Holy Family
CATHEDRAL NEWS
April 2012
Tulsa, Oklahoma
Volume 17 Issue 8
The Days of the Holy Triduum Dear Holy Family Parishioners: We stand on the edge of the greatest days of the year, the days we call the Triduum: Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. Most Christians live their whole lives with a deep seated hope and awareness that when death finally comes life is changed, not ended. We hope for eternal life and we believe that our God is one who can give us eternal life. This deep seated belief and hope is grounded in the events we celebrate during these very holy days. Jesus was truly dead and Jesus is truly raised from the dead. Jesus promises that we who hope and believe in Him will have the same glorious life that He has before the throne of God the Father. These final days before Easter offer us a great opportunity to come together and thank our God for this consolation and hope that walks with us through life. How different our lives would be if we
TUESDAY, APRIL 3: 5:30 CHRISM MASS
did not have the experience of a Risen and Glorified Lord! Let us take the time out of our hectic lives and spend a few moments in appreciation and praise of the God who gives us such hope and
HOLY THURSDAY, APRIL 5: 3:00-5:00 CONFESSIONS 5:30 MASS OF THE LORD’S SUPPER 7:00-12:00 ADORATION
consolation. These days are not simply Thursday, Friday and Saturday but rather they are the days of the Holy Triduum and the days for us to come and give thanks for the wonder these days give to us both in this life and the next.
GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 6: 1:00-3:00 CONFESSIONS 3:00 STATIONS OF THE CROSS 5:30 GOOD FRIDAY LITURGY SATURDAY, APRIL 7: 3:00-5:00 CONFESSIONS 8:30 EASTER VIGIL
Come away and pray with the Lord who promises and gives us eternal life. Sincerely in the Holy Family,
Msgr. Gregory A. Gier, Rector
EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 8: 8:00 MASS 10:00 MASS NOON MASS 5:00 MASS PHOTO: CATHY NELSON
Identification Statement: The Cathedral News Issue 1 April 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
Comes again the Easter cross For our life His life was lost! What a price He had to pay Just so that we can go OUR way! Loose an hour, gain an hour! Wel-
(presumed fact). Many cultures
come the showers that bring forth
practiced the ordeal, some more
the flowers - as Easter is soon upon
than others though there is no evi-
us! According to the renowned Me-
dence that the Greeks did so, but it
dieval scholar, The Venerable Bede
is the Romans who not only utilized
(672-735) - though it is not known
but intensified its use. Most are
how he came by the sobriquet “The
aware, gratis Kirk Douglas, that
Venerable” and is a declared saint
Spartacus and some 6,000 fellow
since 1899) wrote extensively on the
slaves were crucified in 71 B.C. by
feast of Easter. It is his astute opin-
the Romans, being strung out for
ion that our word "Easter" is de-
some 200 km. along the Appian
rived from the name of a German
way. Travelers of the day reported
goddess, “Eostre,” who was cele-
that their agonizing cries haunt-
brated at this time of the year as
ingly echoed the Appian Way for
the Goddess of the Dawn, or Spring
several years. Crucifixion was first
Reborn. However, for us - for the
and foremost a statement to the ob-
most part - it is the Feast of the
servant (You do not want to do this!)
Resurrection of Jesus following His
rather than a means of execution,
crucifixion three days earlier.
per se. Death by crucifixion took any
Easter is THE feast of the church as
where from a few hours to ten days
we all know for were there no Res-
depending upon the condition and
urrection there would be no Chris-
stamina of the victim - though cruci-
tian religion. It defines Christians
fixion was not always an absolute
as who and what we are but, unfortunately, has become
fact. Occasionally the victim was appended by ropes for
so “sanitized” that is so
a set time of hours and
many ways it - the cruci-
then lowered to live an-
fixion - has become a word as opposed to an experience.
other day - though I do not know by what criteria this was done. Crucifixion was used mainly
The history of crucifixion is an-
for slaves and certain other sorts -
cient, stretching far into time past -
pirates, certain thieves, blasphem-
to the Babylonians (fact) and quite
ers (Jesus?), and sundry other of-
possibly even further into the past
(Continued on page 7)
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
A Bishop’s Parable: The HHS Mandate BY
MOST REV. WILLIAM E. LORI
Thank you, Mr. Chairman and distinguished members of the committee, for the opportunity to testify today. For my testimony today, I would like to tell a story Let's call it, “The Parable of the Kosher Deli.” Once upon a time, a new law is proposed so that any business that serves food must serve pork. There is a narrow exception for kosher catering halls attached to synagogues, since they serve mostly members of that synagogue, but kosher delicatessens are still subject to the mandate. The Orthodox Jewish community whose members run kosher delis and many other restaurants and grocers besides - expresses its outrage at the new government mandate. And they are joined by others who have no problem eating pork - not just the many Jews who eat pork but people of all faiths because these others recognize the threat to the principle of religious liberty. They recognize as well the practical impact of the damage to that principle, They know that, if the mandate stands, they might be the next ones forced - under threat of severe government sanction - to violate their most Bishop Lori of the Diocese of Bridgeport, Connecticut, testified in February 2012 before the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the US House of Representatives. His spoke in response to the recent contraception mandate by the Department of Health & Human Services. The Diocese of Bridgeport gave permission for Bishop Lori’s words to be reprinted here. PHOTO: BOB ROLLER/CNS 4
deeply held beliefs, especially their unpopular beliefs. Meanwhile, those who support the mandate respond, “But pork is good for you, It is, after all, the other white meat.”
Other supporters add, “So many
Meanwhile, there is no imposition at
Some who supported the deli own-
Jews eat pork, and those who don't
all on the freedom of those who want
ers initially began to celebrate the fact
should just get with the times.” Still
to eat pork. That is, they are subject to
that ham sandwiches didn’t need to be
others said “Those Orthodox are just
no government interference at all in
on the menu and didn't need to be pre-
trying to impose their beliefs on every-
their choice to eat pork, and pork is
pared or served by the deli itself. But
one else.”
ubiquitous and cheap, available at the
on closer examination, they noticed
overwhelming majority of restaurants
three troubling things.
But in our hypothetical, those arguments fail in the public debate because
and grocers. Indeed, some pork pro-
people widely recognize the following.
ducers and retailers, and even the gov-
forced to pay for the ham sandwiches.
ernment itself, are so eager to promote
Second, many of the kosher delis'
First, although people may reasona-
First, all kosher delis will still be
bly debate whether pork is good for
the eating of pork, that they some-
meat suppliers themselves are forbid-
you, that’s not the question posed by
times give pork away for free.
den in conscience from offering, pre-
the nationwide pork mandate. Instead,
In this context, the question is this:
paring or serving pork to anyone.
the mandate generates the question
Can a customer come to a kosher deli,
whether people who believe - even if
demand to be served a ham sandwich,
that are their own meat supplier, so
they believe in error - that pork is not
and if refused, bring down severe gov-
the mandate to offer, prepare and
good for you, should be forced by gov-
ernment sanction on the deli? In a na-
serve the ham sandwich still falls on
ernment to serve pork within their
tion committed to religious liberty and
them.
very own institutions, In a nation com-
diversity the answer, of course, is no.
mitted to religious liberty and diversity the answer, of course, is no. Second, the fact that some (or even most) Jews eat pork is simply irrelevant. The fact remains that some Jews
So in our hypothetical story because
Third, there are many kosher delis
This story has a happy ending. The government recognized that it is ab-
the hypothetical nation is indeed com-
surd for someone to come into a kosher
mitted to religious liberty and diver-
deli and demand a ham sandwich; that
sity, these arguments carry the day.
it is beyond absurd for that private
In response, those proposing the
demand to be backed with the coercive
do not - and they do not out of their
new law claim to hear and understand
power of the state; that it is downright
most deeply held religious convictions.
the concerns of kosher deli owners,
surreal to apply this coercive power
Does the fact that large majorities in
and offer them a new
when the customer can get the same
society - even large majorities within
“accommodation.” You are free to call
sandwich cheaply or even free just a
the protesting religious community -
yourself a kosher deli; you are free not
few doors down.
reject a particular religious belief
to place ham sandwiches on your
make it permissible for the govern-
menu; you are free not to be the per-
ment to weigh in on one side of that
son to prepare the sandwich and hand
ernment - right now - is whether the
dispute'? Does it allow government to
it over the counter to the customer.
story of our own church institutions
punish that minority belief with its
But we will force your meat supplier
The question before the U.S. gov-
that serve the public and that are
coercive power? In a nation committed
to set up a kiosk on your premises and
threatened by the HHS mandate will
to religious liberty and diversity the
to offer, prepare and serve ham sand-
end happily too. Will our nation con-
answer, of course, is no.
wiches to all of your customers, free of
tinue to be one committed to religious
charge to them. And when you get
liberty and diversity?
Third, the charge that the Orthodox Jews are imposing their beliefs on oth-
your monthly bill from your meat sup-
We urge, in the strongest possible
ers has it exactly backward. Again, the
plier, it will include the cost of any of
question generated by a government
the “free” ham sandwiches that your
mandate is whether the government
customers may accept, And you will, of
ble terms, to answer the same way.
will impose its belief that eating pork
course, be required to pay that bill.
Thank you for your attention.
terms, that the answer must be yes. We urge you, in the strongest possi-
is good on objecting Orthodox Jews.
5
New Catholics Eager to Enter the Church BY THE RCIA MINISTRY TEAM
Class presentations during Lent concentrated on the sacraments of Penance and Eucharist and the “end times” of heaven, hell and purgatory. They learn the most important issues of our faith and about the promises of the afterlife. On the third, fourth and fifth Sunday’s of Lent, they attended the 10 a.m. Mass which featured the scrutinizes, minor exorcisms which called down God’s grace upon them and encouraged them to withstand the efforts of the devil to shake their faith and trust. Catechumens and candidates will be invited to participate in the im-
THIS IMAGE SHOWS THE ANTICIPATED CERTIFICATES THE CATECHUMENS AND CANDIDATES HOPE TO HAVE CUSTOMIZED AND CERTIFIED WITH THEIR NAMES.
portant rituals of Holy Week, including carrying the oils to be
They’ve opened their hearts to
assisting them through their study
blessed at the Chrism Mass, the
hear the Word of God and responded
and entry into the Church. Please
washing of the feet on Holy Thurs-
to it. They understand that it is not
help us involve them in our parish
day, and the dressing of the altar on
enough to just attend Mass, but to
life. They’ve been told of the many
Good Friday.
bear responsibility for each other on
ministries and opportunities to
the path to Heaven.
serve, so with a bit of encourage-
Anticipation for the Easter vigil is part of each candidate and catechu-
ment on your part, they will join the Our RCIA lay team is again awed
work that you already do and be-
men’s life. They have attended
by the work of the Holy Spirit
come valuable members of our par-
classes for months and learned what
within the members of our class. We
ish family.
the Church holds and teaches.
are honored to be able to serve by
Holy Family will be offering a VIRTUS session for new volunteers at the Cathedral and School. If your service brings you into the proximity of children, it is required that you take this class to continue to serve in the positions you are in. This applies to (but is not limited to) the Knights of Columbus, Lectors, Altar Servers, Sacristans, and Choir. The session is on Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. in the Halpine Room. Register online at www.dioceseoftulsa.org/section.asp?secID=83 6
Notes from the Knightstand (Continued from page 3)
soldiers had to remain on site until
Constantine in 337 A.D. There are
fenders. Both men and women were
death occurred which is why it was
sporadic reports of its continued use
subject to this barbarity: men were
in their interest to hasten death by
as far north as England and Sweden
hung facing outward and women in-
the breaking of legs.
and elsewhere but eventually disappeared.
ward. The victim was stripped naked and either nailed or tied to the
The body was left to rot but evenMeanwhile, more current happen-
cross - recall that the two thieves
tually removed and tossed into a lo-
crucified with Jesus were tied with
cal refuse site. In light of this over-
ings around the Council were the
ropes. The victims, unless they died
all ordeal Jesus was probably close
success of the Cathedral's first
almost immediately, lost all control
to death by the time he reached Gol-
Mardi Gras. While there were a few
over bodily functions and suffered
gotha given that he died within the
slips and misses we are hoping for a
further humiliation. Most always
reported three-hour time frame. He
bigger and better one next year. In
the actual crucifixion was preceded
was also fortunate and exceptional
relation to this goes a tip of the cha-
by a flogging just shy of killing the
in that Pilate allowed his burial in a
peau to Michael Davis, who is nei-
victims. This was also done in a na-
tomb as opposed to being tossed into
ther a Knight or Catholic, who spent
ked state and more often than not
the city garbage dump - though he
the day from the wee to the late
the victims were naked on their
did post the soldiers there by. A fi-
hours cooking up the food in the
trips to the site of execution. The
nal note: remember that most, if not
kitchen - so let's hear a round of ap-
flogging actually tore away the skin
all, victims, were more or less the
plause for Michael! Pancakes in
down to the bone as the whip was
dregs of society. They would not
February ended on a over-baked
tipped with lead barbs. Contrary to
have possessed a fine cloak such as
note! Our graduate chef lately of
popular belief the victim carried
Jesus which bespoke of Jesus' rela-
France, James Gray, went home
only the cross beam (patibulum) as
tive upper middle class status as
early suffering from the ague and
the vertical beam (stipes) was left in
seamless garments (cloaks) were
the understudies took over. They de-
place for such events. Cedar and
worn only by the high priests of the
serve applause for trying even if
olive wood were the wood of choice
Temple and other well - born Jews
some of the sausage was not satisfy-
as they were the most common tree
as it is highly doubtful if the purple
ing. To top it off the dishwasher quit
in the vicinity - at least in Palestine.
cloak, denoting royalty, tossed
so we had to serve on styrofoam
The victims, at the site, were out-
around Him after the flogging was
plates. If not repaired by March
stretched so that their arms were
any thing other than a raggedy
25th it will have been styrofoam
flayed across the beam, then nailed
piece of cloth. Yet, there is little rea-
again. But, hey, the good news:
(nails were 5-7 inches long, square
son to assume that Jesus was
Gray on the Griddle was back and
cut) or roped and then hoisted up
treated any differently than any
all the sausage was just fine (I
and onto the vertical. It was then
other person to be crucified. He may
hope!)
that the feet were secured, nailed or
well be the Son of God to us but to
roped, to the vertical. The execution
the Jews of the day He was a trou-
squad was composed of four sol-
ble-maker who just could not get
May. Hope and pray that one and
diers: the Cornifix Serarum (officer),
with the program, and to Pilate He
all have a Happy and Blessed
and three soldiers - one of whom
was an inconvenience.
Easter! Pax!
Look for a Garage Sale report in
carried the sign board which was to be mounted on the cross ahead of the victim's procession of death. The
Crucifixion was not abolished as official Roman punishment until 7
Holy Family Cathedral P.O. Box 3204 Tulsa, OK 74101-3204 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Join Holy Family students each Friday of Lent at 2:30 as we celebrate the Stations of the Cross. Holy Family Cathedral School is now in open enrollment. We still THOMAS VANDECAR (LEFT) FINISHED IN 8TH PLACE, CONNER WINN (CENTER) FINISHED IN 6TH PLACE, AND CONNOR DUNN (RIGHT) FINISHED IN 2ND PLACE. CONGRATULATIONS!
have openings in grades PreKindergarten Three through the 8th grade; however, expect to be at ca-
Holy Family Cathedral School recently sent three students to the Dioce-
pacity in most classes. Call (918)
san Spelling Bee. We are proud to announce that all three finished in the
582-0422 for a tour today.
top ten! 8