JULY 2021
In This Issue: 2 The Traits of the Christian Steward 3 What Is the Real Purpose of Our Lives? 4 Bethany Intercessors 6 What Does “Red, White, and Blue” Mean to You? 7 Wednesdays at the Cathedral
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Welcoming Newly Ordained
FR. JOSHUA VOTRUBA
W
to Our Parish Family
hen Fr. Joshua Votruba was in the ninth grade, God’s grace touched his soul in an extraordinary way while he was at his home parish, the Church of St. Benedict in Broken Arrow. “I was one of the older altar servers, and I was signed up to serve for the Easter Vigil Mass,” he says. “The pastor, Fr. Joe Townsend, had me hold the liturgical book for him while he was bringing the new Catholics into the Church. I remember an absolute joy that came over the people being baptized and confirmed, and the joy that Fr. Townsend had in bringing them into the Church. That is when I first started thinking about experiencing that similar joy and bringing it to other people as a priest.” Even though this life-changing “ah-ha” moment had been a powerful one, it naturally took some time to settle in and really take effect. “I had that feeling initially, but it wasn’t until my junior year of high school when I was receiving the Sacrament of Confirmation, that I first Fr. Joshua Votruba’s alumni photo for Saint Meinrad decided to answer the call,” Fr. Votruba says. “Instead of just thinking Seminary and School of Theology about it and dismissing it, I slowly started talking about it with others more often. I soon got in touch with the Vocation Director for the Diocese of Tulsa and began the application process.” As he moved forward with his discernment, Fr. Joe Townsend stood by his side. “Through Fr. Joe, I came to know more about what a priest really is and what he does,” he says. “He intentionally made himself available so I could learn from him. He took me and some other guys to visit some seminaries. These trips really helped my discernment.” Taking a leap of faith, Joshua entered Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas, where he studied for four years, and then moved on to study at Saint Meinrad Seminary in Indiana for another four years. “I really enjoyed the fraternity aspect of my seminary experience, as well as studying the spirituality of St. Teresa of continued on page 5 8TH STREET & BOULDER AVE • TULSA, OK 74119 • (918) 582-6247 • TULSACATHEDRAL.COM
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL The Traits of the
CHRISTIAN STEWARD E
ach day, we strive to live stewardship in our lives, recognizing our roles as “God’s co-workers” in His creative, redemptive and sanctifying work. But in our quest to live as disciples of Christ, many obstacles often arise. One of the most prevalent roadblocks in living stewardship is understanding the traits that make up a good Christian steward. Surely, it would be much more convenient if we had some sort of “stewardship list” that could lay out the necessary steps to becoming a good steward. Unfortunately, it more often feels like living stewardship is a lifelong journey that we will never fully comprehend. Fortunately, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ pastoral letter on stewardship, Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, gives some insight into the characteristics that make up a good Christian steward. The Christian steward should display some of the following traits:
INSIGHT
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Before the disciples could live what we know as the stewardship way of life, they needed a flash of insight, or a certain way of viewing the world and their relationship to it in a fresh light. This “divine grandeur,” more than anything else, is often what sets people on the path to Christian stewardship (Stewardship: A Disciple’s Response, 39).
JOY
Christian stewards are often presented with difficult obstacles, but they should remain joyful in the face of challenges to their lives of stewardship. Like Paul, the good steward is able to say, “I am filled with encouragement, I am overflowing with joy all the more because of all our affliction” (2 Cor. 7:4). Only by serving with a joyful spirit will stewards fully reap the rewards of their service, both in this life and the next.
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CONSCIENTIOUSNESS Stewards are fully conscious of their accountability in sharing of their time, talent and treasure. As caretakers of the gifts that God has given them, they have the opportunity and responsibility to use them to their fullest potential to spread God’s Kingdom on Earth (40).
GENEROSITY Christian stewards are generous out of love as well as duty. They should display a desire to share with and care for others based on the sacramental graces they have received. And they are also cognizant of the many warnings that the New Testament presents to those who fail in charity and authentic love (40).
Indeed, living as a Christian steward is a lifelong journey with many ups and downs along the way. But if we strive to consciously incorporate each of these characteristics into our giving of time, talent and treasure, we will find that the responsibilities of a good Christian steward will become much clearer with each experience of service.
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JULY 2021
A Letter from Our Rector
What Is the
REAL PURPOSE of Our Lives?
Dear Parishioners,
D
o you ever think about your purpose in life? Even as a priest, I certainly do. There are days and times of frustration when I think, “What am I really supposed to do? What does God want me to do? Why am I here?” For eons, philosophers have considered these very questions and written about them. But the truth is that we, as Catholics, already know the answers. When we consider the many facets of life in our parish community, there are numerous activities and endeavors that go beyond attending Mass. From hospitality ministries, to our outreach program, to Knights of Columbus,there are many ways in which we serve our community. Yet, as we undertake these important pursuits — both within and outside of the parish — we must always remember that our ultimate goal is salvation. After all, the only reason we exist, the only reason our Church exists, is the same as the reason Jesus joined us and became a part of us here on earth — He came to save humanity. We use the term the “body of Christ” to describe the Church with Christ as the head. We are all parts of that body, and the parts of the body must move in the same direction as the body itself — it simply won’t function if the parts are moving in different directions. We are all in this together. When our lives are complete, we do not base our
success or failure on how much money we have, or whether or not we are famous. Nor does our success or failure depend upon the difference between health and sickness, or pleasure and pain, or even being nice or nasty. Rather, it is the difference between being saved and not being saved. I often think of my family members who have passed away, and as a priest, I deal with that issue with others on a very regular basis. Sometimes, I wonder if they ever fully realized that salvation was the answer to so many of our questions in life. I am surrounded by memories of those who have gone before, as are almost all of you. We are apt to use the term “the communion of saints” in many ways in our Church. Someday, we will know more about the “communion of saints” and how it all works. In the meantime, we pray for everyone who has gone before us, hoping they have made it home. Pray for me as I pray for you! Sincerely yours in Christ,
Very Rev. Gary D. Kastl Rector
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HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL
Bethany Intercessors: PRAYING WITH GREAT S
Cherie Hughes facilitates the Bethany Intercessors Ministry.
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t. Teresa of Calcutta lived out one of her most famous quotes, “Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love.” In turn, a group of about 50 people at Holy Family Cathedral work to live out that quote, by spreading love through prayer. The ministry, called Bethany Intercessors, has been led by Cherie Hughes for about a year. Members commit to praying for people who have passed away or are sick or suffering. Anyone can contact Cherie to ask for prayers for themselves, a friend, or a family member. The person need not be a Cathedral parishioner. Not only is this a powerful way to offer up prayers for those in need, but it’s also a way to show hospitality to our fellow parishioners and the people for whom they care. Ministry members also pray for our parish, our priests, and all parishioners. As part of her duties, Cherie sends out a monthly newsletter with the intentions of the Holy Father and a devotion. For July, the Holy Father asks for prayers for social friendship — “We pray that, in social, economic and political situations of conflict, we may be courageous and passionate architects of dialogue and friendship.” Cherie also uses the newsletter to provide any updates she has regarding those for whom the members have prayed. “A lot of times we don’t know if our prayers were answered, and that’s okay,” Cherie says. Cherie says ministry members were praying for one person who was told they had just a few months to live. As Cherie has since been informed, that person is cancer-free. “There can be miracles when we pray and trust the Lord,” Cherie says. “He answers our prayers, just not always in the timeline we expect him to.” Another benefit to this ministry is that it could continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since everyone prays from home, this is a powerful ministry that could continue safely. With all the suffering and isolation, prayers were even more important during this time.
JULY 2021
LOVE AND TRUSTING IN THE LORD While the ministry members don’t typically gather, they participated in a retreat put on by Fr. Gary Kastl in March of this year. “It’s amazing how we don’t all know each other, but it’s a way of feeling connected,” Cherie says. “You are doing something really good for our parish and community, in a small but important way. A lot of us want to do big things. This is a small and important thing.” As Cherie says, this is an important way to build community across the cathedral. It also creates community with those for whom the members are praying.
“It’s amazing how we don’t all know each other, but it’s a way of feeling connected. You are doing something really good for our parish and community, in a small but important way. A lot of us want to do big things. This is a small and important thing.” — CHERIE HUGHES
If you would like to submit prayer requests, or to become part of this ministry, please email Cherie Hughes at cherie.hughes.25@outlook.com.
FR. JOSHUA VOTRUBA Avila,” he says. “I have had a deep devotion to Our Lady of Mount Carmel for a while, and it grew even deeper through this class. I am even considering becoming a Third Order Carmelite someday.” On June 25, he was ordained at Holy Family Cathedral by Most Reverend Bishop David Konderla. In July, he began to serve our parish family as our
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Parochial Vicar. His presence among us continues to be a tremendous gift and grace from God. “I am really looking forward to giving myself even more fully and completely to the people of this parish,” he says. “Fr. Gary Kastl is doing amazing work here! The parish is really growing and shifting, and new life is coming forth. I am really happy to be part of this growth.”
“I am really looking forward to giving myself even more fully and completely to the people of this parish. Fr. Gary Kastl is doing amazing work here! The parish is really growing and shifting, and new life is coming forth. I am really happy to be part of this growth.” — FR. JOSHUA VOTRUBA 5
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL What Does “Red, White, and Blue” Mean to You?
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lthough our nation’s real independence began at the end of the Revolutionary War on Sept. 3, 1783, President John Adams originally thought that the anniversary would be marked on July 2, the day in 1776 when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence from Great Britain. Ultimately, Americans chose to commemorate the birthday of the United States on July 4, the day on which the Declaration of Independence was adopted and approved. What does this mean for us as Roman Catholics? The Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us, “The love and service of one’s country follow from the duty of gratitude and belong to the order of charity” (2239). As a parish community, we are called by God to respond to this duty to the best of our ability. So, where do we start? The Second Vatican Council document, Apostolicam Actuositatem, states that “In their patriotism and in their fidelity to their civic duties, Catholics will feel themselves bound to promote the true common good: they will make the weight of their convictions so influential that, as a result, civil authority will be justly exercised and laws will accord with moral precepts and the common good” (14). By living our lay vocation and permeating the secular world with Catholic values, we genuinely honor God and neighbor. As “lamps shining before men,” we need to let our moral convictions – no matter the courage it may take – shine forth to be a guiding light for the world, often left vulnerable in the darkness. Our commitment to a rightly ordered Catholic patriotism begins with our commitment to the formation of our Christian conscience. We must enrich ourselves with the Church’s teachings on the value of human life, the sacred institution of family, Catholic social and moral teachings, Catholic civil duties, and anything that further pertains to the living out of our Catholic faith in our nation today. Once we have done this, we will be able to act upon it. As St. Teresa of Calcutta once said, “Today, more than ever, we need to pray for the light to know the will of God, for the love to accept the will of God, for the way to do the will of God.” This year, let us give our hearts to carrying out this mission of an authentic Catholic patriotism under God. Our nation was founded under God. Let us not allow this precious heritage, this source of true life and liberty, to be lost. Its preservation relies on each one of us. 6
JULY 2021
Wednesdays at the Cathedral: Savoring God’s Graces and Fostering a Community of Formation
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hanks to ministries like Wednesdays at the Cathedral, our parish is more than just a church building. It is an oasis of spiritual graces, a guiding light, a refuge of hope, and a spiritual home filled with brothers and sisters in Christ. “Wednesdays at the Cathedral gives parishioners the opportunity to get to know one another and form community while fostering their ongoing faith formation and conversion,” Fr. Kastl says. When the ministry was first launched in 2015, it included a weekly evening of formation and fellowship for the whole family. The evening began with Mass, followed by a family-friendly meal served in the Parish Hall. After dinner, children attended Religious Education classes, and parents were invited to hear a speaker. At the time this ministry was launched, our parish was the only one in the area offering a program of this nature. Some of the local presentations that were offered included an ecumenical panel of local pastors discussing the Reformation and presentations about Fr. Stanley Rother, as well as a live local Catholic radio program, The Catholic Man Show. Some of the outside speakers included Dr. Edward Sri, Fr. David Meconi, and John Martignoni. On occasion, the speaker and topic would be geared for audiences of all ages. One such time was when the ministry invited a local expert, Joey Spencer, to give a presentation on angels. Many of our parish school families attended that night. “About once a quarter we did a service project as an outreach of this ministry,” says Ministry Coordinator Monica Conro. “For example, we served a meal and did manual labor at Catholic Charities. We occasionally took field trips, as well. For example, we were hosted by Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. We said evening prayer with them, listened to a presentation, and were treated to customary Greek desserts.” Sadly, most of our parish ministries were paused in January 2020 while our campus underwent major renovations. With the onset of the pandemic just months later, our parish was not able to offer any in-person ministries until Advent of 2020. The great news is that Wednesdays at the Cathedral will continued on back cover 7
PO Box 3204 • Tulsa, OK 74101-3204 (918) 582-6247 • tulsacathedral.com
Wednesdays at the Cathedral now be meeting regularly again, although with a less encompassing, yet more specific focus on adult faith formation. “Looking to the future, we hope to re-launch Wednesdays at the Cathedral as a monthly speaker series,” Fr. Kastl says. “To simplify it, it will be reopened with a different format. It will be once a month and will feature a speaker and heavy appetizers. The topics covered will range from faith and morals to spiritual topics, such as how to better foster faith in your home.”
Additional information about upcoming Wednesdays at the Cathedral ministry events will be listed on Flocknote. Fr. Kastl is looking for parishioners to help on the Hospitality Committee for this ministry by providing setup, hospitality to those who come, and cleanup. If you would like to help, please contact Monica Conro at 918-582-6247.
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