September 17 - 18, 2011
Dear Cathedral Community,
There are a number of Archdiocesan liturgies in the next few weeks that will be bringing folks from around the Archdiocese to our Cathedral. I have been attempting to be present before these liturgies take place to welcome the congregation and encourage them to visit us as well as take an informal tour of the Cathedral and the Blessed Sacrament Chapel. Hospitality must be one of our Cathedral charisms, and we all share this important task of welcoming all guests as if we were welcoming Christ.
The Cathedral welcomes today (Sunday) those from around the Archdiocese celebrating Anniversaries of Marriage. Congratulations to them all! Our prayers surround them in gratitude for the gift of their married vocation. That celebration will be here at the Cathedral at 2:00 PM.
This week saw the Fall Confirmation liturgies beginning again. We welcome them as well. Given the Archbishop’s health issues, and the fact that Bishop Coyne is in Rome these days attending “New Bishops School,” Bishop William Higi, retired bishop of Lafayette-in-Indiana, will preside at several Confirmation liturgies.
Let me remind all of the forthcoming Respect Life Sunday, October 2. I encourage all of the Cathedral parishioners to stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters for the Life Chain beginning at 2 PM on that Sunday. I have requested that we be assigned the block immediately in front of the Cathedral. This is a wonderful, silent, prayerful witness to all of Life Issues.
On Saturday evening, September 24, I will attend the opening liturgy of the 50th Jubilee Year of the founding of St. Luke parish. I have been invited as one of the former pastors, and I was a part of the planning for this event last year.
I encourage you to have a look at the Bishop’s statement regarding the September 11th commemoration. You can do this by simply going to www.usccb.com and scrolling down the recent news releases. The statement is very fine.
Finally, Diana Hay informs me that we regularly have Mass Intention opportunities available. In the past, I suspect some have thought that they might have trouble getting an Intention scheduled. This isn’t the case. If you have an Intention request, simply call Diana at the parish office. By way of catechesis, we accept one announced Intention for each Mass. However, each of us by virtue of our Baptism, brings to the liturgy our personal Intentions as well. You will also note that one of the two Sunday liturgies is always designated “Pro Populo,” that is, For the People of the Parish. This is set by Church Law.
Sincerely yours in the Lord,
Father Noah
