St. Benedict Cathedral Newsletter — February 2021

St. Benedict

Cathedral

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

St. Benedict Cathedral Visiting Ministry

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Bringing Christ to Others

t can be easy to take things for granted when you have your health. Most of us don’t give a second thought to the ease and freedom that exists in our daily choices — or at least we didn’t until this past year. And while this was a new experience for many of us, there are members of our community who have felt this loss for a long time.

When someone is homebound due to age or illness, they lose much of their independence. In turn, for those who are unable to travel to Mass, they often lose their ability to be united with Christ in the Eucharist, and with their brothers and sisters in Christ.

However, here at St. Benedict Cathedral, there is a dedicated group of Melinda Sloan takes Communion to Tim parishioners who serve as part of our Buehner, as part of the Visiting Ministry.

Visiting Ministry, caring for those members of our community who are homebound or in other types of care facilities.

Some group members are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, bringing the Eucharist to those unable to leave their residences, while others plan visits with our homebound parishioners just to stop in and chat. These dedicated members work hard to ensure that during their isolation, our homebound parishioners know that they are not forgotten by the Lord or their parish family. continued on page 2

Inside FEBRUARY 2021

3 Pastor's Letter: Sharing Love in Different Ways

4 CAJE: Addressing Social Concerns in Our Community 6 Highlights of Our 2020 Stewardship Renewal 7 Collection Counters Ministry Ensuring Good Stewardship of Our Parish Treasure

St. Benedict Cathedral Visiting Ministry

Bringing Christ to Others

If you would like more information on the Visiting Ministry, if you would like to become involved in serving, or if you or a loved one would benefit from this ministry, please contact the parish office at 812-425-3369.

“The Visiting Ministry is reaching out to those people who are homebound, in a nursing home, or assisted living or independent living facility — people who are not typically able to get out or are very limited in getting out,” says Sister Pat McGuire, OSB, who coordinates the ministry.

For those who are unable to connect with the parish and regularly receive the Eucharist, these visits are invaluable. Many of these parishioners attended Mass weekly — or even daily — for much of their lives.

“We say that the Eucharist is the center of our lives — the ‘Source and Summit’ — and it is very important to them,” Sr. Pat says. “Their desire to receive the Eucharist is very inspiring to see that.

And I think it’s also strengthening for them, to help them deal with their situation.”

The visits help to remind our homebound parishioners that even when they are not physically

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present with our community, they are not alone or forgotten.

“With taking Communion to them, there is that unity, it connects them with the parish,” Sr. Pat says. “We are sent out from the parish, to let them know the parish cares about them.”

Sr. Pat has found that serving in this way has been as much a blessing in her life as she hopes it has been to those she visits.

“I’m not sure the people that we visit realize how they, too, are ministers of Christ’s presence,” Sr. Pat says. “Seeing their deep faith and wisdom, and listening to their stories — I always find their stories very inspiring and enjoyable and I think it helps them to feel recognized. In terms of the human relationship, they feed us as well.”

Sr. Pat encourages parishioners to consider serving in this ministry, ensuring that no one in our parish family is forgotten or unnecessarily isolated. Although the ministry was on pause for several months at the beginning of the pandemic, there are now occasional situations wherein the ministry can continue in a limited capacity and with precautions.

“If you have that desire to reach out to others and to be a good listener and to try to put the other person at ease, contact the parish office,” Sr. Pat says. “I hope those we visit experience a feeling of peacefulness, hopefulness or more connectedness with the parish — a feeling that they’re not alone, and a deepening of their faith.”

“I’m not sure the people that we visit realize how they, too, are ministers of Christ’s presence. Seeing their deep faith and wisdom, and listening to their stories — I always find their stories very inspiring and enjoyable and I think it helps them to feel recognized.

In terms of the human relationship, they feed us as well.”

— Sister Pat McGuire, OSB 2

A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector

Sharing Love in Different Ways

My Fellow Parishioners:

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hat’s the most widely observed saint’s day in February — the one that’s kept even by those who aren’t practicing Catholics? Undoubtedly, it would be St. Valentine’s Day, Feb. 14.

The irony is that his feast isn’t even on the General Roman Calendar of feasts to be observed throughout the world. That doesn’t mean that he’s not recognized as a real, historical person, or as a genuine saint, but only that his influence throughout the Church has not been as significant as that of other saints.

So who was St. Valentine? There are several St. Valentines, as the name was not a rare one in the ancient Roman Empire, but the saint we celebrate was a priest of Rome martyred in the late third century. Still, that doesn’t explain how his feast came to be celebrated as the day one sends letters, cards and presents as expressions of romantic love.

The truth is that the custom of sending tokens of love comes not from any direct connection with St. Valentine, but from the ancient belief that birds begin to pair off on Feb. 14. And if courtship in the natural world occurred then, it must be appropriate for humans, as well. The association between St. Valentine and love notes is a later development.

Nevertheless, it’s not wrong to connect the two. Love has many aspects, and our conception of it is richer if we keep more than one of them in mind. Martyrdom is the result of loving God more than our earthly life. St. Valentine was a martyr because of his love — his love for Jesus Christ and His Church. If he had not loved God so much, he could have repudiated his Lord and saved his life. We, in turn, express our love by sending cards and gifts on St. Valentine’s Day. But isn’t that what stewardship as a way of life is — a little martyrdom? Not to push the image too far, but when we are faithful stewards, we give up a little portion of our lives out of our own love for Christ. Most Christians will not be called on to be martyrs, in the sense of forfeiting our physical lives for God. But we are called to give up some of our comforts, indulgences and riches because of our love for Him. So then, as you prepare to celebrate and share your love with your Valentine this month, remember St. Valentine and his love for Christ. As well, keep in mind that God loves us, and return that love with your own toward Him. Loving God will be reflected in how you prioritize your use of the time, talent and treasure God has entrusted to you. As St. John wrote (1 Jn 4:19), “We love because he first loved us.”

Happy St. Valentine’s Day! Peace,

Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector 3

CAJE: Addressing Social Concerns in Our I

n the Book of Micah, there is a passage that so perfectly encompasses one of the core principles of the Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment (CAJE) — “to do justice and to love goodness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).

Founded in Evansville in 2003, the interfaith CAJE organization works to address areas of social concern in Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Posey counties. Designed to create a more just community, CAJE brings together over 20 local congregations from a variety of faith traditions to identify injustices, research solutions, and bring real change to the Evansville area.

St. Benedict parishioner Jane Leingang has been on our parish’s CAJE team for almost 17 years. She recognizes that the organization has a unique opportunity to address social injustices in the community.

“The driving force of CAJE is to love your neighbor — love your

Mayor Winnecke speaks at the 2019 Nehemiah Assembly for CAJE (Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment).

neighbor in the public square, in the community," Jane says.

"We all do the 'charity' part, the 'love' part, really well. But the 'justice' part is harder because you have to work in groups to be able to make a change. That’s why organizations like CAJE are really helpful. There is no

“It is a big part of Catholic social teaching and a big part of our faith that we respond to the needs of our neighbors in the community and work for the common good. It’s just something that has been important to me for a long, long time. I feel that call to be a part of making the world a better place, and I really feel I have to do what I can to make life better for others. It’s a way of loving your neighbor.” — Jane Leingang 4

way an individual alone could effect change to the same degree in a community, like providing dental care or changing the culture in a community so there is less violence. But if we join with other faith communities, we can be a force that can do something about the issues that trouble us.”

Over the years, CAJE has spearheaded many significant improvements in our area.

After identifying a lack of lowcost dental care in Evansville, CAJE was instrumental in meeting this need in various ways before eventually helping to establish a permanent dental clinic on the ECHO Community Healthcare campus.

Another project that CAJE has completed in recent years

Community

A CAJE (Congregations Acting for Justice and Empowerment) assembly caucus meets to discuss community issues.

has ensured that all of our area counties provide every first responder with Narcan, the antidote used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. As a result, countless lives have been saved, including one young man who was revived with Narcan on a recent Christmas Eve. Knowing that she had played a role in saving the young man through her work with CAJE was a priceless gift for Jane that Christmas.

Currently, CAJE is working on improving the availability of

affordable housing and the safety of our neighborhoods, especially on the south side of Evansville.

The organization hopes to make our city a part of John Jay College’s National Network for Safe Neighborhoods (NNSN).

For Jane, being able to participate on a parish team that works together with people from all different faith traditions — including our fellow Catholics as well as Protestant, Jewish, Hindu, and Islamic neighbors — is a true joy.

“It’s really uplifting, especially when we get a chance to gather,” Jane says. “It’s people from all walks of life and from all around the community. It’s probably the most diverse gathering in Evansville that happens all year.

It’s really wonderful to break down barriers between people, and when you work on one of the committees that is researching one of the issues, you really get to know other people’s perspectives and get to know people across boundaries in our community.”

Being on the St. Benedict CAJE team provides parishioners with an incredible opportunity to serve the most vulnerable of God’s people right here in the Evansville area. And what better way could one find to live out the Gospel call of Jesus?

“It is a big part of Catholic social teaching and a big part of our faith that we respond to the needs of our neighbors in the community and work for the common good,” Jane says. “It’s just something that has been important to me for a long, long time. I feel that call to be a part of making the world a better place, and I really feel I have to do what I can to make life better for others. It’s a way of loving your neighbor.”

The St. Benedict CAJE team has a tentative virtual meeting planned for Monday, March 15, at 6:30 p.m. — please be sure to refer to the church bulletin and Flocknote for details. The next Nehemiah Action meeting for the area-wide CAJE ministry will take place on Monday, May 10, at the Old National Events Plaza from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

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HIGHLIGHTS of Our 2020

Stewardship Starts at Home

Stewardship Renewal

St. Benedict

L

ate last year, our St. Benedict Cathedral leadership conducted the 2020 Stewardship Renewal. The Stewardship Renewal gave our parish community the opportunity to discern how we are using our gifts of time, talent and treasure in service to the parish and in return to God. This month, we are happy to share with you some of the highlights of the Stewardship Renewal.

Talent (continued)

-T here were 269 cards received =commitment Currently Involved = Interes ted in Serving Please clearly write the first name(s) from 37 percent of active households. of interested person(s) on the line.

Cathedral

Talent (continued)

= Currently Involved = Interested in Servin

g

Please clearly write the first name(s) of interested person(s) on the line.

Stewardship Starts at Home

_____  League of Angels -T here were_____ 2,497 prayer commitmentsCouncils __________  Lector — the stewardship of time — from 96(Appointed by Pastor or Principal) __________  Maintenance Volun teers percent of participating households. __________  Mass Greet __________  Collection Coun ers ters __________  Mass Server

__________  Finance Council

STcil. BENEDICT CATHEDRAL -T here were_____ 1,014 ministry commitments _____  __________  Pastoral Coun Photography Minis try __________ of Prayetalent r Chain — the stewardship — from 85__________  School Council 2020 StewardST.shipBENRenewal _____  Quilters percent of_____participating households.

EDICT CAT HEDRAL __________  RCIA Of these, _____285 were new ministry _____  Sacristan 2020 Commitment Card commitments, were re__________while  St. Vince729 nt de Paul Societ y __________  School ministries. commitments to parish Volunteer __________  Summer Social __________  Ushers

-T here were 240 offertory commitments — the stewardship of __________  Visiting Ministry treasure —_____ from 89 percent of participating households. The _____  Welcoming Ministry average pledge was __________  $2,801.

Women’s Bible Study

First & Last Name Phone Email

Continued on next panel

Spouse: First & Last Name

We thank all those who participated in our 2020 Stewardship Renewal at St. Benedict Cathedral. If you did not have the opportunity to fill out and return a commitment card, we invite . Beofne dict you to consider the ways you may share yourSt gifts time, talent Ca and treasure with God and the parish community!thedral 1328 Lincoln Avenue • Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 425-3369 • www.saintbenedictcath edral.org

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Spouse: Phone Spouse: Email

Address City

State

ZIP

Please bring this card to Mass on Oct. 3/4 or mail using 3/4, the envelope provided. Thanks and God bless you!

Collection Counters Ministry

Ensuring Good Stewardship of Our Parish Treasure

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e all have gifts we can use to glorify our Lord. Some of us have obvious gifts to aid in the Mass, whether we have been blessed with a strong singing voice or speaking voice. Others have talents that can help behind the scenes — and our parish's Collection Counters Ministry serves as a perfect example.

Five to seven volunteers gather each week to count, organize, and calculate the collections from all the Masses at St. Benedict Cathedral Parish. As we all know, it takes the gift of treasure, large or small, to keep our parish operating. Likewise, it’s an important ministry to accurately count the A Collection Counter team gathers recently to count the collection following Mass — (from left) offering.

Roger Emge, Amy Samm, Susie Emge, Suzanne Seibert and Kathy Wuertz.

The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that also the ability to be confidential Jeff says it’s really important to our counters are working in about the collection,” Jeff says. take confidentiality seriously smaller groups. Some members There are four teams of as part of this work. have chosen to be cautious and counters, each operating a “I am all about the take a break from this ministry little differently on timing. processing," he says. "I don’t for the time being.

Jeff’s group starts 30 minutes care whose name is on it. I Jeff Marx will be the first before the last Mass ends. just want to make sure it is all to admit he wouldn’t be a good Depending on the collection added correctly." fit for many ministries at St. size, they are done in about an As a member of St. Benedict Benedict Cathedral Parish, hour. Team leads all do things Cathedral his entire life, Jeff's but with his accounting a bit differently, as well. Jeff’s connection to the parish background, counting the team usually has two people extends back for generations. collection is a perfect role to counting loose change, two Jeff used to fill in as a counter take on. opening envelopes, and one when he was a teenager if his “We want to make sure running the adding machine. father’s group needed another potential members have some Historically, new counters member. He says he’s been accounting background, and have been chosen by the pastor. doing this ministry for so long, continued on back cover

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

Collection Counters Ministry Ensure Good Stewardship of Our Parish Treasure

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it’s "second nature" and he still really enjoys having this opportunity to use his gifts serving our Lord.

All parishioners are encouraged to consider using their talents to glorify the Lord. After all, that is what stewardship is all about!

Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Collection Counters Ministry may contact Jeff Marx at 812-430-5622.

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.