St. Benedict
Cathedral
MONTHLY NEWSLETTER
The Usher Ministry:
Living Out the Pillar of Hospitality by Welcoming Parishioners and Guests
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s a stewardship community, we recognize the Four Pillars of Parish Stewardship as Hospitality, Prayer, Formation, and Service. Here at St. Benedict, the Usher Ministry works to lovingly fulfill that first pillar of Hospitality. After all, when we are visitors at a parish or have had a hectic morning getting everyone in the car, what could be better than a smiling face welcoming us to church? While the Usher Ministry has looked a little different Ushers serve at a January Mass — (from left) Matt the past year due to COVID-19 Brockman, Bob Spear and Andrew Effinger. restrictions, it has also become even more important. In the past, people usually found their own seats. Now, to facilitate proper social distancing, the ushers seat people by section. Also, they distribute song sheets and bulletins. Matt Brockman believes the Usher Ministry is important to the life of St. Benedict Cathedral. Not only do ushers make sure parishioners and guests are taken care of, but they also make sure our weekly offertory — our treasure — is collected and properly secured. Serving as an usher is also a potential gateway to serving in the Collection Counter Ministry. “Church is like a family,” Matt says. “Everyone needs to do their part to ensure the work gets done.” continued on page 5
Inside MARCH 2021
2 The Wise Men’s Gifts Symbolize Our Lenten Obligations 3 A Month and Year to Honor St. Joseph 4 Parishioners Gene and Bert Schmidt Reflect on Living Stewardship at St. Benedict and Beyond 6 The Liturgy of the Hours “Sanctifying the Day With Prayer” 7 The Cocoon Tree Project: Giving for a Springtime of Hope
Stewardship
The Wise Men’s Gifts Symbolize Our Lenten Obligations
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e experience great joy when we celebrate the coming of the Magi at Epiphany each year. For many of us, it is the completion of Christmas. Yet, the gifts offered by the Magi — gold, frankincense and myrrh — can serve to guide us as we observe Lent this month. It may seem strange to connect the joyful celebration of Epiphany with the penitential season of Lent. Yet, our spiritual life should not be divided into separate bits having no connection with each other. In the same way, the Church’s liturgical year should also flow from one season to another. The different feasts and seasons certainly have different emphases, but they are intended to build on each other. So let’s see if we can connect what the Magi gave Jesus with what we’re going to offer Him this Lent. The basic ingredients for our Lenten rule normally come from what are termed the Three Notable Duties — prayer, fasting and almsgiving. These in turn come from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7). How do we connect the wise men’s gifts with the notable duties? Actually, what the gifts symbolize matches up surprisingly well. Frankincense is the basic ingredient in the incense used in the worship of God, in the ancient world and in the Church today. Offering it to Jesus points out His divine nature, and so it symbolizes prayer. Our Lenten rule needs to include prayer and worship. Of course, in ordinary times, we are bound to worship at Sunday Mass year-round. Maybe during Lent, we might add a weekday Mass. Perhaps we can increase the time we devote to private prayer at home or at adoration. Devotional reading from the Bible or another appropriate book can be added. In addition, don’t forget the possibility of adding family devotions during Lent, so that the whole family prays together. When we offer our gold to Christ to build His Church and to help His poor, we are engaged in almsgiving. While giving from the treasure God has entrusted to
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us is a duty throughout the whole year, maybe this Lent we can practice being a little more generous than usual. If our giving is a thankful response to the gift of eternal life that God has given us, we will find that the giving is indeed a means of grace. For centuries, myrrh has been associated with fasting. Although myrrh comes from the same family of plants as frankincense, it has a more pungent scent and bitter taste. In the ancient world, it was regularly used in embalming. Generations of theological writers have seen the gift of myrrh as a foreshadowing of Christ’s sufferings. And fasting strengthens us in holiness and prepares us to come into God’s presence after our own deaths. St. Thomas Aquinas himself linked myrrh with repentance and fasting when he wrote that myrrh represents the penance by which we preserve our souls from the corruption of sin. Fasting may be the most difficult of the three notable duties for modern Americans. After all, most of the advertising and many of the magazine articles we see are devoted to making us more, not less, comfortable. We usually think of fasting only under the heading of dieting to lose weight. Instead, try to think of fasting as a way to become more spiritually fit. Body and spirit affect each other. The whole sacramental system is built on the truth that we can receive spiritual grace through material things and physical actions. Our specific requirements of fasting are limited — abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent, and a reduction in the quantity of food we eat on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. But discipline of our physical bodies for our spiritual well-being does not have to be limited to Lent! Gold, frankincense and myrrh were indeed valuable gifts for the wise men to present to the Child Jesus. When we look at their symbolism, we can see their relationship to the three notable duties of almsgiving, prayer and fasting. What gifts are we going to offer to Jesus this Lent?
A Letter From Our Cathedral Rector
A Month and Year to Honor St. Joseph My Fellow Parishioners:
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ur Lord and Savior Jesus Christ chose to enter the world through the human family. He came as an infant born into the marriage and home of the two holiest human creatures who ever lived — Joseph and Mary. At a time when our world and our Church needs family and faithful disciples now more than ever, could there be a more fitting time to venerate the man who gave his life and his love to the Blessed Mother and the Son of God? Pope Francis has declared 2021 the Year of St. Joseph in honor of the 150th anniversary of the saint’s proclamation as patron of the Universal Church. Our pope said he established the year so that “every member of the faithful, following his example, may strengthen their life of faith daily in the complete fulfillment of God’s will.” As Christians, we are blessed to have Mary as our spiritual mother and Joseph as our spiritual father. Just as Mary guides us from heaven with loving devotion, St. Joseph also diligently provides for the needs of the family of God, the Holy Catholic Church. Because of his special role as foster-father of the Child Jesus, St. Joseph has merited singular privileges in heaven unmatched by any saint aside from the Blessed Virgin Mary. To give some modern-day perspective to the significance of this special year, Pope Francis has said the coronavirus pandemic heightened his desire to reflect on St. Joseph, as so many people during the pandemic have made hidden sacrifices to protect others, just as St. Joseph quietly protected and cared for Mary and Jesus. “Each of us can discover in Joseph — the man who goes unnoticed, a daily, discreet and hidden presence — an intercessor, a support and a guide in times of trouble,” the pope wrote. At the end of the First Vatican Council in 1870, Pope Pius IX declared St. Joseph the patron of the Universal Church. He is also the patron of carpenters, workers, fathers, and a happy death because he died in the presence of Mary and Jesus. The title of Joseph’s March 19 feast day is “Husband of Mary.” Pope Pius XII later declared May 1 to be the feast of St. Joseph the Worker to counteract the Communist May Day holiday.
As Catholics pray and reflect on the life of St. Joseph this year, they also have opportunities to gain a plenary indulgence or remission of all temporal punishment due to sin. An indulgence can be applied to oneself or to a soul in purgatory. An indulgence requires a specific act, defined by the Church, as well as sacramental confession, Eucharistic Communion, prayer for the pope’s intentions, and full detachment from sin. Special indulgences during the Year of St. Joseph can be received through various prayers and actions, including praying for the unemployed, entrusting one’s daily work to St. Joseph, performing a corporal or spiritual work of mercy, or meditating for at least 30 minutes on the Lord’s Prayer. As we devote 2021 to St. Joseph’s honor, we will undoubtedly unlock many special graces — not only for our parish, but for each of the faithful who increase their devotion to him during this special year. There is no greater model than St. Joseph from whom we can learn how to live virtuously in imitation of Jesus and Mary. Peace,
Very Rev. Godfrey Mullen, OSB Cathedral Rector To read more about Pope Francis’ declaration on the Church granting plenary indulgences for the Year of St. Joseph, visit www.bit.ly/StJoseph2021 POPE FRANCIS’ PRAYER TO ST. JOSEPH Hail, Guardian of the Redeemer, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary. To you God entrusted His only Son; in you Mary placed her trust; with you Christ became man. Blessed Joseph, to us too, show yourself a father and guide us in the path of life. Obtain for us grace, mercy, and courage, and defend us from every evil. Amen.
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PARISHIONERS GENE AND BERT SCHMIDT REFLECT ON
Among Group of Three Parish Couples Inducted into Di
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or Gene and Bert Schmidt, induction into the Diocese of Evansville Bruté Society in recognition of their stewardship has affirmed something they’ve always known — St. Benedict Cathedral Parish has truly been their home. The COVID-19 restrictions meant that no induction Mass could be held at the diocesan level, but Fr. Godfrey held a presentation at the 4:30 p.m. Saturday Mass on Dec. 12. Sharing in the award were fellow parishioners Flavien and Kathleen Elpers, and Douglas and Tracy Griffin. The Bruté Society was established in 1990 as an official activity of the diocese. It is named for Servant of God Bishop Simon Bruté, who was appointed the first bishop of Vincennes in 1834. At that time, the territory of the Vincennes Diocese included all of Indiana as well as about one-third of Illinois — including Chicago. The name “Bruté Society” represents the rich spiritual and historical heritage of the present Diocese of Evansville. Membership in The Bruté Society is limited to laypersons who are registered members of one of the parishes of the Diocese of Evansville. Ordained clergy and religious are not eligible. Under ordinary circumstances, the Parish Council is responsible for selecting and vetting the parish’s honoree(s) for membership, subject to the approval of the pastor. The names of those chosen are then forwarded to the diocese for induction into the Society. “I was so honored to be appointed to the society,” Bert says. “Accepting it was such a rewarding experience. I just felt so good. We moved here about 40 years ago to the Lincolnshire neighborhood, and St. Ben’s was right here. You just felt so at home. The parishioners were always so kind to us, and from that, you do want to do things [for the parish].” And the Schmidts have been doing just that, offering their time, talents, and treasure in acts of stewardship that are daily examples of how we become disciples of Christ. Gene is co-chair of the 4
Fr. Godfrey presented the Bruté Society awards to our parish’s recipients after the 4:30 p.m. Mass on Saturday, Dec. 12. Gathered with Fr. Godfrey are (from left) Flavien and Kathleen Elpers, and Bert and Gene Schmidt. Tracy and Doug Griffin also were recipients; Doug Griffin received the award posthumously.
Adopt-A-Spot Ministry that cares for the landscaping around the cathedral and school. He also is an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion, as well as an adult Mass server. Bert is a member of the Cookie Disciples and serves as a greeter. Both also serve on the Stewardship Committee. Bert particularly enjoys serving as a greeter. “It feels so good to see them because these people
LIVING STEWARDSHIP AT ST. BENEDICT AND BEYOND
iocese of Evansville Bruté Society for Years of Service are my church family,” she says. As members of the Stewardship Committee, they meet with Fr. Godfrey once a month. However, with the COVID-19 restrictions, the committee has not met since last March. On a personal level, the couple has been remaining home as much as possible to stay safe, but they
faithfully maintain their prayer practices by saying the Rosary daily and being attentive to prayers. Gene tries to attend Mass two to three times a week. “We do try to live our lives as disciples and good stewards of God,” Gene says. “It all comes from God. We receive love to give it back and be it and grow it, and to give it back to God. It all comes from Him.”
“We do try to live our lives as disciples and good stewards of God. It all comes from God. We receive love to give it back and be it and grow it, and to give it back to God. It all comes from Him.” — GENE SCHMIDT
The Usher Ministry
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Matt has served as an usher since 1997. He had been asked for a few years, but it wasn’t until he and his wife, Deborah, were adopting their daughter, Rachel, from China that he began serving with the ministry. “I figured, if I am going to be a parent, I need to set an example at Mass,” he says. He has continued modeling this example through his service in Usher Ministry ever since. Samuel and Lena were also added to the family as the years went on. Deborah also serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion. Matt is glad he got involved with the ministry
all those years ago, as it has given him a wonderful opportunity to meet lots of people he would not have otherwise. “There are so many good and generous people out there,” he says. With all the ushers who are present for a given Mass, Matt knows that parishioners and guests alike feel very welcome. “Just that short greeting at the door and saying ‘goodbye’ when someone leaves is a way to show them they belong and are welcome at our parish,” Matt says.
Ushers arrive about 15 minutes before Mass and stay a bit after to distribute bulletins. Especially with COVID-19 keeping some of the elderly ushers at home, younger ushers are needed. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the Usher Ministry may contact Jeff Marx at 812-430-5622. 5
The Liturgy of the Hours “SANCTIFYING THE DAY WITH PRAYER”
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hat if the busy present moments that constitute our daily lives were consecrated to Christ? Each insignificant moment or mundane activity becomes another opportunity to glorify Him. The Liturgy of the Hours is a means of not only centering the day on Christ, but also sanctifying the day, offering these moments to Him. It is a prayerful, habitual practice of the clergy and religious — yet, in ever increasing numbers, the laity are also gravitating towards these daily prayers. Though it has undergone various developments over the years, the Liturgy of the Hours — also known as the Divine Office or the Breviary — has remained relatively the same since the 11th century. The Hours are divided into five parts of “canonical hours” — Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Daytime Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer. Each of the Hours includes readings of the psalms. Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer include a Gospel canticle. The United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops describes the prayers as “a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ.” Through Scripture, the Hours invite us into this dialogue, a prayerful conversation that can undergird our daily moments. From helpful instructional videos on YouTube, to written resources through EWTN and the USCCB, there is a wealth of resources for the laity on learning how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. Many Catholic bookstores and even Amazon. com sell the four -volume book set that contains the complete Hours. And if using the actual four -volume set seems daunting, the website divineoffice.org offers the entire Liturgy of the Hours for free. An app is also available to download, therefore providing us with a means of keeping the prayers within reach throughout the day. Whether with a faith community or in solitary prayer, saying the Liturgy of the Hours situates us within a rich tradition of Catholic and Benedictine prayer and consecrates the present moments of our lives to Christ.
Whether with a faith community or in solitary prayer, saying the Liturgy of the Hours situates us within a rich tradition of Catholic prayer and consecrates the present moments of our lives to Christ. 6
The Cocoon Tree Project:
Giving for a Springtime of Hope
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t’s a Scripture passage with which many of us are familiar — Jesus instructing His followers to care for those in need, telling us that whatever we do “for the least of these,” we do unto Him (Matthew 25:40). It’s a powerful challenge — one that all of us, as Christians, are called to take to heart. And in this past year, many of those needs have been made even clearer. Yet, amid all the uncertainty in the world around us, the House of Bread and Peace has continued to serve some of the most vulnerable in our community — women and children suffering in situations of violence. “In 1985, one of our Benedictine sisters started the House of Bread and Peace,” says Sister Pat McGuire, OSB. “It’s a shelter for women and children, and today it provides a safe home to approximately 100-125 individuals each year — a third of those are children.” The home is for women and children without permanent housing. There is no fee to live there, and the residents are responsible for cooking and other chores, as well as working on personal goals, during their time there. Except for minimal grants, the house is dependent on donations from the community. From monetary donations and food to cleaning supplies, all variety of gifts help to sustain the house and its mission. For the past many years, St. Benedict Cathedral has been helping to support the House of Bread and Peace through the annual Lenten Cocoon Tree at the parish. “Each year, the grade school children make cocoons and we put labels with items inside them, and we hang the cocoons on trees,” Sr. Pat says. “People will take a cocoon, purchase the item, bring it back, and put it under the tree.” The generosity of the parish makes a significant difference in the lives of the women and children who live at the House of Bread and Peace. “Some of the things that are collected will carry them over for the entire year,” Sr. Pat says. “They’re very grateful.”
Children from our school make paper “cocoons” which contain ideas of items to donate to the House of Bread and Peace, a local shelter for women and their children.
The cocoons will be available for people to pick up in church all through the season of Lent. Sr. Pat encourages parishioners to donate, even if they don’t pick a specific item through a cocoon. Non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, bath soap, laundry detergent, paper products, toilet paper, diapers, and garbage bags are always needed. “As Christians, we’re called to become one with others and to share what we have with them,” Sr. Pat says. “Sometimes it can seem like a small thing, but when we all work together, it can help continued on back cover
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1328 Lincoln Avenue | Evansville, IN 47714 (812) 425-3369 | www.saintbenedictcathedral.org
The Cocoon Tree Project
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people greatly.” Sr. Pat reminds parishioners that Lent is the perfect time to focus on being generous through almsgiving and caring for those in need. “Authentic prayer always leads to action — reaching out to help others,” Sr. Pat says. “Ask, ‘What is it that I am trying to do this Lent to deepen my relationship with God and others?’” Sr. Pat hopes that the generosity of those who
support the House of Bread and Peace will serve as a powerful sign of God’s love to those who live there. “I hope that through this, residents can see the love of their brothers and sisters,” Sr. Pat says. “I think it helps them to see that God cares about each one of them. Others are instruments in showing that love and showing them the face of God.”
For more information on how to get involved in the Cocoon Tree Project, please contact Sister Pat McGuire, OSB, at 812-425-3369, ext. 160 or pmcguire@evdio.org.
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.
Lenten Offerings:
Confessions: Wednesday, 5-5:20 p.m. Mass: Wednesday, 5:30 p.m. Confessions: Tuesday, March 23, 5:30-6:30 p.m. Confessions: Friday, March 26, 12-1 p.m.