Messages from the Pastor - Archive
July 26, 2009
Dear parishioners and friends of St. Joseph Cathedral,
I would be remiss if I did not begin by thanking all of you and Bishop Muench for the wonderful celebration of my formal installation as pastor last weekend. It was a special time of joy for me: virtually all of my family who live in the Baton Rouge area were able to come, and they were most impressed by everyone’s warmth and welcome too. The Cathedral was full, the music beautiful, and the food at the reception “just enough”!
As I said during the ceremony of installation, I pledge not only my best efforts but also my collaboration with the fine members of our office staff, our parochial consultative groups, and our liturgical and other leaders and ministers. The bishop’s words “No pastor ministers alone” are a comfort, since we have such a wonderful team of people who do such good work for our community.
As the bishop formally announced this past week too, our Cathedral family can rejoice in a special way this week. Two of our parishioners have discerned a possible call to God’s holy priesthood, and have been accepted as seminarians for our Diocese of Baton Rouge.
Reuben Dykes is a 25-year-old native of Covington, Louisiana, and a 2002 graduate of Covington High School where he excelled in both academics and athletics. Reuben then went on to attend LSU, earning a B.S. in Finance in 2006. He has worked the past three years as a residential real estate appraiser. Many parishioners will recognize him, for he has served for the past few years as an acolyte at daily and weekend Masses here at the Cathedral. He enjoys hunting, fishing, and team sports in his free time. Reuben will attend St. Joseph Seminary College in St. Benedict, Louisiana – just a few miles from his parents’ home! – for two years of preparatory formation. This is mostly philosophy courses (something finance majors don’t get a lot of!) and spiritual formation, needed before he then moves on to graduate school theological study.
Harry Theriot is 38 years old, from Brusly. He graduated from Brusly High School in 1989, and attended the University of Southwestern Louisiana in Lafayette graduating with a Bachelor’s degree in General Studies in 1995. He then went to LSU, completing a Computer Science degree in 2000. He has worked primarily in clerical, technology review, and other computer-related fields, most recently at the State Department of Education for the past 7½ years. A parishioner at St. Joseph Cathedral since 1998, he has been active as an altar server, sacristan, extraordinary minister of the Eucharist, and homebound visitor. Harry will be attending Notre Dame Seminary in New Orleans.
I can’t think of a better way for a parish community to demonstrate vibrant faith than by inspiring vocations to the priestly and religious life from among its members. The Cathedral family “must be doing something right” in its worship and lived witness to the Catholic faith! I suspect that there are more people who are seriously considering giving their lives to Christ, and to them too we already wish to offer encouragement and thanks.
The Cathedral also says goodbye this week to Jarrod Kimble, whose work is necessitating his move to the Houston area. Jarrod has been a faithful adult altar server here for a number of years, and we will miss not only his reverent and competent assistance but also his smile and eagerness to help. We wish him the best in his future endeavors.
In Christ,
Father Paul
July 19, 2009
Dear parishioners and friends of St. Joseph Cathedral,
When I was younger – in the seminary and as a young priest – I had the opportunity to live and go to school in other places for a number of years. Most of my friends from those days couldn’t relate to my love of Louisiana: all they could think about was how hot and humid midsummer gets around here! That was enough to sour them on the whole experience. No matter how much I described our great food, toe-tapping music, football-crazy culture, good fishing or smiling faces they were skeptical about life “down South.” Their loss. Yes, I’ll admit that July and August temperatures here are a bit on the warm side! But there are many things that even the heat and humidity can’t stifle.
One of my most treasured reasons for loving Baton Rouge doesn’t make most peoples’ lists. This is something I mentally call “a religious sense.” It springs, I think, not only from the religious affiliations of most people in Louisiana – we are one of the most church-going States in the union, you know – but also from something else. It is a product of our family ties, and the way our families have raised us. I think it’s true to say that there is a greater sense of loyalty to God and to our church communities in Louisiana that is obvious and admirable.
That doesn’t make us perfect. Far from it. But we know that God deserves His due, and that our participation with other believers is also vital to our life of faith. If we fail, if we sin, we don’t give up and stop going to church. Instead, we acknowledge we can do better – going to confession as needed – and continue to try to hear God’s Word and do His will as we are supposed to.
This is something that gives me great joy about our Cathedral Parish. Day in and day out, people who care deeply about so many other important things in their lives, like family and work and school, also make time for God here. The routine of weekly and daily Mass, the constancy of prayer and devotion, the loyal stewardship of resources and time, the help of ministries big and small: all of these are good indicators of a lively faith. In some places faith can seem to be dying, but not here. So much goes on! I just want to encourage and help all of it to continue. Want to help? Just come or call. And invite others to discover how a more full life of faith adds a richness to life and a tranquility of soul that you just can’t get anywhere else.
On personal note, I’m just about settled into the parish house and office. My initial meetings with staff members and other individuals and groups are getting accomplished. I’ve noticed my own prayer-life beginning to take on the rhythms and priorities of the parish. My biggest frustration remains not yet having a computer setup like I’d like – that’s how I’ll have to do a lot of my diocesan work now that I’m downtown all the time instead of at the Catholic Life Center each day. But this should be remedied by the end of the week.
Special thanks have to go out this weekend to Bishop Muench, who officiates at the formal “installation” of me as pastor this weekend. Of course, in some ways the bishop, as chief shepherd of a diocese, is always the one who pastors every parish, and even more so at the cathedral church. So it’s something of a unique collaborative role and relationship I feel with Bishop Muench: I hope you too recognize his care and concern for everyone here as well.
In Christ,
Father Paul
July 12, 2009
Dear parishioners and friends of St. Joseph Cathedral,
I’m not sure words exist in the English language sufficient to express my deep gratitude to everyone who has made my arrival at the Cathedral as your pastor such a wonderful experience so far. Last week began with the tremendous efforts of our Knights of Columbus in helping me to move my belongings to the Cathedral rectory: I simply could not have done it without them. When I did arrive Father Young and the rectory staff went out of their way to make me welcome and to help find places for me and my things. The week ended with a wonderful series of Masses and receptions in the Parish Hall at which smiles and good wishes abounded. I have to admit that I am already very much back “at home” here.
Still, at the moment I’m living in one of the guest rooms. Before moving across the hall later this week I’d like to put a coat of paint on the walls of my bedroom: I’m told by the design consultant – and by the women of the office – that the color is something called “taupe,” although it sure looks like just plain old “off-white” to me! We’ll also swap out the carpet before moving my bedroom furniture into the space, and beginning to unpack my books.
In the meantime, I have begun settling into the daily routine of Cathedral life. Since the liturgical schedule, both on weekdays as well as weekends, is the “backbone” of parish life, I’m trying to pay special attention to all of the Masses and confessions. I did my first regular round of “First Friday” Communion calls and am relieved to say that with the help of MapQuest I did not get lost! There also was plenty to do just in taking care of the paperwork which needs to be accomplished with a change of pastors. New telephone numbers, new alarm codes, new keys, new routines, and new places for everything has been a challenge, but I think I’m doing okay. It’s been a lot to digest in a short time, and I hope I am not overlooking anything essential.
This coming week I will begin meeting with the various key individuals and groups in the parish in order to become better acquainted with everything that goes on around here. On that score, please know that you too are someone whose opinion counts, so please don’t be shy about sharing your concerns and suggestions with me.
As has already been announced, my formal installation as pastor will be on Sunday, July 19, at the 10:00 a.m. Mass. Bishop Muench will be here for that ceremony, and the both of us would love to have you come to the Eucharist and the reception which will follow.
In closing, I have to add a final word of appreciation to Father Jerry Young for his inspiring leadership of the Cathedral parish over the past 12 years. His gentle grace, compassion, love of the Church, and eye for all that is beautiful in art and in people have been an inspiration to me, and a blessing for everyone who knows him. I’ve told him that we hope he visits frequently in the years ahead, for as our retired “pastor emeritus” he holds a special place not just in our history but in our hearts.
In Christ,
Father Paul