St. Benedict Cathedral Newsletter — December 2020

St. Benedict

Cathedral

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

WITH ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS UPON US, REMEMBER THE

True Reason for the Season

T

he COVID-19 pandemic has undoubtedly impacted so many areas of our lives. In turn, so much has changed in our churches and the Cathedral — from wearing masks to spacing out the seats in the pews, to carrying out extra sanitizing procedures.

Although things will likely still look this way for Christmas, there is one thing the pandemic cannot take away — the true joy of celebrating Jesus’ birth.

Fr. Godfrey Mullen encourages us to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, even in the sadness we may be feeling this year, whether missing a loved one or cherished time with family.

“Christmas has to work in tandem with St. Benedict Cathedral Easter,” he says. “And the darkness of Advent, decorated for Christmas. the dreariness of Good Friday — it all leads to the light of the Resurrection, the light of Bethlehem’s star. Whatever darkness is ours, it can lead to light.”

Fr. Godfrey invites us to remember great, Christmas-specific family memories. If we are missing someone, we should think about all the joy they brought us. For Fr. Godfrey family and Christmas go hand-in-hand. He recalls one fond memory of his family sending out Christmas cards. And, that is something he continues to this day.

“It won’t surprise anyone who knows me that music and decoration also continued on page 2

Inside

DECEMBER 2020

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Unwrapping the Gift of Stewardship Livestream Masses Ensure We Pray Together, Even While Apart

6 Begin the Journey

Home for Christmas 7 Children’s Liturgy

of the Word

Bringing the Mass

to Life for Our Youngest Parishioners

REMEMBER THE TRUE REASON FOR THE SEASON continued from front cover

play an important part in the Christmas celebration for me and my family,” he says.

Fr. Godfrey asks us to also remember this is the season of giving. After all, not everyone is able to purchase an extravagant Christmas meal or gifts for their children. In January, we will take a collection for our brothers and sisters at the cathedral in Port-de-Paix, Haiti. In coordination with the St. Vincent de Paul Society and several other agencies, we will once again have the Dove Tree Project, an opportunity to support families in need by purchasing Christmas gifts.

“Every year, parishioners show stunning generosity,” Fr. Godfrey says. “As the presents start being returned to the parish for distribution to the families, it’s a clear reminder of our call to serve Jesus in the least of our brothers and sisters.”

Typically about 45 families are served, including residents of the House of Bread and Peace and the Children’s Psychiatric Center.

Through all the preparations and celebrations, Fr. Godfrey asks us to remember the true reason for the season. In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we may have even more time to reflect, pray and spend time with our immediate family.

Despite the pandemic, the true joy of celebrating Jesus’ birth will remain with us this Christmas.

“If we’re truly longing for the Christ Child, we’re far more likely to welcome Him,” he says. “If we know our genuine hunger, we’ll know that He will feed us. If we recognize the gifts that we need most, we will easily recognize that He is the answer to those longings.”

Many blessings to all as we prepare for the arrival of the Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, FatherForever, and Prince of Peace!

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

Christmas Eve Masses 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. — By reservation only Christmas Masses Midnight and 9 a.m. — No reservations needed

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Reservations Online: www.SaintBenedictCathedral.org/reservations Phone: (812) 425-3369 Email: cathedral@evdio.org Reservations accepted from Dec. 9 at 8 a.m. through Dec. 23 at 4 p.m.

A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector

Unwrapping the Gift of

Stewardship

My Fellow Parishioners:

M

ost people associate stewardship with giving. Some think it is a desperate plea by the church asking parishioners to give some of your time, talent and treasure to a worthy cause.

Some think it is a noble gesture that identifies a faithful steward, a common occurrence this time of year. And for some, it is an understanding that the stewardship way of life brings joy and blessings to the giver by returning a portion of the gifts he or she has received from God. At Christmas, when it is most common to give or receive gifts, should this not also be a time when the stewardship way of life becomes the gift that is unwrapped by our consciousness and treasured by our faith? After all, the first gift of Christmas was the gift of God’s own Son. For those who may still be struggling to truly understand the stewardship way of life, that may be a concept that is difficult to accept, even at this time of year. But by living the stewardship way of life, it makes perfect sense to me. And during this season of faith, the gift of stewardship remains one of the blessings of my life as a Catholic, as a priest and as a pastor.

Before fully embracing a life of stewardship, I could justify wasting my time with less-thanworthwhile activities. I could rationalize withholding my talents, because I often thought somebody else would always step up and take care of things instead of me. I restricted or limited sharing my material resources, thinking it wouldn’t make a difference — or worse yet, I thought others could afford to give more than me, because I believed I had already given enough. As each day passes, I remind myself often of how wrong I was in what I did with my time, talent and treasure. But the days for regretting my misunderstanding of the

stewardship way of life are over.

Stewardship conversion changes all of that, and the reverse is now true.

The more time, talent and treasure that I can give, the more content and joyful I truly am. When is the last time you unwrapped a gift that gave you so much peace of mind and heart? Maybe you have never been aware of receiving such a gift, or maybe God is just waiting for you to unwrap what He has always wanted you to have. Perhaps it is the gift God wants you to have this year for Christmas.

The catalyst for stewardship is gratitude. And, as we recognize that all we have is a gift from God, it lights up our gratitude as if it were a large Christmas tree with too many lights on it to be counted. All we can do is look at it with wonder and awe, thankful for what we see, what we have, and the opportunity to give back something in gratitude. It is more than just a spirit of “holiday stewardship” that seems to be so common this time of year. It is the core of the stewardship way of life, and once that gift is unwrapped, our conversion takes hold and our lives are transformed into faithful stewardship intended by our God. I hope and pray that you and your family will be blessed during this season of God’s grace, unwrapping the gift of stewardship in your lives and finding joy and peace — both during this season of grace and all year long.

Peace,

Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector 3

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Livestream Masses ENSURE WE Pra

year ago, if you had asked most parishes in the United States if they had the ability to livestream their Masses, the answer would have been “no” — perhaps followed by, “Why would we do that?”

Yet, this past spring, as the world shut down in ways we couldn’t have imagined — including the pause of public Masses — priests and parish staff members across the country scrambled to create opportunities for people to continue to pray and be nourished by the celebration of the Eucharist, from the safety of their homes.

“We had about a day, at most, to make the decision to stream Masses, as the state shut down public worship,” says Director of Music Jeremy

Korba. “The Cathedral wasn’t in a position with cameras mounted, so we figured out a way to make it work. We grabbed my Samsung Galaxy, and off we went.”

Since then, St. Benedict has livestreamed both Saturday Vigil, Sunday morning, and weekday Masses, available on our Facebook page. The celebration of the Rite of Christian Initiation with Bishop Joseph M. Siegel, as well as First Communions, also have been available via livestream.

“Anything that’s significant in the Cathedral, we try to livestream,” Jeremy says.

On Thursday evenings, Fr. Godfrey also livestreams “Cathedral Conversations,” a chance

Since the beginning of the pandemic, St. Benedict Cathedral Parish has been inviting our community to share in the liturgy through livestream Masses.

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ay Together, Even While Apart for him to share updates, respond to questions, and encourage people to stay engaged, even when they are unable to attend Mass regularly.

“It’s a way for him to tell the folks what’s going on, do updates, do some catechesis, and answer questions,” Jeremy says. “It’s another way for the parish community to come together.”

For many of our older parishioners, the livestream Mass was their first time using some of the available technology. Many people helped to ensure that our elderly population wasn’t left behind, and with the help of their children, grandchildren and staff members willing to answer questions, many found themselves able to connect in ways they couldn’t have imagined.

“The age group that was traditionally the least able to connect with technology, the older folks, are also the ones the most at risk of COVID,” Jeremy says. “But they’re also the ones who are fighting their way to see this stuff and participate.

It’s been wonderful to see.”

The staff has noticed an increase in virtual Mass participation, from people who are exploring Catholicism for the first time, to those who didn’t regularly attend Sunday Mass, and are now regularly present for the livestream, as well as for people who never had the opportunity to regularly attend daily Mass, but now pray more often, along with the livestream.

“People are connecting more with their faith, in an easier ‘safe space,’ if you will,” Jeremy says.

“It’s an easy and safe environment for them to kindle or rekindle a relationship with their faith and to maybe challenge themselves to learn more

and engage. It’s a wonderful evangelization tool.”

Not only are the livestream Masses providing a point of connection for parishioners, but they are also serving to welcome others outside of our physical boundaries to worship with us.

“We have our regulars,” Jeremy says. “But every day, we seem to have somebody new from somewhere. We’ve had messages from folks around the world.”

As the parish has re-opened, those who are hesitant to come back often find themselves reassured by what they see on the livestream.

“We have people who have felt good with what they’ve seen online and they come and experience worship at the Cathedral,” Jeremy says. “People watching online are hearing our announcements every day, how to stay safe, and it’s making people feel like they want to come.”

We recently purchased and installed additional media equipment that will allow us to livestream Mass with better quality and consistency in the months to come. Jeremy hopes to train a techsavvy media ministry team to help ensure that we are able to continue to share these gifts with our parish and the broader community.

Above all, Jeremy prays that the efforts to host the livestream Mass will bring people closer to God and remind them of His faithfulness in uncertain times.

“My hope is that they’re fed spiritually and emotionally, that they’re comforted,” Jeremy says.

“It’s not just a matter of watching Mass on TV from a random place — for many, it’s their home.

It gives people a sense of comfort and hope.”

If you would like more information on how you can support the effort of our parish in livestreaming Masses — whether by financial contribution to support the necessary equipment, or by being involved in the media ministry — please contact Jeremy Korba at jkorba@evdio.org or 812-589-3886. Visit our website for up-to-date information on the livestream Mass schedule at www.saintbenedictcathedral.org

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Begin the Journey Home for

C

hrist was born the son of a poor carpenter.

This was by no means an accident. His birth was the culmination of salvation history, as it profoundly revealed the glory of God. Infinite power and wisdom took the form “of a servant, coming in human likeness” (Phil 2:7) — not as a warrior, but a poor and vulnerable babe.

Every aspect of Christ’s birth, from the three kings to the swaddling clothes, carries meaning.

The proclamation of the angel, therefore, is also important: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people” (Lk 2:10). This message, meant to be for “all the people,” was announced to a group of shepherds in a field out in the middle of nowhere.

Was this accidental? Not at all.

The shepherds, who received a personal invitation to greet Christ at the manger, reveal that God’s love extends beyond boundaries of distance and transcends social classes. Unlike persons of this world who yearn to gain recognition with those of influence, wealth or beauty, Christ cries out to the lowly in society — to the shepherds in the distance. He reaches out in love, desiring a relationship with every single person, no matter

Christmas

their status. This is the “good news of great joy for all people” — Christ was born for us all.

Christmas is the perfect time for distant shepherds to begin the journey home. The angel’s greeting extends to all those who feel estranged from the Church or numb to God’s love. Those who have fallen away from the faith can be comforted by these words: “Do not be afraid; for behold, I proclaim to you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For today in the city of David a savior has been born for you who is Messiah and Lord” (Lk 2:10-11).

Be not afraid. The Christ Child awaits your arrival. Begin the journey back to Christ by drawing near to His body, the Church. Through prayer and the sacraments, you will discover the great joy that accompanies a relationship with God. Take a moment to ask the Lord to bring peace to your heart and guide you in love towards Him. Please join our parish family for the final preparations of Advent, as well as the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Masses.

You have read this entire article and have received a personal invitation to begin the journey. Accidental? Not a chance.

Unlike persons of this world who yearn to gain recognition with those of influence, wealth or beauty, Christ cries out to the lowly in society — to the shepherds in the distance.

He reaches out in love, desiring a relationship with every single person, no matter their status.

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Children’s Liturgy of the Word Bringing the Mass to Life for Our Youngest Parishioners

H

ow many times have we heard Scripture tell us that Christ desires to be with the littlest of His children? “Let the children come to me; do not prevent them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (Mark 10:14).

As parents, these words spark our desire to give our children a full faith experience. But we may shy away from bringing our little ones to Mass, worrying if they can remain still and quiet, or wonder if they are able to even understand the liturgy. With this in mind, we are blessed to have the Children’s Liturgy of the Word program ordinarily serving our parish children during the 10:30 a.m. Mass each week.

Children’s Liturgy of the Word provides the opportunity for children age 3 through second grade — prior to receiving First Communion — to gather in the parish center, where our adult volunteers lead them in age-appropriate activities that illustrate the day’s readings in a way that they are able to understand.

Joy Timmons, the coordinator of Children’s Liturgy of the Word, finds that the children are able to absorb more of the Gospel message when it is presented to them in a child-friendly way.

“When I was younger, I used to always wonder about the stories,” she says. “Growing up in Catholic families then, there wasn’t a lot of talk about Bible stories. So I make sure we touch

Joy Timmons, coordinator of Children’s Liturgy of the Word, with her family — (from left) Craig, Augustine, Eve and Joy; (front) Jude

on the stories that are in the readings and try to capture the interest of the kids more than what the priest is saying might.

We have little worksheets they can follow along on with fun things that help them relate the readings to their daily life.”

Joy has been involved with Children’s Liturgy of the Word off and on for 15 years. She first began helping with the program when her own children were young, and keeping them interested and occupied during the Mass was a challenge. Her youngest child, Jude, is now in first grade. Jude has always

enjoyed participating in the Children’s Liturgy, which gives him a chance to see his friends from St. Benedict Cathedral School while also getting to know children from our parish who attend the public schools.

As Joy points out, having a place where our children can actively participate in learning more about God and His Word during the liturgy is a wonderful way to nurture a deep love of the faith, the Bible, and the Mass from an early age.

“I think the children enjoy coming to Children’s Liturgy because it gives them a voice,” continued on back cover

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1328 Lincoln Avenue | Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 425-3369 | www.saintbenedictcathedral.org

Children’s Liturgy of the Word continued from page 7

Joy says. “When they are in church, they have to be quiet. But when they come to Children’s Liturgy, they can talk about their family or who they want to pray for. I think they feel like they are being heard, and I think that’s important.”

By providing our parish children with the opportunity

to gather and experience the Catholic Church in a kid-friendly way, our Children’s Liturgy of the Word seeks to lay a firm foundation in the faith that will continue to serve them for many years to come.

“I just love being with the kids, and I love that it’s a safe place that they can come and

learn about God,” Joy says. “I think it’s a good place to have them understand the importance of prayer. When they come up against difficulties in their lives, I want them to know that prayer is helpful and know that there are always people in our St. Benedict community that can help and listen.”

Are you interested in helping out with Children’s Liturgy of the Word once it resumes?

If so, please contact Joy Timmons at 812-204-0718 or joylitatimmons@yahoo.com.

Children 3 and older who have not yet received their First Communion are welcome to gather for Children’s Liturgy of the Word at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday Mass.

LITURGY SCHEDULE

Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m. | Sunday: 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.

Daily Mass: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m.

Confessions: Tuesday through Friday 8:40 - 8:55 a.m., Saturday 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.