Holy Family
CATHEDRAL NEWS
February 2012
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Volume 17 Issue 6
In this Issue: Monsignor Gier and HFCS celebrate Catholic Schools Week RCIA studies The Work of the Church Women’s Club plans Mardi Gras party Knights of Columbus collect coins for portable ultrasound machines
Dear People of Holy Family Cathedral:
We are into Catholic Schools Week and this is a great time for me to brag a bit about our Holy Family Cathedral School. Certainly it has been a challenge to keep this school available for the many children who have walked its halls in the fourteen years I PHOTO: CATHY N ELSON
have been Rector. However it certainly has been a worthwhile pro-
Another little change for us at
ject and one that has given me
Holy Family Cathedral affected by
great joy and satisfaction.
our school is that almost every Mass on the weekend has a student
At the present time we have a
or students from Holy Family Ca-
very strong staff and administra-
thedral School as one of the servers.
tion. I have always been proud of
The children of our school are more
our teachers. They work diligently
now children of the parish than in
for the good of our children and
the past. They are a part of all that
with less pay than they would re-
we do as parish. They serve the
ceive in the public sphere. They
Bishop’s Masses and our Masses on
however are very dedicated to
regular bases and do it well. It has
teaching our children and to
always been an important part of
teaching them the faith as a basic
Catholic School life that the chil-
part of their daily lives. Our prin-
dren of the school assist the people
cipal has taken the reigns of our
of the parish in prayer. Our chil-
school and led it forward vigor-
dren definitely do this and that also
ously. His strong faith and excel-
brings joy to the heart of this pas-
lent human skills make him the
tor.
answer to an old pastor’s prayers. Our academic scores reaffirm my
So congratulations to our stu-
confidence in the teachers and ad-
dents, parents, teachers and princi-
ministration as well as the dedi-
pal for a job very well done. May
cated work of the students and
our lives truly bring glory to the
their families.
Lord our God!!! Sincerely in the Holy Family,
Msgr. Gregory A. Gier, Rector Identification Statement: The Cathedral News Issue 1 February 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
Notes from the Knightstand BY MARTIN REIDY
As now I begin my month of purification to wash away my sin and engender God's elation I pray my Lenten penance bring Grace upon my soul and reprieve my sentence when entering the Sheol! time - a time of resolutions and
was removed and replaced by the
and ends with a beginning and cele-
making things right and then puri-
Feast of the Presenatation of the
brated for Christian feast and pagan
fying all that you intend in prepara-
Christ Child in the many delibera-
fests alike. February began as a
tion for the coming new year on
tions of Vatican II. Historically,
time of purification and expiatory
March 1. Thus it is that we come by
both feasts were celebrated on the
ceremonies by the ancient Romans
the name of the month yet used to-
same day, albeit the 14th, and was
in homage of the dead and, as a cor-
day. So much for the Romans! Now,
so done on the 2nd with the date of
ollary, purification rites for the liv-
for nearly two millennia the Purifi-
Christmas set by Pope Julius I in
ing in that death and life are oppo-
cation of the Virgin opened the
349.The eastern church yet cele-
sites of the same coin. These very
month for Christians in with the
brates both feasts on the 14th as
ancient fertility rites and ceremo-
tenets of Jewish Law of Purification
their date of Christmas is, as you
nies were known as the Lupercalia
of the mother of the first born male
know, January 6th. The feast day is/
and centered on the 15th of Febru-
child forty days after birth. Thus,
was also called Candlemass but
ary. Februus was a surname of Lu-
again, forty days after Christmas is
space does not allow for that expla-
percus, the god of shepherds and ag-
February 2 which closes the Christ-
nation other than directing those of
riculture, and whose very name is
mas season and becomes the Feast
you so interested to Zephania 1:12,
derived from the Roman Sabine
of the Purification. Also, February
and the prayerful oration of Simeon
tribal word for purgation. Thus,
traditionally ends with the begin-
in the temple who conducted the Pu-
"febru A" were the expiatory cere-
ning of Lent which is another forty
rification of Mary - both of which
monies previously noted. However,
day period - this time for the purga-
have to do with candles despite be-
February was not an official month
tion, or purification if you will, of
speaking of lamps and lights. Now,
of the year until the time of Numa
the(Christian) individual in prepa-
for those of you also who were in a
Pompilius (715-762 B.C.) as the Ro-
ration for the arrival of the Feast of
state of confusion over this perplex-
mans had a ten month year begin-
Easter. Again, we have the celebra-
ity of dates and feasts I hope that
ning with March as the new year
tion of the dead (Christ) and the pu-
this brief explanation allays your
and ending with the tenth month,
rifying of the living via the lenten
fears. what is to be regretted is that
December. For that matter neither
penitentials. Yet you will no longer
we have lost the official designation,
was January. January and Febru-
find the Feast of the Purification on
so to speak, of the oldest celebrated
ary, instead of measuring time,
the church calendar as happen
feast of the Virgin and which very
might be said to be just passing
stance would have it the feast day
February - begins with an ending
(Continued on page 5)
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
DEACON JERRY PRESENTED THE TALK ON THE SACRAMENT OF MARRIAGE AS HE SUBSTITUTED FOR DEACON TOM AS HE RECOVERS FROM ILLNESS.
The Work of the Church is Explained to our Class BY THE
RCIA MINISTRY TEAM
cial Teachings. His well-received
as simply practical and valuable
ful foundation of the sacraments in
presentation could only scratch the
advice. His description of a sacra-
our lives. They learn about entry
surface of our responsibilities, but
mental marriage as a total giving of
into the Body of Christ through
showed a clear framework to make
self to each other with no reserva-
Baptism, and the spiritual strength-
decisions in all phases of our lives.
tions matches what most people un-
ening that comes from Confirma-
Man, created in God’s image and
derstand about marriage. The added
tion, followed by Marriage, Holy
likeness, has a fundamental value
requirements of total understanding
Orders, Eucharist, Penance and
that cannot be ignored. Our respon-
and acceptance of the responsibili-
Anointing of the Sick. They learn
sibility to each other demands re-
ties involved and acceptance of chil-
the basic, Baltimore Catechism
spect from conception to natural
dren per God’s plan sometimes
phrase “A sacrament is an outward
death. The dignity that each human
make it more challenging, and can
sign instituted by Christ to give
has should never be ignored or de-
be grounds for annulment.
grace.” Mike Malcom’s ping-pong
valued. Kevin was able to show how
ball demonstration of grace being
those concepts are reflected in the
Our sessions continue with in-depth
showered upon us leaves an indeli-
work of Catholic Charities. Most of
study of Eucharist and Reconcilia-
ble mark on the entire class. Those
the individuals served there are not
tion.
entering the Church will be very
Catholic, but as children of God, are
knowledgeable about all things
valuable and deserve our help.
Our group is learning the power-
more of the candidates and catechu-
Catholic. Deacon Jerry’s class about marOur new deacon, Kevin Sartorius, presented the topic of Catholic So4
The images on the next page are
riage as a sacrament used Biblical sources and Church Law… as well
mens who are working their way toward full communion at Easter.
Notes from the Knightstand (Continued from page 3)
name - the Purification — occurs in the month denoted by its name. Not to be outdone the Council in
Class Members
cohort with the H.F. Women’s Club is putting on its own "purification" ceremony, or carnival if you prefer, with a little Mardi Gras celebration come Friday, the 17th from circa 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and highlighted with New Orleans food, music, dancing and masks with a door prize of $100 toward a weekend at Gascon's on the White River plus a silent auction of exquisite gifts. So all you men with a Napoleon com-
LENORA BLISS ETHAN JOHNSON
plex and all you women who harbor a secret desire to become Carmen Miranda - now is your chance! Tickets are $25/couple, or $15/individual. Heiring Hall is the place so, as they say, "Y'all come! Heah, now?" Also, our "Change for Life" project is clinking along, literally, as you can hear the dumping of the coins throughout the Cathedral and B.D. Tidmore asked
DAKOTA BYRD HEATHER JOHNSON
that I extend his "Thanks!" to all who have participated with their "begging cup" in this very worthy pro-life project. The diocese has one ultrasound machine bought and blessed but desperately needs another - and are they ever dear: $50,000 @! So, we have a ways to go and a month to do it. Search those couches and easy chairs for lost coins, pick up those dropped pennies and bring them on down to church
KATHRYN BYRD JOHN MILLER
on Sunday! Now, prior to closing I need to extend my "mea culpa!" to Raymond and Theresa Dean who were kind enough to drive to Tulsa from Okmulgee following completion of their 3 p.m. workday on the 7th of January to assist in the serving of the homeless dinner on that day. Raymond, who is the nephew of Edna Hawkins who created the delicacy,
MARC CARDENAS LINDSEY SAGELY
and his wife, Theresa, not only came in order to deliver the stew from Edna's kitchen but remained to assist in the serving of the dinner. As I wrote last month I probably forgot to mention someone - I just wish that it had not been these two wonderful persons! And finally, may I say to all the fair ladies: May the heart you now display move the heart in all to say to one and all they meet their way may Valen-
KEVIN FOX JULIE SANSONE
tines by yours today! Pax! 5
Upcoming Events
Bible Study Deacon Jerry Mattox’s weekly Bible Study is focusing on
The Cathedral Women’s Club
Exodus and Church History. It is open to all parishioners and
will meet in the Halpine Room on
meets at 7:00 p.m. every Thursday in the Halpine Room.
February 2 following the Noon Mass. It is a covered dish luncheon. Everyone is welcome. Very exciting business meeting. The 55+ Group will meet for lunch on February 8 at 1:00 p.m. at Ti Amo at 6024 South Sheridan (61st & Sheridan). RSVP to Willie and Melba Yelverton, 918-2862080 or 918-978-4797. Holy Family is one of four downtown churches maintaining the volunteer workforce for Meals on Wheels North West Side of Tulsa. We are very much in need
Calvary Cemetery ask ed for this letter to be printed about a rece nt fire at the cemete ry:
of new volunteers. Holy Family works March, July, & November. Only 2 hours per week during those months. Please call Nancy Mullikin, 918-508-9800, for details. 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. Parish Lenten Dinners are on Fridays of Lent: Feb. 24, Mar. 2, 9, 16, 23, and 30. Watch the bulletin
Sunday, January 1, 2012
an incide nt occurred at at Calvary Cemet ery which involved the bur ning of incense stic ks pushed into the ground by a grave marker. The dry and windy condit ions resulted in a fire which spread rapidly. A member of the cem etery staff was leavin g the office when not ified of the fire. Thankfully that person was able to maint ain and fin ally stop the fire from spreading throug hout the groun ds. The caretaker wa s contacted for backup assistance . Calvary Cemetery ha s a policy of prohibitin g the burning of can dles, incense sticks or any other form of lighted fire. No lighted cigare tte may be pushed into the cra cks of any mausoleu m or nic he or lighted incense sticks placed in the grass abutting the side wa lk. We are asking your help to please pass the importance of our no fire policy along to your par ishioners. On the adv ice of the Diocesan office we ask that each parish mak e a note of this policy. Thankf ully a traged y was avoided this time.
for more detailed information. Thank you, The Calvary Cemete ry Manag
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ement
Come feast before you Fast! Celebrate with Rex at our Inaugural Mardi Gras Gala! Enjoy an Authentic Dinner, Costume Contest, a Drawing for a King and Queen and Silent Auction at Holy Family Cathedral on Friday evening, February 17, 2012 Starting at 6:30 p.m.
PrePre-Purchase ticket reservations are required. Cost: $25.00 per couple or $15 per person Tickets may be purchased through the HFC Women’s Club, or Knights of Columbus Council #10388 members or by contacting Ann Owen at 918918 -748748 -9419, anowen99@yahoo.com; or Kevin Ikenberry at kofc10388@hotmail.com Do your kids want to celebrate Mardi Gras? Tulsa’s Challenge Girls will provide babysitting for the HFC Women’s Club/K of C Mardi Gras Dinner Fundraiser. A rollicking good time is guaranteed! Children 3 & up. Preregistration is required. Call or email Julie at 918-810-4500 or jskrzypczak@urbantulsa.com to pre-register or with questions. Dinner, snack, craft, games, and their own Mardi Gras Parade included! Drop off as early as 6:15pm and pick up no later than 10:15pm. Donations accepted. 7
Holy Family Cathedral P.O. Box 3204 Tulsa, OK 74101-3204
Holy Family is now enrolling children in grades Pre-Kindergarten Three through the 8th grade for the 2012-2013 school year. Holy Family parishioners can pick up an enrollment packet at any time and will be given priority enrollment from February 13th 16th. We expect most of our classes to be at capacity so don’t delay. Please contact the school office at 918-582-0422 or email jay.luetkemeyer@myhfcs.org for information or a tour of our school.
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