SEP 2020
In This Issue: 3 “Coincidental” Stewardship 4 Basic Questions About Our Stewardship Renewal 6 Time: The Foundation of Stewardship 7 Living Out the Gospel Through Cathedral Outreach
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
AN INSIDE LOOK AT OUR “BECOMING CATHOLIC” PROGRAM Guiding Souls Home to the Church
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uch has changed in the world in recent months, and for many people, the crises of 2020 have provided an opportunity for self-reflection and a search for meaning. For some, it has led them to seek something more — something they have found in faith and the Catholic Church. Through our parish program, Becoming Catholic — Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, people can learn more about the teachings of the Catholic faith and prepare to receive the Sacraments of Initiation — Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist. In some cases, individuals who have been baptized but have yet to be fully initiated in the Church can participate in the Becoming Catholic process to complete their faith formation and ultimately come into full communion with the Church by receiving the Sacraments of Confirmation and/or Eucharist. For most, the process lasts a school year, leading up to the reception of the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 24 people preparing to receive sacraments were welcomed into the Church on June 21. “I love people seeing Jesus for Who He really is,” says Jeri Potter, who coordinates Becoming Catholic at the Cathedral. “I love seeing them explore their prayer life. I love seeing them maturing and starting to read the Bible on their own and bring questions to class, and how they can express that growth. It’s a journey, and it’s a lifetime journey.” Typically, the formation process includes weekly Sunday catechesis sessions. However, since the start of the pandemic, the Becoming Catholic classes have met via video conference, and will continue to do so as they begin again this fall. A variety of speakers, including our priests and deacons, share on a variety of topics, from the sacraments to morality, prayer and grace. The presentations last about 30 minutes and are followed by a time of discussion and Q&A. “I hope that they can gain a deeper prayer life,” Jeri says. “If nothing else, I hope they take away from this something continued on page 2 8TH STREET & BOULDER AVE • TULSA, OK 74119 • (918) 582-6247 • TULSACATHEDRAL.COM
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL Becoming Catholic Program continued from front cover
“I love people seeing Jesus for Who He really is. I love seeing them explore their prayer life. I love seeing them maturing and starting to read the Bible on their own and bring questions to class, and how they can express that growth. It’s a journey, and it’s a lifetime journey.” — JERI POTTER that helps them pray. I hope God will open that door and spark that fire, and that fire will be burning in their hearts and as it burns, they’ll come back with more questions and we’ll help them through.” The Becoming Catholic sessions can also be an opportunity for fully-initiated Catholics to grow in their understanding of the Church’s beliefs and teachings, while supporting those preparing to enter the Church. “We had some people this past year who came for enrichment,” Jeri says. “I saw light bulbs go off in understanding why we did some things. People said, ‘I never even thought about that’ or ‘I really feel like I’m getting to know Christ better in my heart.’ “This is a lifetime journey,” she adds. “Every time we go through an Becoming Catholic session, there’s something I hear myself in a different way or something I’ve forgotten. Jeri invites active parishioners who are looking for a way to become involved in service to consider being a sponsor to walk with someone preparing to become
Catholic or part of the Becoming Catholic team. Sponsors are encouraged to attend the weekly sessions as often as possible to support those going through the process. “Some people have said that what brought them to Becoming Catholic in the first place was the example of other Catholics they were around,” Jeri says. “A good sponsor is a person who has a deep faith life and can talk about their faith and support these people after they come into the Church.” Jeri encourages those who would like to go deeper in their Catholic faith or prepare to receive Sacraments of Initiation to consider joining Becoming Catholic. There is no commitment and people are able to grow and learn at their own pace. “Come and see and learn,” Jeri says. “Come, see about the faith, see what we do, see why we do what we do. “Come and be a part of this,” she adds. “It’s an exciting time to delve into your relationship with Christ, to see how you can open your heart to receive Him fully.”
Interested in learning more about the Becoming Catholic process — including completing your Sacraments of Initiation? Already Catholic and want to learn more about your faith? Or, would you like to serve as part of the Becoming Catholic team, or serve as a sponsor? Please contact Jeri Potter at 918-261-3243 or becomingcatholic@tulsacathedral.com. 2
SEP 2020 A Letter from Our Rector
“Coincidental” Stewardship Dear Parishioners,
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he famous author G.K. Chesterton once said, “Coincidences are God’s way of staying anonymous.” Since fully embracing the stewardship way of life, coincidences have become cherished experiences for which I thank God — and rightly so! While God stays anonymous, coincidences are His way of interacting with the world He created. Importantly, as we have been continually impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and with many of our circumstances changing day to day, we can be grateful for His “coincidental” intervention. As I continue to witness the grace-filled effects of the stewardship way of life on our parish, and in my own life, it is definitely God’s hand at work in our lives of faith. If some identify a coincidence as a “surprise blessing” that lifts the spirits and draws one closer to gratefulness to God, we cannot deny that in those circumstances that God is giving us the grace to live and celebrate our faith. So, let’s celebrate the coincidences! Celebrate the coincidence that Chesterton himself converted to Catholicism late in his life, yet wrote book after book affirming and defending the Catholic faith long before his conversion. Four years after Chesterton joined the Catholic Church, he wrote a phenomenal book called The Catholic Church and Conversion. It is one of the best works on conversion to Catholicism, as well as a wonderful description of conversion to the stewardship way of life. The same experiences, or “coincidences,” apply when we find ourselves drawn into the understanding, practice and expression of discipleship, known to us as “stewardship.” Chesterton describes conversion in three steps. “The convert takes his first step rather unwittingly when he decides he’s going to be fair to the Catholic
Church,” he wrote. The convert to stewardship must also dispel the “myths of stewardship” and give it a chance. This first step of conversion then leads to a long and enjoyable second step, which is the utter fascination of learning what the Catholic Church really does teach. Chesterton says, “It is like discovering a new continent full of strange flowers and fantastic animals, which is at once wild and hospitable.” For the stewardship convert, it is recognizing that stewardship is a practical way of living the Gospel. It makes sense, and others are doing it with joy and passion. What they have, the convert
also wants. Then, the convert to Catholicism suddenly realizes with a shock that he can no longer be detached and impartial about the Catholic Church. The convert to the stewardship way of life realizes this is the way he or she wants to live — and makes the commitment to do so. If this were not true of what Christ has called us to be, I would not be writing this today. If this were not true of our commitment to stewardship, you may not be reading this today. And, if this were not true of a stewardship parish such as ours, we would not be the faithful stewards we are today. Wouldn’t you also agree it is a “coincidence” to thank God for each day of our lives? Sincerely yours in Christ,
Fr. Gary Kastl Rector 3
HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL Basic Questions About Our What is a Stewardship Renewal? This isn’t a parish fundraiser — far from it. Our annual Stewardship Renewal is the time when we ask each other to re-prioritize the way we use God’s gifts in the Church. It is the time we write down how we intend to allow God to work in our lives in the coming year. Why should I fill out a commitment card? Your Commitment Card allows you to make commitments to prayer, parish ministries, and offertory giving, or what we at Holy Family Cathedral call “time, talent, and treasure.” There’s a two-fold reason to complete your card. First, it is an excellent opportunity to move forward spiritually and personally. Second, when you fill out a card, our parish is much better able to manage our many volunteers and make budgeting decisions.
pledged. Likewise, if you get a promotion, you may be able to give more. That is why at Holy Family Cathedral, our standard of giving is based upon a percentage of income. What happens if I don’t fill out a commitment card? Returning a card is an important part of being an active member of Holy Family Cathedral. If for some reason you lose your card, we’ll send you a reminder letter with an extra commitment card. Please make every effort to return it!
ELONG A PLACE TO B P RE NE W AL 20 20 ST EW AR DS HI
How many parish ministries are there at Holy Family Cathedral? “Ministry” is a general term for any parish group, organization, or regular activity. There are dozens of ministries in our parish. You can sign up for new ministries, or re-commit yourself if you’re already involved. What if I sign up for a ministry, but later find I’m not very interested? You are not making a solemn promise to participate in a particular ministry when you mark it on your commitment card. If you find that the parish group is different than you thought, or simply that their meeting time doesn’t fit your schedule, you can change your mind. There are plenty of other ministries to consider. I’m hesitant to make a firm financial pledge. What if I lose my job? Your commitment card isn’t a legal contract. If your circumstances change, your gift will change. In Scripture, we are asked to “give according to our means.” So if you lose your job, you may be unable to give at the level you
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Holy Family Cathedral
SEP 2020
Stewardship Renewal TIME, TALENT & TREASURE Please bring your Commitment Card to Mass on Commitment Weekend, September 26-27. How will you use your time, talent and treasure in our parish?
our commitment card for a list of ministries. If you’re already involved, re-commit yourself to the important work you do. And if you feel God is calling you forward — sign up for something new!
STEWARDSHIP OF TIME Our definition of Stewardship of Time: Using my time on earth wisely; making time for personal prayer, family prayer, and quality time with friends and loved ones.
Stewardship of Treasure
The bottom line about prayer: Without prayer, we cannot thrive spiritually. As Catholic Christians, it is a necessity to spend time each day speaking to God. This includes reading Scripture and saying prayers such as the Our Father and Hail Mary, but even more importantly, it should include a heart-to-heart conversation with Jesus. He wants us to bring him all our fears, longings, needs, and desires.
The bottom line about financial support: We need to take seriously the Biblical concept of the tithe, and start giving based on a percentage of income. It’s our responsibility to support the Church with our personal involvement and our financial support.
What kind of Time commitments should I make? Your commitment card lists several suggestions for how to spend time with God in prayer. Review your current prayer life and take a step forward. For instance, start having daily prayers with your children or spouse. Commit to praying the rosary on the way to work or reading scripture before bed each night. STEWARDSHIP OF TALENT Our definition of Stewardship of Talent: Using my God-given abilities to strengthen the Church and help others, especially through parish ministries and activities. The bottom line about parish ministry: No Catholic Christian exists in a vacuum. Scripture makes it clear that we must function within the wider faith community, putting our gifts in the service of others. It’s not enough to go to Sunday Mass; we need to be involved in parish life and ministry, actively growing in our faith. What kind of Talent commitments should I make? If you’re not involved in anything in our parish, now is the perfect opportunity to take a step forward. Check out
Our definition of Stewardship of Treasure: The wise and just management of my financial resources; giving a proportionate amount of my income to the parish.
What kind of Treasure commitments should I make? Our goal at Holy Family Cathedral is to give five percent of income to the offertory. Grab a calculator and figure out your target gift based on your total household income. Then make a plan for increasing your gift incrementally to reach five percent. During our Stewardship Renewal, choose a weekly or monthly gift to the parish, and be faithful to it for the next year.
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HOLY FAMILY CATHEDRAL TIME:
The Foundation of Stewardship
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he U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has told us that stewardship is part of discipleship and is a way of responding to God’s call in every aspect of our lives. We refer to the three facets of stewardship as “Time, Talent and Treasure,” and when we consider the importance of these three Ts of stewardship, the “time” component comes first by design. When we talk about stewardship of time, we are referring to prayer time. Prayer is of the utmost importance in a disciple’s life, and it serves as the fertile ground from which the gifts of talent and treasure blossom. Only by spending time in prayer each day and receiving the sacraments are we able to consistently and generously donate our talent and treasure to the Church. When looking for examples of how to live our lives as disciples of Christ and as stewards of God’s gifts, we can always turn to the great saints of our Church to guide us. And when it comes to the Stewardship of Time, the life of St. Damien is just one example of how prayer, or “Time,” is the foundation for our lives of stewardship. Shortly after being ordained a priest, St. Damien volunteered to serve a colony of lepers isolated on the island of Molokai, Hawaii. From May 1873 until his death in 1889 (at the age of 49) St. Damien worked to restore within the lepers a sense of personal worth and dignity. Although for some time St. Damien took the necessary precautions to ensure that he did not contract leprosy, he knew that physical touch was necessary to communicate his love and concern to those afflicted with the disease. He embraced the lepers, dined with them, cared for them, and anointed them in the sacraments. With great humility and
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sacrifice, St. Damien offered his own life in order to save the lives of others. From where did St. Damien draw his strength? What was the source of his inspiration? “Were it not for the constant presence of our divine Master in our humble chapel, I would not have found it possible to persevere in sharing the lot of the lepers in Molokai,” St. Damien wrote. “The Eucharist is the bread that gives strength... It is at once the most eloquent proof of His love and the most powerful means of fostering His love in us. He gives Himself every day so that our hearts as burning coals may set afire the hearts of the faithful.” St. Damien found his strength in the Mass, the greatest prayer of the Church. Prayer was the impetus behind the generosity of this faithful servant of God, and is the fuel that ignites every heart to flame in love. Without prayer, without the grace that flows from the sacraments, we are incapable of leading lives of service and responding to God’s call! How much time do you dedicate to prayer each day? One hour? Fifteen minutes? None at all? Before you consider joining a parish ministry or volunteering your talents in service, and before you discern your gifts of treasure to the Church, be sure that prayer is your foundation. Identify a prayer schedule that is manageable. This may entail arising 20 minutes early each day to offer your work to the Lord, or attending daily Mass once a week. Every prayer commitment is unique and personal. Yet, no matter what, this time offering, this dedication to prayer, is the key to serving the Lord with faithfulness, generosity and joy.
SEP 2020
Living Out the Gospel
THROUGH CATHEDRAL OUTREACH
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hroughout the Gospels, Christ makes it clear that an intrinsic part of discipleship is helping those in need. Just as Jesus spent much of His earthly ministry personally comforting the poor and healing the sick, we Catholics are all called to do our part to help our suffering neighbors, seeking out the hidden Christ by administering to those in need — be it financially, emotionally or spiritually. This, says parishioner Carol Lapolla, is precisely what Cathedral Outreach aims to do in providing immediate emergency relief for those in need. “Specifically, we help the disenfranchised in the community — not just Holy Family parishioners, but all people in the community,” Carol says. “Our most common form of assistance is to pay utility bills and rent to prevent cutoffs and evictions. We always give payment directly to the source, never to a client, so as to ensure we are being good stewards and that the money goes where it is intended. From time to time, we may help people with food as well, if they have specific dietary needs. For example, we helped someone with colon cancer who had specific dietary needs that were difficult to fulfill at a food bank.” The ministry is also in the process of forming a partnership with Church of St. Mary’s Outreach Program, which has an active food ministry. This would potentially provide Holy Family parishioners with a more handson outreach experience and allow the two faith communities to pool their resources together — hopefully enabling a greater impact on the larger community.
Carol says that she personally got involved in the ministry about 10 years ago, shortly after her retirement. Looking for a way to become more active in the church, she felt Cathedral Outreach would be a great way to dive in and make a difference. Since then, she says she’s learned so much through the clients she’s been able to help. It’s opened her eyes to the plight of others and helped her to see the world through a new perspective. “I would say that I’ve learned a lot from the clients that we help,” Carol says. “For example, there was one family that we helped where the male caregiver in the family had a previous prison conviction. While he had served the prison time and been released, I saw what the family went through with him trying to support the family but not being able to get work.
I saw him trying to walk up and down the street and get a job anywhere, but the incarceration kept him from getting employed. It actually got him evicted from residencies. As a whole, I think the ministry has made me more accepting of people who find themselves in these predicaments. I now realize that they get there frequently through no fault of their own and it’s very difficult to get out of these situations.” With all of the cutoffs and evictions currently put on hold as a way of supporting families negatively impacted by COVID-19, the Cathedral Outreach is currently experiencing something of a lull. However, Carol says this can’t last forever and could potentially cause a huge increase in those needing help. “I believe, and the other people I talk to who are doing this type of work continued on back cover 7
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Living Out the Gospel Through Cathedral Outreach continued from page 7
agree, that there is going to be a huge upcoming need,” Carol says. “Right now, people aren’t being evicted and there are a lot of pop-up food sources. However, I think eventually those things will dry up and there could potentially be a huge spike in the need for utility bills. When that happens, I really think that we’re going to be overwhelmed with calls.” Parishioners can help support the ministry as it prepares to meet these inevitable needs in several ways — first, by contributing monetarily, either through the quarterly collections or by sending a check to the parish office. Parishioners may also donate food and toiletry items to the bins located in the back of church. Lastly, you can support the ministry by getting involved as a Cathedral Outreach volunteer.
“Specifically, we help the disenfranchised in the community — not just Holy Family parishioners, but all people in the community. Our most common form of assistance is to pay utility bills and rent to prevent cutoffs and evictions. We always give payment directly to the source, never to a client, so as to ensure we are being good stewards and that the money goes where it is intended. From time to time, we may help people with food as well, if they have specific dietary needs.” — CAROL LAPOLLA
If you would like more information about the Cathedral Outreach Ministry, please contact Carol Lapolla at 918-742-3503. If you or someone you know is in need of emergency assistance, contact the ministry’s help line at 918-919-5291.