St. Benedict Cathedral Newsletter — September 2021

St. Benedict

Cathedral

AN INSIDE LOOK AT OUR

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Lector Ministry

Awakening the People of God Through His Word

W

e’ve all heard the saying “time to hit the books,” and we know what it means — it’s time to get serious, do our research, set our priorities straight, and focus on our goal. Just as we need to “hit the books” to become very successful in our earthly lives, we also need to do so to succeed in our spiritual lives. With the help of the Lector Ministry, we can focus on our eternal goal by taking the Word of God deep into our souls.

“I believe the goal of the Lector Ministry is to awaken the People of God to listen with the ear of the heart, as St. Benedict says,” explains Cathedral Rector Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB, who coordinates the Lector Ministry. “When we find ourselves open to the living Word of God, we have far more ability to follow His way. The Scriptures are the textbook of stewardship and the handbook of discipleship. And the Word of God — Jesus — is, of course, our way.”

Our parish lectors diligently, prayerfully prepare to proclaim God’s Word at our parish Masses, making it come alive for our parishioners.

“The Lector Ministry is one of the most important ministries at our parish,” Fr. Godfrey says. “It responds to the broader first pillar of stewardship — hospitality. We welcome Christ in His Word. But it also attends to the second pillar — prayer. We must listen to God’s good Word, as well as tell Him what we want.”

What's more, our lectors also find that His Word comes alive in continued on page 2

Inside

SEPTEMBER 2021

3

September: An Ongoing Opportunity to Change the World

4

Our Annual Stewardship Renewal Thanking God for the Blessings He has Bestowed on Us

6 Celebrating the Feast of the Archangels 7 Knights of Columbus Brings the Faith Alive in Our Parish Men's Fraternal Organization

Focused on Service

and Fellowship

Lector Ministry their own souls as they offer it to others while deepening their spirituality.

“Our lectors do a great job preparing for their ministry,” Fr. Godfrey says. “Many of them use a lector’s handbook to prepare and pray the Scriptures beforehand to get a real sense of what God is saying through them. This makes them better understood when they are read. It also provides a richer prayer life for the lector.”

Lectors are thoroughly trained on how to deliver the Scriptures with reverence and respect.

“First, the lectors must understand the importance of what they are doing,” Fr. Godfrey says. “When the readings are proclaimed, the Church teaches that it is as if Christ is speaking to His people. Keeping that in mind helps everyone stay focused. Our new sound system also contributes to the intelligibility of the proclamation. Our lectors seem to understand the importance of their task, and this leads them to effectively proclaim the Scriptures, not merely read them. In some places, it would seem that the assembly just gets through the readings. But our desire here is to proclaim them in a living, meaningful way.”

Ultimately, the Lector Ministry highlights the urgent call for Catholics to spend quality time with the Sacred Scriptures, drawing from them authoritative guidance, peace, joy, and strength.

“Familiarity with the Word of God is always a blessing for a Christian disciple,” Fr. Godfrey says. “When we strive to understand God’s Word, we condition ourselves to listen to Him. Preparing to proclaim the Word effectively opens our hearts to God’s will.”

In this day and age, where noise and restlessness prevail, receiving God’s Word in the

continued from front cover silence of one’s heart is paramount.

“The desire to hear God’s Word is itself an opening of the heart and soul,” Fr. Godfrey says. “That’s always a good thing. It might be demanding, but it is always good. The Word of God was first spoken to us in the living Christ.

The ancient Benedictine practice of Lectio Divina is a process of allowing ourselves to be ‘bathed’ in the Word of God, hearing Him over and over. This is a central part of who we are as Catholics — growing in our relationship, through conversation, with our Savior.”

“I believe the goal of the Lector Ministry is to awaken the People of God to listen with the ear of the heart, as St. Benedict says. When we find ourselves open to the living Word of God, we have far more ability to follow His way. The Scriptures are the textbook of stewardship and the handbook of discipleship.

And the Word of God — Jesus — is, of course, our way.”

— FR. GODFREY MULLEN, OSB

New lectors are always needed to help bring the Word of God to others through this beautiful ministry. For more information, please contact the Parish Office at cathedral@evdio.org or 812-425-3369. New lectors will be trained and prepared.

2

A LETTER FROM OUR C ATHEDRAL RECTOR

AN ONGOING OPPORTUNIT Y TO CHANGE THE WORLD

My Fellow Parishioners:

I

n his letters, St. Paul often began by greeting his “brothers and sisters.” Every time I read one of these letters, it reminds me that you and I truly are sisters and brothers in the Body of Christ, the Church, but especially here in our parish.

We need to understand that we are indeed a family, and the way we see and treat one another is fundamental to the health and happiness of this family.

Our spiritual family doesn’t stop at the walls of our church, but rather, extends to include every man and woman created in God’s image and likeness.

You may be familiar with the term “Catholic Social Teaching,” part of which is built on a commitment to the poor. These are the beliefs that guide Catholics on how to apply the faith to all aspects of life, and they lay the framework for the Church’s teachings on the dignity and sacredness of human life. Once we make a commitment to be disciples of Jesus and pursue stewardship as a way of life, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching become very easy to incorporate into our lives.

Catholic Social Teaching has been around since those first followers of Jesus tried to balance their new faith with the realities of living in a world of Roman oppression. Jesus reminded His disciples then, just as He reminds us now, that caring for and administering to the poor should be at the core of all we do. Recall when the Lord said in Matthew, “For I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I

was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you gave me clothing; I was ill and you cared for me; I was in prison and you visited me.”

This is our foundation as we seek to embody mercy and justice to our fellow man and should be one of our major goals as a faith community. Many of our parish ministries provide for us an opportunity to do just as Jesus asked — to serve those most in need. As we move into the fall season, with Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas soon to follow, now is a good time for us to recommit ourselves to addressing the needs we see around us — both as a parish society and as individuals.

I am proud of our collective efforts in assisting and serving the poor, but I also know that we can do more. Many of us personally need to get involved in these efforts. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has a great love and regard for the poor and, like Jesus, he reminds us often of what we need to do. Pope Francis once said in a homily, “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.” Together, we can make a difference.

Peace,

Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector 3

OUR ANNUAL S TEWARDSHIP RENEWAL Thanking God T

he people of God at St. Benedict Cathedral have long been known for our willingness to transcend ourselves and our own wants for the needs of our broader community. When we follow the example of Jesus by considering the well-being of others before ourselves, then we know the satisfaction of true Christian discipleship, as exemplified in the lives of St. Teresa of Calcutta, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Benedict, and so many others. The task of the disciple is selflessness and generosity, both of which naturally spring from gratitude for God's good gifts.

As we enter into our annual Stewardship Renewal, we are called by God's Word to focus on the generosity that we show in our daily living.

Father Godfrey invites everyone to join him in asking simple but important questions. As a disciple of Jesus, where do I most need to grow?

Considering God's many gifts to me and my family, where are we most able to be generous? Genuine stewardship starts in the grateful human heart.

We've been given. How shall we give?

Commitment Weekend is October 2-3. Don’t forget to bring your Commitment Card to Mass!

How do I use my Commitment Card?

Your commitment card allows you to make commitments to prayer, parish ministries, and offertory giving. It is designed to be used by the whole family.

Time Section: Except for the ill and homebound, everyone should be able to check “Come to Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.” Try to check at least a few other items. Daily prayer should be a priority

4

for every person trying to grow closer to God. Talent Section: You can either sign up for new ministries or re-commit to your current ministries.

Be sure to write your first name next to the ministry!

This is especially important if the card is being used by more than one person.

Treasure Section: Clearly print how much money you plan to give each week or month to our parish. Try to take a step toward giving five percent of your income to St. Benedict Cathedral.

Is your prayer life in need of a tune-up?

Honestly ask yourself, “How much time do I spend in prayer each week?” The answer is probably a bit embarrassing. Everyone wants to spend more time in prayer, but there’s just never enough time to do everything we want to do. Good intentions are just that: intentions. This year, as you’re discerning how you will offer your time to God, resolve to follow through with your commitments. Consider each moment you spend in prayer as nourishment for your soul. The spiritual health of our parish is only as strong as the sum of its parts (individual parishioners).

Is your level of parish involvement in need of a boost?

We give our talents back to God when we get involved in ministries at St. Benedict Cathedral.

And, with a host of ministries to choose from, there’s something for everyone. Sure, ministries give parishioners opportunities to serve others in the community, but they also benefit those in the ministry itself. Ask anyone who actively participates in a ministry at St. Benedict Cathedral, “Why do you enjoy serving in this way?” They’ll probably say, “I get more out of the ministry than the people I serve.” This year, as you’re discerning how you will

for the Blessings He has Bestowed on Us offer your talents to God, considering signing up for a ministry that may benefit you, like a Bible study, prayer group, or retreat. Or, contribute to an outreach ministry where your good deeds not only help others in the community but also give you feelings of satisfaction and thankfulness.

Do you give a percentage of your income to the offertory?

It may be hard to see offertory giving as a way to “help yourself,” but when we approach the subject from a spiritual viewpoint, it can lead to individual spiritual growth and an increase in faith. Even the savviest business person worries about his or her personal finances from time to time. Adding a weekly offertory check to the list of monthly bills may seem crazy but, ultimately, sacrificial giving forces us to cut unnecessary spending, create a budget and have faith that God will help us make it through the month. All of these are good things for each of us, individually. After faithfully giving to the offertory for a few months, many Catholics find that it’s not only possible to give a weekly offering, but that the fruits of their gift far outweigh the expense.

At St. Benedict Cathedral, we ask that you give five percent to our parish, one percent to the diocese, and four percent to other charities.

Why a percentage of income? First, because the tithe (10 percent) is a scriptural benchmark that the Church has honored for centuries (see Malachi 3:10). Secondly, we give a percentage of income because it is a common-sense standard by which everyone can equitably support the parish. Most of all, we give because we believe God comes first in everything, even finances.

Every parish family receives a “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.

5

EL APHA ST. R

ST. GABRIEL

Celebrating the Feast of the ST. MICHAEL

6

E

Archangels

very Sept. 29, the Church celebrates the feast day of the Archangels — St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. We are blessed to be inspired by these “servants and messengers of God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 329).

The term “archangels” has its Scriptural basis in the New Testament (1 Thes 4:16, Jude 1:9), indicating a chief or leading angel. “Archangel” generally refers to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael, as they are the three angels most frequently mentioned throughout Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The fact that these three angels are mentioned by name on multiple occasions indicates the significance of their roles in the history of salvation. It is because of these important roles that we take pause to celebrate on Sept. 29.

St. Michael is mentioned by name on several occasions in Sacred Scripture (Dn 10:13, Rev 12:7), and his role in the Tradition of the Church has been extensively documented. He has been widely referred to as the “great prince,” and is most often associated with the apocalypse — the final battle against Satan. Christian Tradition gives St. Michael four different roles, but he has primarily been regarded as the patron and protector of the Church.

St. Gabriel is mentioned by name in Scripture (Lk 1:19), and Tradition has also assigned him implicit roles within Scripture where he is not specifically mentioned. Most important, however, is St. Gabriel’s role as the messenger of God, delivering to Mary the announcement of the birth of Our Savior (Lk 1:26).

St. Raphael is mentioned by name only in the Book of Tobit, where he is responsible for healing Tobias. Raphael means “God has healed” and thus, he has also often been associated with the “angel of the Lord” (Jn 5:4).

The feast day on Sept. 29 gives each of us the opportunity to consider our own role in the Church, as we gratefully commemorate the Archangels responsible for carrying out their roles of defender, messenger, and healer.

KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS Brings the Faith Alive in Our Parish Men's Fraternal Organization Focused on Service and Fellowship

C

harity, unity, fraternity, and patriotism are the four guiding principles of the Knights of Columbus. Everything the St. Benedict Cathedral Knights do falls into one of these categories.

Mike Primus has been a Knight for about four years. He enjoys the opportunity to volunteer and be more involved in his faith. He also appreciates the fact that he’s gotten to know so many men he may not have otherwise met, and not just in our own council.

“The shared bond of brotherhood within the Knights of Columbus extends well beyond each individual council,” Mike says.

“I have had great conversations with brothers across the country, with the icebreaker simply being that we were all Knights.”

For Mike, his involvement began when he started working the concessions at our parish Bingo Night and realized being involved with the Knights would likely be a good fit. He had gotten to know other Knights through the event.

But involvement in the Knights hasn’t just been a way for Mike to volunteer — he has also grown in

Parishioners and community members gather for a fish fry with the Knights of Columbus prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

faith. Before becoming a Knight, Mike says he was more of a “Christmas and Easter Catholic.”

Through being around other Catholic men, however, he realized what he had been missing.

“For me, becoming a Knight not only helped bring me back to the

Church as an active parishioner, but it also helped bring prayer and reflection back into my daily life,” Mike says. “I want my kids to stay involved in our parish as they grow up, and I know that me being a Knight will also serve as a good role model to them.” continued on back cover

“For me, becoming a Knight not only helped bring me back to the Church as an active parishioner, but it also helped bring prayer and reflection back into my daily life. I want my kids to stay involved in our parish as they grow up, and I know that me being a Knight will also serve as a good role model to them.” — MIKE PRIMUS, KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS 7

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

Knights of Columbus

continued from page 7

Being a Knight has also allowed Mike to put his construction skills to use in benefiting our faith community. He owns a residential construction business, and the Knights have done several construction-related projects at the school and Cathedral.

“Anyone can write a check or drop some cash in the weekly donation basket,” he says. “But I believe that time and talent will always be a more useful donation than money alone.”

It’s a true joy for Mike to be able to help out in this way. He also appreciates having many other opportunities to give back through the Knights. The

council hosts a drive each year for expectant parents in need, and have also done Habitat for Humanity builds in the past. This month, they will do a firsttime bed-building event with an organization called Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The organization provides free beds to families in need. The Knights also host two Red Cross blood drives per year. And, to have some fun, they do a Knights at the Otters event with our local minor league team.

“The Knights of Columbus are there to protect and serve our parish and community,” Mike says. “Any men who feel like they want to do more for their own parish should look into joining their local council.”

If you would like to get involved in the Knights, or for more information, please visit www.kofc.org/joinus or contact a current brother in our council to fill out a form.

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., Saturday 3:30-4:00 p.m.