Cathedral of Christ the King Newsletter — October 2021

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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Meet The King’s Men

Helping Men of Our Parish to be Better Husbands, Fathers and Leaders

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t all started for parishioner Zach Carroll after he was searching for Catholic men's groups and read about the dynamic ministry called The King's Men. The original King’s Men apostolate was founded in 2006 as an outreach to Catholic men in need of spiritual guidance and fellowship.

Zach knew there already was a well-established, service-oriented men’s ministry in the Knights of Columbus at Christ the King, and he hoped to complement it with this new men’s group centered on prayer, the sacraments, and friendship. So, he launched the Christ the King chapter of The King’s Men, and the group has since become an important part of parish life here.

“I wanted to start a group for men at the parish that would focus on growth in the spiritual life — a

Inside OCTOBER 2021

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October: A Month to Turn to Our Lady of the Rosary

4 Questions and Answers About Our Annual Stewardship Renewal

group where prayer was involved and where we could be accountable to one another for growth in virtue,” Zach says.

It isn’t surprising that Zach was so captivated by The King’s Men, which draws its inspiration from Proverbs 27:17, “Iron is sharpened by iron, one person sharpens another.” Zach wanted to give the men of Christ the King an opportunity for spiritual growth with the support of like-minded continued on page 2

6 The Five-Minute Prayer Ministry: Joining Together to Call on the Holy Spirit 7 The Light of the World Retreat: This Is Your Year to Encounter Christ

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Meet The King’s Men

men in the parish.

The ministry focuses on helping men grow as husbands and fathers through the gift of accountability. The core of this men’s ministry is the conviction that, together, men can encourage and challenge one another in holiness and virtue.

“Nothing exists in a vacuum,” Zach says.

“We all can have an impact on each other, and in turn, on the world.”

The King’s Men at Christ the King achieves its goals by meeting weekly to pray, including opening with a recitation of the Rosary, discussing a Catholic men’s book, and checking in with each other on their spiritual lives and goals.

The group has read and discussed books like Into the Breach, An Apostolic Exhortation to Catholic Men by Bishop Olmstead of the Diocese of Phoenix, and Fr. Larry Richard’s book, Be a Man! After their book discussion, the group takes time to spiritually encourage one another, helping set goals for their spiritual lives, checking in on those goals, challenging and confirming one another.

For Zach, The King’s Men has been an opportunity to build friendships rooted in Christ and based on a life of virtue. He has enjoyed offering up sacrifices for the intentions of his fellow men during the week, as well as praying for other’s intentions. He knows that others are praying for his own intentions.

Zach adds that as members of the Body of Christ, we rely on one another to become who we were made to be. He believes it is especially

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important for men to have a form of community where they can be encouraged to live out such countercultural virtues as chastity and purity of heart.

“Because I know what other men in the group are working towards during the week, I have many chances to pray for them and their intentions,” Zach says. “I can make sacrifices for them throughout the week, which is a cool feeling. I can text them and ask how they are doing, or they’ll text me and check in on me. It built a sense of community and gave me people to pray for every day.”

The group has not been able to meet recently due to COVID restrictions, but Zach would like to see the group begin again and train new leadership.

“Being a part of The King’s Men gives you so much to be intentional about in prayer throughout the week,” Zach says. “You not only are more mindful about your own prayer life, but you are thinking about your friends and fellow parishioners, as well.”

If you would like more information about The King’s Men at Christ the King, please contact ministry leader Zach Carroll at 859-230-4792 or zpcarroll@gmail.com. You can also check out the national organization’s website at www.thekingsmen.org.

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A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector

OCTOBER: A Month to Turn to Our Lady of the Rosary Dear Brothers and Sisters:

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ay by day, our heavenly Father provides spiritual food and graces to His beloved children, nourishing us on our earthly pilgrimage. October brings us the grace of the Holy Rosary, a prayer buried deeply in the heart of the Church, as one of its most precious treasures.

The Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, which takes place Oct. 7, is a commemorative feast established by St. Pius V on the anniversary of the naval victory won by the Christian fleet at Lepanto. The victory was attributed to the help of the Mother of God, whose aid was invoked by praying the Rosary.

This victory revealed the power of the Holy Rosary more than ever. Catholics who were open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit took with deep resolve the Rosary as their link to God. Pope St. John Paul II, in his 2002 Apostolic Letter, Rosarium Virginis Mariae, writes: “The Church has always attributed particular efficacy to this prayer, entrusting to the Rosary... the most difficult problems. At times when Christianity itself seemed under threat, its deliverance was attributed to the power of this prayer, and Our Lady of the Rosary was acclaimed as the one whose intercession brought salvation” (39).

Thus, not merely through the Rosary, but more significantly, through the woman behind the Rosary — the glorious Mother of our Savior, Christ the Lord — a wellspring of God’s love has been discovered.

Indeed, the Rosary is truly a way to discover Christ’s infinite love through the tender heart of His Mother.

“With the Rosary, the Christian people sits at the school of Mary and is led to contemplate the beauty on the face of Christ and to experience the depths of his love. Through the Rosary the faithful receive abundant grace, as though from the very hands of the Mother of the Redeemer” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 1).

A great number of saints, such as Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta, who had a special concern for the preservation of the Christian family, sensed that its salvation would be through the Holy Rosary. And as Pope St. John Paul II wrote, “Today I willingly entrust to the power of this prayer... the cause of peace in the world and the cause of the family” (Rosarium Virginis Mariae, 39). Our Lady of Fatima, who pleaded with families to pray the daily Rosary, would agree with him!

Let us entrust everything to the Rosary along with the saints. As our hearts burn with hope, let us give to the Mother of God every concern that we bear, each cross we carry, piece by piece, worry by worry. She will be there to offer everything to our Heavenly Father, Whose care for each one of His children reaches beyond anything we could ever imagine.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Fr. John Moriarty

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QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT OUR Annual

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nce again, it’s time for our Annual Stewardship Renewal. Every year, someone asks, as you may have asked yourself, “Didn’t we just have a Stewardship Renewal? Aren’t we sufficiently ‘renewed’ by now?” Yes, we had a Stewardship Renewal last year, and we’re going to have one next year, too! This is an annual occurrence – part of the rhythm of parish life at Cathedral of Christ the King. Just as the Church proposes a time of spiritual renewal each Lent, we believe in the importance of a yearly examination of commitment. Is the Lord asking you to give more time, talent, or treasure to our parish this year? The following Q&A about our Stewardship Renewal should help you discern your commitments to Cathedral of Christ the King this year.

Commitment Weekend is October 23-24. Don’t forget to bring your Commitment Card to Mass I feel like my life is already too full with family obligations and work obligations. I barely even have time to relax. How can I possibly share my time and talents with Cathedral of Christ the King?

We all have many obligations to our families, jobs, schools, and other endeavors. But we also all have the same number of hours in the day with which to accomplish these things. The issue is not how much time we have, but how we prioritize that time.

Before you fill out your Commitment Card, take some time to reflect on your priorities, and where God fits into your day-to-day life.

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Remember, living as true stewards of God’s gifts involves giving back the first fruits of what He has given to us in thanksgiving, not the “leftovers.”

I am happy with my current level of parish participation. Why do I need to keep filling out a Commitment Card every year?

As part of the renewal process, it is important that we consider our current level of participation in parish life at Cathedral of Christ the King.

Sometimes, the call to stewardship involves the quality of service in addition to its quantity. In looking through the opportunities for ministry available at the parish, you may find yourself drawn to a new ministry you haven’t tried before, or new ways to share of your time with God to enrich and enlighten your prayer life. So, even though your current level of parish participation might not change drastically, the ways in which you participate may evolve as you grow in living the stewardship way of life.

Even if you end up continuing to participate in the exact same ministries as you have in the past, marking and turning in a Commitment Card means you have reviewed your present ministries and recommitted yourself to them.

I’m not very active in the Church and, frankly, feel like it may be too late to get involved.

Why should I fill out a Commitment Card?

It’s never too late to renew your faith life, and filling out a Commitment Card is a simple step through which you can immediately re-enter the life of the parish. Our parish community is not here to judge you, but to welcome and nourish you in your faith journey. Begin by checking the box that says, “Attend weekly Mass and Holy Days of Obligation,” and take some time to discern additional ways in which God is calling you from that starting point.

Stewardship Renewal I’m physically unable to attend Mass or be active in parish life at Cathedral of Christ the King. Is there any reason for me to submit a Commitment Card?

Of course! Your prayers are just as important to the success of our parish community in carrying out its mission as ministry participation and financial contributions. Take a moment to look over some of the opportunities to spend quiet time with God listed in the “Stewardship of Time” section of the Commitment Card, and take a step towards growing in your relationship with Christ and His Church.

I’m reluctant to make a financial pledge for the year in case my circumstances change and I’m unable to fulfill it. Should I? Your Commitment Card is not a legally binding contract; it is a pledge of intentions. Make your pledge based on what you are setting out to do to give back to God, and do your best to fulfill that pledge. If your financial circumstances change, your gift will likely change, as well, but it is still important to prioritize God first. Nobody is going to send the bill collector to your house if you can’t fulfill your pledge due to a change in your financial situation! But we’ve all got to start somewhere, and it’s important that we begin our commitment by writing down our goals for giving back of our gifts to God. I’ve expressed interest in a ministry in the past by filling out a Commitment Card but nobody ever followed up with me about it.

While we do our best to consistently follow up with everyone who has shown interest in the opportunities for ministry at Cathedral of Christ the King, we are human, and we sometimes fall short in our follow-up. If this has happened to you in the past, we sincerely apologize, and

Every parish family receives a special “Stewardship Package” in the mail that further explains our parish’s vision of stewardship. It includes a booklet that describes every ministry in the parish, as well as your Commitment Card.

we encourage you to renew your interest in any activities in which you might like to participate by filling out a Commitment Card this year. Every year, we go into the renewal with every intention of making sure that everyone who has expressed interest is contacted with more information, and we will do so again this year.

I don’t agree with everything that goes on at Cathedral of Christ the King. I feel like when I fill out a Commitment Card, it condones the things I disagree with.

In filling out a Commitment Card, you are not making a pledge between yourself and Cathedral of Christ the King; you are making a pledge between yourself and God. Disagreements occur in life.

This is a part of being human, and we respect the opinions of each and every member of our parish family. But it is of utmost importance that each of us fulfills our discipleship of Christ by growing in our relationship with Him and utilizing the gifts He has given us to carry out His mission on Earth, regardless of disagreements or misunderstandings.

Beyond helping the parish, filling out a Commitment Card expresses a devotion to spiritual growth and a strong belief in the Catholic faith.

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The Five-Minute Prayer Ministry:

Joining Together to Call on the Holy Spirit

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n the Acts of the Apostles, the Holy Spirit fills the Apostles and gives them the words they need. As we read in Acts 4:31, “As they prayed, the place where they were gathered shook, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.”

“In the time of Jesus, the Holy Spirit was everywhere — He was in everything,” says Deacon Tim Weinmann, who is a part of the Charismatic Prayer Group at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

This prayer group has a team called the Five-Minute Prayer Ministry, through which group members pray with people in between the Sunday Masses. The team’s name originates from members praying with someone for just a short time. While this ministry is currently on hiatus until it’s safe to be close with other people, the team has been finding other ways to pray with others, whether virtually, over the phone, or in small groups.

In October 2019, Shelley Parkerson, with the Diocese of Lexington, gave a presentation on the Five-Minute Prayer model. Since then, more and more people have been getting involved.

“We’ve got some really great prayer warriors,” says Patsy Bunnell, who has been a part of the Charismatic Prayer Group since the beginning.

Deacon Tim says many Catholics — especially cradle Catholics — might not be familiar with charismatic prayer and praying with someone for their intentions.

“When someone asks for prayers, we pray with them on the spot,” he says.

“We never know what God is going to do,” Patsy adds. “It’s not up to us. It’s up to what God wants to do. Sometimes He heals, and

sometimes it’s inner healing that you can’t see.”

Patsy says that no matter the outcome, intercessory prayer provides a lot of peace. The prayer team is working on getting comfortable praying with people outside of the Cathedral walls.

“Jesus is alive and real, and He wants a relationship with every one of us,” Patsy says.

“We want to introduce people to Him, and let them feel that love.”

Deacon Tim encourages all parishioners to learn more about charismatic prayer and get more involved. It might seem intimidating at first, but it provides so many blessings.

“I would consider myself a rookie,” he says. “I am really figuring all this out and being amazed at what I see, hear and experience. The first thing to realize is that the Holy Spirit is within you, and you actually received Him at Baptism — He’s not just out there. He’s right in your very being.”

The Charismatic Prayer Group meets on the second and fourth Friday of every month from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Please contact Patsy Bunnell at dpbunnell@yahoo.com to learn more about this ministry or to ask for prayers.

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The Light of the World Retreat:

THIS IS YOUR YEAR TO ENCOUNTER CHRIST

Retreat participants gather for reflection and prayer.

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here are many ways to encounter Jesus Christ.

A retreat is a wonderful way to set aside the routines and look at life through a different lens and truly experience committed time with Jesus.

With this in mind, Deacon Tim Weinmann helps coordinate the Light of the World Retreat, which is from Oct. 29 to Nov. 1 this year.

“My conversion has been around retreat experiences,” Deacon Tim says. “Retreats are holy ground. Amazing things can happen. Give yourself this gift.”

The Light of the World Retreat is a chance for men and women, 18 and older, to experience a personal encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The retreat takes place in the Parish Life Center here at the Cathedral beginning on Friday evening, Oct. 29, and ending on Monday evening, Nov. 1. On Saturday and Sunday, the retreat is all day.

Deacon Tim first experienced a Light of the

World Retreat through the Diocese of Rockford, Ill., where the ministry originated. He decided to bring it to the Cathedral about five years ago.

According to the Light of the World Retreat website, the weekend is an experience where participants personally encounter Christ through the presentation of the kerygma — the basic Gospel message.

Whitney Allen has helped plan the retreat since the year after she attended the Cathedral’s first Light of the World Retreat. Many retreat participants return to help run future retreats. Whitney helped develop this year’s tagline, “Make Having a Personal Relationship With Jesus Your New Normal.”

“This is an invitation to go deeper into your own relationship with Jesus and discover what that means,” Whitney says.

The retreat includes Mass, speakers, smallgroup discussions, and time for sharing. There are also brief periods of adoration throughout the continued on back cover

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

The Light of the World Retreat weekend.

“We want there to be adoration throughout the weekend, and the idea is you are going to meet Jesus in an up-close and personal way through the retreat,” Deacon Tim says. “You are given some specific things to pray about. You take those to the Lord. These are often the most intimate and moving parts of the retreat.”

Whitney says we need to resist any guilt of leaving our everyday life for the weekend. The retreat is a chance to grow and really have a lifechanging experience.

“This needs to be an act of spiritual self-care,”

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she says. “You have to commit to going a bit deeper.

Ask your family for this to be a gift to you.”

Deacon Tim and Whitney want attendees to leave the retreat with the tools to live the faith more vibrantly and actively, and they hope the stories from retreat speakers and the time for adoration and Mass will help attendees experience Jesus Christ. Retreat attendees are there to support each other going forward.

“This is a place you can come, especially now, and look at life,” Deacon Tim says. “Look at this as a gift to yourself — not for selfish reasons. You will be better able to serve those you encounter.”

Retreat registration information is available at cathedralctk.org/light-of-the-world-retreat. Those with any questions may contact Deacon Tim Weinmann at 859-266-9314 or tweinmann@cdlex.org.

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.