Holy Family Cathedral Newsletter — April 2022

APR 2022

In This Issue: 2 Lent and Holy Week 2022 3 A Letter From Our Rector All Things and All People Are Made New 4 The Hour of Mercy Ministry 6 Cultivate Your Personal Garden for Christ this Spring 7 Meet Parishioners Tim Hankins and Helen Maxey

HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

Becoming Catholic Ministry Joyfully Anticipates Easter Vigil A Journey of Faith Coming to Fruition

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he beauty of the Easter Vigil is unmatched by any other Mass during the liturgical year. This liturgy celebrates the culmination of Christ’s Paschal Mystery after the 40 long days of Lent. In addition, in parishes all across the world, we welcome new Catholics into the Church.

Here at Holy Family Cathedral, the Easter Vigil will be the culmination of many months of preparation by our candidates and catechumens through a program called Becoming Catholic. Our Becoming Catholic participants are a diverse group of people that come together weekly on Sunday mornings for formation to guide their journey towards Catholicism. This year, the class consists of individuals who have never been baptized, those converting from other Christian denominations, and also a few Catholics who were baptized but never confirmed.

“Everyone who is in the formation class has a unique journey and they are starting at different places,” says Fr. Kastl, Rector of Holy Family Cathedral. “The cadence and sequencing of the classes intentionally brings people into the story of salvation and leads them to practical ways in which we are called to live our Catholic faith. All along the way, we put a great emphasis on the formation of the mind and heart so that when our brothers and sisters make their profession of faith, they know fully what they are saying ‘yes’ to.”

These Sunday morning classes are always open to anyone in the parish who wants faith enrichment. Jeri Potter continues to coordinate the program and catechists are made up of our parish clergy and other laypersons trained in philosophy and theology. Attending these classes is not only a great way for Catholics and non-Catholics to grow in their understanding of the faith, but it is also a great way to show support to those who are venturing into the Church. It can sometimes be a scary journey for people to show up in a community where they know nobody, so having other members of the community present makes for a more enriching experience. continued on page 2 8TH STREET & BOULDER AVE • TULSA, OK 74119 • (918) 582-6247 • TULSACATHEDRAL.COM

HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL Becoming Catholic Ministry Joyfully Anticipates the Easter Vigil continued from front cover “Becoming Catholic at Holy Family Cathedral has been a remarkably informative and welcoming space in my search to know more about Catholicism and find my way in my faith,” says Joe Lyons, current participant. “The clergy and staff are so gracious and helpful, and one really gets the sense that their personal journey is uniquely important. It has been really enjoyable and affirming to hear the thoughts and questions of fellow inquirers, as they often ask questions I might have been too afraid to ask or never knew I needed the answer to. I look forward to the meetings all week!”

As we draw closer towards welcoming between 35 and 40 new Catholics to our parish community this Easter Vigil, Fr. Kastl encourages all in our community to pray for those anticipating the sacraments now and in the future.

“There are thousands of people in the world that are waiting to be asked to become Catholic,” Fr. Kastl says. “By virtue of our Baptism, all of us are called to take the hands of our neighbors, friends, and family members and invite them to come and see. Although this class is coming to an end, now is the time to start cultivating the relationships with those that you can invite on this journey next year. Be willing to make the commitment to join them in the journey and then savor the sweetness of the sacramental grace they will receive at Easter and throughout the rest of their lives.”

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APR 2022 A Letter From Our Rector

All Things and All People Are Made New Dear Parishioners,

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his month, our Lenten journey ends and we begin the Easter season. We associate the Easter season with springtime — a time of new life and new beginnings — and Holy Scripture addresses this idea of newness many times. The Lord declares, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).

This idea of being “new” is important to us as Catholics, and it is important to our parish. We need to strive to become new on a regular basis — even on a daily basis. Much like spring brings about new growth and baby creatures, so we must too find the opportunity to renew ourselves.

Especially as we prepare for this Easter season, we need to retain that idea of being “new.” Being “new” means conversion, and conversion is at the heart of a life of stewardship.

As the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it, “The Paschal mystery has two aspects: by his death, Christ liberates us from sin; by his Resurrection, he opens for us the way to a new life” (654).

In other words, Christ’s Resurrection is the source of our new life — our own future resurrection. St. Paul wrote about it to the Romans (Rom 6:5) — “For if we have grown into union with him through a death like his, we shall also be united with him in the resurrection.”

Hope for a new life beginning now and extending on into heaven is the result of Jesus’ Resurrection. What greater grounds

for thanksgiving can there be than this Easter hope? We should sing with joy about God’s promise to us, “Behold, I make all things new” (Rev 21:5).

St. Paul also wrote (Col 3:1-2), “If then you were raised with Christ, seek what is above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Think of what is above, not of what is on earth.” Jesus’ Resurrection and His promise of a new life for us mean that we need to live in conformity with our status as adopted children of God. How do we show our joy and our gratitude to God for this amazing gift He has given us? We join in worship and praise God by word and song. We share the Good News of Jesus’ victory over death with our family, friends, and neighbors. And we offer back to the Lord a portion of the time, talent and treasure, He has entrusted to us.

Yes, the Easter message that we share in the benefits of Christ’s Resurrection indeed makes all things new — the ultimate foundation for all Christian stewardship.

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Very Rev. Gary D. Kastl Rector

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HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL

The Hour of M

Lovingly and Prayerfully Serving Thos

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“It is hard when you encounter people in their suffering and pain, but it is inspiring to see their joy. It reminds us not to live in complacency, but to live for the Lord in our faith.”

— Meredith White 4

n the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus calls us to partake in the corporal works of mercy — “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, a stranger and you welcomed me, naked and you clothed me, ill and you cared for me, in prison and you visited me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

In downtown Tulsa, we are given a great opportunity to respond to this call. Every Friday at 3 p.m., all are invited to pray a Divine Mercy Chaplet before the Blessed Sacrament and then go out into the streets to give practical items to the homeless and spend time with them.

“We go out at 3 p.m. to imitate our Lord at the time of His death,” says Meredith White. “We try to imitate the pouring out of His love, hope, and mercy to these people.

We give generously of what we have to offer but ultimately, we are there to spend time with these people, to show them that they are seen, loved, heard, and made for relationship.”

Meredith was invited to this ministry by a friend in November of 2020. She was so moved by this experience that she returned over and over again. In the spring of 2021, Fr. Pratt put her in charge of the Hour of Mercy Ministry.

“The Hour of Mercy was started by Fr. Michael Pratt and Fr. David Carvajal,” Meredith says. “They noticed the large homeless population, so they would grab coffee and cookies or whatever they had in their kitchen and share it with those in the streets while taking the time to just be with them.”

Participants have certain routes that they will walk near the bus station and, in particular, the Salvation Army. Since Meredith began coordinating this ministry, members rely solely on Divine Providence to provide the items that they offer to the homeless. Donations are always welcome of any sort. Items include bottled water, protein-rich or nutritious snacks, travelsized hygiene items, dental kits, reusable bags, winter wear, blankets, Rosaries, prayer cards, or old Magnificats.

“We trust that God is putting us where He wants us to be,” Meredith says. “We have the policy of being extra generous. Most places that the homeless visit have limits on how much they can have. We put no limit on our generosity. If the first person we visit with wants everything that we have, we give it to them. Oftentimes, they don’t believe us when we say they can have as much as they want. We will have to prompt them by asking if they want more.” continued on page 5

APR 2022

Mercy Ministry

se in Need Throughout Our Community As St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “We think sometimes that poverty is only being hungry, naked, and homeless. The poverty of being unwanted, unloved, and uncared for is the greatest poverty.” With this in mind, the ministry aims to not just provide the homeless with physical goods.

Their main purpose is to treat these people with their Godgiven dignity. God made us for relationship and, above all, the ministry members aim to give that gift of themselves in relationship with those that they encounter.

“When we encounter the homeless, we see that even in their sickness and struggle, they are yearning for relationship and love,” Meredith says. “When you serve the poor in this way, you see that no one would ever choose this intentionally. They are usually stuck in the cycle of addiction and traumas or interior wounds. They are not empowered to leave it and break the cycle.

“We are not there to fix them and help them in physical ways, though we share those resources for those who want them,” she adds. “We are there to be an instrument of God’s love. We love them and give them security of relationship.”

As the homeless population has grown since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Meredith has been working with other parishes in the community to help meet the needs of the people. They have begun similar ministries as well.

“It is truly humbling to encounter Jesus in the poor,” Meredith says. “You are so grateful for what you have and the opportunity to treat them with the dignity that they deserve. So often, they are treated with indifference, so being able to be an instrument of the Lord in this way is a gift. It is hard when you encounter people in their suffering and pain, but it is inspiring to see their joy. It reminds us not to live in complacency, but to live for the Lord in our faith.”

If you would like to find out more about this ministry, or to donate to its important cause, please contact Meredith White at littlelilies918@gmail.com, or visit their website at, littlelilies.info for information.

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HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL

Cultivate

Your Personal Garden for Christ this Spring

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veryone loves springtime. The weather is warmer and beautiful flowers are blooming all around us.

But anyone with a beautiful garden will attest that the flowers do not magically appear as if the season change itself miraculously makes the flowers bloom. Beautiful flowers and lush gardens are the result of the gardener’s hard work.

Imagine that a man is given some flower seeds. The man then buries the seeds in the ground and leaves them on their own. As the months pass and rain falls, some seeds may receive enough nourishment to bloom. But simply burying seeds in the ground will hardly make for a gorgeous garden. Rather, if the man truly wants to enjoy many beautiful flowers, there is much care and work ahead. Recognizing the hidden beauty within these simple seeds, he must cultivate the ground, plant the seeds in a solid foundation, then water and fertilize them throughout the year. Only then will he see the proper fruit these seeds were made to bear.

This simple illustration speaks to the heart of us this season — not only as we look around at the flowers, but more importantly as we reflect on the springtime of the Church. We are celebrating the great feast of Easter when, through His death and resurrection, Christ offers us the greatest gift of all — eternal life with Him forever. This celebration leads us to

reflect on the many gifts God has given us in this life and the fruit they will bear, especially as we look to life eternal.

He has given each of us a multitude of gifts so that we can better serve Him and bring others to Him. Do we notice the hidden potential of our gifts? Do we see them, like the seed — as seemingly small, yet so full of fruit? Everything we have — our time, talents and treasure — is a gift from the Lord. Do we accept gifts in gratitude, then put them to use by cultivating and nourishing them so they will bear the proper fruit?

Just like springtime flowers that we enjoy, our time, talents and treasure need to be cared for. Our gifts need to be cultivated and nourished. Only then will we see them for what they are — wonderful gifts given by God and meant for His greater glory.

Like the seeds, if we use our gifts flippantly, we may see some fruits here and there.

But we are called to so much more — we are called to build a beautiful garden. We are called to offer God the most beautiful flowers of all.

This season, as we look at all the beautiful flowers around us and enjoy God’s creation, let us think about the seeds in our own lives. Ask yourself if you have accepted the gifts God has given you — your time, talents and treasure — and have cultivated and cared for them properly. Or, do they just sit dormant within you yearning to bloom?

Just like springtime flowers that we enjoy, our time, talents and treasure need to be cared for. Our gifts need to be cultivated and nourished. Only then will we see them for what they are — wonderful gifts given by God and meant for His greater glory.

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APR 2022

Tim Hankins and Helen Maxey Blessed to Serve God and Our Faith Community Together

MEET PARISHIONERS

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im Hankins and Helen Maxey have been parishioners at Holy Family Cathedral for the last eight years. The pair have been involved in various ways throughout these years, from gardening to serving as Eucharistic Ministers and many efforts in between.

“We started noticing the grounds needing some attention,” Helen says. “We asked if we could help and ‘yes’ was the answer. I guess you could say it blossomed from that point.”

While their volunteer efforts around the cathedral began with gardening, Helen and Tim have given their time and talents to several other ministries. Tim occasionally assists as an acolyte at Mass. He says that while all activities are meaningful in their own way, this particular ministry holds a special importance to him.

“I was an altar boy as a kid, but being an active part of the sacrifice of the Mass 55 years later with a front-row seat is very special to me,” he says.

The faith holds great significance for both Helen and Tim. Serving at the cathedral is something they feel blessed to do together, and it is among their favorite things to do as a couple. Tim and Helen have actively served in many capacities. They give their talents as lectors and Eucharistic Ministers, as well as through the Elevate capital campaign, adoration, the Hospitality Ministry, and ushering. Every Sunday evening, they greet parishioners and serve as ushers for our Sunday night Mass.

“We joke about the number of ushers that sign up for 5 p.m. Mass Sunday night since it’s just the two of us — ‘do you want to be usher one or two?’” Helen says Helen and Tim were married in 2015, initially drawn to one another having been cradle Catholics their whole lives continued on back cover

Tim Hankins and Helen Maxey have been parishioners at Holy Family Cathedral for the last eight years.

“We started noticing the grounds needing some attention. We asked if we could help and ‘yes’ was the answer. I guess you could say it blossomed from that point.” — Helen Maxey

Helen and Tim have given their time and talents to several ministries.

We thank Tim and Helen for their wonderful stewardship example here in our Holy Family community!

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PO Box 3204 • Tulsa, OK 74101-3204 (918) 582-6247 • tulsacathedral.com

Meet Parishioners Tim Hankins and Helen Maxey continued from page 7 and sharing a middle name with each other.

“I proposed to Helen from a kneeler in front of a side altar, the Mary Altar,” Tim says. “That was after a Mass during Christmas season 2013. We were married at that altar 15 months later by Msgr. Gier. A month later, we were on a pilgrimage to see the Shroud of Turin and other Italian stops.

While we had hoped to marry in Assisi, the logistics were too complicated. Msgr. Gier did assist us in repeating our vows at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, our patron saint. He noted that it was the first time in all his long career that he had to repeat a couple’s vows in 30 days!”

We thank Tim and Helen for their wonderful stewardship example here in our Holy Family community!

Helen and Tim were wed at the Mary Altar in 2015 and, a month later, repeated their vows at the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi.