Cathedral of Christ the King Newsletter — June 2022

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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Parish Pastoral Council:

Collaborative Group Works for Good of Our Cathedral

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arishes have a lot determining how the of moving parts spirit is calling the — when everything Cathedral. They set lines up properly, the goals for the year the Cathedral can and elect officers. run more smoothly.

“It’s both a That’s the goal of spiritual and the Parish Pastoral temporal exercise,” Council (PCC).

Glen says. “We have The Parish Pastoral Council is a This past year, very collaborative group that works adoration and a the PCC has been together for the good of the Cathedral. lot of prayer and getting to know Fr. reflection.”

John Moriarty. They’ve also been The focus for 2022 is hospitality — adjusting to the challenges of the “To welcome each person by focusing pandemic. The PCC works with the on our personal and communal Cathedral’s many ministries. relationship with Christ.”

“We serve as an advisory “We really want to have a committee to see what is going on welcoming presence to all who come at the Cathedral,” says Glen Heck, worship with us,” Glen says. current PCC president. “We help The goals for 2020 and 2021 were work through any conflicts and help the same — to encourage parishioners advise the Rector as the voice for the to return to church if they had parish on where things should go.” been away due to the pandemic.

Each year, PCC members gather Other goals included increased for a retreat to spend time in prayer, evangelization, and supporting racial continued on page 5

Inside JUNE 2022

2 Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in the Summertime 3 Embrace the Holy Spirit 4 Archives/ History of Parish Ministry Bringing Memories to Life for Our Community 6 Lectors Reverently Proclaim God’s Word and Grow in Faith 7 A Catholic’s Guide to Good Summer Reading

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Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in The Summertime

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he kids are out of school and our fast-paced lives centered on school and youth sports activities have slowed down. Our own internal clocks are now on summer time. We’re ready for a break from our hectic lives.

And while we take vacations and enjoy the leisurely pace of the season, we need to remember that summer is not the time to take a vacation from God. In fact, summer can serve as the perfect opportunity to grow in our relationship with God, especially since most of us have considerably more free time.

So, instead of neglecting our faith due to busy days and late nights, try these simple steps to embrace God during the quieter summer months and during your vacation.

Get More Active in a Parish Ministry

The summer is actually a perfect time to get more involved in a parish ministry. Because we no longer have to get the kids to and from school, or get them to sporting events or other activities that normally occur during the school year, our schedules are a bit less cluttered. Summer is indeed a perfect time to fill some downtime with service to God through ministry and giving of your talents. Take a look through the parish ministries to find something that suits your particular interest or talent.

Vacation Bible School, for Kids and Adults

Vacation Bible School is a great way for younger children to learn about God through songs, activities and fellowship. The fun-filled lessons build upon Gospel teachings while keeping kids’ attention.

For older children, it is a great opportunity to offer service by being a team leader or assistant. Adults can also help plan, decorate, organize and teach during the week. It’s a wonderful activity for the entire family!

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Give Thanks for the Sun

Praise God for the sun, time off from school and easygoing days by visiting the adoration chapel to say a quick prayer. Bring a journal or rosary along to help stay focused. Little children can even bring a religious coloring book to give thanks to God on their terms. Or, before heading to the pool, why not attend daily Mass with the kids? It’s a perfect way to start the day and set the tone that — vacation or not — God is still an important part of your family life.

Don’t Take a Vacation from Mass

Often while on a vacation away from our parish family, we are not familiar with where to attend Mass. Don’t let that be an obstacle for you. Check out masstimes.org in order to find out where and when to go to Mass. In addition, if you are lodging at a hotel, the concierge will assist you with directions to the nearest Catholic Church.

Summertime Stewardship of Treasure

The prime reason for keeping up our pledge all summer is that God doesn’t go on vacation. He continues to sustain us throughout the summer months. He persists in pouring out blessings on us, even during the hottest weather. He keeps on meeting us in His sacramental presence when we go to Mass wherever we travel. As God remains faithful to us during the summer, we are called to be faithful in our commitments to Him and our parish family, even during our vacation time.

So, enjoy the warmer temperatures and the relaxed atmosphere. Just don’t forget Who provides the sun and the sand! And most importantly, remember to take God with you wherever you go on vacation!

A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector

Embrace the Holy Spirit Dear Brothers and Sisters:

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ou’ve all heard homilies about Pentecost, which comes on June 5 this year. Pentecost was the day when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles while they were gathered for prayer in Jerusalem.

Coming 10 days after Jesus’ Ascension into heaven, the descent of the Holy Spirit turned the apostles from a collection of fearful followers looking for some direction into a band of courageous witnesses ready to declare their faith in Christ to the whole world.

You’ve heard that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church because that was the day when newly filled with the Holy Spirit, St. Peter preached the first Christian sermon, inviting his hearers to turn to Jesus as their Savior and their Lord. Those who accepted the invitation were baptized and “were added” to the Church (Acts 2:41). That day marked the beginning of the Church’s public mission, which continues to the present.

But the Holy Spirit’s actions in the Church were not limited to the apostles in an ancient time. He remains active down to the present, guiding the pope and the bishops as they go about their work of sanctifying, teaching and ruling in the Church. The Holy Spirit acts in the sacraments to make them effective signs of grace. We see the Holy Spirit’s work in the witness of the saints through whom He continues the work of salvation.

The Spirit, moreover, acts not only in the Church as a corporate body, but also in the lives of individual Christians. We become temples of the Holy Spirit at our Baptism. Then at Confirmation, which is our own personal Pentecost, we receive the seal of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit unites us more closely to Christ, increases the spiritual gifts we have been given, and strengthens us to spread and defend the faith.

Ultimately, Pentecost is more than simply a feast celebrating something that happened a long time ago. Of course, the coming of the Spirit we read about in Acts 2 took place just once. But the Holy Spirit remains active today, guiding the Church as a

whole, but also working in the life of each individual Christian to make us holy.

Maybe you don’t feel as if the Holy Spirit is working in your life. Well, God the Father gave us free will, so we can choose whether or not we’ll obey Him. And God the Holy Spirit, being united in the one Godhead with the Father and the Son, honors that freedom. He’ll never force us to turn away from sin or compel us to obey God’s commandments. The Spirit offers us grace. He will beckon us toward heaven, and occasionally we may feel Him nudging us along, but we always have the freedom to choose God or to reject Him. Perhaps you’ve made a commitment to worship at Mass at least weekly and spend some time each day in prayer. Maybe you have promised to use some of your talents in parish ministries and service to the community. You may even have turned in a card at our last renewal to indicate your pledge of a portion of your treasure to be used in God’s service.

I hope you’ve done all of these. If so, both the Holy Spirit’s grace and your response were involved in your decision. And the Holy Spirit will give you the strength to fulfill your commitments.

Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. John Moriarty

This month, I would like to take a moment to remember parishioner Bob Naydan, who passed away on April 12. Bob was instrumental in bringing this newsletter to fruition as its original editor, gathering stories and newsworthy facts to share with our community each month. We remain ever grateful for Bob’s contribution to our newsletter and faith community.

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Archives/History of Parish Ministry Bringing Memories to Life for Our Community

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Celebrating the dedication of the archive storage space

All are encouraged to visit the archives.

The history of the parish is meant to be shared and celebrated by all of us. The archives unite us and can strengthen our present community. To access the digital archive site, please visit https://ctkarchives.cathedralctk.org/.

To access the physical archives, make an appointment by emailing CTKarchive@cdlex.org.

The Archives/History of Parish Ministry welcomes new volunteers. If you are interested in joining the ministry and preserving the history of the Cathedral, please email Jerry directly at Jerrylex1@yahoo.com.

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ounded in 1945, the Cathedral of Christ the King is filled with a rich history — a history that the Archives/History of Parish Ministry is dedicated to preserving.

“Our parish and parishioners have a story that deserves to be preserved and honored,” says Jerry Ruddy, ministry leader.

The Archives/History of Parish Ministry’s mission is to catalog the historical artifacts and records related to the Cathedral, so that they may be shared with all in the community and protected for future generations.

Those who access the archives will find a window into the past that will certainly inspire and ignite an appreciation of the parish. Jerry remembers an instance when a man used the archives to find pictures of his fiancée’s First Holy Communion.

“We were able to find the photographs and assist him in surprising his now-wife in such a memorable way,” Jerry says.

Currently, the Archives/History of Parish Ministry is in the process of digitizing the entire catalog of documents and historical materials in order to make them accessible online. The newly revamped digital archive site is open to all parishioners and the public. This interactive online platform allows visitors to view the history of the parish and school. On the site, the ministry will be hosting digital exhibits and updating the archives blog. Visitors to the site can also contribute to the Cathedral’s archives by submitting artifacts through the site’s “contribution” portal.

While some parts of the collection are still in the process of being digitized, the public can access these pieces of information by scheduling an appointment and visiting the physical archives.

“We encourage parishioners to frequently visit the digital archives for updates,” Jerry says.

“There you can find brief descriptions of our collection through the ‘Digital Archives Guide,’ which is our finding aid to navigate the digital and physical archives.” continued on page 5

Archives/History of Parish Ministry The archives hold an array of information that has been collected throughout the decades from various sources.

“Our viewers will see that the history of the Cathedral of Christ the King lives and breathes in multiple formats,” Jerry says.

A common misconception about the archives is that it’s simply a catalog of old, written files. Instead, the archival material is a collection of documents, photographs, blueprints, and other key artifacts.

“The archives are a way to look to the past, recognize the present and improve the future,” says Rosie Mandea, a longtime member of the ministry.

Another ministry member, Don Martina has found many pictures of his family and friends, which have led him to relive memories that may have been lost without the archives.

“This is the true purpose of the archives, to bring back memories and honor them,” Don says.

Parish Pastoral Council

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“The archives are a way to look to the past, recognize the present and improve the future.” — Rosie Mandea

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justice and interracial healing.

Glen wants to counter the misconception that the PCC is a governing body — rather, it is a very collaborative group that works together for the good of the Cathedral.

“This is a very prayerful group,” Glen says. “It’s not just a business meeting — we are very much focused on the spirit and what He wants. We take great care to make sure we are all open to the spirit.”

Glen recalls that he initially got involved in

the PCC about four years ago because he was looking to give back to the Cathedral, which he has since been blessed to do. All members believe that it’s essential to accept our Cathedral’s gifts. They want to make sure ministries and the Cathedral are growing.

“We are very optimistic about the future,” Glen says. “We want to take pride in what has been done in the past and continue to grow and evangelize.”

The PCC meets on the third Wednesday of the month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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Lectors Reverently Proclaim God’s Word and Grow in Faith

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roclaiming the Word of God is an important aspect of the celebration of the Mass. Lectors are responsible for providing a clear and prayerful proclamation of the readings within our liturgies.

Lisa Contreras trains and schedules our team of lectors here at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

She has been serving as team leader since 2013.

“I love working with the lectors,” Lisa says. “Their obvious love for God’s Word and their enthusiasm for wanting to proclaim it to their brothers and sisters at Christ the King is beautiful to see. Watching new lectors grow and develop their skills over time is also very gratifying and the conversations I have had with many of them — beginning at that first training session and then continuing as they serve in the ministry — have so often been amazingly edifying and inspiring.”

Serving as a lector is about more than simply proclaiming Scripture readings. Lectors are encouraged to practice readings ahead of time, focusing on various aspects of the Word. Becoming comfortable with the readings can help the lector, in turn, as they enter into the profound meaning of the texts. Lisa encourages the lectors to pray for inspiration from the Holy Spirit as they prepare to proclaim God’s Word.

“In the training, I am very careful to emphasize that one is to proclaim the readings, but it must not ever turn into a performance — the focus should never be on the lector,” Lisa says. “We practice good voice modulation, clear enunciation and accurate pronunciation, proper pauses, and appropriate emphasis.”

When delivered well, the readings have the power to greatly move the parishioners in their

Emma Bachman- Johnson serves as a lector at Christ the King.

pews, assisting with a greater understanding of the stories of salvation history. But the lectors themselves also have an opportunity to dive deeper into their spiritual lives through this ministry.

“My spirituality is deepened due to the preparation necessary to proclaim God’s Word to the congregation,” says Jim Lambert, who co-chairs the ministry. “I must understand the teaching in the readings before I can convey it to others.”

Jim began his role as co-chair earlier this year but has served as a lector at our parish for more than nine years. He says his spiritual life has deepened as a result of his service.

“Through intonation and emphasis and projecting my feeling about the Word, I hope to make the congregation realize that this reading is something worth listening to and the Church chose this day’s reading for a purpose,” Jim says.

If you are interested in learning more about the Lector Ministry, or to get involved, please contact either Lisa Contreras at lcontreras189@gmail.com or Jim Lambert at jlamb1611@gmail.com.

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A Catholic’s Guide to Good Summer Reading

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ave you been wondering what to read during vacation this year? Why not give spiritual reading a try?

There are thousands of titles out there — too many for any one person — just waiting to make a positive impact on your faith life. Reading is a fantastic opportunity for general spiritual direction and good practice for every searching soul.

Choose a title from “you can’t go wrong” authors such as Louis de Wohl, G.K. Chesterton, Peter Kreeft, Francis de Sales, C.S. Lewis, and Scott Hahn. Their works alone should take you well into the summer, and possibly through to the next decade.

Or, choose from this list of great Christian books, in no particular order: The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux In this autobiography and all-time favorite Catholic book, St. Therese teaches her “little way” of spiritual childhood. Millions of copies have been sold worldwide.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis One of the most popular introductions to the Christian faith ever published, this series of broadcast talks has been collected into book fashion. Mere Christianity sets out to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.”

Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott and Kimberly Hahn This offers a conversion story of a brilliant, anti-Catholic Scripture scholar and his wife to the Catholic faith. Now well-known speakers and Catholic apologists, Scott and Kimberly recount their story with simplicity and love.

The Good News about Sex & Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching by Christopher West This down-to-earth application of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is an easy-toread, yet insightful account of the Church’s teaching on sex and marriage.

What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating Addressing 52 of the greatest misconceptions of the Catholic faith, Keating draws upon Scripture and Tradition to dispel errors and explain the rationale behind Church teaching.

No Greater Love by Mother Teresa This anthology collects the teachings and sayings of St. Teresa of Calcutta. Founder of the Missionaries of Charity and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, St. Teresa of Calcutta speaks joyfully about her work with the poor and God’s call in our lives.

Surprised by Truth edited by Patrick Madrid Eleven converts give their Biblical and historical reasons for becoming Catholic. These unique personal testimonies continue to transform hearts throughout the world in an insightful read for Catholics and non-Catholics alike.

Something For Young Catholics As for the little ones at home, nothing settles them into bed better than a good book. Seek wholesome children’s literature that communicates Christian messages. Be sure they are positive, healthy stories with characters they can emulate that inspire virtues such as courage, justice, charity, patience, generosity and prudence. To name a few: continued on back cover

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A Catholic’s Guide to Good Summer Reading Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis This series of seven fantasy novels is considered a classic in children’s literature.

Chronicles of Narnia alludes to traditional Christian ideas within the framework of an exciting tale of adventure.

Little Acts of Grace by Rosemarie Gortler, Mimi Sternhagen (Illustrator) and Donna Piscitelli This beginning-level book is a fantastic way to introduce 2 to 4-year-olds to Catholic customs.

It is written in an age-appropriate, beautifully explained way.

All (or just one) of the 20 books of the Mary Fabyan Windeatt saint biographies This unbeatable collection of saint stories,

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appropriate for children of all ages, is perfect to read aloud with the whole family.

Blessed Teresa of Calcutta: Missionary of Charity

by Sr. Mary Kathleen Glavich There is no better way to introduce children to St. Teresa of Calcutta! This book highlights her work with the poor and includes a special prayer for children.

The Story of Easter by Aileen Fisher Telling the story of Jesus’ death and resurrection, and exploring how different cultures celebrate Easter, this book is recommended for children in first through third grades.

Happy summer! Happy reading!

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.