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MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
OK TOBERFEST Event Returns This Month With Spirit of Fun and Fellowship
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ktoberfest may have been a virtual event last year, but the Oktoberfest 2021 will be in-person with all the food, fun, and festivities that have been a longstanding tradition here at Christ the King. The festival committee has set Sept. 24-25 for Oktoberfest, which helps support the parish and our school. Co-chairs are Christian and Lindsey Clickner, Teresa, and Jason Roper, and Kent and Jody Wedding. “Last year, we did a virtual Oktoberfest dash and a virtual raffle,” says Jody Wedding. “This year, we will have a normal event with bands,
food, drinks, and kids’ games.” Oktoberfest will take place on the Cathedral campus parking lot and the grassy area by the playground. It will begin at 3:30 p.m. Friday and run until 11 p.m., then continue all day Saturday until 11 p.m. “It’s a big event for Lexington,” Jody says. “Some who come aren’t all Christ the King parishioners. We get people from all over.” And indeed, members of the community attend in great numbers. Estimates have been between 7,000 to 8,000 attendees each night. continued on page 2
Inside
SEPTEMBER 2021
2021
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September: An Ongoing Opportunity to Change the World
4 Music Ministry: Sharing the Joy of Our Lord in Song and Praise 6 Celebrating the Feast of the Archangels 7 Youth Ministry: Guiding Our Young Catholics on their Faith Journey
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Oktoberfest Event Returns
Admission is free, but there will be plenty of opportunities to contribute by playing Bingo, visiting the casino, purchasing food, and supporting the raffles. The German food tent will include strudel, brats, and German potato salad. Other vendors will also be offering a variety of selections. The German beer garden and regular beer tent will have beverages to suit all brew tastes. The raffle will include a vehicle from Dan Cummins or a cash option. Tickets have been on sale since August and are available at the parish office. Those volunteering and those attending
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Oktoberfest can embrace stewardship by giving their time, talents, and treasure. “This is a parish event,” Jody says. “A lot think it’s just for the school, but it’s a parish and school event. It’s a giving of time and talents to help support both. It’s run solely by volunteers. If we don’t have them, there is no money raised. It takes a lot to pull it off, to make sure it’s successful. “Fr. Paul said that it’s a way to get people on our property that may not even come to church, and we are meeting people and spreading our mission,” Jody adds. “We hope to provide some sense of normalcy. We’re all looking to get back to normal.”
For up-to-date information and to volunteer please visit www.ctkoktoberfest.com or visit our facebook page. 2
A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector
AN ONGOING OPPORTUNIT Y TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Dear Brothers and Sisters:
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n his letters, St. Paul often began by greeting his “brothers and sisters.” Every time I read one of these letters, it reminds me that you and I truly are sisters and brothers in the Body of Christ, the Church, but especially here in our parish. We need to understand that we are indeed a family, and the way we see and treat one another is fundamental to the health and happiness of this family. Our spiritual family doesn’t stop at the walls of our church, but rather, extends to include every man and woman created in God’s image and likeness. You may be familiar with the term “Catholic Social Teaching,” part of which is built on a commitment to the poor. These are the beliefs that guide Catholics on how to apply the faith to all aspects of life, and they lay the framework for the Church’s teachings on the dignity and sacredness of human life. Once we make a commitment to be disciples of Jesus and pursue stewardship as a way of life, the principles of Catholic Social Teaching become very easy to incorporate into our lives. Catholic Social Teaching has been around since those first followers of Jesus tried to balance their new faith with the realities of living in a world of Roman oppression. Jesus reminded His disciples then, just as He reminds us now, that caring for and administering to the poor should be at the core of all we do. Recall when the Lord said in Matthew, “For
I was hungry and you gave me food; I was thirsty and you gave me drink; I was a stranger and you welcomed me; I was naked and you gave me clothing; I was ill and you cared for me; I was in prison and you visited me.” This is our foundation as we seek to embody mercy and justice to our fellow man and should be one of our major goals as a faith community. Many of our parish ministries provide for us an opportunity to do just as Jesus asked — to serve those most in need. As we move into the fall season, with Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas soon to follow, now is a good time for us to recommit ourselves to addressing the needs we see around us — both as a parish society and as individuals. I am proud of our collective efforts in assisting and serving the poor, but I also know that we can do more. Many of us personally need to get involved in these efforts. Our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has a great love and regard for the poor and, like Jesus, he reminds us often of what we need to do. Pope Francis once said in a homily, “The measure of the greatness of a society is found in the way it treats those most in need, those who have nothing apart from their poverty.” Together, we can make a difference. Sincerely yours in Christ, Fr. John Moriarty 3
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Music Ministry: SHARING THE T
Cathedral choir members at Mass
Members of the boys and girls choir before Mass
The Resurrection Choir ready to sing for All Souls Day Mass
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here is just something about having music at Mass that is unspeakably powerful. It lifts up our souls, consoles our hearts, and inspires our spirits. Sacred music brings us to love the Lord with all of our being in a way that nothing else can. Thankfully, our parish Music Ministry recognizes the inherent value of music, as well as what a treasure it is for our parish family. “We have had a big response at the Cathedral and there are quite a few groups of people who volunteer to help with the music,” says Assistant Music Director and Parish Organist Gabrielle Manion. “In a way, the faith of the congregation can be in our hands — we can either enhance their worship experience or detract from it. It is an honor and a responsibility to worship the Lord so publicly.” The Music Ministry encompasses several groups who generously give their time and talent to help parishioners worship Our Lord at every Mass. It includes the Cathedral Choir, which plays for the 9 a.m. Sunday Mass; the Folk Choir, which plays for the 11:30 a.m. Sunday Mass; the Boys and Girls Choir, which sings about once per month at various Masses; and the Resurrection Choir, which provides music for funerals. Amazingly, each choir plays an essential role in communicating the message of God’s mercy. “For example, the members of the Resurrection Choir offer a ministry of presence by volunteering to sing at all of the funerals,” Gabrielle says. “It is a great ministry, which represents the parish community offering their support.” Ultimately, musicians such as Gabrielle find that by dedicating themselves to the Music Ministry, they are making a return to the God who created them. “I have always enjoyed music, and it has brought me much joy,” she says. “I began taking piano lessons at a young age and started playing for church in middle school. I now play the organ for the Cathedral Choir and piano for the Folk
JOY OF OUR LORD IN SONG AND PRAISE Choir. It has always been natural for me — a calling on my life and a way for me to share my talents while I worship God.” Our parish musicians also understand that they are dedicating themselves to bringing the stewardship vision to life as well. “I definitely think of it all in terms of stewardship,” Gabrielle says. “I have put a ton of work into developing my talent over the years, and I feel that if I don’t use it, it would be a big waste of what God has given me. It is also a special talent that is needed today — not many
people learn to play the piano or organ anymore. Playing music for our church is a great way for me to be a faithful steward of my gift.” Ultimately, the ministry’s music is a profound prayer that reaches the heavens, blessing all those around. “Playing music for God is such a beautiful way to give of yourself,” Gabrielle says. “When I am singing with others, I am always struck by the fact that I am sharing the fruits of my experiences and my spiritual life. I mean what I sing, and I believe in it!”
A young cantor leading the psalm at Mass
Cathedral choir members singing at Mass
If you would like more information about the Music Ministry, please email Director of Music Robert Whitaker at rwhitaker@cdlex.org or call him at 859-335-3693, or contact Gabrielle Manion at gmanion@cdlex.org or at 859-335-3695.
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ST. R
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The
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Celebrating the Feast of the
Archangels
E ST. MICHAEL
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very Sept. 29, the Church celebrates the feast day of the Archangels — St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael. We are blessed to be inspired by these “servants and messengers of God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 329). The term “archangels” has its Scriptural basis in the New Testament (1 Thes 4:16, Jude 1:9), indicating a chief or leading angel. “Archangel” generally refers to St. Michael, St. Gabriel, and St. Raphael, as they are the three angels most frequently mentioned throughout Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition. The fact that these three angels are mentioned by name on multiple occasions indicates the significance of their roles in the history of salvation. It is because of these important roles that we take pause to celebrate on Sept. 29. St. Michael is mentioned by name on several occasions in Sacred Scripture (Dn 10:13, Rev 12:7), and his role in the Tradition of the Church has been extensively documented. He has been widely referred to as the “great prince,” and is most often associated with the apocalypse — the final battle against Satan. Christian Tradition gives St. Michael four different roles, but he has primarily been regarded as the patron and protector of the Church. St. Gabriel is mentioned by name in Scripture (Lk 1:19), and Tradition has also assigned him implicit roles within Scripture where he is not specifically mentioned. Most important, however, is St. Gabriel’s role as the messenger of God, delivering to Mary the announcement of the birth of Our Savior (Lk 1:26). St. Raphael is mentioned by name only in the Book of Tobit, where he is responsible for healing Tobias. Raphael means “God has healed” and thus, he has also often been associated with the “angel of the Lord” (Jn 5:4). The feast day on Sept. 29 allows each of us to consider our own role in the Church, as we gratefully commemorate the Archangels responsible for carrying out their roles of defender, messenger, and healer.
CHRIST THE KING YOUTH MINISTRY:
Guiding Young Catholics on Their Faith Journey
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oday’s teenagers face many mixed messages, so it can be often difficult for our young Catholics to find solid spiritual ground. With this in mind, the Cathedral of Christ the King has a Youth Ministry program for our middle and high school students. The program is a fantastic way to make friends, be formed in the faith, and have guidance and support in navigating the outside world. The mission of Youth Ministry is “to encourage young people to love Jesus, to empower them to live courageously as intentional disciples of Jesus in our world today, and to draw young people to embrace the life, mission, and work of the church.” The program is for middle school, sixth to seventh grade; Confirmation, eighth grade; and high school, ninth to 12th grade. Rebecca Whitney has served as the Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries for the past six years. She feels so blessed to be working to lead young people in the faith. “Young people are amazing, surprising, and shouldn’t be underestimated,” Rebecca says. “Now, more than any other time, young people need love
and support in life and faith with all that they are up against in society today. They need a space to get answers, to be themselves, and be accepted and heard.” Weekly meetings are held for the middle school youth from 10:15 a.m. to noon on Sundays. High school students meet from 6:15 to 8:30 p.m. on Sundays. The Confirmation classes are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. Youth group time always includes snacks and fellowship — this is meant to be a time for fun and relationship building. There is also time for games, small groups, activities, and prayer. “Youth Group is a place where we hope to enable young people to feel seen, known, and heard,” Rebecca says. “We hope to foster a welcoming and fun environment so that those young people who attend can feel comfortable and enjoy the time that they spend with us.” The youth are busy with activities all year. In addition to the weekly Youth Group nights, there are other activities as part of the ministry, such as the Diocesan Retreat for each age group. There are continued on back cover
Youth gathered for an escape room outing.
Youth gather to have fun, learn more about the faith and share in small-group discussion.
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299 Colony Blvd. | Lexington, KY 40502 cathedralctk.org | (859) 268-2861
YOUTH MINISTRY
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also opportunities for service, retreats, conferences, and social events. Some youth will be attending the National Catholic Youth Conference this November in Indianapolis. “This is a really fun, faith-filled wonderful community to be involved in,” Rebecca says. “Everyone is welcome. We can’t wait to meet you!” Rebecca invites adults to get involved as volunteers in the Youth Ministry program and is always looking for more help to lead young people to Christ through example. This is a fun ministry, and
you can make a big impact! “Our hope is that this ministry helps young people grow spiritually and deepen their relationship with Christ by, firstly, giving our own authentic witness in living out our faith life,” Rebecca says. “Along with this, we also hope that, through clear catechesis of who the church is, what she teaches, who Jesus is and what He has done for us, all done in a way that they can grasp and relate to, the youth can get excited about their faith and see that our Catholic faith is real truth and worth giving their life to.”
Please join us for the Joint Middle and High School Youth Group Kickoff following 5 p.m. Mass on Sunday, Sept. 19. If you would like more information, or to get involved as a volunteer, please contact Rebecca Whitney at 859-268-1268 or ctkyouth@cdlex.org. You may also visit the website at www.cathedralctk.org/youth-group-6th-12th. Find our Youth Group on Instagram at @ctkyouthlex or the Facebook group at CTK Youth Ministry.
LITURGY SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil - 5:00 p.m.|Sunday - 7:30 a.m.; 9:00 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Daily (Monday to Saturday) - 8:00 a.m.|(Monday to Friday) - 5:30 p.m. Reconciliation: Wednesday 4:45 - 5:20 p.m., Saturday 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. | First Sunday of the month 8:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m.