I. “What Does It Mean To Be Catholic Today?” This is the focus of our Parish Mission, which again this year will be in conjunction with the good people of Blessed Mother and Sts. Joseph and Paul parishes. This Tri-Parish Mission always inspires me as parishioners from three different parishes join together to pray, discuss, grow, and form community. Let’s cancel all other activities/meetings on Monday, Tuesday, & Wednesday, November 5, 6, and 7, in order to buoy up our faith and encounter Jesus Christ as a disciple. Oh, that we may “see!” Parishioners of Saint Stephen Cathedral will host Wednesday evening with the Mass and homily by Fr. Tom McCarthy, O.S.A., who will be our retreat director/parish mission facilitator. Let’s be praying for God’s choicest blessings upon Fr. Tom and all those who make these three days a priority.The Lord our God is Lord alone!
II. Listening Session with Bishop Medley: On Wednesday, October 24, there were approximately 175 Catholics from the Daviess County area who come together in prayer and dialogue about the recent clergy abuse and cover-up tragedy.
Some members of our Diocesan Review Board (Deacon Ken Bennett, Fr. Mike Clark, Dr. Michael Farina, Rhonda Gillham, Ed Hodskins, Mary Beth Hurley (chair), Mike Marsili, Leslie Phelps, Kelly Roe, Lanny Thomas, and Jennifer Hendricks-Wright) were introduced, as well as Molly Thompson, our Safe Environment Coordinator for children and young people. Lou Anne Payne is the Pastoral Assistance Coordinator, who provides a confidential environment of listening, caring and offering support to victims who report sexual abuse by an employee of the Catholic Church. Deacon Richard Murphy was introduced as the liaison between our bishop and the Diocesan Review Board.
People expressed deep emotion, concern, sadness, and hope in their questions and comments, most of which were directed to Bishop Medley, who talked about how the Charter at the 2002 Bishops’ Meeting in Dallas entitled “Fulfilling the Promise, Renewing the Pledge,” is being implemented in our Diocese. This dialogue was facilitated by Mike Flaherty, a certified psychologist. Though a very delicate topic to discuss, I was impressed with the respect, kindness, and obvious love for our Church that characterized the evening. This is a tough time to be a bishop; we are certainly blessed to have a bishop who is open to listening, dialogue, and action.
III. THE Plan of All Plans: As Catholics, we firmly believe that God has a plan for our lives! God calls some to marriage, some to the priesthood, and others to religious life or to a generous single life. Fully living our vocations—and teaching young people how to discern God’s call—is a serious duty, but a joyful one. Today begins National Vocation Awareness Week, November 4-10. During this week, please pray about how God is calling you to live your vocation more deeply. Encourage the young people in your life—children, grandchildren, students, and friends—to be open if God calls them to priesthood, diaconate, or consecrated life.
IV. Casino Night Promises Fun, Fellowship, and Foofaraw! Bring your friends and neighbors for a good time on Saturday, November 10 at 6:00pm at Immaculate Church Parish Hall where there will be plenty of food, dessert bar, gaming, silent auction, Blackjack, 50/50 pot, and LIVE raffle drawings. Don’t miss the opportunity to win season tickets to UK basketball games—great seats! All this supports our Cathedral Preschool. Let’s celebrate!
The Lord our God is Lord alone!