From the Rector’s Desk…

 

 


 

On July 1st, Holy Cross parish was officially suppressed and merged into the Cathedral parish.  Yet, we continue to have Mass at Holy Cross on Sunday at 9 am and Saturday at 11:30 am, followed by a Holy Hour with confessions.  Parishioners from both Holy Cross and St. Joseph are invited to participate in liturgies, events and activities at both places.  Holy Cross church will also be used for weddings, funerals and baptisms.  The rectory continues to be occupied by Fr. Ramon Owera, the pastor for St. Dominic and Holy Rosary/St. John parishes.  Fr. Owera is also a chaplain at Children’s Hospital. The offices at Holy Cross are now closed.  We will operate exclusively from the Cathedral offices.  Please direct all your correspondences and inquiries to the Cathedral.  Parishioners and people can meet with priests at the Cathedral rectory.  I announced last week that we are discontinuing the 11:30 daily Mass, Tuesday through Friday, at Holy Cross.  This is because the Cathedral parish will only be served by two priests and on some days and weeks only one priest will be available for Mass coverage.  The timing of the 11:30 am Mass will not allow the priest to be present at both places.   The 12:05 Cathedral Mass is also broadcast on 820 AM, St. Gabriel radio.  As we continue as one parish with two sites, let us become one community of faith.  With this in mind, the pastoral council, consisting of parishioners from both Holy Cross and the Cathedral have come with a mission statement for our parish: “Growing the Catholic faith in the heart of Columbus.”  This mission reflects many of the comments and suggestions that came out of our joint parish meetings and planning sessions.  We see more growth in the Columbus area, especially downtown.  This is exciting and gives us a sense of hope about the future of our parish.  We want to grow our parish community and share our Catholic faith.  We see many new faces at Mass.  We want to be welcoming to all that come and at the same time be faithful and knowledgeable about our Catholic faith.  There are challenges ahead but with Christ, we can do all things for the glory of God and the salvation of souls.  Let us be joyful disciples and share the life of Christ with all those who come through our doors.

 

In two weeks, Fr. Jan Sullivan, the new rector of the Cathedral parish will be here.  Fr. Sullivan comes to us from St. Thomas Aquinas parish in Zanesville.  He has been a priest of the Diocese of Columbus since 1991 and brings a wealth of pastoral and liturgical experience with him.  I am sure that he will find devoted parishioner and helpers in our mission as Catholic Christians.  I will continue, full-time, as Judicial Vicar for the Diocese and will reside at St. Michael parish.  

 

July 4th
 

I want to wish everyone a very Happy Independence Day.   Let us thank God for the many blessings that He has poured forth upon our country, especially the freedom to worship.   We thank those Americans who have sacrificed so much, including their lives to gain and protect these freedoms.   These include members of our military, civil rights leaders, public servants, those who serve in elected offices, judges and governors and ordinary Americans.  Let us alway cherish our freedoms but use them for the glory of God, love of neighbor and in conformity with God’s commandments.  If we do as much, God will continue to bless our nation.   Our office will close on Monday at 1 pm and will reopen on July 5th at 8 am.   Mass for July 4th will be at 9 am.  There will also be no confessions on Tuesday. 

 

Have a Happy Independence Day!

Fr. Kitsmiller