MAR 2022
In This Issue: 2 Stewardship: The Wise Men’s Gifts Symbolize Our Lenten Obligations 3 The Joy of Lent 4 Meet Parishioners Helen and Martin Reidy 6 The Story of the Annunciation of the Lord 7 Catholic Schools Week
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The Men’s Holy Hour: United with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament
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s Catholics, we are immersed in a culture of busyness, always being told to work harder, be more productive, and keep doing more. We are bombarded with news, social media, and music. Even our leisure activities and hobbies tend to focus on doing rather than being. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI aptly said, “In the world there is so much noise, so much bewilderment. There is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host… It is a source of comfort and light.” At Holy Family Cathedral, men are given an opportunity to respond to Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew as he pleads, “Could you not watch one hour with me?” On the second Tuesday of the month, men from the parish of all stages of life are invited to join in prayer and community. This Men’s Holy Hour is a time to slow down and pray. “It is an opportunity to unite themselves with the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament,” says Deacon Thomas. “It is a way to step outside of the hustle and bustle of their lives.” Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament is from 7:30-8:30 p.m. followed by fellowship with snacks and drinks in the parish hall. Confession is available during adoration, as well. “This began about a year and a half ago as an opportunity to build community among the men of the parish,” Deacon Thomas says. “We are bringing new parishioners and new men into the fold, drawing them in and strengthening them in their prayer life. As they say, ‘Iron sharpens iron.’” We are all encouraged to make a Holy Hour every day. This most commonly takes place within our own homes. Being able to make this Holy Hour in front of the Blessed Sacrament is a way of saying “yes” to the call during Mass, “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.” By being physically present in continued on page 5 8TH STREET & BOULDER AVE • TULSA, OK 74119 • (918) 582-6247 • TULSACATHEDRAL.COM
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL
Stewardship
The Wise Men’s Gifts Symbolize Our Lenten Obligations
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e experience great joy when we celebrate the coming of the Magi at Epiphany each year. For many of us, it is the completion of Christmas. Yet, the gifts offered by the Magi — gold, frankincense, and myrrh — can serve to guide us as we observe Lent this month. It may seem strange to connect the joyful celebration of Epiphany with the penitential season of Lent. Yet, our spiritual life should not be divided into separate bits that have no connection to each other. In the same way, the Church’s liturgical year should also flow from one season to another. The various feasts and seasons certainly have different emphases, but they are intended to build on each other. The basic ingredients for our Lenten rules come from what is termed the “Three Notable Duties” — prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. These in turn come from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). How do we connect the wise men’s gifts with the Three Notable Duties? Actually, what the gifts symbolize matches up surprisingly well. Frankincense is the basic ingredient in the incense used in worship, in the ancient world, and in the Church today. Offering it to Jesus points out His divine nature, and so it symbolizes prayer. Our Lenten rule needs to include prayer and worship. Of course, we are bound to worship at Sunday Mass year-round. Maybe during Lent, we might add a weekday Mass. Perhaps we can increase the time we devote to private prayer at home or at adoration. Devotional reading from the Bible or another appropriate book can be added. In addition, don’t forget the possibility of adding family devotions during Lent, so the whole family prays together. When we offer our gold to Christ to build His Church and to help His poor, we are engaged in almsgiving. While giving from the treasure God has entrusted to us is a duty throughout the whole year, maybe this Lent we 2
can practice being a little more generous than usual. If our giving is a thankful response to the gift of eternal life that God has given us, we will find that the giving is indeed a means of grace. For centuries, myrrh has been associated with fasting. Although myrrh comes from the same family of plants as frankincense, it has a more pungent scent and bitter taste. In the ancient world, it was regularly used in embalming. Generations of theological writers have seen the gift of myrrh as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sufferings. And fasting strengthens us in holiness and prepares us to come into God’s presence after our own deaths. St. Thomas Aquinas himself linked myrrh with repentance and fasting when he wrote that myrrh represents the penance by which we preserve our souls from the corruption of sin. Fasting may be the most difficult of the Three Notable Duties for modern Americans. After all, most of the advertising and many of the magazine articles we see are devoted to making us more, not less, comfortable. We usually think of fasting only under the heading of dieting to lose weight. Instead, try to think of fasting as a way to become more spiritually fit. Body and spirit affect each other. The whole sacramental system is built on the truth that we can receive spiritual grace through material things and physical actions. Our specific requirements of fasting are limited — abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, and a reduction in the quantity of food we eat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. But the discipline of our physical bodies for our spiritual well-being does not have to be limited to Lent! Gold, frankincense, and myrrh were indeed valuable gifts for the wise men to present to the Child Jesus. Though the spirit of the seasons may seem vastly different, the Feast of the Epiphany informs our Lenten obligation of prayer, almsgiving, and fasting. What gifts are we going to offer to Jesus this Lent?
MAR 2022 A Letter from Our Rector
THE JOY OF LENT Dear Parishioners,
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ave you ever thought about the joy in sacrifice that Lent provides? Most of us don’t delight in sacrifice; in fact, in our daily lives, we often do our best to avoid challenges and practices that push us outside of our comfort zones. In Christianity, there is a beautiful irony between joy and sacrifice, and we are presented with a wonderful opportunity to embrace this uniquely during Lent. In one of his Lenten messages, Pope Francis shared, “Lent is a fitting time for selfdenial; we would do well to ask ourselves what we can give up in order to help and enrich others by our own poverty.” While giving up sweets in favor of healthy snacks for Lent is a common and noble endeavor, the goal of Lent should not only be a spiritual excuse to lose weight! In choosing acts of self-denial, we are saying “no” to things in order to get into the practice of saying “no” when inclined towards sin, ultimately deepening our faith and our relationship with the Lord. Victory can be found when we deny ourselves and pick up our crosses and hardships in order to grow closer to Christ! Therein lies the joy. When we grow closer to God by denying our will, we say “yes” to a life of abundance with Him. Our God is a benevolent God; He will not hold back His grace from those who honor Him and choose challenging things to grow and give Him glory. Christ even tells us Himself, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Without question, Lent is a time for conscious penitence and spiritual preparation for Easter. And it is important to remember that God loves us whether
we make Lenten changes or not. At the same time, Lent provides us an opportunity to make God a greater part of our life, and to take our faith to new levels. Stewardship is a Godcentered way of life — a spiritual way of living that, above all, acknowledges God’s presence in all we do. Lent is a time for every one of us to do more than simply deny ourselves; we need to welcome God into our lives in greater ways so that when we get to Holy Week and Easter, we have an even greater appreciation for the sacrifice the Lord made for us. Talk about pure joy! May you and your loved ones enjoy a holy and joyous Lenten journey. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Very Rev. Gary D. Kastl Rector
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HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL
MEET PARISHIONERS HE
Blessed to Serve God an
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Martin and Helen Reidy have a strong commitment to helping the poor. They have demonstrated this in many different ways throughout their lives. 4
very Sunday at 8 a.m. Mass, longtime parishioners Helen and Martin Reidy occupy the same pew as they have for the last 48 years. For Martin, memories of attending Mass at the Cathedral go back to when he was a young boy. “My parents took me there to get baptized 84 years ago,” he says. “I was born in 1938, I was baptized in 1939. I’ve been there ever since.” Martin and Helen met through mutual friends as young adults, although they weren’t married until 13 years after initially meeting. The two married in 1974 and have two children. Over the years, they have been involved in many efforts at the Cathedral and in the local community and attend Mass every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the Cathedral. “For almost 20 years, Martin used to lead the Rosary before Mass,” says Helen, adding that they also have frequented the Adoration Chapel every Friday for many years. Martin and Helen have a strong commitment to helping the poor. They have demonstrated this in many different ways throughout their lives. This started for Martin more than 50 years ago, when he heard through a priest friend about migrant farmworkers who were in need. “On Sundays, we’d take food to the Mexicans who lived and worked for the farmers,” Martin says. “We would go down there and visit with them. The kids, we would take out to see some of Tulsa. We enjoyed it, too.” From there, Martin and Helen have volunteered and helped the poor in their community through various projects and efforts. A few times per month, the Reidys’ neighbor gives them leftover food, which they then transport to the homeless after Sunday Mass. When he joined the Knights of Columbus, Martin also began enlisting the Knights’ help in serving breakfast at the homeless center on Archer Street on the first Saturday of every month. “We’re there no matter what time of the year,” Martin says.
MAR 2022
ELEN AND MARTIN REIDY
nd Community Together Having come from backgrounds where they didn’t have much, both Helen and Martin hold those in poverty close to their hearts. Helen says that providing assistance to the poor reminds her that there are people who need help, and she is grateful they have been able to fill that need in different ways. Beyond assisting in-person, Helen says they also pray every day for those in need. Helen is also actively involved with the Women’s Club here at the cathedral. While she is now retired from her work as a nurse, she still volunteers at the hospital, delivering flowers and other items to patients and working nurses. She says it’s a blessing to be able to serve others in this and other capacities. “I’d miss it if I didn’t volunteer,” she says. “I don’t know why I’ve been so blessed, but God must have
some big plans for me.” Both Helen and Martin agree that service has helped them grow together in their marriage. Helen says Martin is the one who has inspired her to be so actively involved throughout the years. Martin, on the other hand, is quick to acknowledge how much his wife has served in her role as a nurse, particularly when she went abroad for a six-month tour in Algeria working with the Red Cross. Helen says it’s their faith that inspires them to serve. “When Jesus was on earth, He did kind things,” she says. “He wanted everybody to follow His example, that’s why we do it. If it wasn’t for my faith, I would be lost. God keeps making plans for me, I just go ahead and do them.”
The Men’s Holy Hour adoration, we are able to gaze upon the Lord and truly “behold” Him. “After the Mass, the devotion to our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament is the best means in which we can grow in holiness and strengthen our families,” Deacon Thomas says. “It all flows from the Mass. Adoration is a tried and true way to remain rightly ordered in the spiritual life.” Men are called to be the spiritual leaders of their families and communities. This monthly event is a great way to deepen their relationship with God and grow in community with other men. “We want every man in the parish to know that they
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are welcome any time they are able to come,” Deacon Thomas says. “By strengthening yourself in grace in confession and prayer, as the spiritual leaders, the graces that flow from that will greatly benefit our families and our communities.”
“We are bringing new parishioners and new men into the fold, drawing them in and strengthening them in their prayer life. As they say, ‘Iron sharpens iron.’” — D eacon T homas
The Men’s Holy Hour is on the second Tuesday of the month from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the church. Fellowship to follow in the parish hall.
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HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL THE STORY OF THE
Annunciation of the Lord T
he Feast of the Annunciation, now recognized as a solemnity, is one of the most important in the Church calendar. First, it celebrates the actual Incarnation of Our Savior — the Word made flesh in the womb of His mother, Mary. Second, it is a principal Marian feast. Two other feasts honoring Our Lord’s mother, the Assumption (Aug. 15), and the Immaculate Conception (Dec. 8), are celebrated as Holy Days of Obligation in the United States. New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, is observed as a Solemnity of Mary. The feast of the Annunciation was first celebrated around the fifth century. It is the reason why we celebrate Christmas on December 25. Christmas comes exactly nine months after the Archangel Gabriel invited the Virgin Mary to be the Mother of God, an event we commemorate on March 25. The biblical account of the Annunciation is in the first chapter of the Gospel of St. Luke, which describes the news given to Mary that she was to become the mother of the Incarnation of God, records the “angelic salutation” of Gabriel to Mary, ‘Hail, thou who art highly favored. The Lord is with thee” (this is the origin of the repeated “Hail Mary” prayer of the Rosary) and Mary’s response to God’s will, “Let it be done to me according to thy word.” Her exultant hymn, the Magnificat, found in Luke 1:46-55, has been part of the Church’s Liturgy of the Hours, at Vespers (evening prayer), and has been repeated nightly in churches, convents, and monasteries for many centuries. On this special day, we reflect upon the incarnation of Jesus Christ in the womb of the Virgin Mary as the antecedent to the explosion of joy, caroling, gift-giving,
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eating, drinking, love, and family unity that surrounds the birth of the Savior. With the incarnation, God has become one of us. From all eternity God had decided that the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity should become human. Now, as Luke 1:26-38 tells us, the decision is being realized. The God-Man embraces all humanity, indeed all creation, to bring it to God in one great act of love. Because human beings have rejected God, Jesus will accept a life of suffering and an agonizing death: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). Mary has an important role to play in God’s plan. From all eternity, God destined her to be the mother of Jesus and closely related to Him in the creation and redemption of the world. We could say that God’s decrees of creation and redemption are joined in the decree of Incarnation. Because Mary is God’s instrument in the Incarnation, she has a role to play with Jesus in creation and redemption. It is a God-given role. It is His grace from beginning to end. Mary becomes the eminent figure she is only by God’s grace. She is the empty space where God could act. Everything she is she owes to the Trinity. Together with Jesus, the privileged and graced Mary is the link between heaven and earth. She is the human being who best, after Jesus, exemplifies the possibilities of human existence. She received into her lowliness the infinite love of God. She shows how an ordinary human being can reflect God in the ordinary circumstances of life. She exemplifies what the Church and every member of the Church is meant to become. She is the ultimate product of the creative and redemptive power of God. She manifests what the Incarnation is meant to accomplish for all of us.
MAR 2022
Catholic Schools Week A Time to Celebrate the Gifts and Blessings of Catholic Education
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atholic schools are indeed a gift. They are a place where students are nurtured — not just in reading, writing, and math, but also in their faith. It’s a joy to take time to celebrate the gift of Catholic education, just as our Holy Family Classical School students, faculty, and staff did during Catholic Schools Week, Jan. 30 through Feb. 5. Holy Family Headmaster Marcel Brown, Ph.D., came to Holy Family Classical School about two years ago. He was especially pleased to celebrate the students and school this year after the COVID interruptions during the 2020-21 school year. “I loved seeing everybody excited to be involved in the mission of our school,” he says. Dr. Brown notes the week’s closeness to the feast day of St. Thomas Aquinas, on Jan. 28, as St. Thomas Aquinas’ writings and teachings are paramount to education. Dr. Brown also appreciates that there is a whole week to celebrate Catholic schools, the same
way as the liturgical year includes eight days for celebrating Christmas and Easter. Two years ago, Holy Family Classical School became a school grounded in Classical Education. This is a different approach to education than what we are accustomed to. “In Classical Education, everything we do reaches back to the beginning of known history,” he says. “We start by going back to the beginning and marching to the present.” Since making the change to Classical Education, the school has enrolled about 100 students. Holy Family Classical School is also grounded in the liberal arts. “There’s really been a boom in enrollment,” Dr. Brown says. “People are excited about what we have to offer at the school.” Our Catholic Schools Week celebrations kicked off on Jan. 29 with an open house at the school. It was continued on back cover
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PO Box 3204 • Tulsa, OK 74101-3204 (918) 582-6247 • tulsacathedral.com
Catholic Schools Week an opportunity for anyone in the community to see the school and learn more about the curriculum. Everyone at the school enjoyed the chance to set aside some of the normal weekly activities and celebrate together. The week included people and groups to honor each day, including teachers, volunteers and staff, families, vocations, the nation, the parish, the community, and students. Holy Family students honored the nation by writing letters to local leaders and elected officials, urging them to allow the voice of God to speak to them in all the decisions they make for the common good. On Wednesday of Catholic Schools Week, which fell on Candlemas, Bishop David Konderla celebrated Mass at the Cathedral where there was an abundance of candles, including a blessed candle to be sent home with each family. Wednesday also included a coffee
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and donut hour for the priests, staff, faculty, and parents who wanted to join. To celebrate the students, each child was treated to an extra recess and a surprise visit from a candy truck. Students were given tickets to pick out treats, and they headed to their classrooms to enjoy them. “We want to let the students know we love them, and we appreciate them,” Dr. Brown says. On Friday, the teachers were honored with a lobster bisque luncheon in the Cathedral basement. The Martin Guild parent group organized the meal. “There is a saying from Socrates, ‘No enforced study abides in the soul,’” Dr. Brown says. “Here, we aim for education to not be a boring, awful chore.” Instead, Holy Family Classical School aims to instill a love of Christ and a desire to pursue goodness, truth, and beauty in all things.
Open enrollment at Holy Family Classical School began on Feb. 1. The admissions process includes an initial visit, a shadow day for the student, a parent questionnaire and a meeting with Dr. Marcel Brown. Visit www.holyfamilyclassicalschool.org/hfcs for more info.
