Holy Family
CATHEDRAL NEWS December 2010
Msgr. James F. Halpine Rest in Peace
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Volume 16 Issue 4
Monsignor Halpine THE FOLLOWING IS THE HOMILY GIVEN BY MONSIGNOR GREGORY GIER ON CHRIST THE KING SUNDAY 2010, THE WEEKEND FOLLOWING THE DEATH OF MONSIGNOR JAMES HALPINE:
M
y dear people, this weekend
would always be a powerful and hon-
marks a time of sadness for
est representative of his Catholic
us as a community and parish. In a
Church. His love for them would give
very real sense we jointly mourn the
them only the whole truth of his Catho-
death of one of our best friends. For
lic Church.
many he was like a grandfather, for many a parent or mentor but for all of
His dedication to us as a parish has
us he was a priest: a man who stood in
been demonstrated over and over
our midst and assured us that God
again since his arrival as Rector in
truly loves us; a man who stood faithful
1976. However it has never been more
to his promise of priesthood and never
evident than in this last year as he has
wavered from his dedication to the
continued to drive himself to continue
Catholic Church, its teachings or the
serving us. In these last thirteen years
celebration of its seven sacraments.
he has missed Saturday afternoon
Now we all know he had his favorite
confessions only five times that I re-
two sacraments but nevertheless was
member: twice for the Mozart Festival
available for all seven.
in Bartlesville and three times because of illness: knee surgery, stroke and this
He was well known and immensely
recent lung and heart condition.
popular within the Ecumenical community of Tulsa. His fellow pastors, rabbis, and religious leaders all knew and re-
Last Saturday he was in his confessional from 3:30 – 5:00.
spected him as a man of immense integrity, warmth and kindness. They always knew he was loyal to them and
Identification Statement The Cathedral News is published ten times per year by Holy Family Cathedral located at 122 West Eighth Street, Tulsa, OK 74119. This is Volume 16 Issue 4. Periodicals Postage Permit 022-729 is Paid in Tulsa, Oklahoma. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: Holy Family Cathedral, P.O. Box 3204, Tulsa, OK 741013204.
Last Sunday he celebrated the 10:00 Mass and on Thursday he had
Three-Year Renovation Pledges update: Deadlines: $87,361.90 is currently outstanding on the
Please submit your articles and announcements
pledges for the Renovation Fund.
for the January Cathedral News by Dec. 7 to mikemalcom@gmail.com
Thank you for your continued generosity.
the 5:05 Mass in the Chapel. He died
thankful. Thankful to God for sustaining
Friday morning while getting ready for
Msgr. and to Msgr. for his whole
the noon Mass.
hearted response to God’s grace.
As hard as it was for him, he pushed
A few notes about his last days. We
on. We owe him a hugh debt of grati-
all know that he did not want to leave
tude and appreciation.
Holy Family Cathedral or rectory and enter a nursing home. He wanted to be
To say that he believed in the great
in his rooms listening to his stereo.
feast we celebrate this weekend, “The Kingship of Christ” goes without say-
He would often tell me that he hoped
ing. Did Msgr. Halpine hold to and
to simply die in his sleep and I would
firmly believe what St. Paul says today
find him the next morning. If that were
to the Colossians?
the case, he also assured me that he
“Let us give thanks to the Father,
would have said his Act of Contrition
who has made you fit to share in
before going to sleep. How truly Hal-
the inheritance of the holy ones in
pine!!
light. He delivered us from the power of darkness and trans-
He had said only the day before he
formed us to the kingdom of his
died that he hoped to go by a heart at-
beloved Son in whom we have re-
tack and not the lingering illness bod-
demption and the forgiveness of
ing before him by virtue of his lung dis-
sins.”
ease.
Was his whole life not dedicated to
He died while putting on his shirt,
delivering us from the power of dark-
getting ready to celebrate the noon
ness, the forgiveness of our sins? Was
Mass on Friday.
he not a source of our Eucharistic nourishment to make us fit to share in the inheritance of the holy ones in
God was very good to him as he had been very good to God.
light? So on this Feast of Christ the King, Msgr. James Halpine embodied
as we hear the crucified, redeeming
these words and brought them to life
Lord say “Amen, I say to you, today
right here at this altar and in that con-
you will be with me in paradise,” we
fessional.
know this was Friday’s greeting to James Halpine, the Faithful Servant.
He loved God and the Catholic Church. He loved his parishioners.
“Today you will be with me in paradise.” Eternal rest grant unto him O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him.
He served God, the Church and us
May his soul and the souls of the faith-
most fervently and constantly. We
fully departed, by the mercy of God,
have much for which we should be
rest in peace.
KATIE SIKORSKI DIRECTS THE SMOOTH ENTRANCE TO THE PEWS AS DEACON GORMAN OVERSEES THE REHEARSAL FOR THE RITE OF ACCEPTANCE.
The Time of the Catechumenate Begins BY THE
RCIA MINISTRY TEAM
trigue newcomers and affect them pro-
for the first time, but at this point, all
marked the change from simple inquiry
foundly. While many of the inquirers
other connections to our parish are
into the Catholic faith to acceptance of
were initially hesitant to get up in front
complete.
its teachings and an eagerness to
of everyone at Mass to be the focus of
learn more. Those attending the
this first Rite, after reflection, they
classes who were unbaptized are now
agreed they wanted to process as a
rows each Sunday at the 10:00 Mass
Catechumens, and those who had
group into their front reserved pews. It
for these catechumens and candi-
been baptized are now Candidates.
is important that we Catholics recog-
dates. This makes them visible to the
Most Christian faiths have an approved
nize the time and effort they are putting
congregation, who are called to pray
form of baptism, and so those baptized
in, and how the Spirit is working in their
for their success. We will continue this
in those traditions will not be re-
lives. After the Rite of Acceptance,
at the 10 am Mass until they enter the
baptized. It there is any doubt about it
they are now a part of our community
Church at Easter. They will see the
being a legitimate form, they will have
and have many of the privileges we
reverence we have for the Eucharist,
a “conditional baptism” during the
take for granted, such as being married
and how the Mass is conducted. Not all
Easter Vigil.
in the Church, buried from the Church
of them attend at 10, because many at-
and being prayed over. When they en-
tend other parishes closer to their
ter at Easter, they will be baptized if
home or other Mass times. We have
familiar and we often become unaware
not already done, confirmed and have
27 who are attending the classes regu-
of the significance and drama. The
had their first confessions (in the case
larly, and with work and enough exist-
“bells and smells” of the incense and
of those already baptized.) They will
ing background, there is still time for
ceremony surrounding feast days in-
receive the sacrament of the Eucharist
new inquirers to join this group.
Rite of Acceptance on November 21
So many of the rituals in our faith are
We have begun reserving several
Notes from the Knightstand
New Mass Schedule
A CHRISTMAS STORY BY
MARTIN REIDY
As I prepare
In January, the Cathedral
the evening dinner
will begin using a revised
I ponder the Feast
Mass schedule.
of coming winter. Sunday: My thoughts wander
And then there comes
So, I ask myself-
•
8:00 a.m.
o'er the season
those catalogues-
“Have we lost sight
•
10:00 a.m.
wondering If and Why
printed tomes
of what did occur
•
Noon
we lost our reason.
of toys and togs.
on that miraculous night?”
•
5:00 p.m.
A sense of Christmas
And where did I put
“That our Christ became lost
Monday:
fills the air
the decor and trim
midst the glitter and dross-
•
bringing cheer
for the needled tree
of the ancient story
most everywhere.
we just brought in.
that became Santa Claus!”
12:05 p.m.
Tuesday: •
7:00 a.m.
•
12:05 p.m.
But something's missing-
Hoping the lights
Just how did we lose
to say the least-
are not tangled vines
our bearings and sight-
in this celebration
needing unwound-
of God come to earth
Wednesday:
of the Christmas Feast.
IF I find time!
turning Darkness to Light?
•
7:00 a.m.
•
12:05 p.m.
Familiar songs
And where's the crèche-
So, by the stove I stand-
are sung again,
the manger and cradle-
lost in my thoughts
Thursday:
at each store
and all the figures
of what God did accomplish
•
7:00 a.m.
I venture in.
to complete the stable?
but what we have wrought.
•
12:05 p.m.
Santa ringing,
Did I toss
I wonder: would Jesus
Friday:
eating, drinking-
the Magi Three
care if we just say-
•
7:00 a.m.
with an eye
last year when
“Thanks for Your Gift”
•
12:05 p.m.
that's always twinkling!
I tossed the tree?
and a “Happy Birthday!” Adoration of the Blessed
BUY! BUY! BUY-
And just where did
So, is it perplexing
Sacrament on Friday
It's all I hear
I hide that toy-
For all our yearning
evening:
the same old re-run
bought last year
that, oh my God,
•
of the spiel last year!
for my little boy?
OUR SUPPER'S BURNING!
6:00-7:00 p.m.
Saturday: And fir trees stacked
Or that doll-
May your Christmas
•
8:00 a.m.
on graveled lots
that could dance and twirl-
be more full of joy
•
5:00 p.m. Vigil
but the one I want
the perfect gift
than this muse'd poem
is usually bought.
for my little girl?
we here employ!
Parish youth deliver turkeys to Catholic Charities The parish Youth Group delivered at least 200 turkeys and hams to Catholic Charities. Thank you to everyone who donated turkeys, ham or money to buy turkeys.
These empty hangers are waiting. It is time for the annual Coats & Blankets collection.
What:
Donate coats, blankets, and nonperishable food.
When:
Dec. 11 & 12, and Dec. 18 & 19
Where:
The Cathedral
Why:
Inasmuch as you have done these things to the least of my bretheren, you have done them to me.
The 2010 Christmas Program features the combined casts from Holy Family Cathedral School And Holy Family Parish Religious Education classes December 16, 2010 7:00 p.m. Reception following.
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CHRISTMAS EVE: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 24 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. Confessions 5:00 p.m. Children’s Mass 7:30 p.m. Vigil Mass with Motet Choir 11:00 p.m. Christmas Carols 12:00 Midnight Mass with Full Choir and Bishop Slattery CHRISTMAS DAY: SATURDAY, DECEMBER 25 8:00 a.m. Mass 10:00 a.m. Mass with Motet Choir 12:00 p.m. Mass with Motet Choir [No 5:00 p.m. Mass]
FEAST OF THE HOLY FAMILY: SUNDAY, DECEMBER 26 8:00 a.m. Mass 10:00 a.m. Mass with Full Choir 12:00 p.m. Mass with Motet Choir 5:00 p.m. Mass VIGIL OF M ARY, M OTHER OF GOD: FRIDAY, DECEMBER 31 5:05 p.m. Mass M ARY, M OTHER OF GOD: SATURDAY, JANUARY 1 8:00 a.m. Mass The solemnity of Mary, Mother of God falls on a Saturday this year. The obligation to attend is abrogated, or removed. The Cathedral will celebrate the holy day with Mass on Dec. 31 at 5:05 p.m. and on Jan. 1 at 8:00 a.m.