Holy Family
CATHEDRAL NEWS September 2011
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Volume 17 Issue 1
Parish celebrates anniversary September 10 marks the 112th Anniversary of the first Mass said in the original Holy Family Church. Our church was the first Catholic church and the fourth house of worship built in Tulsa. The parish opened its school the next day - September 11, 1899. These dates are significant because the parish and school began immediately to work for the good of the city. Father Charles Van Hulse, the first pastor, offered the sacraments to a growing population of Irish Catholics, drawn to Oklahoma by the discovery of oil. The School offered a Catholic education to all Tulsa kids, but focused on “Creek Indian girls,� a requirement from the financier, Saint Katharine Drexel.
A Word from the Rector Dear People of Holy Family: We are coming upon a significant mo-
funerals for one of our most recently or-
ment in the life of our parish. With the
dained priests, Father Jorge Gomez and
coming of October we will have com-
one of our seminarians, Stanley Kariuki.
pleted the Three Year Pledge Drive for
As I am sure you know they were killed
the roof. I am sure you all remember
in a most tragic accident. The Cathedral
that day when I announced that we
fulfilled one of its greatest functions as it
needed to raise at least $500,000 dollars
brought the many people of the city and
to keep the men on the roof. Many of
Diocese together for this event. Our be-
you have responded very generously to
loved Cathedral was filled to capacity
that plea as did many respond to the Ma-
and served well for the families and pa-
jor Gift Drive which ran simultaneously
rishioners of the three parishes so deeply
with the Three Year Pledge Drive. The
affected by these deaths. We some-
two drives pledged over one million dol-
times wonder why we work so hard to
lars and they both come to a conclusion
keep the Cathedral in good condition and
st
on October 1 .
repair. We do it for the greater honor and glory of our God and the good of the
The men stayed on the roof and the
people as well. We certainly have a
roof was completed without our going
unique function and purpose in the life of
into a huge debt.
this city and Diocese and it is truly a
So once again I thank you for your coop-
privilege to be the people called to pro-
eration and congratulate you on your
vide such services for the good of others.
dedication to this great work of preserv-
We reach out in many ways but this one
ing a major building in the history of both
touches our very being as Church and
Tulsa and the Catholic Church of Okla-
believers. We are not simply a parish
homa.
church, we are the sign of the unity of the whole diocese th
On August 30 of this year we experi-
and we do it very well.
enced what it means to be the Cathedral
Congratulations on a job
of the Diocese. On that day we had the
well done!
Sincerely in the Holy Family,
Msgr. Gregory A. Gier Rector Photo: Cathy Nelson
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.
Sister Mary Clare: Standing in the Gap Some have had the experience of feeling alone when sickness or death challenges their family; of feeling devastated when their family faces the loss of a job or divorce; or perhaps, of feeling sad and helpless when their children are influenced by false societal values. Hardship may encourage a hurting person to reach out in need to compassionate friends for support. Hardships also give the hurt and wounded experience and wisdom when later in life, they become compassionate ministers to others. Many Catholic Parishioners are blessed with a missionary spirit to care directly for a neighbor in
ties and Catholic Parishes for over a year and provides
need, who requests a Catholic support group to walk
prayer and support for those in need with no exchange of
with on his/her journey to Jesus’ healing. If you are in-
funds, please stop by Heiring Auditorium after the Masses,
terested in finding out about the ministry called Stand in
Sept. 3-4. Sister Mary Clare, O.S.B. will be available at a
the Gap, which has been working with Catholic Chari-
table to answer questions.
Back to School September 11 Holy Family Cathedral School’s eighth grade class is producing a weekly news video called “Boulder Beat TV.” The videos are posted on the school’s website. Religious Education Classes begin on Sept 11. Classes meet in the School at 8:45 a.m. on Sunday mornings. Classes are one hour. There is no charge. These classes include preparation for First Communion and for Confirmation. If you have any questions, call Mrs. Davis, 918-582-6247 ext. 18.
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.
The Many Crosses of the Cathedral
He surrendered himself to death and was counted among the wicked; And he shall take away the sins of many, and win pardon for their offenses. Isaiah 53:12b
It is not difficult to pick the most commonly used
where the cardinal archbishop of New York conse-
symbol of Christianity. The empty tomb? Fire? Oil?
crated the church in 1925. The three crosses atop
Water? God’s hand? Grapes? Wheat? A
our Cathedral’s steeples ask God for His
fish? Any of these symbols has a long
blessing upon us and our city.
tradition of being used as a teaching tool,
Thanks to a generous donation, Holy
some used by First Century Christians
Family Cathedral has a new cross so we
and by Christ Himself. However the cross
may better contemplate Christ’s sacrifice.
is the symbol most associated with our
It came from the personal collection of the
faith.
late John E. Rooney.
Our Cathedral is filled with crosses. A
The trunk of the cross is covered in
former Ordinary of Tulsa, Archbishop
symbols reminding us of the Paschal
Eusebius Beltran used to challenge visi-
Mystery. The eclipsed moon recalls
tors to count the crosses. Each cross has
Christ’s death while the sun proclaims the
its own mean-
glory of Easter
ing and pur-
morning. The
pose. The large
rooster recalls
missionary cru-
Peter’s threefold
cifix on the
denial. There are
back wall of the
many more sym-
Cathedral may have hung in the original
bols: tongs, a ladder, a tunic, a spear or
1899 church. The wooden crosses over
lance, a chalice and host, a crown, and a
the Stations of the Cross are made of
stole. It may be a worthwhile challenge for
native olive wood from the Holy Land and
us to explore the cross to find all the sym-
were each laid on the tomb of the Holy
bols.
Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The twelve gold crosses with candles mark the places
This cross sits between the church and school.
Notes from the Knightstand BY MARTIN REIDY
Summer's near gone - but not a loss! Aaah! Soon to be is Autumn's frost! As the searing summer begins to fade
travel kit - and promptly left town seeking a
munity" and the first honoree was no other
the Council is gearing up once again to
cooler clime. G.K. Kevin Ikenberry won
than .... (drum roll, please) MYSELF!!!
serve our world famous pancake break-
the tear drop radio that does everything
Needless to say I knew nothing of this
fast come the 18th - our usual third Sun-
but cook supper. It took me about an hour
award until it was presented to me at the
day of the month. So, whet your appetites
to set the “time” function so I asked Kevin
dinner and am naturally deeply moved by
and come on down for the fare and friend-
the next day was his daughter, who took
this expression of appreciation. However,
ship that becomes this monthly breakfast
possession of the prize at the dinner, able
there is nothing like an award to impress
feast in Heiring Hall. We look forward to
to program all the functions. Not only was
on one the import of their personage but I
seeing all those familiar faces plus some
she so able but she did it in about 10 min-
am fearful that this well intentioned acco-
new ones and the price is still $4.00! That
utes! A gift of appreciation was also given
lade may come back to haunt them. Hav-
price can’t be beat!
to the good Monsignor as well as Fr. Van
ing given that cautionary advice I feel that
in recognition of all that they do for our
it is only apropro that I now be addressed
spiritual good standing.
as “His Ultimateness,” or perhaps more
Recapping the activities of August: Heiring Hall was jumping with sixty plus Knights and accompanying family mem-
Finally, the Council came forward with a
correctly, “His Ultimacy.” Meanwhile, I
bers at our annual Priest Appreciation
new award and classification which merits
need to shop for an acceptable livery and
Dinner to honor the Cathedral clergy, to
a few lines of approbation: The Ultimate
accoutrement worthy of my new dignity
wit: Monsignor Gier, Fr. Van, and a new
Knight Award. This award originated
and station in the Council. So, while others
arrival pro tem, Fr. Mike Pratt. Steve Wire
within the collective wisdom of the Council
shop for pancake breakfast supplies I'll be
walked away with the Grand Prize - a din-
this past summer and is given "in sincere
shopping the better haberdasherys of the
ner certificate to any of three local upscale
gratitude for a lifetime of tireless and altru-
ville! PAX!
restaurants, while Helga Gorman won the
istic service to Council, Church, and Com-
Cathedral to host Health Screenings on September 16 & 17 Most of us have witnessed the dev-
pay for these screenings unless you
astating effects of what heart attacks
are symptomatic. Average cost in a
and strokes can do. Many of these
hospital is $800 per screening. Your
cases can be prevented by early de-
cost is $45 per exam or all 9 screen-
tection. Scan Specialists will be at
scan the liver and the spleen for any
Holy Family Cathedral 0n September
cyst type masses or enlargements, the
If you’re a smoker, eat an unbal-
16&17 performing 9 ultrasound, color
kidneys and the gallbladder for stones,
anced diet, have high blood pressure,
flow Doppler screenings.
cysts or tumors and finally they will
high cholesterol, diabetes or you have
check the Arteries in the Legs for
family history of heart disease, aneu-
both sides of the neck for fatty plaque
blockages. This could be a good indi-
rysms or stroke, you may be at higher
build-up and blockage, which is the
cator of heart disease, and is the num-
risk.
number one cause of stroke. Second,
ber one reason for leg amputation in
they will scan the thyroid for cysts or
the U.S.
First, they will scan the Arteries on
tumors. Third, they will scan the main
Typically, these are screenings that
Artery off of the Heart for aneurysms,
physicians DO NOT DO on annual
which rarely show symptoms, they will
physicals nor will insurance companies
ings for only $189.
Take advantage of these screenings. Pre-registration is required. Please call 1 800 931-4772 to schedule your appointment.
Upcoming Events The First Quarterly Meeting of the
Tulsans for Life needs volunteers for
to send teams of three or four people
Council of Catholic Women is Thurs-
its 37th annual booth at the 2011 Tulsa
in theses grade levels: 3rd & 4th; 5th &
day, September 15 at Saint Henry
State Fair, September 29 through Oc-
6th; and 7th & 8th. Email mikemal-
Church in Owasso, 918-272-3710,
tober 9. Volunteers work in pairs at the
com@gmail.com to get more informa-
8500 N. Owasso Expressway. Our
booth in four hour shifts. The booth
tion.
speaker is Sister Rosalind Moss, foun-
offers pro-life literature and other items
dress of the Daughters of Mary, Mother
to fairgoers. To volunteer, please call
Deacon Jerry Mattox’s weekly Bible
of Our Hope, who will open the meet-
Phyllis Lauinger at 918-749-2600 or
Study is focusing on Genesis and
ing at 10:00. The Business Meeting,
Trish Sherry at 918-747-4386.
Church History. It is open to all parish-
Mass & Luncheon will follow later in
ioners and meets at 7:00 p.m. every
the day. Registration is at 9:30; meet-
The 55+ Group will meet for lunch at
ing at 10:00. Cost for the day is $10,
the Go West Restaurant on Wednes-
which includes lunch and a light break-
day, September 14 at 1:00 p.m. RSVP
The 8th Annual Saint Francis of As-
fast. RSVP to Gloria Baker, 918-446-
to Fred or Paulette at 918-224-0538 or
sisi Gala is September 29 at the Tulsa
0611.
918-630-4638. The restaurant is at
Convention Center. It is the primary
6205 New Sapulpa Road. If you are
fund-raising event for the Saint Francis
Annual Diocesan Blue Mass: On
coming from Tulsa, go West on I-44
of Assisi Tuition Assistance Trust. The
Sunday September 11, the tenth anni-
and exit at 49th W. Ave. Turn left at the
goal is to ensure Catholic education is
versary of the infamous terrorist at-
stop sign. Go to the next stop sign and
accessible to all who want it. Annual
tacks against our nation, there will be a
turn right and again right at the very
awards will recognize long-standing
special Blue Mass at 10:00 a.m. at the
next stop sign. You will be between
supporters of Catholic education and
Cathedral, asking God’s continued pro-
Quicktrip and Arbys on the access
the Catholic School Teacher of the
tection and blessing on the first re-
road. Go 1/2 mile to the restaurant on
Year. Mass and Dinner will both be at
sponders from our community: police
your left. More detailed instructions are
The Tulsa Convention Center. Bishop
officers, firefighters and EMSA person-
found at gowestrestaurant.com
Slattery will be the celebrant. A seated
nel. First Responders from our parish
Thursday in the Halpine Room.
dinner prepared by Chef Devin Levine
are invited to participate in this Mass,
Youth Group: How well do you know
will follow. For tickets, contact Jan Hay
in uniform, to receive the grateful
the Bible? Holy Family is organizing
at the Catholic Schools Office, 918-
prayers of the Church. For more infor-
teams to compete in a friendly Jeop-
582-9177.
mation, please contact di-
ardy-style quiz game at St. Benedict’s
vine.worship@dioceseoftulsa.org
church on September 30. The hope is
HolyFamilyCathedralParish.com
HolyFamilyCathedralSchool.com
Holy Family Cathedral P.O. Box 3204 Tulsa, OK 74101-3204