St. Benedict
Cathedral
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
Inside
The Mass Server Ministry:
JUNE 2021
Drawing Nearer to the Lord for the Good of the Church
I
n days gone by, altar servers were the only people at Mass responding to the prayers said by the priest. Today, they still offer essential support to our clergy and inspiration to our faith community. “The importance of the servers centers around giving of ourselves for the glory of God,” says Fr. Godfrey Mullen, OSB. “Their presence in the presbyterium can be an inspiration for all of us to draw nearer to the Lord and to offer ourselves for the good of the Church.” The Mass servers at St. Benedict Cathedral Parish are involved in the liturgy in a variety of ways. For example, they carry in cross and candles and assist with setting the altar and Mass Server at St. Benedict Cathedral Parish with incense when it is used. “While many of these elements are now carried out by the priest because of the pandemic, the ministry provided by servers assists with a smoother flow and greater solemnity in the celebration,” Fr. Godfrey says. Any person in fifth grade or older — boy or girl — is welcome to be trained and then to serve at weekend Masses. St. Benedict Cathedral School students also typically serve at student Masses during the week. Kendrick Wittmer first became an altar server because it seemed like a great way for him to become more involved in the parish and to interact with the Mass more. “The best part is being able to see the entire congregation, along with being continued on page 5
2 Don’t Take a Vacation From Stewardship This Summer 3 Redefining Love Through the Sacred Heart of Jesus 4
Scouting Program at St. Benedict Teaches Leadership, Teamwork and Faith
6 A Catholic's Guide to Good Summer Reading 7 Church Decorating Ministry “Exudes Joy” in Enhancing the Beauty of Our Church Home
Stewardship
Don’t Take a Vacation From Stewardship This Summer
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veryone deserves a vacation. After nine busy months of school, kids get to enjoy the summer to relax and regroup before beginning a new grade. Employees, after diligently working long hours and dealing with stressful situations, deserve time away from the office to enjoy their favorite getaway. No one would argue that we need to refresh our minds and bodies from time to time so that we can come back rejuvenated and ready to do our best. Taking a break from some things, however, is not a possibility. Take stewardship, for example. Imagine saying to yourself, “Well, this month I think I will not pray, I won’t share any of my talents with anyone in need, and I will hoard my treasure.” What would doing this accomplish? You certainly wouldn’t feel refreshed, rejuvenated and ready to be at your best. Instead, feelings of greed, selfishness and spiritual unrest may occur. Stepping back from being a good steward just doesn’t make sense. So, now that summer has arrived in full force and our leisure time each day may have increased, how can we remain good stewards? It is likely that the regimented opportunities available during the school year are no longer available. So, where do you turn? How can you keep your faith alive? First and foremost, don’t stop praying. The slow-paced days of summer are a perfect time to quiet ourselves for a few moments and try to reconnect with God. Why not take a moment of your free time each day to read the Gospel or a spiritual reflection while lounging in a hammock? Next, try to participate in an outreach program over the summer. Think of the life of Christ — everything He did on Earth was an act of service. Now, think of the gifts God has bestowed on you. He wants you to share them with others like He did, and summer gives us the time to do just that. If you are handy with tools, you may call Habitat for Humanity to see how you can help build a home for a family in need. Or, if you are 2
musically inclined, you might share your singing or instrumental gifts with a local nursing home. Maybe you are good in the kitchen — if so, you could offer your culinary skills to a local soup kitchen or food bank. If you are a strong student, you could offer tutoring services to neighborhood kids to help prepare them for the next school year. No matter what gift God has given you, there is a way to share it. Getting paid for volunteering sometimes happens. And, if you have a summer job while on break, you’ll get a paycheck for sure. Have you ever taken an opportunity to think about sharing the first fruits of your check? As a young adult, returning a portion of your paycheck to God is an important thing to consider. Giving a portion back to Him is a way to say “thanks.” Whatever you do this summer, don’t take a break from being a good steward. Remember that the time God gives you is a gift. What you do with it — whether on vacation or not — is meant to give Him glory.
Love
A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector:
Redefining
Through
the
Sacred Heart
of
Jesus
My Fellow Parishioners:
O
ne of the great feasts of the Christian year will occur in June, but it is often overlooked. It doesn’t fall on a Sunday, and it isn’t a Holy Day of Obligation. I am referring to the Solemnity of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, which will be on June 11 this year. This wonderful feast provides a great way to begin the summer. However, despite widespread devotion and many parish dedications to the Sacred Heart, many Catholics have only a vague idea of what it’s all about. So, let me try to fill in the picture. Often, when we think of the heart, we think of it as the seat of our emotions and feelings. The heart is often contrasted with the mind, as though our God-given reason were somehow evil or, at best, second-rate. But feelings come and go — we can’t really depend on our emotions to be reliable, steady guides. However, when classical theology refers to the heart, it is considering an aspect of human life that goes beyond our feelings. It includes our will, where we make decisions. The heart can be considered the center of our personhood. In explaining Christian teaching about human nature, the Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “The spiritual tradition of the Church also emphasizes the
heart, in the biblical sense of the depths of one’s being, where the person decides for or against God” (368). It is common to mistakenly label love as an emotion. Love often includes feelings, but true love is more than that. Real love is a settled attitude that wants the best for the person being loved. That’s why the Church’s teaching usually uses the term “charity” — to distinguish the Christian virtue from the more superficial popular concept of love. The Catechism tells us, “Charity is the theological virtue by which we love God above all things for his own sake, and our neighbor as ourselves for the love of God. Jesus makes charity the new commandment. By loving his own ‘to the end,’
he makes manifest the Father’s love which he receives. By loving one another, the disciples imitate the love of Jesus which they themselves receive” (CCC, 1822-1823). This sort of love, this charity — demonstrated by Jesus Christ and commanded to His followers — is no lightweight passing emotion. Feelings alone do not bring one to offer oneself to an agonizing death for the sake of someone else. No, that sort of sacrifice can only come from a considered and deliberate decision. Although we sometimes forget that fact, Jesus is fully human as well as fully divine. So, His human heart was involved in His sacrifice on the Cross. Thus, simply put, devotion to the Sacred Heart reminds us of the basic fact that God loves us. It is a costly love, the ultimate act of charity, to give His life on our behalf. We know the kind of love Jesus has for us. What kind of loving response are you going to make? How will that affect your use of your time, talent and treasure? Peace,
Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector 3
Scouting Program at St. Be H
ere at St. Benedict Cathedral, we are blessed to have an organization that encourages independence in our parish youth while providing their parents with a wonderful resource for helping their teenagers grow in character and virtue — Scouts BSA Troop 318. Participating youth benefit from these programs as they learn outdoor survival skills, participate in community service projects, and forge lasting friendships with their fellow scouts. Francis Brickey has been the Scoutmaster for Troop 318 since 1988 and is the father to an Eagle Scout. As both a leader and a father, Francis has a great appreciation for the many life lessons made available through the Scouts BSA program. “The scout program is about having fun learning,” he says. “We do knot tying, camping, whitewater rafting, a 50-mile canoe ride, and even rappelling. What I enjoy about scouting is seeing them come in as kids, sometimes even anxious or fearful of some things, and as the years go on, I see them learn and become mature and accomplished at different things.” Boys and girls aged 10 and up, of all faiths and abilities, may become a scout in the Scouts BSA program. Although there is an age limit of 18 for attaining Eagle rank, some Eagle scouts choose to continue with the troop as assistant Scoutmasters. Scouts who elect to join the Adventure Crew may
“The scout program is about having fun learning. We do knot tying, camping, whitewater rafting, a 50-mile canoe ride, and even rappelling. What I enjoy about scouting is seeing them come in as kids, sometimes even anxious or fearful of some things, and as the years go on, I see them learn and really become mature and accomplished at different things.” — Francis Brickey 4
participate in this branch of the scouting program through age 22. According to the Scout Law recited at the beginning of all meetings, a scout strives to be “trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.” In Troop 318, this last character trait — reverence — takes on a particularly Catholic component with many scouts choosing to earn a Catholic religious medal called Ad Altare Dei. With some scouts coming from other faith backgrounds, including various Christian denominations and even Judaism or Islam, the program also provides a unique chance for evangelization. “The scouting program offers a chance for our Catholic scouts to grow in their faith,” Francis says. “At the same time, I think it’s been an eyeopener for a lot of the scouts that aren’t Catholic. We always go to Mass on our campouts, and for many of them, it is their first time going to a Catholic Mass. So it’s a way we can evangelize and teach them a little bit about our faith.” Another way the scouts live out the faith together is through service to others. The troop often helps with food drives for the Salvation Army, cleans up around the St. Benedict campus, and volunteers at parish events like the fish frys and Summer Social. In addition, Eagle projects — fully designed and managed by scouts who desire to continued on page 5
enedict Teaches Leadership, Teamwork and Faith earn their Eagle rank — most often involve service to the community or the parish. Having witnessed firsthand how much the scouts mature during their time in the program, Francis views their participation in scouting to be truly priceless. Because the scouts are peer-led, they learn to teach and lead one another. Those who make it through to earn the prestigious Eagle Scout rank, especially, grow in leaps and bounds during their time in the program. They are then able to help the younger scouts achieve their goals. “It’s like being a teacher in a way,” Francis says of his 30-plus years as Scoutmaster. “I have a new
crop of kids that comes in every year and I get to watch them grow and mature. I have some scouts coming back now as parents who are sending their own kids to scouts, which is nice. I’ve grown with the scouts over the years as well. I’ve learned that no scout is the same, but the same program helps them each develop. They find that little niche they like, and it helps them grow.” At St. Benedict Cathedral, we are grateful for all those who make our Scouts BSA program possible. Thank you for supporting our youth as they make the journey from children to men and women of faith!
If you would like more information about the Scouts BSA program at St. Benedict, contact Scoutmaster Francis Brickey at 812-306-4174 or brickey5@sbcglobal.net.
The Mass Server Ministry
continued from front cover
involved with the Eucharist,” Kendrick says. Servers for weekday Masses are generally retired and take a regular day or two each week. “For the past year, we have generally used servers only for Masses with the bishop and for funerals,” Fr. Godfrey says. “Ordinarily, server training happens in the spring for students, and we strive to schedule newer servers with more seasoned ones.” On a fundamental level, servers are closer to the altar, where bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. But the act of serving requires more careful attention to the Mass, knowing what needs to happen when. “That is the vocation of all Catholics — to be more attentive to God’s actions and Word,” Fr. Godfrey says. “Serving at the altar also is, in its own way, a gift of self, in prayer, for the sake of all. And when we serve others, we become more like the
One who served by giving His life.” At first, Gabriel Wittmer thought serving at Mass would be difficult and confusing, but after serving for the first time, those fears dissipated, and his faith life increased. “I would say that my relationship with God has gotten stronger because I am more involved with the parish and the Eucharist,” Gabriel says. Not having servers during the past year has been somewhat strange for Fr. Godfrey, but he remains very grateful for the commitment that so many of our servers show in serving when they’re scheduled and sometimes even when they are not. “I’m also grateful to their parents for getting them to Mass in a timely fashion,” Fr. Godfrey says. “That extra commitment enhances the liturgy for everyone. We all have skills we’re able to share, and I look forward to the days when our servers are regularly back in place for Mass.”
For more information about the Mass Server Ministry, please reach out to Fr. Godfrey Mullen at gmullen@evdio.org or 812-425-3369. 5
A Catholic’s Guide to:
Good Reading summer
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ave you been wondering what to read during vacation this year? Why not give spiritual reading a try? There are thousands of titles out there — too many for any one person — just waiting to make a positive impact on your faith life. Reading is a fantastic opportunity for general spiritual direction and good practice for every searching soul. Choose a title from “you can’t go wrong” authors such as Louis de Wohl, G.K. Chesterton, Peter Kreeft, Francis de Sales, C.S. Lewis, and Scott Hahn. Their works alone should take you well into the summer, and possibly through to the next decade. Or, choose from this list of great Christian books, in no particular order: The Story of a Soul by St. Therese of Lisieux In this autobiography and all-time favorite Catholic book, St. Therese teaches her “little way” of spiritual childhood. Millions of copies have been sold worldwide. Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis One of the most popular introductions to the Christian faith ever published, this series of broadcast talks has been collected into book fashion. Mere Christianity sets out to “explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.” Rome Sweet Home: Our Journey to Catholicism by Scott and Kimberly Hahn This offers a conversion story of a brilliant, 6
anti-Catholic Scripture scholar and his wife to the Catholic faith. Now well-known speakers and Catholic apologists, Scott and Kimberly recount their story with simplicity and love. The Good News about Sex & Marriage: Answers to Your Honest Questions about Catholic Teaching by Christopher West This down-to-earth application of Pope St. John Paul II’s Theology of the Body is an easy-to-read, yet insightful account of the Church’s teaching on sex and marriage. What Catholics Really Believe by Karl Keating Addressing 52 of the greatest misconceptions of the Catholic faith, Keating draws upon Scripture and Tradition to dispel errors and explain the rationale behind Church teaching. No Greater Love by Mother Teresa This anthology collects the teachings and sayings of St. Teresa of Calcutta. Founder of the Missionaries of Charity and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, St. Teresa of Calcutta speaks joyfully about her work with the poor and God’s call in our lives. Surprised by Truth edited by Patrick Madrid Eleven converts give their Biblical and historical reasons for becoming Catholic. These unique personal testimonies continue to transform hearts throughout the world in an insightful read for Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Happy summer! Happy reading!
Church Decorating Ministry “Exudes Joy” in Enhancing the Beauty of Our Church Home
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hen you invite guests to your home, you want it to look its best. The same goes for our church home — St. Benedict Cathedral Parish is beautiful, but the various decorations that adorn our church throughout the liturgical year make it even more beautiful. “You clean the house for guests to come over, you make sure it smells good, you bake bread and put out flowers,” says Tami Orr, who coordinates the Church Decorating Ministry. “I think of this ministry the same way. We want everything to be beautiful for guests and parishioners.” Having been a part of the Church Decorating Ministry for about 15 years, Tami took over the coordinator role about seven years ago. For her, it is a blessing to lead the decorating at the Cathedral. “This church is beautiful without any decorations,” Tami says. “This just really dresses everything up.” The huge space means there is plenty of room for a lot of decorations, and since the renovations, many more decorative items have been
St. Benedict Cathedral decorated for Easter, 2018
acquired. The nearly life-size Nativity scene was purchased from Italy, while the creche was built years ago by a youth for his Eagle Scout project. A lot of gold accents are used with the decorations to complement the gold accents throughout the Cathedral. All of the decorations, no matter the season, lead the eye to the tabernacle. There are about 22 people Tami can call upon for help with
decorating. All ages, both male and female, help out with the ministry. There is a lot of hauling and moving that is part of the process, but children can help put ornaments on the tree. “You don’t have to be an interior decorator to help out,” Tami says. In particular, Tami appreciates that this ministry brings such joy to others, considering it a form of hospitality. continued on back cover
“We have such a big church. We just want to make sure everyone who comes here feels welcome. The decorations help with that.” — Tami Orr
St. Benedict Cathedral decorated for Christmas, 2020
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1328 Lincoln Avenue | Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 425-3369 | www.saintbenedictcathedral.org
Church Decorating Ministry “We have such a big church,” Tami says. “We just want to make sure everyone who comes here feels welcome. The decorations help with that.” The ministry members slowly bring out items in Advent — Tami says this is fitting as it follows the anticipation of Christmas. The rest of the decorating is completed a few days before Christmas. The Lent decorations include a rock display, cross, crown of thorns, and railroad spikes. “For Easter this year, we went all out,” Tami says. “With the pandemic for Easter 2020, I am so glad we went all out this year. I love the signs of new life — flowers, plants, and ferns.” The decorations at the Cathedral make our church space all the more beautiful. As Christ’s home, it is only fitting that it feels as warm and inviting as our own homes.
continued from page 7 “When we are done decorating, I just sit in a pew and look at it all,” Tami says. “It just exudes joy, and I love that.” Be sure to take a moment to enjoy the Cathedral’s beautiful decorations — all those who work hard for this ministry want us to feel welcome and at home!
All are welcome to get involved with this ministry — even an hour of time can go a long way! To get involved, or to learn more, please contact Tami Orr 812-459-1432 at rrorr@sbcglobal.net.
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.