St. Benedict Cathedral Newsletter — June 2022

St. Benedict

Cathedral

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Inside JUNE 2022

Community Bids Fond, Heartfelt Farewell to

FR. GODFREY MULLEN, O.S.B. W

e have been blessed to have Fr. Godfrey Mullen with us here at the Cathedral for nine years.

That’s a long time of building relationships and serving our community, so naturally, he will be very much missed. In turn, Fr. Godfrey shares this sentiment with all of us. He will also miss the beautiful liturgies with our talented choir.

Fr. Godfrey’s next stop is the Cathedral of St. Peter in Belleville, IL, which will bring him closer to his parents. He is glad he will be more available to help with their care and he looks forward to returning to his home diocese.

During his time here at St. Benedict, Fr. Godfrey is proud of the Cathedral restoration.

However, he believes the emphasis on hospitality has been especially important.

“I think we’ve made great strides in hospitality here, which was sorely needed,” he says. “And, once those doors opened, many parishioners have stepped forward into roles of leadership and service that make the place so much better.”

Our Cathedral’s focus on stewardship has also made a significant impact on our faith community, as more people are giving of their time, talent, and treasure.

The Sunday collection has increased drastically, as well. Parishioners are making greater commitments to prayer, of which Fr. Godfrey is particularly proud.

“More than 10,000 prayer commitments have been made in the past five years,” Fr. Godfrey says. “That’s such a blessing to the parish but also our world.” continued on page 5

2 Keeping Our Stewardship Commitments in the Summertime 3 Embrace the Holy Spirit 4 Ushers Ministry Serving with Spirit of Generous Hospitality 6

Welcome Ministry Makes Important Call to All Parishioners Embracing Hospitality in Our Faith Community

7 The Feast of Corpus Christi Understanding How Much Jesus Loves Us

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 My Fellow Parishioners:

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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 governing 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.

This Pentecost, make the Gradual verse we’ll sing just before the Gospel your personal prayer: Alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful; and kindle in them the fire of your love. Alleluia.

If you do, you’ll find the Holy Spirit working even more strongly in your life. You’ll be happier, and the world, at least your little corner of it, will be a better place.

Peace,

Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector

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USHERS MINIS TRY SER VING WITH

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hapter 21 of Luke’s Gospel begins with a story that is told in only four verses. It tells of an instance in which Jesus recognizes the Kingdom of God breaking out in front of His eyes. While He is in the temple, Jesus looks up and sees a poor widow giving to the Lord from her need as she places all she has into the temple treasury.

She’s taking an action of faith, giving generously to the Lord knowing that He will provide for her.

Taking the message of this story to heart, our ushers play a seemingly small, but hugely important role in the Mass.

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“This ministry is important precisely because it is a ministry of hospitality and responsibility,” Fr. Godfrey says. “It’s also a great example of using even the simplest talents for the good of the Church. Ushers are visible stewards of their own gifts. They’re offering their talent so that we can all engage in the work of prayer, which is a stewardship of time, together. Their care for the collection is another sign of respect for stewardship of treasure. In every instance, they exhibit the importance of disciples taking some action of faith.”

Ushers have three primary responsibilities — welcoming parishioners and helping them to find a place to sit, taking up the collection on Sundays, and assisting in emergencies. To fulfill this role, they must be reliable, show up 15 minutes before Mass, be physically able to extend the basket in order to take up the collection, and react well in challenging situations.

“Out of respect for the stewardship of treasure of all our parishioners, we want to handle their gifts with the greatest amount of care and transparency,” Fr. Godfrey says. “In the occasional emergency during Mass, the ushers help coordinate an appropriate response quickly, calling for help or showing medical staff who are present to the person in need. At our bigger Masses, they also help as many people as possible into pews. Finally, perhaps most important, they help everyone feel welcome, supporting that first pillar of stewardship — hospitality. Hospitality is fundamentally about helping God’s people feel comfortable in taking a rightful place in the church building, and in the work and prayer for the Church. Ushers assist in this important work of hospitality.”

As the stewardship of treasure extends from our gratitude to the Lord for all He has given us, so too does the stewardship of hospitality.

“The fundamental dynamic of the liturgy is, giving what we have and taking what we need,” Fr. Godfrey says. “We all walk up with hands out to receive the Body and Blood of Christ.

SPIRIT OF GENEROUS HOSPITALIT Y With those same hands, we place our personal offerings — money, yes, but also our lives — into the basket, which is all brought forward with the bread and wine, all of it changed by the Holy Spirit for good. That generosity is part of who we are, what we’re about, and what we profess.”

If you are interested in becoming involved in the Ushers Ministry, or would like to find out more information, please contact the parish office at cathedral@evdio.org or 812-425-3369.

Community Bids Fond, Heartfelt Farewell to Fr. Godfrey Mullen continued from front cover

While there is more to do, as Fr. Godfrey notes, he’s very proud of the significant strides that have been made. He is also proud to have helped foster clarity around the workings of the Pastoral Council, School Council, Finance Council, and Buildings and Grounds Committee. And while Fr. Godfrey is looking forward to the new assignment, he will miss everyone here at St. Benedict's.

Several staff members offered some fond parting words for Fr. Godfrey.

Sister Pat McGuire believes Fr. Godfrey lives out the words on the Cathedral ceiling, “Let them prefer nothing whatever to Christ and may He bring us all together to everlasting life.” She has appreciated his focus on stewardship, and she knows the Cathedral is better because of this good work.

“Fr. Godfrey believes strongly in stewardship as a way of life — that is, using one’s gifts for the good of all,” Sr. Pat says. “That is certainly what he has done and what he has encouraged in all of us.”

Sr. Pat has appreciated Fr. Godfrey’s leadership and the many ways he lives out his vocation. He has

run out the door at all hours to be with someone in the hospital or nursing home. He’s done many retreats, talks, and conferences as a way to spread the Good News.

“Fr. Godfrey, as you leave, I would like to thank you for the many ways you have shared your gifts and talents,” she says. “Your impact here has been huge, and you will be missed. You have laid a great foundation, and now it is up to us, members of St. Benedict Cathedral and our new pastors, Fr. Alex and Fr. Eugene, to build on that foundation.”

School Principal Kari Ford will miss Fr. Godfrey’s visits to the school, especially on Wednesday mornings when he would pray with a classroom.

“Fr. Godfrey has done a lot for our staff, students, and myself,” Mrs. Ford says. “He is always willing to help out and support us.”

With grateful hearts, our St. Benedict faith community bids a fond farewell to Fr. Godfrey, and we offer up our prayers as he proceeds on the next step of his vocational journey!

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Welcome Ministry Makes Important Call to All Parishioners Embracing Hospitality in Our Faith Community

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s the first of the Four Pillars of Parish Stewardship, hospitality holds great importance to our parish community. At the heart of our hospitality efforts is our Welcome Ministry.

“Since its inception, the Welcome Ministry has searched for ways to help individuals and families feel connected,” says Mike David.

The Welcome Ministry seeks to meet the needs of the parish members, wherever individuals may find themselves. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to the Welcome Ministry’s efforts. And while the Welcome Ministry has been around for a while, it is currently looking to restructure and organize itself to better serve the community.

As Mike and the team hope to rebuild and begin again, they want to hear from our parishioners — what would you like to see the Welcome Ministry do? Mike, along with Jane Hackert, are asking parishioners to let them know how the ministry may continue to foster hospitality and community here at St. Benedict.

“The Welcome Ministry hopes to reflect the demographics and collective personality of St. Ben’s,” Mike says. “We need and value everyone’s input about what we might do to help our parish, and its school, continue to flourish.”

In the past, the Welcome Ministry has hosted a welcome dinner for new parishioners, sent birthday and anniversary cards, served as greeters at Mass, and made a point of welcoming new parishioners to our Lenten Soup Suppers and Knights of Columbus Fish Frys. The ministry has also prepared pamphlets for new parishioners and initiated outreach programs to our schools. It has also developed a church history brochure and began to offer church tours after Mass, all to help people appreciate

the beauty and history of our Cathedral.

“Since its inception, the Welcome Ministry has searched for ways to help individuals and families feel connected to St. Ben’s,” Mike says. “We have tried to be intentional in meeting folks wherever they were at on their parish journey, whether it was someone new to the parish, a school family, or a retired person who has attended St. Ben’s since she or he was a child.”

The Welcome Ministry, and more broadly, hospitality as a whole, are key components of our parish’s stewardship efforts.

“Hospitality is the first pillar of stewardship, not accidentally,” Fr. Godfrey says. “If we are to be stewards in any sense, if we seek real discipleship to shape our lives, then we must recognize the gifts we’ve welcomed from God. Every good gift comes from above. And while hospitality is the first pillar in numerical order — prayer, formation, and service follow — hospitality is also the foundation of the other three pillars.”

Mike David and Jane Hackert would like to hear from you, our parishioners!

To get in touch with them, please contact either Mike at mdavid1407@gmail.com or Jane at husrhack@gmail.com.

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The Feast of Corpus Christi

Understanding How Much Jesus Loves Us

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f you were to make a list of “famous people from history” to invite for dinner, there’s a good chance Jesus Christ would make the cut.

As a historical figure alone, the meal conversation would no doubt prove interesting.

Yet, the thought of spending personal time with Christ ushers in additional considerations that far exceed a mere “getting to know you” routine. Jesus Christ is the only human being in history who is also your Creator — He already knows you intimately!

You might then imagine that if Christ revealed Himself to you personally, then you would immediately love Him deeply and believe without doubt. You might think to yourself, “If I could just meet Him once, it would be easy to believe.”

There is a bit of truth in this thought. As human beings, we are affected by personal presence, and the most intense communication transpires through physical contact. Just ask the apostle, Doubting Thomas. The sight of Christ alone was not enough – Thomas required physical touch to be satisfied.

The beauty of the Gospel message is that it is universal. Just as the resurrected Christ invited Thomas to touch Him in the flesh, so too does Christ invite us — His disciples in 2022 — to meet Him physically in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.

So, if you would like to share a meal with Christ, the time is here! You have already been given a perpetual, open-ended invitation to dine with Him, in His Father’s house. Through the gift of the Eucharist, we are invited to share in the eternal banquet of heaven. This belief is the incomprehensible glory of our Catholic faith.

We celebrate with great joy, therefore, the night in which Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. Although “re-presented” at every Mass, we commemorate this event on two special feast days of the liturgical calendar — on Holy Thursday and on the Feast of Corpus Christi.

The joy of this “holy gift” cannot be adequately expressed on Holy Thursday, due to its nearness to Good Friday. Therefore, the Feast of Corpus Christi — also known as the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ — is given its own day on the liturgical calendar. continued on back cover

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

The Feast of Corpus Christi

continued from page 7

Throughout the rest of the world, the Feast of Corpus Christi is normally celebrated on the Thursday following Trinity Sunday, thereby mirroring Holy Thursday. However, the U.S. does not maintain this feast as a Holy Day of Obligation. It is considered a “moveable feast” — this year, the Feast of Corpus Christi occurs on June 16, but the celebration is transferred to the following Sunday, June 19.

On this glorious feast, take the time to thank Our Heavenly Father for the gift He bestows on us through the Sacrament of the Eucharist. In the words of St. Teresa of Calcutta: “When you look at the Crucifix, you understand how much Jesus loved you then. When you look at the Sacred Host, you understand how much Jesus loves you now.”

Happy feast day!

After the 10:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday, June 19, we will have a Eucharistic procession of approximately one mile. Bishop Siegel will lead the procession. Please take part if you are able.

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. & 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.