioner is identified, it is so important to notice them at Mass and continually speak with them and encourage them to become involved with some ministry that would interest them,” says Catherine Nalli, ministry member. “Through the years I can remember so many people, that once you engage them in conversation, you begin to see where

continued from front cover

“As soon as a new parishioner is identified, it is so important to notice them at Mass and continually speak with them and encourage them to become involved with some ministry that would interest them.

Through the years I can remember so many people, that once you engage them in conversation, you begin to see where they would fit in our landscape of many places to be involved.” — Catherine Nalli they would fit in our landscape of many places to be involved. I just approached a person who is not actually new, but just attending Mass, and asked her to help with the Ice Cream Social. She was delighted and now I know that I can include her in other events.”

The ministry’s care has helped make a difference for our parish community as we have faced the difficulties presented by the pandemic. Their work ensures us that we are truly a community in faith, caring for each other as disciples of Christ.

Vida Laureano shared her experiences in this.

“During the course of making 250 parishioner checkup calls from April through August, I witnessed parishioners’ resiliency, faith and gratitude,” she says. “Parishioners shared prayer requests that I relayed to the Christ the King prayer network. Many parishioners had experienced a recent death in their families or severe illnesses, and yet their faith was unwavering.

“A few parishioners touched my heart so much that I followed up on our initial phone conversation and they remain in my daily prayers,” Vida adds.

“I gained strength in making these phone calls by connecting with my fellow parishioners and seeing how they were coping during the first few months of the pandemic. This ministry exemplifies how we are all One Body in Christ.”

New members are always welcome, and can join by calling Katie Sheppard at 859-268-2861.

We will have a series of Welcome Zoom gatherings the week of January 11th. Newcomers can sign up for one that best fits their schedule and interests at www.cathedralctk.org/newcomers.

2

A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector

As the New Year Dawns,

Let Us Be Generous and Giving

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

O

n the last Sunday of November, many of us breathed a sigh of relief that we had survived Thanksgiving. We also reflected on the joy of giving thanks and the joy of giving help to those who needed assistance to fittingly observe this holiday with a special meal. On that same day, we began the Advent season as a time of preparation for Christmas and a time to be particularly charitable to those who are in need. On that same November Sunday, I was struck by two articles on the editorial page of the Herald-Leader.

Now it is no longer November or December — it is no longer Advent and Christmas 2020 is history. The year 2021 is dawning with much-needed hope. And yet the message of these two articles remains with us as we enter the year 2021.

In the first article, Eddie Campbell, the president of the Kentucky Education Association, wrote that one in three Kentuckians have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. This is more than any other state in the nation. In this article, he advocated for an extension of the kind of financial support which has been offered by the CARES Act. It is one more reminder that just as the pandemic continues to be a dangerous plague, so too does the resultant economic devastation. Governmental assistance is necessary, but so too is generosity from the private sectors. The needs of our fellow citizens are greater than usual as 2021 begins.

The second article was written by Risa Richardson. She begins by telling the story of growing up in a large family where most of their clothes were hand-sewn by her mother or were from Goodwill. At age 5, she and other members of the children’s choir were to be featured in a church service. She was thrilled because she had a new beautiful lavender dress to wear. The night before the church service, the mother of one of her friends was very sick, so the other little girl stayed the night with Risa’s family. The next morning, in getting ready for Church, Risa needed

to find something for her friend to wear.

She found an outfit that she thought was nice enough. Her mother saw her choice and told Risa to let her friend wear the lavender dress and that she should wear what she had chosen for her friend. Even though little Risa was devastated, she later realized the lesson she has learned about sacrificial giving.

Giving is best when it hurts some. If we only give what we do not want or need, it can be like disposing or even dumping. Church leaders refer to the difference between giving of our extras and giving of our essence. The spirituality behind tithing is that we trust God to help us to live on 90 percent of our financial resources as we give 10 percent to God’s work. Risa suggests a twist of the Golden Rule, “Give unto others as you would like others to give to you.”

She follows that statement with, “If it doesn’t cost you to give, it’s probably not generous enough.”

One of the themes of stewardship is the joy of giving. The joy is not only receiving gratitude, feeling good about ourselves, being part of a generous team, or having a vision of what will result from our giving. But there is also the spiritual joy of opening the door of our hearts to our God, Who will watch over us as we take the risk of going deeper than we ever have before.

Mr. Campbell reminds us that the needs throughout our state (and beyond) are great. Ms. Richardson encourages us to be intentionally generous as we give. Basic Christian theology maintains that if we give so generously that it is sacrificial, we share in the ministry of Jesus and we and others are brought closer to Jesus.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. Paul Prabell, Rector 3

Connection The

KING’S

Catholics Returning Home Ministry Offers a Warm

Welcome Back

to the Church

Y

ou’ve probably seen some variation have fallen away in the last five years.” of a study documenting the Catholics Returning Home is a number of those who grew up six-week course, hosted several Catholic but have since left times a year, for those who the faith. Recent research have been baptized Catholic, tells us that 13 percent of but are no longer practicing. adults in the United States The group discusses the fall into the category of fundamentals of our faith, “former Catholic.” Many of answers questions, and us could probably point to seeks to provide a support people in our lives — family system for those who are members, friends, coconsidering “coming home” workers, and others — who to the Catholic Church. were raised Catholic, but no “It’s more of a relonger identify as such, or at introduction to the faith and the very least, aren’t actively why we believe the foundational practicing their faith. things we believe,” Whitney But what if a person in this says. “The intention is to situation noticed a tugging at bring people back in, to create their heart when they drove past community for them, and give Parishioner Whitney Allen returned to her a Catholic Church? What if they them a resource.” faith several years ago and loves having the opportunity to welcome others back realized that something about Although she now serves as through Catholics Returning Home. the rhythm and the ritual felt the coordinator of the ministry, like home, and a sense of longing it was only five years ago reminded them of the ache for God deep within? Here that Whitney was on the other side, considering at Cathedral of Christ the King, we hope to create a returning to the faith. Those who serve as part of place for those who have been away from the faith the team can share similar stories of having been to come back, without judgment or expectation and away from the Church for a time. experience the loving return to a relationship with “I had stopped practicing my faith for about 20 Christ in His Church. years, since right after high school,” Whitney says.

“Catholics Returning Home is for the person “But five years ago, I was in a very challenging time who has fallen away from the Church and is in my life and I decided I couldn’t do this alone. I starting to become curious about returning,” says was finding myself going to the church to pray and parishioner Whitney Allen, who helps to coordinate there was this tug. I drove by the cathedral one day the ministry. “It is for baptized Catholics who have and saw this great big banner that said ‘Catholics stepped away from the Church for a while — people Returning Home’ and I was very curious. It was who have been gone for 50 years or people who very uncharacteristic of me to see something like continued on page 5

4

Catholics Returning Home that and explore it, but I did.”

The ministry had a great impact on Whitney’s life and relationship with God, to the point that she says she sometimes looks back on her life and journey of faith as two distinct parts — before Catholics Returning Home and after Catholics Returning Home.

“I had gotten to a point of spiritual rock bottom,” Whitney says. “The difference between my life before and my life after was the level of joy that I have, the level of love and security, even when things are hard and scary and unfair — because of my relationship with God and the Church, those things don’t get to me anymore.

“I think for a lot of people, what brings them back is that realization that life isn’t what they thought it was going to be, and the thing that’s missing, you can’t fill on your own,” she adds. “It truly is an invitation from God, a whisper that says, ‘I’m the only One Who can fill that place in your heart.’”

Whitney encourages all parishioners to support this important ministry through prayer, as well as

continued from page 4

sharing it with people in their lives who may be considering coming back to the Church.

“We ask people to be prayer warriors for us — to pray for the people who are thinking about returning, pray for people going through the series, for the team members, that this message is shared and seen by somebody and to give people the courage to spread the word about it,” she says.

Whitney knows that, in many cases, those who have stopped practicing their faith may dealing with feelings of guilt She assures those considering attending Catholics Returning Home that there is no judgment or shame, just open arms. She hopes the sessions will help people to grasp a better understanding of the faith, as well as give them confidence and hope in returning to the sacraments, and a deeper relationship with Christ.

“It’s really important for people to know that you can come back and you can have that deep connection with Jesus and build that relationship again,” she says. “We’re just so joyful that you’re here and we want to walk with you.”

If you would like more information on Catholics Returning Home, please visit www.cathedralctk.org/catholics-returning-home.

5

Connection The

KING’S

The Patron of Catholic Schools in America

St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

A

s the first American-born canonized saint, Elizabeth Ann Seton’s entrance into history was guided by Divine Providence.

Born on Aug. 28, 1774, just months after the Boston Tea Party, Elizabeth’s childhood witnessed pivotal events in the formation of our country — the Continental Congress, the Declaration of Independence, and the American Revolution. At the time of the foundation of the new Republic, in a society predominately hostile toward Catholicism, a flower blossomed that would forever change the shape of education in the United States.

Elizabeth Seton was born into a wealthy Protestant family in New York City. Her life, although materially blessed, was not without suffering. Elizabeth’s biological mother died when she was only 3, and her younger sister, Catherine Josephine, died at the age of 2. A 6

spark of faith, however, was visible even in her early childhood. When questioned about her sadness concerning her sister’s death, Elizabeth simply responded, “Kitty is gone up to heaven. I wish I could go there too.”

Elizabeth grew into a beautiful woman, courted lavishly by handsome young men from prominent New York families. At the age of 19, she met a charming New York financier, William Seton, and the couple was wed in 1794. They remained in high society until her father-in-law’s passing, which left them to care for William’s seven younger siblings, along with three children of their own. Consequently, the Seton finances crashed.

The couple traveled to Italy — it was here that William’s health failed him, and he died in December 1803. Providentially, Elizabeth was left in the company of a strong Catholic family where she witnessed the practice of the faith. In a letter to her sister, Elizabeth wrote, “My sister dear, how happy would we be, if we believed what these dear souls believe, that they possess God in the Sacrament, and that He remains in their churches...”

After an eight-month stay, Elizabeth returned to America, and she began to investigate Catholicism more deeply. She was besought by Protestant friends who hoped to dissuade her. At this time, Elizabeth

prayed repeatedly, “If I am right, Thy grace impart, still in the right to stay. If I am wrong, oh teach my heart to find the better way.”

In 1805, after much interior struggle, Elizabeth became Catholic. Abandoned entirely by her family and friends, she resolved her financial difficulties through teaching.

In 1807, Elizabeth was invited to establish a Catholic school for girls in Baltimore. The task was daunting, and Elizabeth labored intensely, explaining how “from half past five in the morning until nine at night, every moment is full — no space even to be troubled.” After winters spent in continual hardship and sacrifice, the school flourished and, within years, Mother Seton planted the seed from which sprang the parochial school system — along with hospitals and orphanages.

Before her death in January 1821, she was the active mother of five — although two of her daughters died young — and the spiritual mother of a full-fledged religious congregation known as the Sisters of Charity. She was canonized in 1975, and her feast day is celebrated on Jan. 4.

Thanks to St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Catholic parochial school system remains vibrant and active. And as we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, we are thankful for the sacrifice of this loving wife, devoted mother, foundress and all-American saint.

PARISH LIBRARY and BOOKSTORE

An Important Resource for Growing in Faith and Knowledge “If you have a question about our faith, want to develop a better prayer life, are curious about our history, or desire to dive deeper into Scripture, you can probably find something in our parish library.” — Michele Ferguson

S

everal years ago, the parish library needed a new home. To raise money for the move and the library, the movie Restless Heart: The Confessions of Augustine was shown. In turn, volunteers named the library the St. Augustine Parish Library.

“If you have a question about our faith, want to develop a better prayer life, are curious about our history, or desire to dive deeper into Scripture, you can probably find something in our parish library,” says Michele Ferguson, one of the library volunteers.

The parish library collection includes books, magazines, pamphlets, audio CDs, and DVDs on all things Catholic, from the saints to prayer.

There are also resources on marriage and family topics. Resources for teens and children can also be found at the library. All of the materials are from reliable sources and are screened to ensure they follow Catholic teaching.

“With so many options in religious books out there, our library offers parishioners a place to find books with specifically Catholic perspectives,” Michele says.

The library was first located in a closet in the basement at the Parish Life Center.

Recently, the library was temporarily moved back to the Parish Life Center, room F, to allow Christ the King School to use the space during the pandemic for an infant and toddler room.

Parishioners can still access and borrow from the library but should call the church office in advance to gain entry. continued on back cover

Our parish bookstore offers many materials that can help parishioners and visitors learn more about and share our Catholic faith

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the parish bookstore was open after Sunday Mass and after special events at Hehman Hall. The bookstore’s operation will resume once the pandemic has passed.

7

Connection The

KING’S

299 Colony Blvd. | Lexington, KY 40502 cathedralctk.org | (859) 268-2861

Parish Library and Bookstore Michele adds the library is a great way to learn more about the Catholic faith so parishioners may go forth and share the Good News.

“We offer a lot of books on spirituality and prayer to help parishioners grow their faith,” Michele says. “Reading about the lives of Catholic saints and learning more about the

continued from page 7

teachings of our faith will also help people grow in their faith.”

Michele extends her warmest thanks to Carol Keslin for all her work keeping the library organized and clean.

Our parish bookstore is another ministry that helps people learn more about our Catholic faith. Of course, the store offers a variety of books,

as well as rosaries, crucifixes, and sacramental gifts. Before the pandemic, it was open after Sunday Mass and after special events at Hehman Hall.

The bookstore’s operation will resume once the pandemic has passed.

“We want people to have easy access to Catholic items and gifts,” Michele says.

Interested in volunteering to work in the Parish Bookstore?

Email Michele Ferguson at mlfergy123@gmail.com for details.

LITURGY SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil - 5:00 p.m.|Sunday - 7:30 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Daily (Monday to Saturday) - 8:00 a.m.|(Monday to Friday) - 5:30 p.m.

Reconciliation: Wednesday 4:45 - 5:20 p.m., Saturday 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. | First Sunday of the month 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.