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Holy Week, the fourth week of our exile from the Cathedral was challenging, but very well organized and staged. In that spirit, I thank all who led, supported, and participated in the many liturgies and events of Holy Week. Both worship spaces looked like places of prayer thanks to the Art & Environment volunteers led by Donna Ciszewski, Ron Birch, Darren Milanowicz, and Pat Still. Those folks battled obstacles; and they did it out of love for the Cathedral. Being in charge of Cathedral Holy Week liturgies would be challenging enough; doing so without the Cathedral itself would seem impossible. Father Matthew Compton did the impossible as liturgy maestro. The liturgical music was superb. We thank Dr. Ricardo Ramirez, David Jonies, the Chamber Singers, the Gallery Singers, the Women’s Schola, the cantors, the soloists who sang the Passion on Good Friday, and all the extra musicians. Stan Strom organized our experienced maintenance crew in their non-stop duties. The lectors truly embodied the Scripture they presented; the Communion Ministers were so very generous and always reverent in their ministry; the servers from the parish, Casa Jesus, and St. Joseph Seminary seemed ever-ready; and the sacristans made sure all was prepared with care. The ushers were quick to help led by the efficient Rich Costa. Comptroller Andy Skura and the volunteer money counters worked overtime and efficiently last Monday. The rectory receptionists never ran out of patience fielding thousands of phone calls. Monteray Security and the Chicago Police managed the crowds professionally. The RCIA was on the road to St. Joseph parish for Easter Vigil. I want to thank Pastoral Associate Ann Klocke, her team of catechists, the sponsors, and all on the staff who supported the RCIA over the year. Deacon Stan Strom, besides his administrative duties, put on his robes of Holy Orders and assisted reverently throughout the week. Deacon Mike McCloskey also stood prayerfully at the side of the priests all week long. Our visiting clergy added to the importance of our prayers, especially Vicar General Father John Canary and Auxiliary Bishop Raymond Goedert. The Cardinal’s assistant Father Dan Flens, as always, was a great help. He is no “guest”; but we certainly were grateful for the shepherding presence of Cardinal George. Let’s especially thank all the priests of the Cathedral for the hours of confessions, the concelebrated Masses, the extra Easter Masses, the special preaching, their smiling presence at the doors, and their love for the parish – full-time Associate Pastors Fathers Mike Novick, Matthew Compton, and John Boivin; resident priests Fathers Pat Lagges, Michael Boland, Bill Moriarity, and Gene Durkin; and, for his extra work especially our former pastor Bishop Timothy Lyne celebrating his 43rd Holy Week at Holy Name Cathedral (although just the 2nd outside the Cathedral itself – we were in various neighborhood locations in 1969 during the planned renovation). Now we wait with courage for a return to our home. Meanwhile, Jesus Christ is Risen! Thanks be to God. Last Christmas, Holy Name Cathedral was blessed with help from local Chicago rock band, The Ides of March. The Ides along with legendary Chicago radio personality Dick Biondi from True Oldies 94.7-FM, two years ago produced a CD for the benefit of the Thursday Suppers sponsored by Holy Name for folks in need of a dinner meal at the LaSalle & Superior facility of Catholic Charities. The Ides graciously have played music at a Christmas Eve Mass for the past 3 years. Again this past winter, The Ides & Dick Biondi lent their support to another sale of CDs. We sold out the 200 we had at $10 each. The Ides of March paid for the production. They were entitled to half the money. When I saw them on March 15 in Elgin where they were performing a concert of The Ides of March on “The Ides of March”, they told me to keep the proceeds. That Christmas-time charity CD paid for two more Thursday dinners. Thanks to our friends The Ides of March and Chicago icon Dick Biondi! They are real friends of Holy Name Cathedral. Look to page 8 of this bulletin for the Cardinal’s thank you-letter to Chicago Sinai Congregation for an incredible invitation to Holy Name to celebrate Easter at their Temple. What a generous offer! God bless our Jewish friends for their sincere concern. Never has our friendship with St Joseph Parish been stronger. St. Joseph at 1107 N. Orleans is operated in tandem with Immaculate Conception Church at 1431 North Park by Father Pat Lee who is pastor of both parishes. Since a piece of our ceiling fell in February and since we have been displaced from the Cathedral itself, St. Joseph has been our big brother and kind neighbor. St. Joseph will be the beautiful home of many of our displaced spring weddings. They shared an Easter Vigil with us and with the Cardinal. St. Joseph is our older brother, founded in the same year as Holy Name – 1849 – but before we were born. We were cut off from St. Joseph – then located at Wabash & Chicago – when English-speaking Irish Catholics were looking for English-language sermons and English absolution. St. Joseph’s priests were Germans in the 1840s. The University of St. Mary of the Lake’s Holy Name of Jesus Chapel was serviced by Irish English-speaking priests. The Irish founded Holy Name parish in 1849. For now, we thank our “big brother” – St. Joseph. The highlight of my Easter Vigil Mass was the moment their pastor, Father Pat Lee and I sprinkled the congregation with Holy Water after the profession of baptismal promises. Father Lee & I were the ones for that job! The regular envelope for our “Sharing Parish” supports the ministries of St. Joseph Church on Orleans Street. Last week we announced that the Cathedral will not be opened before June 1. For the sake of the May brides, that broke my heart. Thanks be to God, we were able to relocate most of them at the beautiful St. Joseph Church. I pray we never have to make that month-extending announcement again. Still, I thank St. Joseph. Look forward to Pope Benedict XVI’s visit to America, April15-20. A friend of mine attended Stations of the Cross at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on Good Friday. Just as I lead those prayers each year at Holy Name, Msgr. Bob Ritchie, Rector/Pastor of St. Patrick’s, led the NYC prayers this year. My Holy Name friend found him after the service and extended my regards and my prayers as he prepares to welcome the Holy Father on April 19 at St. Patrick’s. Msgr. Ritchie was familiar with our construction problems. He says he prays for Holy Name. In the wake of our parishioner’s visit, I dropped Msgr. Ritchie a note requesting him to ask the Holy Father to pray for Holy Name in our special time of need. Let’s join New York in asking Pope Benedict to pray for the American Catholic Church & Holy Name Cathedral
Fr. Dan Mayall |
