Join Us For Our Parish Retreat On April 17

An Opportunity for Reflection on the Spirituality of Stewardship

There are few ways to nurture our faith life in a more meaningful way than by participating in a parish retreat. Here at Holy Family Cathedral, we will be blessed to have the opportunity to increase our spiritual awareness next month with a one-day parish retreat on the spirituality of stewardship, led by Fr. Jim Golka of Grand Island, Neb. By opening our hearts and minds in this special way, we can answer the call to deepen our faith and commit to living intentional discipleship.

Fr. Jim grew up in Grand Island, where he and his nine siblings attended the local Catholic schools. He was ordained a diocesan priest in 1994 and has served multiple parishes. As the Pastor of St. Patrick’s in North Platte, Neb., beginning in 2006, Fr. Jim became committed to helping parishioners develop a stewardship spirituality. Almost five years ago, Fr. Jim returned to his hometown as Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island, where he continues to encourage a stewardship way of life.

Over the last 15 years, Fr. Jim has witnessed what a tremendous difference a commitment to stewardship can make in a parish.

“Stewardship is a practical spirituality, so it helps people put their faith into practice,” he says. “I’ve seen people come alive in their faith, come to know Jesus better, and receive the joy that comes from generosity. And I’m not talking about money, specifically — it’s just realizing how generous God is with us and getting to participate in that personally. People come to appreciate their parish life even more, and the great gift of our Catholic faith.”

The retreat, titled “To Be a Christian Steward,” will be a Christ-centered day geared toward an understanding of how incredibly generous our Lord is and a recognition of the many gifts He bestows upon us on a daily basis.

“I don’t think people realize how much of a gift-giver God is,” Fr. Jim says. “We know this in Jesus — He came and emptied Himself and gave us everything that God had given Him. When we recognize that God is a gift-giver, we are better able to receive those gifts, which means going out and sharing them in the world.”

Fr. Jim thoroughly enjoys traveling to various parts of the country to speak on a subject so close to his heart. He is excited about coming to Holy Family Cathedral — and not just to enjoy our warmer weather! Fr. Jim also looks forward to meeting all the faithful here in Tulsa and reconnecting with Fr. Kastl, whom he has gotten to know through the Catholic Leadership Institute and the annual Msgr. McGread Stewardship Conference in Wichita.

Knowing firsthand the great spiritual benefits of participating in a retreat, Fr. Jim hopes that all Holy Family parishioners will consider attending this day of prayer and reflection.

“Some people think you go on retreat to escape the real world, but I think you actually enter the real world and how God intended it,” he says. “At retreats, we listen to God talk to us. It seems like we rarely take the time in our lives to let that be our primary effort of the day. So, this is a great gift that Fr. Kastl and the parish are offering the people. To spend a day on retreat can seem like a sacrifice because so many things are calling for your attention, but my experience is that God honors and blesses that sacrifice.”

Our retreat will be Apr. 17 and will begin with Mass in the Cathedral at 8 a.m. The retreat is free and will provide spiritual growth, fellowship, and food. Please R.S.V.P. by April 9 with Kathleen Hobbs at khobbs@tulsacathedral.com.

Fr. Jim Golka, Rector of St. Mary’s Cathedral in Grand Island, Neb., will lead our one-day parish retreat on the spirituality of stewardship.