St. Benedict
Cathedral
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Welcomes
St. Benedict Cathedral New Members of the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass
W
hat a blessing it is when God’s people find their home in His Church! Each year, St. Benedict is blessed with the arrival of new and returning Catholics who enter fully into the Catholic Church through our Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults, or RCIA. This year, five individuals have This year's RCIA candidates, catechumen, and catechist team have been meeting over Zoom. Four candidates and one catechumen been meeting weekly will be received fully into the Church at the Easter Vigil Mass, in with our RCIA team addition to five second-graders from our parish school. to learn and grow in the Catholic faith in preparation for receiving the Sacraments of Initiation. Due to the pandemic, the usual Wednesday evening RCIA classes have been held via the Zoom videoconference platform. Fr. Godfrey Mullen is the primary catechist, assisted by Deacon Dave Rice and Sister Pat McGuire, OSB. In addition, a parishioner also stepped up to help with the program this year. Fr. Godfrey is thankful for the opportunity to be a part of the faith journeys of our candidates and catechumen. continued on page 4
Inside APRIL 2021
2 Teaching By Example The Importance of Prayer in a Child’s Life 3 Celebrating Christ’s Resurrection
6 The Prayer Chain Ministry: Drawing on the Powers of Intercession in Care for Others 7 The Incomparable Blessing of Eucharistic Adoration A Time to Give Honor in Christ's Presence
Teaching By Example The Importance of Prayer in a Child’s Life Just as children learn traits and values from their parents, they should also learn the importance and great joy of developing a personal relationship with Christ. And the foundation of such a relationship is prayer — conversation with God.
“I
want to be just like Mom and Dad!” Perhaps nothing lifts a parent's heart like hearing these words. While certainly affirming, such words also remind us of the great responsibility that comes with parenthood. Children often examine the lives of their parents when making decisions that will affect their own lives. For example, a young boy may dream of becoming a physician one day, just like his father. Or a young girl may hope to become a veterinarian, just like her mother. Could the same be said about their parents’ faith lives? Just as children learn traits and values from their parents, they should also learn the importance and great joy of developing a personal relationship with Christ. And the foundation of such a relationship is prayer — conversation with God. How should we go about teaching our children to pray? There are several methods, but none works as well as teaching by example. Begin teaching the importance of prayer by praying openly with your spouse. This teaches children that prayer is meaningful and important, and not just a ritual. Also, pray with your children — in the morning and in the evening. Show your sons and daughters the importance of beginning and ending each day in prayer. While a fortunate dilemma, it’s a dilemma nonetheless — Catholics face the challenge of discerning which prayers to use, considering the 2
thousands available. A good rule of thumb is to start simple — maybe an Our Father or Hail Mary, and then move into something more complex — Hail, Holy Queen or Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel, among others. Begin with prayers your children can pick up fairly quickly. Not only will this show them that praying can be fun and easy, but shorter prayers are also usually easier to understand. Teach your children the importance of spontaneous prayer, rather than just prescribed prayers. Spontaneous prayer is any prayer that is created at the same time it is offered. Another way to think of spontaneous prayer is “praying in your own words.” Structure spontaneous prayers according to the ACTS acronym — Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. In layman’s terms, this means beginning each prayer with words of adoration, such as “You are the Lord God Almighty. I love you.” Move into a period of contrition, asking God’s forgiveness for the sins you have committed. Then, give words of thanksgiving, thanking God for the gifts He has given. Finally, spend time sharing with God your heart’s desires. These intentions can be personal or on another’s behalf. Following this format ensures that spontaneous prayer “covers all the bases,” and doesn’t become just a mental wish list. While God wants to hear and grant our wishes, He also expects words of adoration, contrition and thankfulness. The best time to begin praying with your children is right now. The sooner they learn about prayer, the sooner they can begin cultivating their own relationship with Jesus. Many parents even pray with their children before birth, hoping their unborn son or daughter can hear their words in utero. Remember, there is no better way to teach one’s children about the value of prayer than by example.
Celebrating Christ’s Resurrection A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector
My Fellow Parishioners:
H
ow did you feel at the end of the Palm Sunday Mass? You may not have noticed, but there was an abrupt shift of tone in that liturgy. It began with great joy, as we celebrated Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem to the acclamation of the crowds. But then the mood shifted to sorrow, despair even, when the Passion Gospel was read, for we heard the shouts of "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" from those same crowds a few days later. Palm Sunday, of course, was the beginning of Holy Week, the most important week in the Christian year. The confusion of conflicting moods is spread through the week, especially during the Easter Triduum — from sundown Holy Thursday to sundown Easter Sunday. Holy Thursday offers us the glorious Mass of the Lord’s Supper celebrating the institution of the Eucharist before we pass to the sadness of the betrayal and arrest of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. The next day brings us the Good Friday Liturgy of the Passion with our recognition of what our sins did to the Incarnate Son of God. Here, we also gather for the solemn burial of the Lord on Good Friday evening. Then, after a day of waiting as we mourn Jesus’ burial and repose in the tomb, we celebrate His victory over sin, Satan and death at the Easter Vigil on Saturday night or at the Masses the next day. If we have participated in all the main services of the Triduum,
we arrive at Sunday evening exhausted but joyful. This year, Palm Sunday fell on the final Sunday of March, and we observe Holy Week and Easter Sunday early in April. That means we will spend most of April in the Easter Season, a period filled with joy and thanksgiving. Our gladness comes not only because Christ rose from the dead, but also because we benefit from it. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church (§654) 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.” In other words, Christ’s Resurrection is the source of our own future resurrection. St. Paul wrote about it to the Romans in the following words (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.”
Eternal life in union with Christ — a 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 this promise from God! What’s more, 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. And 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 is the ultimate foundation for all Christian stewardship. The Lord is risen, alleluia. Peace,
Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector 3
St. Benedict Cathedral “I have a love for passing on the fundamentals of the faith,” he says of his involvement in RCIA. “I believe the Catholic Church’s teaching is so often clear and straightforward and helpful. Passing on these tools of teaching, the faith that sustains us, and the necessity of a relationship with God — all these are wonderful opportunities to share.” This year, there is one catechumen and four adult candidates who will receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil Mass. They will be joined by five second-graders from the parish school who have not yet been baptized. As always, this year’s candidates and catechumen come from all walks of life. Candidate Faith Fox was raised in the United Church of Christ. Her relationship with her husband and his family first brought her to the Catholic Church. She is excited about all she has learned about the Catholic faith through the RCIA process. “With RCIA, I feel more of a sense of belonging to the Catholic Church instead of kind of lost in my spiritual journey,” Faith says. “This has helped me to not feel alone in the process of conversion. My hopes are to truly raise my children in the Catholic faith and to help show them how the Church is a comfort and a family.” Like Faith, Curtis Hildebrandt was also drawn to the Church through his marriage 4
Welcomes New Members of th
to a “cradle Catholic.” His wife, Staci, is also his RCIA sponsor. The couple’s two children attend our parish school. Curtis has enjoyed digging more deeply into the faith and Church teachings through the RCIA process.
“With RCIA, I feel more of a sense of belonging to the Catholic Church instead of kind of lost in my spiritual journey. This has helped me to not feel alone in the process of conversion. My hopes are to truly raise my children in the Catholic faith and to help show them how the Church is a comfort and a family.” — Faith Fox
“My RCIA experience has been pleasant,” he says. “The meetings are comfortable and everyone is friendly. I find the subjects very interesting and notice myself reflecting on the lesson after our meetings. I have begun to better understand and appreciate the culture of Catholicism. It has helped improve my comprehension of Church teachings and helps me understand questions my children ask me about the Church.” Candidate Tavon Johnson comes from a Lutheran background. Although prayer was always a part of his childhood, his family did not regularly attend church. He often felt the pull to explore a new faith tradition, and that call eventually led him to the Catholic Church. “I was at a time in my life where I realized I needed a relationship with God,” Tavon says. “So a friend of mine gave me some information on the Catholic religion and invited me to a Sunday Mass. I attended three Masses before I made my final decision on becoming Catholic. I felt very comfortable and loved the beauty of the Church.” Since beginning our RCIA process last fall, Tavon has noticed a transformation taking place. “My life has changed in so many different positive ways,” he says. “I’ve grown an outstanding
he Church at the Easter Vigil Mass relationship with God, and I’ve attended every Sunday Mass. I hope to continue to gain knowledge about this wonderful religion and to let God continue to bless me. I want to start attending daily Masses and be extremely involved in the Church in any and every way possible!” Catechumen Gabriel Boeglin has also found his life greatly changed by the RCIA process at St. Benedict. Gabriel grew up attending Masses and learning about Catholicism in school, though the faith was never a solid part of his life. When his fiancée, Kaylee Barton, brought him to the cathedral, he immediately felt at home. “With the RCIA classes, I have more faith in my mind on a daily basis, and I feel a greater connection to the Lord,” Gabriel says. “I feel as though I have deeper connections with my friends and family as I can fully understand and relate in faith with them. I now consider Fr. Godfrey and Deacon Dave to be friends, and my RCIA class peers have also displayed kindness and friendliness that make me feel comfortable and welcomed. My hopes for my future in the Church are a deeper connection to the community and my ability to feel at home worldwide where I experience others who have the Lord’s love in their hearts and minds.” Candidate Morgan Hanson was raised in a Methodist home. Her family observed the
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liturgical calendar and even used some Catholic materials for their homeschool, so she has long been acquainted with the Church. Eventually, the more she learned about Catholicism, the more she felt drawn to it. “The faith tradition, scholarship, apologetics, and practices of the Catholic Church all brought me home to the Church,” she says. “I realized that the Catholic Church was the one, true Church, and I wanted to be a part of it. When the pandemic hit, I decided to visit Catholic churches virtually, and the first church I ‘visited’ was St. Benedict. Since that first virtual Mass in May, I haven’t visited another church since. I recently started attending in person, and I love the peaceful community here. I am looking forward to becoming a full member of this beautiful faith community and getting to know more people in the church.” As the cathedral prepares
to receive our catechumen and candidates into the Church at the Easter Vigil, let us remember to extend a warm and loving welcome to each of them. “A major part of the new life signaled by the resurrection of Jesus is embodied in these 10 individuals,” Fr. Godfrey says. “They bring new life to the Church. For that, we might all rightly be grateful. Hospitality is the first pillar of stewardship because we are welcomed into life by God, and so we are meant to be welcoming people. I encourage every parishioner to find an opportunity, once we’re back in church, to reach out to these great people.” With gratitude for the Holy Spirit’s call to our candidates and catechumen, we invite everyone at St. Benedict to join in the celebration of this great step in their spiritual journeys. What a wonderful reminder they give us of the beauty and grace to be found in our faith!
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The Prayer Chain Ministry: Drawing on the Powers of Intercession in Care for Others
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or most Catholics, “spending something to help someone,” she time in prayer” may mean says. several different things — from Nancy encourages parishioners praying the Rosary, to reading to call or email if they have a prayer and reflecting on Scripture, to request for which they would asking God to provide for their like the Prayer Chain Ministry to needs or the needs of others intercede. Over the years, she has in their family. However, for a seen the power of prayer in her own dedicated group of parishioners life and hopes other parishioners at St. Benedict Cathedral, will consider reaching out when prayer also means taking time to they have a need. intercede specifically for the needs “This is not just for St. Ben’s of others — sometimes strangers Parish,” Nancy says. “You don’t — in our parish and community. have to be from St. Ben’s to be on For many years, members of the prayer list, and you don’t have the Prayer Chain Ministry have to be Catholic. We’re praying for been praying for others' needs, big anybody who asks for prayers. and small, both within our parish “We all need prayer,” she adds. and beyond. “We all need encouragement, and “Jesus taught us to pray the Parishioner Nancy Vaught coordinates when two or more are praying for the Prayer Chain for the parish Our Father and many times in the something, it’s a huge comfort. Bible, prayer is mentioned,” says Even if you think ‘Somebody parishioner Nancy Vaught, who has been involved needs it more than I do,’ everybody needs prayer, in the group for over a decade. “It’s a comfort to everybody needs encouragement.” know God is there for us — all we have to do is pray For those looking for a way to be involved in and ask for help.” service — especially in times when many of our Today, the group of intercessors has grown to ministries are on hiatus due to COVID-19, the over 40, and while there is also an email “prayer Prayer Chain Ministry may be a great way to give chain,” Nancy coordinates the group that calls other back and stay connected to the parish community. parishioners to share prayer requests. People reach Members can take time to pray based on their own out to the group for prayers in all types of situations, schedule and can intercede with whatever prayers from physical or mental illness to financial struggles, they choose. or other concerns. People are free to share details, “It’s a very easy thing,” Nancy says. “It’s not a or be as vague — or even anonymous — as they’d big-time commitment, but it’s a very powerful thing like. All prayer requests are kept confidential. to lift people up in prayer." Occasionally, those who have requested prayers will reach out to the group to share an update and prayers of thanksgiving, as well. If you would like more information, “Just to know that somebody else is praying for to become a part of the Prayer Chain, you when you have a concern, it’s a comfort to know or to submit a prayer request, please people are raising you up in prayer,” Nancy says. contact Nancy Vaught at 812-491-1786 It’s also deepened Nancy’s spiritual life to pray or the parish office at 812-425-3369. for others. “I feel a whole lot closer to God when I’m doing 6
The Incomparable Blessing of Eucharistic Adoration A Time to Give Honor in Christ's Presence
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ot even two years ago, parishioner Lisa Roth was leafing through the St. Benedict Cathedral bulletin when a particular notice caught her eye — the Eucharistic Adoration coordinators, Bruce and Ginny Bonenberger, were seeking more people to commit to a weekly hour of adoration. For Lisa, this bulletin sighting was all about the timing. With her children grown and life a little less hectic these days, she had been hoping to try something new. Little could Lisa have known where her phone call to Ginny that day would eventually lead her! Today, Lisa continues to have a weekly adoration hour, in addition to serving as coordinator of the adoration chapel. What began with a simple desire to get more involved in parish life became a long-lasting devotion. “I was just trying to do something that could draw me in a little bit closer with my faith,” Lisa says. “I thought adoration would be a nice thing to try, and I’ve been doing it for over a year now. I do like to pray daily, so it was a natural fit for me. I feel like I’ve been called to do this.” Like many regular adorers, Lisa has settled into a familiar routine during her scheduled hour of adoration each week. For her, the time begins with prayers of thanksgiving, followed by her expression of the prayer requests of family
and friends. She also says a Rosary — often praying more than one mystery — and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. Lisa often brings a Bible to read as well. As she is quick to point out, everyone chooses to spend their hour differently — there is generally no “wrong way” to spend time in the Lord’s presence. In fact, simply sitting with our Lord in silence can become a deeply enriching spiritual experience. “It is nice to have that one hour with no disruptions during the day,” Lisa says. “It’s always peaceful. It helps you kind of rethink things and get a new perspective on things. It makes me more aware of my daily actions in general and how I need to make good decisions and be loving to others.” The spiritual gift of Eucharistic Adoration at St. Benedict has been an answered prayer to many. When churches closed last spring due to the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, adoration had to be suspended. Once people were allowed to return to the church building for Mass and other activities, Fr. Godfrey approached Lisa about restarting this important devotion safely in our parish. As Lisa began to seek both new and old adorers to fill the weekly hours, she was amazed by the enthusiastic response of our parishioners. continued on back cover
“I just think adoration is a great way for you to give honor to Christ. This is strictly your time, your one hour of solitude. It reminds us how important it is to pray. If people are nervous about trying it, they should just have faith and stop by and see what they think. They will feel better when they leave, I can guarantee that!” — Lisa Roth 7
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The Incomparable Blessing of Eucharistic Adoration continued from page 7 “When we started adoration back up again, Father said if we could just start with a couple of hours each day, that would be enough,” Lisa says. “But when you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, things fall into place. Some of the people I called were so joyful and couldn’t wait to get started again, and that made me more excited. Every single slot got filled, from 11:30 to 4:30, Monday through Friday. That’s the Holy Spirit working right there, drawing individuals into adoration.” Both Fr. Godfrey and Lisa are thrilled to have our weekday adoration up and running again and hope to have two adorers for each hour soon. Knowing
firsthand the abundant blessings that come from a devotion to Eucharistic Adoration, Lisa hopes that many more parishioners will take the same leap of faith she did almost two years ago when she saw a bulletin announcement and decided to try something new to enrich her faith life. “I just think adoration is a great way for you to give honor to Christ,” she says. “This is strictly your time, your one hour of solitude. It reminds us how important it is to pray. If people are nervous about trying it, they should just have faith and stop by and see what they think. They will feel better when they leave, I can guarantee that!”
If you are interested in learning more about Eucharistic Adoration or becoming a scheduled adorer at St. Benedict, please contact Lisa Roth at Lisaroth1969@gmail.com.
LITURGY SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil: 4:30 p.m. | Sunday: 8:00 a.m. & 10:30 a.m. Daily Mass: Tuesday - Saturday 9:00 a.m. Confessions: Tuesday through Friday 8:40 - 8:55 a.m., Saturday 9:30 - 10:00 a.m.