Holy Family
CATHEDRAL NEWS
November 2011
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Volume 17 Issue 3
Frogs, Nero, and the Popes BY
MARTIN REIDY
Come this November 9 we celebrate the Feast of St. John Lateran which is a basilica in Rome and originally dedicated to the Holy Savior. So the question: why is it called St. John Lateran and why a feast day for a building, albeit a basilica? The name, Lateran, is derived from the place-name Laterni which was also the name of a prominent Roman family in early Rome from which came advisors, or Consuls, to the Roman emperors. The name, Laterni, roughly translates as "hidden frog" - meaning the
racks & stable to erect an opulent basil-
tive sackings of Rome. Each time the
"place of the frogs" or habitat of frogs
ica, the first Christian church to be
Lateran was restored to nearly its origi-
which bespeaks of the humble begin-
built, and had it dedicated on November
nal grandeur and so remained until a
nings of the Laterni in the marshlands
9, 318 - or 324 as both yearly dates are
devastating earthquake in 896 which
of ancient Rome. By the time of Nero
authoritatively given - to the Holy Sav-
practically destroyed the buildings —
(15-68 A.D.) the Laterni were possessed
ior. This is the Lateran which was to be
though once again the Lateran was re-
of a palace and estate on Caelian Hill
the papal palace and basilica for a thou-
built to grandeur. Later modifications
and were well noted.
sand years and which to this day is
occurred under the auspices of Sergius
known as “Mother and Mistress of all
II (908-11), and Lucius II (1144-45) and
churches of Rome and the world!”
it was as a result of these renovations
Unfortunately, the Laterni became enmeshed in the Pisonian Conspiracy of 65 A.D. to replace Nero. As the conspir-
No expense was spared in the physi-
and re-dedications that the names of
acy unraveled and all involved were
cal adornment of the basilica. It had
Sts. John the Baptist and John the
executed and their lands forfeited to
seven silver altars with seven gilded
Evangelist were added by those respec-
Nero. Nero razed the Laterni palace and
candlesticks, one hundred eleven chan-
tive popes and resulting in the official
erected a lavish one in its place along
deliers, gold foil on the apse ceiling, four
basilican nomenclature we have today:
with a barracks and stable for his
bronze columns for the main altar
Archibasilica Sanctissimi Salvatoris et
Mounted Imperial Guard.
forged from the copper prows of Cleo-
Sanctorum Johannes Baptista et Evan-
Circa 300 A.D. the estate came into
patra’s defeated navy, a part of the True
gelista in Laterno shortened to the more
the possession of the first Christian Em-
Cross, the stairway from Pilate's palace
facile appelation of St. John Lateran.
peror, Constantine, who gave the exist-
where Christ once stood, and to top it off
The appended saints were reflective of
ing palace and estate to the newly estab-
- the table from the Last Supper!
the Benedictine order of monks by the
lished Christian faith community as a
Alas! Its grandeur was not to last for
papal residence. He also razed the bar-
it was sacked and looted by the Vandals
racks & stable to erect an opulent basil-
in 410 and again in 455 at those respec-
same name who were attached to the (Continued on page 7)
The Lord be with you. And with your spirit. BY
REV. THOMAS BOYER
Reverend Thomas Boyer is a priest of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the pastor of St. Mark the Evangelist in Norman.
I feel it would be most helpful to explain some changes that are com-
what to say, and when to say it is essential for ritual behavior.
ing up in the English speaking Church at the end of November with
In 1963, the Second Vatican
the First Sunday of Advent. I want
Council revised the Liturgy of the
to begin introducing these changes
Western Rite or Roman Rite Church
to you now so that when the Holy
and affirmed the use of the “mother
Season of Advent comes we will all
tongue” which we have called “the
have become more comfortable and
vernacular.” The council established
be less conscious of the changes at a
a Latin language text which was to
time when we need to be more fo-
the basis for every language group
cused on our prayer in that Season.
to work from, and the Council en-
We are a church of ritual, and re-
trusted to each national conference
specting and understanding ritual
of Bishops the right to oversee the
behavior is important. Surprises
translations which Rome would
and interruptions are never wel-
then approve. The English speaking
come in rituals. In fact, anything
Bishops of the world established an
that interrupts the ritual brings
International Commission on Eng-
that prayerful activity to a halt. The
lish to begin the work. It took ten
purpose of ritual behavior is to free
years to complete the work and have
us from concern about what to do
it all approved. Now keep in mind
and why or when. It allows us to be
that English in South Africa, in In-
God conscious rather than self con-
dia, New Zealand, Ireland, and es-
scious. Knowing what to expect,
pecially Oklahoma is quite different
Identification Statement: The Cathedral News Issue 1 August 2011 (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
making the work most challenging. The guiding principal for the translations was technically called “dynamic equivalence” which simply means that the goal of the translation from the standard text in Latin was to
value as
come up with the overall sense and
well. Because
meaning of the text in the most
of these changes
modern English for each place. It is
over time in the mean-
helpful to understand that this prin-
ing and use of words there is
cipal guiding translations was only
need to make adjustments from
used and applied for English. Other
time to time reexamining how a
languages did not use this principal.
translation passes on the original
text should mean in English, or
They stayed more strictly and closer
text.
should the translation give us what
to the literal translation of the Latin.
We are living now through one of those times. In 1998, thirty-five years after the first translations
the Latin text literally says when translated into English? Let me suggest a couple of exam-
began, the same International Com-
ples of how dynamic equivalency
changes over time. The various
mission using the same guidelines
works or doesn’t work. In Spanish
words can take on new meanings
went to work to study the text and
people say: adiós, and the dynamic
never thought of a generation or two
produce a more up-to-date transla-
equivalent in English could be bye
earlier. We can all think of exam-
tion. When the work was finished
bye or see you later but that really
ples of how new words come into our
and sent to Rome, it was not ap-
isn’t what it says. It is sort of what
language and how other words sim-
proved, and there followed a serious
it means, but it isn’t what it says.
ply begin to change meaning. Think
rethinking of the original idea of
Now translating adiós into English
of words like cool. For my grand-
dynamic equivalence. In other
by the new guidelines it would say
mother, it was a description of tem-
words, should this commission be
perature. Now it is an affirmation of
giving us what they think the Latin
Now we all know that language
(Continued on page 6)
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
Knights Hope to Collect 1,000 Turkeys The Knights of Columbus are collecting money, donated
School Walk-A-Thon fundraiser supports school and promotes fitness Holy Family Cathedral School students completed laps in October to raise money to support the school. This was the second annual walk-athon following last year’s impressive debut. Students ask their
turkeys, and hams to help feed the needy. The goal is to collect 1,000 turkeys. Drop off your turkeys and hams in the freezer in the Cathedral basement. You may also bring turkeys to Yellowfront Sales & Rental, 1216 South Harvard Avenue. If you wish to donate money, make checks payable to Knights of Columbus #10388. The final date to donate is November 20.
parents, grandparents, and other relatives to make pledges. The students walked as
School hopes for big turnout at Trivia Night
many laps as they could. Both Monsignor Gier and Father Van walked a few laps with the kids and talked to the parent volunteers.
Assemble your brain trust for the Trivia Night activities on November 5. Get your table of eight ready for action. We always look forward to this fun night! Download a copy of the reservation form from the school’s website. We would love to have a packed house for this event and have not had many reservations so please consider joining us for a very fun night!
4
Notes from the Knightstand BY MARTIN REIDY
When all is brought to naught and comes to us the Reaper can we to Him then say"I was my brother's keeper"!
Anna Francois, the Cooper Family, and Johnny Thierry II & Johnny Thierry III-all of Holy Family parish. There were Eddie, and Steve who
Or will the Reaper say to me - and, again, to you: "Did you remember me?" when comes to us our due?
wished to remain anonymous; Janice Moore-our ecumenical Methodist, and Ethel Brooks, daughter of Mayo & Col-
Welcome November those who may
Dcn. Tom has his mysterious ways of
leen who came up from OKC each
- bringing us a shorter day; herald to a
purchasing turkeys more cheaply than
month to help at the dinner. As I com-
feast Thanksgiving for what God has
you or I. REMEMBER! - the bigger the
miserated these are the ones I can
given to the living! Indeed!
turkey you give more easily is it seen
readily recall - not all who have been
“Thanksgiving” is November's theme
by the eye of God!
involved in this project. There were
and we take a moment to reflect on
Now, this is not the only brother-
Sisters from St. Joseph's Convent who
the goodness of God rather than our
hood project the Council has assumed.
faces I recall but whose names escape
wants of God - and as a time to think
The Council is now responsible, at
me as I too am fading slowly into that
well of others much less given than
least until February, to the feeding of
fog of forgetfulness. In conclusion to
ourselves.
dinner once a month at the Day Cen-
this rendition of “those saints among
ter for the Homeless - the first Satur-
us” I extend a separate and special
for Catholic Charities is in full swing
day to be exact. I, as a participant, and
thanks to Edna Hawkins who, begin-
once again spearheaded by Deacon
the Council via the purse, have en-
ning last January, is continuing a tra-
Tom Gorman - and once again we seek
joined with various and sundry others
dition by her late husband, Dan, who
your benefice by the donation of tur-
through the years in this regard. How-
made a cauldron of turkey stew each
keys, hams or funds to purchase
ever, the sands of time rush on leaving
January to serve, along with salad and
through Sunday, November 20th. The
in its wake those who no longer can
crackers, the 120 persons we fed each
plan is as before: bring a turkey or
run the race as so aptly stated by St.
month. Prior to his death he requested
ham to Mass (now that's an opening
Paul and it is time for others to enter
that Edna continue the “stew express”
for a pun!) as we have a freezer avail-
the relay - and thus that I stand before
and so it is that she has honored his
able downstairs, or take one by Yellow
you those “helping hands” of God-or at
request. Her nephew will come from
Front Furniture at 1216 South Har-
least those I can recall as there were
Okmulgee each first Saturday in
vard, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; and 9
so many-so that you can say a silent
January to manhandle the cauldrons
a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sat. You may also do-
prayer of thanks to see them on their
down to the Center where it is served
nate funds via check or cash which can
way: France Lux (St. F.)-who initiated
by we volunteers. Unless you are an
be given to Deacon Tom or placed in
the project many, many years ago; and
acquaintance, a friend of Edna's you
the collection. Checks need to be made
from St. Augustine- Gloria Bennet,
could pass her by in the aisle of the
to: Knights of Columbus Council
Joan Fuselier, Tristan Thomas, Tom &
Cathedral as there is nothing special
10388. Cash, if placed in the collection
Mary Thomas, Nola Fullbright, Mayo
about her appearance - it is only her
basket needs to be in a
& Colleen Brooks, and Junior Knights
charity for her fellows that is excep-
plain envelope and noted for “K.ofC”
and Daughters; Sadie Calhoun of St.
tional!
“Turkey Drive,” etc.-just some manner
Monica; Edna & (late) Dan Hawkins,
that can be plainly interpreted for said
Latasha, John,and Shirley Hayden,
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all!
use. Why Cash or Check? Because
John, Sharon, & Shenelle Thierry,
PAX!
The Council's annual turkey drive
On behalf of the Council I wish a
5
RCIA provides the background knowledge of the Catholic Church BY THE RCIA MINISTRY TEAM
alone cannot be
acceptance or rejection of Christian-
the sole source
ity. The Church, especially monas-
of God’s revela-
teries, preserved history during the
tion to us. They
barbarian invasions and led most
learn how the
advances in knowledge of science.
Scriptures came
When behavioral issues in the
out of the early
Church led to the need for reforma-
Church and are
tion, much of the basic Church
still used within
teaching was left out or distorted as
the Church tra-
governmental leaders made their
ditions.
own churches. RCIA students learn that the Catholic Church’s basic
DEACON JERRY TAUGHT AN OVERVIEW OF THE OLD TESTAMENT.
Deacon Jerry taught an over-
This year’s RCIA class is eager to
consistent from the very beginning.
view class on Old Testament and These early classes lay the
learn and have found the basic in-
then one on the New Testament
struction very interesting. Once the
with emphasis on how it fulfills the
groundwork for the upcoming ses-
inquirers are presented the concept
Old Testament promises. Rod Not-
sions on morality, social justice, sac-
of how scripture and tradition meld
zon presented on Church history,
raments, ecclesiology, prayer and
together to form the structure of our
laying out the early history of peri-
liturgy.
worship, they see why scripture
odic persecutions and government
(Continued from page 3)
and life. The English Speaking
lish language is becoming more and
To God. Another example: the
Bishops Conferences have estab-
more unified as communication sys-
French often say á bientôt which
lished the First Sunday of Advent,
tems bring us all together. Now an-
some might think means goodbye or
November 27 as the time to begin.
other consequence of this transla-
farewell when what it really says is ’til later which has a very different
6
teaching and dogma has remained
tion style is that there will be more One of the most interesting conse-
words, because now every word in
meaning since farewell has a final-
quences of this new translation is
the original Latin prayer is trans-
ity about it that is not intended. ’Til
that all the English speaking
lated into the English. The conse-
later says and implies that you are
Churches throughout the world will
quence is then: more verbal unity in
going to see each other again fairly
now be using the same translation.
the English speaking church, more
soon.
That was not the case with the first
words, and more similarity to the
Since 2002 work has been going
or 1963 translation. Mass in India
translations of other language
on with this project, and it has been
or South Africa or in New Zealand
churches.
completed and approved. This will
had different translations than we
not be the last translation, or is it
did. We will now all have and use
the final one. Some of us older folks
the same translation where ever
simple. Changes for me on other
remember other translations, and
English is spoken. I suppose we
hand will be quite a challenge, but
sometimes things will sound famil-
could see that this is one more con-
that’s my challenge, and I have been
iar. Such change is a part of growth
sequence of globalization. Our Eng-
Changes for you will be few and
(Continued on page 8)
Upcoming Events Holy Family Cathedral School will be
The Second Quarterly Meeting of the
hosting Adult Night Out this November
Council of Catholic Women is Thursday,
5th with a Trivia Competition. Doors
November 17 at Holy Family Cathedral,
open at 6:00 and trivia starts at 7:00.
8th & Boulder, 918-582-6247. The guest
Tables of 8 cost $120 or you can pur-
speaker is Martha Wyatt of Catholic
chase a VIP table (with preferred seat-
Relief Services. Work of Human Hands
ing and a server) for $160. Download
will be available for shopping. Parking
your reservation form from the school’s
is on Boulder Avenue and 9th Street
website. Great door prizes! Fun Trivia
across from the Cathedral School. Regis-
hosted by “Live Event” (hosts Trivia
tration is from 9:30 to 10:00 and in-
Night at Joe Mamas and other local
cludes light refreshments. The cost is
restaurant/clubs) and great food guaran-
$10 for the day, including lunch. RSVP
tee an engaging evening with friends
to Gloria Baker, 918-446-0611, by Mon-
and family! Adults only, 18 and older.
day, November 14.
Ticket price includes food and nonalcoholic beverages. VIP tables must be
The Second Annual Catholic Charities
reserved by Oct. 28th.
Adoption Celebration is November 19 at the Catholic Charities Administration
The Cathedral Women’s Club and the
Building at 2450 N. Harvard. Events
Council of Catholic Women are collect-
include music, games, and a potluck
ing new gloves, mittens, scarves, and
lunch. If your life has been touched by
anything warm for children and adults
Adoption, RSVP to St. Anne Adoption
in need. Look for boxes at the south and
Services at 918-508-7131.
east doors. The collection ends on November 15. All donations will go to
Religious Education Fall Festival
Mark your calendar now for Sunday, November 6, 11:30 - 1:00. We will have having our annual Fall Festival for religious education students and their families. Plan to join us for fun and food!
Catholic Charities. (Continued from page 1)
of 1215 which was attended by over
more healthful location — but the
Lateran to serve the religious needs of
1,200 bishops, abbots, and others and
Lateran remained the See of Rome, not
the complex. The palace and basilica
ratified 71 church Constitutions.
St. Peter's. The original Lateran com-
were the locus of several ecumenical
The demise of the Lateran occurred
plex was demolished by Sixtus V and a
councils - 1123, 1139, 1179, 1215, and
as a resultant of the papal Avignon Ex-
new baroque basilica was erected -
1512 - called Lateran Councils, and nu-
ile to France from 1303 to 1377 for rea-
though not the palace as the Vatican
merous non-ecumenical councils com-
sons too involved for this short essay.
was now the papal residence.
mencing in 649 and concluding in 1116.
During the interim disastrous fires in
The difference between the two is asso-
1308 and 1361 wreaked extensive dam-
own feast day? The dedication of a
ciated with the scope of the agenda of
age to palace and basilica and though
church is a “feast” for its parishioners,
the council with the ecumenical covering
funds were sent by the papacy from
and the Lateran is the parish church to
the wider field of church matters and
France in both instances the Lateran
the world, to Catholics everywhere and
the non-ecumenical being more con-
never again regained its former promi-
the Pope is its (our) Pastor. Other basili-
cerned with a single item or more local
nence as the core of Christianity. The
cas have their respective days of com-
situations. The most important Lateran
papacy, upon its return to Italy, re-
memoration but only the Lateran has its
Council is generally agreed to be the one
moved to the Vatican - mainly due its
own feast day.
And why does the Lateran have its
7
Holy Family Cathedral P.O. Box 3204 Tulsa, OK 74101-3204
(Continued from page 6)
changed with, as I said earlier, more
with a prayer sometimes oddly
practicing. Some of your texts will
words that more literally translate
called the Opening Prayer. It’s hard
be simple and easy, and I suspect
the Latin. In the old translation we
to tell if it’s opening the Mass which
you will adjust without a thought. A
said “that I have sinned through my
has already opened, or closing the
couple of others will take more at-
own fault, in my thoughts and in my
Introductory Rite. In effect what it
tention, and that is not a bad thing.
words”… Now you will say, “that I
really does is move us from the In-
We all know that rattling through
have greatly sinned, in my thoughts
troduction and Penitential Act to
memorized prayers for years and
and in my words, in what I have
the Liturgy of the Word. All of these
years often results in the prayer
done and in what I have failed to do,
prayers for every Sunday, every
being said thoughtlessly and care-
through my fault, through my fault,
feast, and every special occasion
lessly. So we have a chance to pay
through my most grievous fault,
have been re-translated. What you
attention again to what we are say-
therefore…” This new translation
will notice is a very different kind of
ing and what we mean as we pray.
speaks to the seriousness of our sin
English: less folksy and more ele-
and the sincerity of our contrition. It
vated or formal. It marks the dig-
offers a more humble way to collect
nity of the occasion and the place.
At the beginning of Mass in what we call the Introductory Rites, there
ourselves before stepping any fur-
comes the first of your changes. I
ther into prayer.
will greet you with the words: “The
The Gloria, that great hymn of
Scripture, there will be no changes, and the next change in your text
Lord be with you.” and you will re-
praise that we sing with all the
comes with the Preface opening the
spond: “And with your spirit.” Then
church will be quite different with
Eucharistic Prayer and the Hymn:
when we move into what is now
new words – bringing into English
Holy, Holy, Holy.
called the Penitential Act there will
all of the words in the universal text
remain several optional prayers cho-
in the Latin. It will not be hard, but
sen at the discretion of the priest.
there will be new music.
The prayer that begins “I confess to almighty God…” will be slightly 8
When it comes to the texts of
The introductory rites conclude
For now, let us begin: The Lord be with you…