St. Benedict
Cathedral
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
New Year Brings Opportunities for Growing in Faith and Building Our Cathedral Community
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ach new year brings new opportunities. Many of us probably take a year-end inventory before we delve into making new year’s resolutions and plans for the upcoming year. Here at St. Benedict Cathedral, we've done the same thing! “The beauty of the Eucharist propelled us through this past year,” says Fr. Godfrey Mullen. “Whether that was livestreamed Mass or quiet adoration or celebration of Mass in person, that was the highlight of our year.” This love of the Eucharist makes it no surprise that we celebrated other sacraments throughout 2021. We had 35 Baptisms last year and expect the number to be similar this year. Additionally, we have a strong group of candidates and catechumens participating in RCIA, and many weddings are already on the calendar for this year. We are also gearing up for a capital campaign to address the parking lot, some of our more urgent HVAC needs, and the gathering space for the church. “These three projects flow directly from our ongoing needs and our experience of the last year,” Fr. Godfrey says. “Just like us, our buildings are always in need of improvement.” Another exciting venture to look forward to is the work of The League of St. Benedict. This new resource, drawing support from individuals and corporations beyond our parish community, has already made great progress. Parishioners are invited to join this new ministry, as well. If you are looking to grow spiritually in this upcoming year, consider continued on page 5
Inside JANUARY 2022
2 Stewardship: New Year’s Resolutions 3 Start 2022 with a Clean Spiritual Slate 4 Catholic Schools Week 2022: Celebrating the Gifts and Blessings of Catholic Education 6 The Feast of the Epiphany: Celebrating the Revelation of God to Humanity 7 Women’s Retreat Brings "Peace of Mind" and Engagement with God's Word
Stewardship:
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
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he New Year has arrived, and we have all been busy making — and trying to keep — our list of New Year's resolutions. Many of us choose resolutions geared toward health and fitness. After all, possessing good overall health is critical to our well-being. Others may try to avoid a particularly bad habit. Maybe you need to quit smoking or stop swearing. Still, many of us plan things we have always wanted to do but never get around to doing. As the days of January continue onward, however, many of us find the inspiration of keeping our good-intentioned resolutions to be fading fast. By the end of the month, most of us have given in to our temptations and returned to our old ways. We are only human, right? Discouraged by this yearly failure, many of us don’t even bother making New Year's resolutions anymore, especially if we feel like we won’t succeed. Maybe our failures lie in both how we make our resolutions and what resolutions we actually choose. What we need to understand is the “root” of our resolution. For example, if you resolve to eat less candy to drop those recently added holiday pounds, is the “root” of your resolution a selfish one — wanting to look better since you overindulged? Or, are you genuinely seeking to stop giving in to each “sweet tooth” craving by practicing mortification — giving up of a personal pleasure to glorify God? If the “root” is a selfish one, only to benefit yourself, then it is often difficult to keep in the long run. However, if we are trying to glorify God, our mission is much more important and worth keeping. Tying your New Year’s resolutions into the principles of stewardship — giving of your time, talent and treasure back to God — is a great way to ensure that the “root” of your resolution is right on track! For instance, resolving to pray each evening before going to bed glorifies God, brings you peace before slumber, and allows you to grow in your relationship with Christ. The “root” is pure. Your desire to keep it will be stronger and make it easier for you to keep. In the same way, resolving to return your talents to God by helping others in need is an excellent choice in creating a selfless resolution with the right “root.” Furthermore, resolving to re-evaluate your finances is also extremely important, and the beginning of a new year is a great time to do it. Are you giving back to God out of gratitude for all He has given you? Or are you merely dropping a dollar or two in the collection basket just to feel good about yourself? If you are not where you would like to be as a good steward — either with sharing your time, talent or treasure — you can resolve to do better. The New Year is a perfect opportunity to start anew and become the good steward that God desires each of us to become. And when we choose selfless things that build His kingdom instead of ours, we are sure to not only stay on track, but to succeed! 2
Tying your New Year’s resolutions into the principles of stewardship — giving of your time, talent and treasure back to God — is a great way to ensure that the “root” of your resolution is right on track!
Clean Spiritual Slate
A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector
Start 2022 with a My Fellow Parishioners:
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e were all taught in school that the month of January gets its name from Janus, the ancient Roman god of doors and gates. His image was always carved or painted with two faces, one looking forward and the other backward. This reflected, of course, that you can go either out a door or in through one. From this very specific function, his role was generalized to include all beginnings and new endeavors. Because of Janus’ place in the Roman pantheon, it seemed natural to the Romans to name the first month of the civil year after him. (The Church year began back with the First Sunday of Advent, you’ll remember.) And although we no longer worship the pagan gods of the ancient Romans, the name has stuck down the centuries. But we’re not immune to the human instinct that moved the Romans to name the first month after Janus. His double countenance, facing forward and backward, reflects how we
approach the coming of each new year. The last week of the old year finds the newspapers and TV programs giving a glance back at the past year (“the 10 best, or worst, movies of…” and such) along with predictions of what the new year will bring, and "the 10 worst predictions” for the year just ending. Just like the secular world does — Janus-like — we both look back at our own successes and failures, happy events, and sad ones, during the year just ending, and forward to the new year as we prepare our resolutions. When we reflect back on the blessings we’ve received, our hearts should be filled with gratitude — and blessings there have been, no matter how difficult the year has been. But for most of us, there have been failures
and failings, too. That calls for repentance, and perhaps a trip to the confessional — but God, who makes “all things new” (Rv 21:5), will then give us a clean spiritual slate with which we may begin the new year. I’d also like to challenge you to include your grateful response to God as you make your resolutions for the new year. You don’t have to wait until you fill out a commitment card to decide this is the year when you’re actually going to attend Mass once a week in addition to Sunday (or begin worshiping every Sunday if you haven’t been doing so) or to pray the Rosary every week or to begin regular prayers with your family. Include in your resolutions how you are going to get involved in some ministry in the parish or some service to the community, and then do so. Decide to become more faithful in your financial stewardship if your treasure commitment is less than it should be. Look forward to the new year and bring Christ and His Church to the center of your resolutions. Then see what a good year it will be, with God at the center! Have a happy, and holy, New Year. Peace,
Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector 3
CATHOLIC SCHO
Celebrating the Gifts and Bl
As part of their saint projects, students dress up and tell the class about their saint's life.
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nce a year, Catholic schools over the whole nation set aside an entire week to celebrate the gift of Catholic education. Here at St. Benedict Cathedral School, Catholic Schools Week is an opportunity for our students, staff, parents, and community to join together in appreciation for all of the hard work being done in our school to form disciples of Christ. Kari Ford, Principal of St. Benedict Cathedral School, is looking forward to bringing the school and parish together for this year's celebration of Catholic Schools Week. “The school is part of the parish and we work together,” Mrs. Ford says. “We want our parishioners to understand what our school is about and to be involved.” This year, the school’s theme is “Saints in the Making.” Throughout the year, students have been
Students enjoy painting and decorating their prayer boxes.
learning about a new saint each day. In the school’s morning announcements, we talk about the saint for that day and ask for their intercession. Catholic Schools Week will give the students a chance to tie the saints into the special activities and service projects for the day. Each grade level will have the opportunity to learn in depth about a saint and participate in a project that connects to their saint. For the wider community, St. Benedict Cathedral will be hosting a Mass for all of the schools in the diocese, celebrated by Bishop Siegel. The community can look forward to a ‘Come and See’ night during Catholic Schools Week. “We’ll be welcoming new families, parishioners, and the community into our school to come see what our Catholic education is all about,” Mrs. Ford says.
“The faith base that surrounds us each and every day makes it a great climate and culture for our staff and students. Everybody works for the one purpose, which is getting us to heaven.” — Kari Ford, Principal 4
OOLS WEEK 2022:
lessings of Catholic Education Catholic education is a gift and a blessing that builds up our church family. It offers children a strong foundation on which to grow in their faith. Children can openly learn, discuss, and practice their faith in their daily lives. These children are the future of the Church and their strong faith formation will certainly impact the whole Church. “They can come together and talk about their faith and learn and grow,” Mrs. Ford says. “They are in a place where they can celebrate and talk about God and process their faith while they’re at school.” At St. Benedict Cathedral School, children live out the liturgical year, learn the lives of the saints, participate in service projects, and are involved in so much more. The faith becomes a real, lived experience. A quality education is important at St. Benedict Cathedral School, and a Catholic education ensures that we teach to the whole person — body, mind, and soul. “The faith base that surrounds us each and every day makes it a great climate and culture for our staff and students,” Mrs. Ford says. “Everybody works for the one purpose, which is getting us to heaven.”
Emma, who is on the Student Lighthouse Team, helps to box up donated food items for our St. Vincent de Paul Food Drive.
If you would like to find out more about St. Benedict Cathedral School and Catholic Schools Week, please visit the school website at www.saintbenedictcathedral.org/school/or call the school office at 812-425-4596.
New Year Brings Opportunities for Growing in Faith and Building Our Cathedral Community continued from front cover participating in our annual Women’s Retreat, Cursillo groups, Rosary, and other events for adult formation. In addition, 24/7 adoration opportunities may be on the horizon through the installation of a keypad lock and new secure tabernacle early this year. Finally, Fr. Godfrey will also offer our Theology UnCapped and Cathedral Conversations throughout the year in hopes of continuing the formation of our adults.
“Let’s continue to be committed not only to our own ideas and desires but to the good of our community,” Fr. Godfrey says. “Let’s resolve with conviction to welcome the good Lord into our lives more frequently, more deeply. And as the Gospel teaches us, let’s get better every day in finding genuine charity for one another, laying aside our intolerance and embracing the beauty of our community.” 5
THE FEAST OF THE EPIPHANY
Celebrating the Revelation of God to Humanity
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hile “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is one of the peoples in search of salvation. most popular and widely recorded Christmas On the Feast of the Epiphany in 2007, Pope carols in America and Europe, its lyrics are rarely Benedict XVI acknowledged that this celebration recognized as referring to the 12 days that stretch from elucidates not only man’s pilgrimage towards God, Christmas Day on Dec. 25 until the glorious Feast of but also God’s pilgrimage towards man in the person the Epiphany. of Jesus Christ. He spoke of the glorious incarnation For centuries, we as Catholics with these words: “It was out of celebrated this feast as the love that He made Himself history On the Feast of the commemoration of the coming in our history.” Epiphany, we come to of the Magi on Jan. 6, but the On the Feast of the Epiphany, decision was made a number of therefore, we come to realize that realize that we are all years ago (at least in the United on a pilgrimage towards we are all on a pilgrimage towards States) to celebrate Epiphany on Christ, the source of salvation. Christ, the source the Sunday that falls between This pilgrimage is unique to each Jan. 2 and Jan. 8. and every man, but results in a of salvation. This The Feast of the Epiphany, universal and dynamic experience pilgrimage is unique to which originated in the Eastern — a constant “growing closer” each and everyone, but Church, marks the end of between God and man. It is for results in a universal the Christmas season and this opportunity that we rejoice! is intended to celebrate the In the words of Pope Benedict and dynamic experience revelation of God to mankind in XVI: “Happy are those who, while — a constant “growing human form through the person possessing the truth, search more closer” between God of Jesus. The word “epiphany” earnestly for it in order to renew is taken from a Greek word it, deepen it and transmit it to and His people. It is for meaning “appearance” or others. Happy also are those who, this opportunity that “manifestation,” and finds its not having found it, are working we rejoice! earliest reference as a Christian toward it with a sincere heart. May feast in the fourth century. they seek the light of tomorrow But exactly which “manifestation” of Christ Jesus with the light of today until they reach the fullness of do we recognize on the Feast of the Epiphany? These light.” three men, traditionally named Caspar, Melchior and Now when asked: “What occurs on the 12th day Balthasar, travel in haste towards the Christ Child and of Christmas?” we can respond with joyful certitude: remain an undying testimony to the long pilgrimage of “Epiphany!”
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Women’s Retreat
BRINGS "PEACE OF MIND" AND ENGAGEMENT WITH GOD'S WORD
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he numbers may have been your faith. She is truly fantastic! slightly less from previous She uses a lot of Scripture, and years due to COVID concerns, has some music in there.” but the message heard by the 40 There were no discussion women attending our Women’s groups during the retreat. Retreat in November was that of Instead, there were breakout God’s unconditional love for us times that gave those attending and a call to be open to Him at a chance to socially distance all times. through either a walk outside, “Peace of Mind” was the theme meditative yoga, Stations of the for the retreat held Nov. 12Cross, or simple prayer in the 14 at the Sarto Retreat House chapel. Fr. Godfrey offered Mass in Evansville. Anne Trufant of on Saturday night, and the Brevard, N.C. was the retreat retreat ended Sunday morning. leader. She conducts retreats Throughout the retreat, around the world and led a retreat Anne’s talks helped those here two years ago. Anne earned attending grow in their her Master's in social work at relationship to Christ. LSU and helped found Hosanna “When she gives a talk and House, a home for unwed mothers brings in Scripture, the way she Anne Trufant of Brevard, N.C. led our in Baton Rouge, La. For the last Peace of Mind retreat this past November. does it gets you excited about 30 years, Anne and her husband being faithful and encourages David, have lived in Brevard — the couple owns you to pick up the Bible,” Krista says. “She just and directs Camp Kahdalea for girls and Camp reiterates that this is His Word and that’s always Chosatonga for boys. a good message to hear. She gave us a lot of food Krista Greenfield, a member of St. Benedict’s for thought, and she makes you feel you are good Retreat Committee, met Anne in 2006 when enough. As Catholics, often we feel we’re not Krista’s daughter attended the girls’ camp. Krista worthy. But we are all worthy and God is waiting became a “camp mom” and became friends with to bring us in.” Anne. She had hoped even then to have Anne Anne’s message also encouraged the women lead a retreat here. to recognize the intense pace of life they live and “Anne lives completely by the Word,” Krista to realize there is a need to slow down. says. “She hits you and gets you fired up about continued on back cover
“There were people there who were hurting and there were those who wanted to be there but couldn’t be due to COVID concerns. But when you were with other women, when Anne was talking, you looked around and saw their faces, you realize we’re all in the same boat. It was specifically language we all understood. When you are together in person and someone gives you good stuff, it is a fantastic moment.” — Krista Greenfield
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1328 Lincoln Avenue | Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 425-3369 | www.saintbenedictcathedral.org
Women’s Retreat
“She told us to pray all day,” Krista says. “We need to have an open line with Him at all times. It was just a good, solid reminder of who we are, and what we should be doing.” While Anne’s message was one of growing closer to God, the women attending experienced a bonding among themselves as sisters in faith. “There were people there who were hurting and there were those who wanted to be there but couldn’t be due to COVID concerns," Krista says. "But when you were with other women, when Anne was talking, you looked around and saw their faces, you realize we’re all in the same boat. It was specifically language we all understood. When you are together in person and someone gives you good stuff, it is a fantastic moment.”
continued from page 7 Plans are underway for a women’s retreat for this next year. The committee will conduct a survey to gauge what worked and what did not. “We were tip-toeing because of COVID,” Krista says. “We always listen to people and hopefully in another year, the pandemic will be behind us. We’d like to get some younger women next year. We’re willing to try to do that. Cindy Howard, the committee Chair, always does a bang-up job organizing the retreats.”
Anyone who is interested in helping with planning may call the parish office at 812-425-3369.
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. & 3:30 - 4:00 p.m.