Holy Family
September 2014
Volume 19, Issue 2
Cathedral News
In this edition: Retiring Rector looks back at 17 Years Two Educators to be honored at the Saint Francis Dinner Parents: How to Teach your Kids True Love Leah Darrow to speak at the Cathedral
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Assignments
The Rector’s Report:
Associate Pastor, St. Mary Church, Ponca City
A Look Back at seventeen years at Holy Family
Chaplain, St. Joseph Hospital, Ponca City Associate Pastor, St. Patrick Church, Oklahoma City Chaplain/Counselor, Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa Pastor, Immaculate Conception Church, Tulsa Pastor, Catholic Ministries of Muskogee, Muskogee Pastor, Christ the King Church, Tulsa Pastor, St. John Church, Bartlesville, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dewey Rector, Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa
Other Assignments
Director, Diocesan Vocation Office Board of Directors, Catholic Charities, Tulsa Board of Directors, St. Joseph’s Residence, Tulsa Presbyteral Council
Monsignor Gier My Dear Parishioners of Holy Family Cathedral:
Cemetery Board Chaplain, Diocesan Council of Catholic Women
and support through the rest of his life, made the going much easier. I have deeply fond memories of
I have been asked several times to make a few
going to his room and saying, “What should I do
reflections on our seventeen years together. I am
about...” He would listen, reflect, and come up with
sure whatever I say will be terribly inadequate to the
a calm and workable solution. I will always be grate-
depth of my feelings and love for all of you over
ful to him for his wisdom and support.
these seventeen years. Following right behind our dear friend, Msgr. The first and foremost reflection comes with the
Halpine, comes two other names. Deacon Millard
name Monsignor James Halpine. As many of you
Kizzia and Mr. Jim Foley. How could their presence
know, I had known Msgr. Halpine since I was a high
and concern for this Cathedral Parish ever be forgot-
school student at Bishop McGuinness High School
ten?
and he was the Associate Pastor at Christ the King in Oklahoma City. It was a great privilege and a pro-
Millard worked literally to his dying day for the
found challenge to attempt to walk in his shoes. In
wellbeing of this parish and school. Not only was he
fact, while it was not truly possible, his presence (Continued on page 7) Identification Statement: The Cathedral New s Issue 2 September 2014 (USP S 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.
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Notes from the Knightstand BY MARTIN REIDY
May your roads be sunny May the wind be to your back May God lead you on your journeys and leave the Devil in the slack! Remember the 1953 movie, "Shane" when Joey chases after Shane (played by Alan Ladd) and calls out: "Shane! Come back!" as Shane , aside his horse, rides out of the lives of Joey and his mother, Marian? I wonder - will we see a replay with the H.F. parishioners chasing after Monsignor Gier down Boulder and calling out."Monsignor Gier! Don't leave us, Come back!" Just a thought! Changes in relationships, especially when they have been so beneficial and long standing, are always difficult to entertain - but the Cathedral will survive as it has so many times in the past. In fact, wasn't much the same sentiment expressed when Monsignor/ Bishop Reed left us somewhat more permanently? Well, back to the present and how the Council responded to the sad but factual news to the pending departure of Monsignor Gregory Gier. We managed to shake off the lethargy of summer rather quickly upon hearing the departure report and immediately began plans for a farewell "roast" of our beloved pastor by rummaging through the larder to find what may have been left from the previous months so as to present a favorable feast in his honor. So, on the 5th of August the Knights of the Council along with kith and kin set forth before our departing Monsignor, as well as the lesser clergy of the Cathedral, a feast of bar-b-q chicken and ribs with all the usual trimmings of potato salad, kohl slaw, beans, and beverages. Concluding the festivities was the distribution of the usual door prizes (6) and a farewell comment and blessing by the Good Monsignor himself. All in all everyone had an enjoyable time! However, the evening was not without its slip-ups: As the M.C. I was responsible for all that went forth, including the dinner - and that came off in wonderful manner due to the assistance of my
wife, Helen, who was an immense help in the planning, purchase of the victuals, and preparing the various foods for the buffet dinner - as well as Helga Gorman who rode to the rescue on Tuesday to assist in the final details and delivery to the table of the assembled foods (Thank you very much, Frau Gorman!). What did not come without a hitch was that I forgot to have the Grand Knight sign the "Thank You" cards to all clergy present, forgot to include the gratuity check for Monsignor Gier in his card (much was made of the gratuity in the card but there was no gratuity!) and, worst of all, I neglected to mention at the beginning of my "monologue" that this dinner was a "roast" and not a "toast" which led to some raised eyebrows at some of my comments - but all's well that ends well! The cards did get signed, Monsignor did receive his gratuity, and most Knights passed off my comments as my usual "foot in the mouth" approach to public presentations! However, I do have a plausible explanation for such omissions : Just three evenings earlier (Saturday) we had provided dinner for 100+ denizens of the Day Center for the Homeless and that left just Monday and Tuesday to prepare and present the Priest Appreciation Dinner on Tuesday evening, having taken Sunday off to reinvigorate my faculties. And so it is that we wrapped up the summer at the Keep and look forward to Fall weather and wanderings with the cleaning up the grill and laying in the sausage for the restarting of our monthly Pancake Breakfast on the 21st. which just happens to be the first day of Fall! What the future holds we do not know: Will there be an on-going Pancake Breakfast? Will there be a Mardi Gras? Will there be a garage sale? Will we be able to continue the homeless monthly dinner? Will we......? Who knows? All we can say is - stay tuned to this column for further developments! Pax!
How to Teach Your Kids True Love: 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. HFCS 4th Floor (unless noted otherwise) September 2, 2014, HFC Basement Do Not Be Afraid! – Timothy Putnam, Director of Family Life, Diocese of Tulsa Prayer & Purity – Fr. Elkin Gonzalez October 1, 2014 What Motivates Your Kid? – Blake Lawson, Youth Director, Church of St. Mary November 5, 2014 Teaching Your Children to say “Yes” - Fr. Kerry Wakulich November 23, 2014, 3:00 p.m., Cathedral basement Modesty and Youth – Leah Darrow December 3, 2014 Be a Parent First, Not a Buddy – Deacon Pete & Jenny McClain, St. Therese Church January 7, 2015 Is Sex Education healthy for my child? – Mrs. Paulette Barnes February 4, 2015 How do I Protect My Kids from the Media? – Ms. Katie Boudreau March 4, 2015 When is my Child Ready to Date? – Fr. Bryan Ketterer, Church of St. Benedict Having THE Talk with Your Children April 1, 2015 How do we Model Chastity in Our Marriage? – Ed and Laura Hiberger
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What is a Rector? The priest in charge of most parishes is called a pastor. In the case of a cathedral, the duties of pastor are split between the rector and the bishop. Rectors may be found in leadership positions in universities and similar institutions.
Holy Family Rectors Rev. Charles Van Hulse 1899-1900 Rev. Theophile Van Hulse 1900-1906 Msgr. John G. Heiring 1906-1928
The Early Years: Gregory Gier before he arrived at Holy Family Reverend Monsignor Gregory A. Gier was born in Wichita, Kansas, on July 20, 1941, to Clarence and Monica (Monnie) Gier; they had an older daughter, Carolyn. About a year later, the Gier family moved to Oklahoma City where Mr. Gier managed the Studebaker-Packard automobile agency.
Msgr. James F. McGuire 1928-1935 Msgr. Albert F. Monnot 1935-1944 Rev. John T. Hall 1945-1947 Msgr. Victor J. Reed 1947-1958 Msgr. William H. Reid 1958-1968 Rev. J. Paul Donovan 1968-1976 Msgr. James F. Halpine 1976-1997
tor of Holy Family Cathedral, Tulsa). His first priestly assignment was Associate Pastor at St. Mary’s in Ponca City, where he was also chaplain of St. Joseph Hospital. Returning to Oklahoma City, he served four years at St. Patrick’s. From 1971-1976, he was chaplain, counselor and teacher at Bishop Kelley High School, Tulsa. In 1971-1972, he was assigned to Holy Family Cathedral as Associate Pastor. In 1977-1980, he served as pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish and school, Tulsa. From 1980-1983, he was pastor of Our Lady of the Assumption and Sacred Heart parishes in Muskogee.
Msgr. Gregory A. Gier 1997-2014
Notes about our Rectors The first three rectors were the pastors of the original Holy Family Church at Third and Elgin. Both Msgr. Monnot and Fr. Hall retired early due to health concerns. Father Charles F. Conley was the parish administrator from 1944 to 1945. He had been the Associate Pastor since 1938. Msgr. Victor Reed grew up as a Holy Family parishioner. He celebrated his first Mass at Holy Family. Years later, he served as the Rector of the co-Cathedral. He had been chosen to become the Auxiliary Bishop under Most Rev. Eugene McGuinness. Bishop McGuinness died suddenly and Reed was chosen to become the Bishop of Oklahoma City/Tulsa. Father J. Paul Donovan succeeded in modifying Holy Family’s interior during his term to conform to the church’s new status as a cathedral and to comply with the changes following Vatican II.
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Rosary School, Oklahoma City 1955
Young Gregory grew up in St. Francis Parish, where he made his First Communion and Confirmation and attended the parish school, Rosary. He graduated from Bishop McGuiness High School, the counterpart of Tulsa’s Bishop Kelley. Upon graduation, he entered St. Thomas Seminary College in Denver, Colorado. During his years there, he discovered his love of skiing, a sport which he continues to enjoy. He earned a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from St. Thomas Seminary College; a master’s in theology from St. Thomas Theological Seminary and a master’s in education from St. Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri. Father Gier was ordained to the Priesthood at Christ the King Church, Oklahoma City, on May 27, 1967, by Bishop Victor J. Reed (former Rec-
Ordination Photo, 1967
In 1983, he returned to Tulsa as pastor of Christ the King where he served for thirteen years. During that time, he launched Vision ’89, a building program that resulted in a reception hall and gymnasium, connected to the church and school, and designed in the same Art Deco style of architecture as the older structures. After a brief stint at St. John’s in Bartlesville in 1996 and 1997, Father Gier was appointed Rector of Holy Family Cathedral.
Celebrating Msgr. Gier’s 17 Years: Parish honored its Rector on his August 31 Anniversary Do you want to see the video of Msgr. Gier’s Reception?
http://www.youtube.com/user/ holyfamilycathedral
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On August 31, 1997, Father Gregory Gier was
computer, a scrapbook containing photos of him
installed as the Rector of the Cathedral. Seventeen
ministering to his parishioners these last seventeen
years later - August 31, 2014 - the parish held a spe-
years.
cial Reception to honor him. All guests received a copy of a tribute booklet, The reception began with delicious food catered
containing essays written by a number of people
by the Cathedral Women’s Club. Bishop Edward Slat-
who know Monsignor Gier in various ways. The au-
tery and Father Louis Obirieze spoke about Mon-
thors are Bishop Edward Slattery, Archbishop Eusebi-
signor Gier. Holy Family Cathedral School Choir per-
us Beltran (former bishop of Tulsa), Jeff & Cris Cox,
formed a number of pieces in honor of the Rector.
Mary Jo Dixon, Bill & Cherie Hughes, Kay Keith,
Current Principal Leslie Southerland and past Princi-
Mike Malcom, Judy Smith, Trish Spoerl, and Bob
pal Jay Luetkemeyer thanked Monsignor Gier for his
Thompson. The booklet concluded with a poem by
strong support of Holy Family Cathedral School. The
Martin Reidy.
crowd of nearly 400 enjoyed stories from each one of our deacons: Deacon Jerry Mattox, Tom Gorman, Kevin Sartorius, Greg Stice, and Kevin Tulipana.
The event was organized by Father Louis Obirieze, associate pastor. He chaired a committee of Deacon
@HolyFamilyCath on Twitter
/HolyFamilyCathedral on Facebook
Jerry Mattox & Kathleen, Deacon Tom Gorman & Monsignor Gier received a number of gifts, including an icon of the Holy Family of Nazareth, a new
Helga, Jeri Potter, Phil Reedy, Paul Louderback, Ann Owen, and Mike Malcom. 5
Msgr. Gier, Mrs. Spoerl win Education awards: Saint Francis of Assisi Tuition Trust honors local educators at annual event
Monsignor Gregory Gier and Trish Spoerl
Previous Recipients of Awards from the Saint Francis Trust
Teacher of the Year 2007 Kay Balletto, Sts. Peter & Paul 2008 Mike Petzet, HFCS 2009 Sr. Eileen Ward, SSJ, St. Mary Sr. Mary Murrihy, SSJ, Cascia 2010 Mary Jones, St. John 2011 Valda Presley, St. Pius X
BY JIM POHLMAN, SUPERINTENDENT
the Gala Dinner at 7:00 p.m. at the Doubletree Hotel downtown. This year’s honorees are the late
Every Catholic child needs and deserves a Cath-
Thomas Patrick Nally (Saint Francis of Assisi
olic education. However, many Catholic families
award), Rev. Msgr. Gregory A. Gier (Saint Claire of
face mounting economic pressures and do not
Assisi award for Service) and Mrs. Trish Spoerl,
have the option to consider a Catholic school edu-
Holy Family Cathedral School (James A. Robinson
cation; they are financially unable to do so. To
Teacher of the Year).
make Catholic education more affordable, the Saint Francis of Assisi Tuition Assistance Trust
Please support the Trust by joining us at this
was established in 2001 to provide tuition assis-
year’s Saint Francis of Assisi Trust Gala on Thurs-
tance to Catholic families whose children attend
day, October 2. Make your reservation today by
2012 Susan Mamary, Marquette
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Tulsa. This past
contacting Jan Hay in the Catholic Schools Office
2013 Brian Arensen, BKHS
year, the Trust granted $515,000 to 353 families
at catholicschools.office@dioceseoftulsa.org or at
representing 542 students. Yet, 20% of those who
918.582.9177.
Saint Claire Award for Service
qualified for financial assistance received none.
2010 Benedictine Sisters 2011 Christian Brothers 2012 Augustinians 2013 Most. Rev. Eusebius Beltran
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This year’s Gala Mass and Dinner will be held on Thursday, October 2, 2014. Mass will be begin at 5:30 p.m. at Holy Family Cathedral, followed by
(Continued from page 2)
tunity to work with and know some of the most generous philanthropists of our city. Without their en-
present in the sanctuary but ever present at the
couragement and support, there simply would be no
books and finances of the parish and school. He was
Holy Family Cathedral School.
a profound support to me and to the many people he and Nita visited in the hospitals of this city.
I can only hope that the present vision of our historic Cathedral brings as much joy to all of you as
To this very day I find myself saying, “Where is
it does to me. It has been an honor and great privi-
Foley when I need him?” Be it a funeral, a daily
lege to be involved in the restoration of this great
Mass, the Sunday noon Mass or a great celebration,
city and church landmark. Bishop Slattery’s confi-
Foley was always there to help and lend his energy.
dence and support has been unwavering and deeply
He knew what needed to be done and had whatever
appreciated. The financial support of the parishion-
was needed ready before I realized we needed it.
ers and other many friends of Holy Family have
Again, I had known Jim Foley from my days as an
made possible a truly beautiful and inspiring place of
Associate Pastor here in 1971 and when I was pas-
worship. There simply is no way to adequately thank
tor at Immaculate Conception from 1976-1980. He
all of the people who have made this reality come
was a consistent and dedicated servant of the
true. All of you, I hope, take great pride in what has
Church.
been accomplished and the worship space we have
Knights of Columbus Upcoming events:
Toys for tots – please bring in a new unwrapped toy for a needy child. This "Christmas in the Summer" drive will run until September 21.
made possible for ourselves and generations to There are many, many other names and people
come.
who have made these seventeen years wonderful and fulfilling. I dare not try to list them for fear of
It has been, for me, a wonderful and fulfilling
missing one or ten of them. Many have passed on
time in my life. I can enter my new position as “the
and hopefully now pray for us from the Eternal Ban-
new Halpine” with a great example to follow and
quet Table. Many are still working diligently here to
emulate. I am happy to become the Rector Emeritus
assist the wellbeing of this parish and school. For
and remain involved in the life and future of this
these many, many, wonderful people I am deeply
wonderful parish. I honestly think my present ener-
grateful and fully realize that the greatest things we
gies will serve you better free of administration and
have done over these seventeen years have been the
open simply to the joys of priestly activity. While I
result of great combined efforts from both the Parish
retire from the administrative responsibilities of this
staff and parishioners.
parish, I do not nor intend to retire from the joy of
Pancakes are bac k on September 21! We will serve pancakes downstairs after the 8:00 and 10:00 Masses.
40 days for life – this will run from September 24 through November 2 at the Garden of Hope. Check the bulletin for information on how to sign-up to pray for an end to abortion.
continuing to be your priest. I am happy to look upon our school with great pride and satisfaction. We have been through truly
Thank you for these seventeen years we have had
difficult years and experiences and truly phenomenal
together. May we have many more great years to-
educational accomplishments over these seventeen
gether and accomplish new and greater things to the
years. I am proud of the many dedicated teachers
honor and glory of God.
and principals who have made Holy Family Cathedral School one of the finest of our Diocesan schools.
Sincerely in the Holy Family,
Blood drive on Oc tober 5 – we will sponsor a Red Cross blood drive in the basement following the 8:00, 10:00 (and possibly) the noon Masses. Check the bulletin for more information.
Every pastor claims such things about his school, but we can back it up with statistics and test scores. Holy Family Cathedral School is an excellent educa-
Msgr. Gregory A. Gier
tional and religious experience for our parents and
Soon to be Rector Emeritus
students. The school has also been a great oppor7
Holy Family Cathedral PO Box 3204 Tulsa, OK 74101-3204
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Upcoming Activities and Events Bible Study meets Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. in the Halpine Room. Deacon Jerry Mattox leads a study of one book of the Bible at a time, exploring it in context and in depth. Dinner & a Movie: On the first Friday of the month, the Knights of Columbus sponsor a monthly pot luck dinner and the showing of a full length Catholic or Christian movie. The pot luck dinner starts around 6:30 p.m. and the movie begins around 7 p.m. Interested in knowing more about the Catholic Faith? The Summer Inquiry Sessions happen on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Come and visit with members of the RCIA Team and discuss questions that you may have about the Catholic Faith. If you have questions, email Sisterjeri45@yahoo.com. Pray the Rosary at 7:30 a.m. every Sunday before the 8:00 a.m. Mass. 8
The Diocese of Tulsa’s Youth Office is hosting the Diocesan Catholic Youth Conference on October 4, 2014. Headlining this year will be Christian Music Artist Audrey Assad, keynote speaker Chris Stefanick, speed painter Mike Debus. All registration is online. Go to tulsadcyc.eventbrite.com and click to join a group. Type in “Holy Family Cathedral” to find our group. Cost is $45 if you register before September 13. The fee covers admission to the conference and the concerts, and also includes lunch, dinner, and a t-shirt. If you have any questions, contact Mike Malcom, 918-810-0652 or mikemalcom@gmail.com. How to Teach your Kids True Love: Modesty, Chastity, Purity for Today’s Parents Listen to married c ouples, clergy, and singles lead a discussion on how to talk to your kids about being chaste. Each session will center around a chapter of Raising Pure Teens, a book by Jason Evert and
Chris Stefanick. The first session is September 2, 7:00-8:00, and features discussions led by Fr. Elkin Gonzalez and Mr. Timothy Putnam. This first session w ill be held in the Cathedral Basement. There is no charge to attend, but donations to cover our expenses are welcome. Complimentary babysitting provided for children three years and older. Email TulsaCathedral@gmail.com if you have any questions. Most Rev. Edward J. Slattery is celebrating a 25th, 40th, 50th and 50th+ Wedding Anniversary Mass at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 12 at the Cathedral. Mass will be followed by a reception. If you are celebrating your 25th, 40th, 50th or 50th+ anniversary, contact the Parish Office, 918-582-6247, by September 8 so an invitation can be sent.