January 2012 by Holy Family Cathedral

Holy Family

CATHEDRAL NEWS

January 2012

Tulsa, Oklahoma

Volume 17 Issue 5

PHOTO: CATHY N ELSON

Dear People of Holy Family Cathedral:

Several weeks ago we began the New Translation of the

Regularly we gather, here in our beloved 98 year old

Mass. There have been numerous articles in our Diocesan

Cathedral and worship God the almighty Father, one with

magazine and other places explaining the reasons for the

His Son, Jesus Christ.

new translation and the philosophy behind it. We may agree or not but at least there have been valiant attempts to

We do not simply “go to Church” or simply sing songs

help us understand the thinking. Just before it all began I

and say prayers. We gather one with the Angels and

preached a homily on the topic and asked us, as a parish,

Saints. We stand beside them before the very throne of

to approach the New Translation and all it entails with a

God. In what we name so simply THE MASS God allows

certain attitude. It has been suggested and I have been en-

us to transcend earth and be one with His Son as Christ

couraged to print that homily in this news letter for all of

gives himself for the remission of our sins.

us to ponder now that we are “in the midst” so to speak of the New Translation. So here is the homily I preached in October:

“We offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.” “Look with favor and see the Victim whose death has reconciled us to yourself.” “May He make us an everlasting

This is an interesting Gospel today for those of us who

gift.” Now that is more than saying prayers and singing

filed extensions on April 15th. Our taxes are due on Mon-

songs. That is an essential, total personal gift of self to God

day. We may consider that a matter of paying to Caesar

Himself. “Repay to God what belongs to God.”

what belongs to Caesar. However that really is not the point of today’s Gospel.

Catholic Liturgy transcends earth and sets us in Heaven while Heaven in the very person of Jesus Christ

Repay Caesar and repay to God what belongs to God.

pierces time and nourishes us with Himself. We say so simply “I’m going to Mass.” But we mean so much by those

Certainly the most important thing we owe to God is

simple words. In this wonderful act we find our purpose

Worship. We sometimes forget that very basic part of be-

and the ultimate meaning in our lives. With St. Paul to-

ing a creature and not the creator. The creature owes the

day, “we give thanks to God always…before our God and

creator by virtue of the creature’s very life. God would

Father.”

seem to agree in that He has given us a wondrous and awesome way to fulfill this duty.

When we repay Caesar or pay our income taxes we prepare our statement. We gather the facts, we assemble the

Identification Statement: The Cathedral News Issue 1 January 2012 (USPS 022-729) is published 10 x per year (monthly, except for June and July) by Holy Family Cathedral at 122 W 8th St., Tulsa OK 74119-1402. Periodicals postage paid at Tulsa, OK. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: CATHEDRAL NEWS, PO BOX 3204, Tulsa, OK 74101-3204. 2

materials, and we look for loop holes and consciously decide how we are going to render an account. In other words we prepare our tax statements. How much more should we truly be prepared to repay to God what belongs to God, prepare to worship, prepare for the sacredness of Mass?

“Our offering in thanksgiving, this holy and living sacrifice.” Heart, mind, soul, spirit all need to be prepared! The tax return affects last year and next year. The Mass affects now and eternity! One of the things I like about the new is that we will all It is in this attitude that I would like us at Holy Family

have to pay closer attention to what we are praying. Right

Cathedral to approach the upcoming adjustment in the

now we can go through it and literally give it no thought.

Mass. I am sure you have heard or are aware that there

At least for awhile that will not be possible. We will have

will be some things new with the coming of Advent. How-

to pay attention.

ever there will certainly be much more that is old. There will be some adjustments in the wording of the prayers. Some adjustment in atmosphere within certain prayers,

So if you filed an extension in April, pay the IRS what is due by Monday.

most of the changes really affects what the priest prays here at the altar. The priest has most of the work in ad-

Here and now however we creatures have come together

justing. However there are some challenges on your side of

to pay to God the creator what belongs to Him, our wor-

the altar as well. To assist in this we have ordered pew

ship.

cards with all of the people’s part on them. We will simply pick them up and pray them together. After a few months

Sincerely in the Holy Family,

or so the cards will no longer be necessary, it will all be second nature to us.

Msgr. Gregory A. Gier, Rector Cathedral News deadlines: Please submit articles and announcements to the Cathedral News by the 15th of the month. Email mikemalcom@gmail.com or send your article to Mike Malcom at the parish office. 3

Notes from the Knightstand BY MARTIN REIDY

the Forum Romanum one would be

is our promise come New Year's Day!

faced with the major temple dedicated

"back" to assess our accomplishments

to Ianuarius, otherwise known as Janus,

we succored the homeless, prayed for

Tho looking back we see ourselves

the god of Gates and Doors, or Portals.

the dead and the living, sought to stave

not much changed come 2012!

His temple, known as Iaus Geminus,

the unborn and forgive the aborted, hon-

was a double gated temple with one en-

ored our priests, honored our servers,

For the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

try facing the rising sun and the other

instructed the ignorant, sheltered the

and feel my resolve dissolve as I speak!

facing the setting sun - one facing the

(storm) victim, and provided music to

“old” and one facing the “new” - another

the faithful. Some of the eyes; aforemen-

chance, an opportunity for a better des-

tioned we accomplished alone but much

wish you well in all your endeavors in

tiny. Thus, in a sense Janus was the god

was done with the unsung help of oth-

the coming year and applaud all who

of peace and war waged within one’s self

ers. Quite suddenly in mid-year we as-

struggle to keep those thoughtfully

and was thus expressed in the public

sumed the full responsibility for provid-

made New Year's resolutions for you

Forum for when Rome was at peace the

ing a meal for about 120 persons on the

hold the key to your destiny. You are the

gates were closed - but when open it

first Saturday of each month at the

heir to an ancient tradition - that of

meant that the empire was at war. Do

Tulsa Day Center for the Homeless and

seeking a change for the better - and

you recall those epic Hollywood “sandal

not knowing would we be able to do

Janus, the Roman god of Portals and

sagas” of yesteryear whence movie-goers

much beyond the end of the year as the

Doors, is your mentor! Janus, from

watched the Roman Legions in all their

financial obligation was onerous to say

whence we derive the name January, is

pageantry march off to war and, hope-

the least. Indeed, I did say, half in

depicted as the two-faced god as he

fully, victory? Nell, it was through the

prayer and half in fact to the Sacred

looks from the past and into the future

portals of Ianus Geminus that they

Heart, “You provide and we will abide”

and in his hand he holds a key - the key

marched. Yet Janus, whose very name

and, like Moses, not really believing

of Destiny! His appellation as the god of

derives from the Etruscan word for door,

that money would flow from the rock -

Gates and Portals derives from the abil-

was more than a martial god.

but it did! In an off-handed conversation

Happy New Year to one and all! We

ity of a gate or door to swing in both di-

And so it is that the Council looks

For all intent to change our ways

Janus was moreso the god of begin-

over coffee and donuts one Sunday a pa-

rections and becomes the portal by

nings and endings, planting and har-

rishioner inquired as to what we as a

which one leaves their predicament and

vest, marriage and birth, maturing

Council were about and when told of our

enter into their destiny thereby leaving

youth, as well of war and peace. Origi-

latest worry project wrote a check with-

behind the “old” and taking on the “new”

nally, Janus was of such importance to

out hesitation for a sum sufficient to

- and from thus comes our modern cus-

the Romans that he was honored on the

carry our dinner project through possi-

tom of invoking resolutions of reforma-

first day of each month - again signify-

bly August or September. Another pa-

tion in each coming New Year! The key

ing the importance of “a new beginning”

rishioner, actually a husband and wife

is symbolic in that one holds within

but eventually such deference devolved

formerly active in the monthly meal but

their grasp a key to the door of the fu-

to the first day of the New Year. So it is,

sidelined by the march of time to which

ture and what or which door it will

to come full circle, that the Council ex-

we all must step, continued to provide a

unlock is within the power of the indi-

tends to each and all a well-being for

side dish to the monthly meal which was

vidual. Little known to us today other

your journey into this year of 2012 as

a continued savings on our meager re-

than by the name of the present month

you hold the key to many doors and may

sources. Our big meal, our feast of the

Janus was of singular importance to the

those doors open to your spiritual

Romans. Here one able to time-travel to

growth and happiness!

(Continued on page 8)

Candidates and Catechumens are Eager to Embrace the Faith BY THE

RCIA MINISTRY TEAM

This yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s RCIA class participants have been strong in faith as they attend weekly Mass. The Rite of Acceptance, celebrated before Advent, was a great start to their official status with our parish. Catechumens, candidates and their sponsors enjoyed a pot-luck dinner on December 14th, helping to solidify their sense of community with our parish. Classes were not held for the two weeks of Christmas and New Years, so

MONSIGNOR GIER TEACHES ABOUT MARY AND THE SAINTS.

the group eagerly rejoined their study on January 4th. They are enjoying the fact that the Christmas season has just

Candidates & Catechumens

begun on the 25th of December, and that we celebrate that season through Epiphany on January 8th (moved from Friday the 6th). The solemn time of Ad-

Melissa Benisch

vent was a surprise and relief to many

Melissa Brace

of them as they were immersed along with the rest of us in the commercial rush of the secular Christmas season which began before Halloween.

Sessions after Christmas are devoted

Brad Cooper

to in-depth study of the sacraments and

Samantha Cooper

social teaching of the Church. Sacraments are a major difference of the Catholic Church from the Protestants. While some have one or two, all seven are only found in Catholicism. Our classes give the history and source for their practice and so show a clear reason

Nicole Ferra

why they are integral to our faith.

Lauretta Miller

Photos of our class individuals will be shown over the next three months as we lead up to Easter Vigil when those who are ready will join our faith as full members. Please offer your prayers and support for their success.

Lee Osburn Robin Osburn

Upcoming Events The 55+ Group meets for its monthly luncheon on January 11 at 1:00 p.m. at the Cracker Barrel at 71st Street &

Bible Study Deacon Jerry Mattox’s weekly Bible Study is focusing on Exodus and Church History. It is open to all parishioners and meets at 7:00 p.m. every Thursday in the Halpine Room.

Highway 75. RSVP to Harry or Joan at 918-227-3771.

Holy Family is one of four downtown churches maintaining the volunteer workforce for Meals on Wheels North

Deacon Jerry Mattox’s weekly

West Side of Tulsa. We are very much

Bible Study is focusing on

in need of new volunteers. Holy Family

Exodus and Church History.

works March, July, & November. Only 2

It is open to all parishioners

hours per week during those months.

and meets at 7:00 p.m. every

Please call Nancy Mullikin, 918-508-

Thursday in the Halpine

9800, for details.

Room.

The Cathedral Women’s Club is collecting items for our annual Garage Sale. It will be held in March of 2012. Contact Ann Owen, 918-748-9419, or Helga Gorman, 918–636-0860 to arrange pickup.

JUDE, BOSCO, SETON HOUSES SPAGHETTI DINNER!!!! Proceeds benefit the Mike Petzet Scholarship Fund Friday 1-27-2012 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cathedral Auditorium Pre-Purchase by January 24. Email: lscattergood.hfcs@gmail.com Dinner Includes: Pasta, Bread, Salad, Drink and Dessert Pre-purchase prices: Adults

(13 and over) $7.00

Children (12 and under) $5.00 Family of 5*

$25.00

*each additional person is $3 Donations accepted. Please call the school to make arrangements. At the Door Prices: Adults and Teens

$10.00

Children (12 and under) $6.00 6

Save your loose change. The Knights will collect your change in a few weeks in front of the altar of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Holy Family Cathedral P.O. Box 3204 Tulsa, OK 74101-3204

(Continued from page 4)

Jean Caldwell, Judy Elkhoury, Dorothy

breakfasts. And, yes, we are ever so

year, has for many years been on the

Wire, Beth Henry, Katharine Klammer,

thankful for those of you who partake of

first Saturday of December and it was to

and, of course, the lady of the moment -

our monthly fare come September

honor the Feast of Thanksgiving Past

Helga, herself - providing the pumpkin

through May as its income underpins so

and the Feast of Christmas Come and

pies so essential to a traditional holiday

many of our endeavors. We know - it is

involved much labor and expense as it

feast! So, one might say that we are very

not the Ritz - but we try hard. Have I

was turkey, albeit turkey breast, and all

adept at getting others to do our labors

forgotten any one? Needless to say, yes!

the trimmings! We simply could not

but I see them as more as the powers

So allow me to now to say to anyone

have accomplished this dinner this past

behind the throne for without them we

thus forgot you are remembered and you

December without the contribution of

would be lost. And not to be forgotten is

are appreciated - it is just that I can't

James and Colleen Brooks, Ethel

Edna Hawkins who, in my estimation

remember who you are! So, as I totter

Brooks, Johnny and Sharon Thierry,

quite courageously, wanted to continue

off into old age just let me say,

Johnny Thierry III, John, Shirley, and

a tradition of her late husband, Dan, in

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Thanks!â&#x20AC;? to each and every one of you

Latasha Hayden providing five large

providing the turkey stew for our Janu-

who in any large or small way were re-

pans of dressing, gravy, and green beans

ary homeless dinner. Our Thanksgiving

sponsive to our needs on behalf of each

- all of which they contrived over the

Turkey Drive would come to naught

and every member of Holy Family Coun-

Thanksgiving weekend for serving the

without the generosity of those parish-

cil of the Knights of Columbus #10388.

following weekend, Nor could we have

ioners who contributed their fowls and

Could we have done better in many in-

served 120 slices of pumpkin pie with-

finances to this deserving cause. We are

stances? No doubt! But I also thank God

out the teutonic organizing capabilities

thankful to Monsignor Gier for his al-

that we did no worse! May you all have

of Helga Gorman mustering Claudia

lowing us to use the Cathedral facilities

a blessed 2012! PAX!

Payne, Rebecca Thompson, Ann Owen,

for our monthly meetings and pancake