Cathedral Family,
As we head into this New Year 2026, there are lots of things, no doubt, on everyone’s heart and mind. Hopefully, we have made some kinds of resolutions for our personal improvement. This is a great opportunity at the beginning of the new calendar year. A problem that I run into, and maybe you too, is that I want to improve too many things. Wisdom has taught me to focus on a doable objective and not many things at once.
May I recommend something that might become life changing? The parish is inaugurating Transformative Small Faith Groups. We will begin the week of January 19th. There will be five successive weeks where you would come together with a group of 8-10 people along with your group facilitators. The weekly program meets no more than one hour and a half. The focus of discussion will be the upcoming Gospel passage that will be proclaimed on the following Sunday. You need no previous small group experience. You need no deep knowledge of Scripture or the Catechism. The focus of the group will be to unearth the spiritual meaning and call from the reading to incorporate into our heart and mind. Having the weekly support of a small group makes a huge difference in how we view our lives and the life of the parish. Please visit our tables in the breezeway or entrance way for more information and for ways to sign up!
This final Sunday of Christmas is the Baptism of the Lord. We recognize that this moment of Jesus’ adult life brings His Incarnation and “Dwelling with us in the flesh” to the beginning of His public ministry. The Christ, sent from the Father, grows into the man who will undergo His cross, death and resurrection for us. These coming weeks of Ordinary Time will be our time to more deeply configure our heart and mind to His. Daily conversion becomes the lifelong work of each baptized person.
I want to take the opportunity to thank so many generous donors, volunteers and groups who worked throughout this past holy season to make our Cathedral beautiful, hospitable and joyful. We are blessed with so many people, along with our very dedicated and talented staff, who work tirelessly so that God’s work is accomplished here. My prayers and gratitude are extended to all of you.
Last week, I attended the National Rectors Conference in San Antonio. Every other year, nearly 75 Rectors from Cathedrals across the country gather to discuss the unique role that a cathedral parish plays in the life of a diocese and creative approaches to developing ministry and outreach. Deacon Rick and Mike Florek, our Business Manager, attended with me. Please pray that our participation in the conference yields good fruit for our parish.
As we enter into this new season of Ordinary Time---nothing is ordinary---our mission is to gain full speed as we seek to do His will and invite others to join us on the journey!
In Jesus,
Father Christy