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For three years, the Archdiocese has presented the Christifidelis awards to a lay person or a lay couple from each of the 375 parishes who demonstrate faithfulness and dedication in Catholic Christian ministry. Nominees for the annual award are discerned by each Parish Pastoral Council with the selection approved by the pastor. In the past two years, Holy Name Cathedral parish has not participated in the Christifidelis awards. I was uncomfortable in singling-out one person or one couple when so many of our regular parishioners take a role that would merit the same award at more than 95% of the other Chicago parishes. Maybe this year’s GALA 2006 tag-line says it best. At Holy Name Cathedral, we expect the spectacular. Anything generic does not belong to a parish that carries Christ’s Holy Name. I thought that, to nominate one couple or person, would subject me to hurt feelings similar to those of 8th grade girls and their parents who all convincingly believed that their child should be chosen for center stage at the May Crowning prayers. Unfortunately (for the pastor and other kids), only one little girl would get picked. I asked our Parish Pastoral Council three years ago, and they agreed with me. The parish staff was not quite as convinced as I was; but when I asked them to nominate awardees, they came up with so many disparate suggestions that I was even more convinced that our parish did not fit the intent of the Christifidelis awards. This year I changed my mind. Bishop Frank Kane, the Vicar of Vicariate II (our geographical sector of the Archdiocese), encouraged his deans (pastors who serve as his deputies in the different neighborhoods of Vicariate II) to encourage all pastors to take the Christifidelis honor seriously. Bishop Kane pointed out that those overlooked one year would certainly be eligible the next year. He also suggested that truly deserving awardees never do what they do in order to get an award. He also told stories of previously awarded folks who were genuinely and humbly honored by receiving the Christifidelis award. He almost had me convinced. The pressure was on; I also am one of the bishop’s deans. I again presented both sides of the argument to Holy Name Cathedral’s Parish Pastoral Council, members of the parish discerned for three-year terms as the lay leaders in parish policy. They agreed with Bishop Kane. So I asked each to nominate two individuals or couples. From their suggestions, I would see if there was a clear choice. There certainly were many fine nominees. Those closely involved in the ministry of the parish could guess most of the names suggested. I would have been comfortable nominating any of those selected. However, there was a clear winner. This Sunday, October 29, at a ceremony in the Cathedral at 2:30pm, Holy Name parishioners Gene and Joanne DeMuro will be awarded the Christifidelis honor by Father John Canary, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Chicago. Our parish PPC nominated the DeMuros; I was proud to affirm their selection. Gene and Joanne relocated to Chicago in 2002 after a long time in successful business and involved Catholic work in the Phoenix, Arizona, area. I clearly remember the first time they introduced themselves to me after Sunday Mass and wondered why as high-profile a parish as the Cathedral did not have its own gifts and book store. My initially defensive reply did not push them away. I discovered that they had been heavily involved in Marriage preparation ministry in Phoenix. I sent them to Andrew Lyke at the Family Ministries Office of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He put them to work in both the Pre-Cana preparation workshops and the FOCCUS instrument evaluation, a relatively new and very positively-received piece of Catholic Marriage prep in Chicago. Gene and Joanne already understood the value of FOCCUS. They continue that good work. In the meantime, they became daily Mass regulars and volunteer lay leaders of the parish commissions. Gene became a member of the Parish Pastoral Council in 2003 and, the next year, volunteered to become the PPC’s liaison to the Finance Council, another group of volunteers who lend their advice in law, construction, business, accounting, banking, and property management to Holy Name Cathedral’s benefit. Offering daily evaluation of our management and maintenance practices, Gene assisted in the reformation of our business office. As his PPC term ended, Gene stepped forward to chair a committee that has led to the threshold of a capital campaign that could bring Holy Name Cathedral’s facilities and financial well-being to a level never realized in our 157 years. In addition, Gene and Joanne financed the beginnings of Holy Name Cathedral Books and Gifts, the successful store on the Cathedral’s lower level that serves as an assisting ministry to so many Cathedral programs and parishioners. Their son, Adam DeMuro, operates the store in a business agreement with the Cathedral. I think the store adds to our deserved prestige. Congratulations to Joanne and Gene DeMuro on receiving the Cathedral’s first Christifidelis award. They are worthy. Congratulations, also, to all the award winners from across the Archdiocese whom we welcome Sunday to Chicago’s Cathedral. Any married couple interested in learning more about the FOCCUS instrument, a Catholic marriage preparation tool that married couples use in helping the engaged prepare for their life together, should see me. I am very interested in finding many other couples to help the 150+ engaged Cathedral couples prepare for marriage. Give me a call at 312-787-8040; or see me after Mass at the State Street doors any weekend. Wednesday, November 1st, will be All Saints Day, a Holy Day of Mass obligation. Mass will be offered on Tuesday, October 31, at 5:15pm. Wednesday Masses will be at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, & 9:00am (the FXW Catholic kids will attend the 9:00); and at 12:10 & 5:15pm. Join us. On All Souls Day, November 2nd, a particular day of prayer for all who have gone before us marked with the sign of faith, Masses will be said at 6:00, 7:00, & 8:00am in addition to 12:10pm. At 5:15pm, Cardinal Francis George will be main celebrant of the 5:15pm Mass with Mozart’s classic Requiem as the musical setting presented by the Cathedral choirs and a full orchestra. Father Pat Lagges will preach the homily. All are most welcome. On Wednesday, pray for the 90 youngsters who will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation. From Frances Xavier Warde, the Cathedral, and Old St. Pat’s, these kids are really ready to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Wherever you are Wednesday night, pray for them.
Fr. Dan Mayall |
