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Every other January, the Cathedral Ministries Convention gathers the pastors and other pastoral ministers from Cathedrals all around the United States and even from a couple Canadian dioceses. This year the meetings are in St. Augustine, Florida, the nation’s oldest city, hosted by the Cathedral-Basilica of St. Augustine, the oldest parish in the United States. Three-hundred are expected to attend. This will be my third Cathedral Ministries Conference. In Los Angeles in 2004 I learned about the great variety of Cathedrals in the USA with differences in size, staff, resources, neighborhoods, relationships to their bishop, history, and ministries; I also learned the similarities we all share in trying to manage our unique identity as the bishop’s Church. In 2006 at Seattle, I certainly got wet. However, I also heard an inspiring bishop encourage us in our work; and I heard about the exceptionally well-oiled development office at the Los Angeles Cathedral. Our stewardship office, under the masterful leadership of Joe Konen, has copied some of LA’s ideas and even improved on them. It will be interesting to see what I am able to learn this coming week in Northern Florida. I might even find time to brag a little about Chicago’s beautiful place of prayer. I will be away from the Cathedral from midday Sunday, January 13, through Friday, January 18. Hang on to any messages for me until Saturday. Father John Boivin, Father Mike Novick, and Father Matt Compton will be making any necessary pastor-like calls this week. They also know where to find me. I will look for you at Mass next weekend. Holy Name’s Bishop Timothy Lyne (resident here since 1966, senior auxiliary bishop of Chicago, and pastor of Holy Name Cathedral from 1966-1990) tells the wonderful story of attending a Cathedral Convention in the late 1960s. Father Lyne smiling as always met another priest he did not recognize. Extending his hand, he introduced himself. “Hi, I’m Tim Lyne from Chicago.” “Glad to meet you,” replied the soft-spoken man behind the large glasses. “I’m Joe Bernardin from Atlanta.” They exchanged pleasantries; then said good-bye. Bishop Lyne remembers thinking, “That was a nice fellow. Too bad I’ll never see him again.” In 1983 a little over a year after becoming the Archbishop of Chicago, Cardinal Bernardin ordained Tim Lyne to the order of bishop. Remember to save Thursday, May 1, when Holy Name Cathedral will honor Bishop Lyne on the 65th anniversary of his priesthood ordination. An enthusiastic committee is hard at work on the dinner and on the other arrangements for that happy evening. I hope you will be able to join us in celebrating Bishop Lyne’s 65 years at the altar. We have just begun the second year of our five-year RESTORE & RENEW capital campaign to make Holy Name Cathedral an even more beautiful place of prayer, restoring the Cathedral, the Rectory, and the Courtyard while helping us fulfill our identity as both Cathedral and parish, the place where Chicago goes to pray. Already more than $8-million have been pledged by hundreds of generous donors. Opportunities remain for you to make a pledge and to take advantage of several remembrance possibilities. Since beginning the various projects, we have installed a new and more efficient heating system for the entire block. Remember last year at this time when all our pews were away in a Wisconsin factory for refinishing, the worn carpet was removed, and we were attending Sunday Mass for seven weeks on folding chairs. The gorgeous terrazzo floor was poured, the ramp into the sanctuary for the disabled was constructed, the pews returned in beautiful shape, and new noise-free kneelers were attached. RESTORE & RENEW funded that project. Last summer, the north exterior of the Cathedral’s stone was repaired and sealed. The windows were cleaned and protected in a noticeably striking way. Some interior work on the windows is being done during the weekdays this month; and a new sound system is being installed. Meanwhile, an endowment fund has been established for future capital needs. Starting in June, a most exciting phase of RESTORE & RENEW will begin when an elevator will be installed in the Cathedral’s northeast corner. With the door facing the school at street level, those unable to use the stairs can ride both to the Cathedral level and to the lower level where enlarged and renovated rest rooms will be accessible to those in wheel chairs. Both the Bride’s Room and the present Reconciliation Room will be remodeled as places for the Sacrament of Penance and as rooms for the use of bridal parties and others vesting for ceremonies. Although we may lose use of the bookstore during construction, Holy Name Cathedral Books & Gifts will open again, available to all. Finally, the sacristy rest rooms will be renovated and made accessible as well. Construction should be done before Christmas. How about the Rectory? That is becoming an interesting question. The most expensive part of RESTORE & RENEW, the rectory needs a lot of work both as a parish office and as a home. Challenges will include how to continue to conduct parish business with that building under construction and where to put the ten priests and six Sisters who would be displaced for at least some months if not longer. That question needs an answer soon. RESTORE & RENEW’s lead gift of $1-million is dedicated to the restoration of the Rectory in honor of Bishop Timothy Lyne, the building’s longest-tenured resident. We want to do a good job. The great work on the Cathedral’s north exterior needs to be copied on State Street and on the south side. Finally, we will tackle the overdue renovation of the Courtyard. To accomplish everything, we will need in excess of $10-million. Donations at year’s end were especially encouraging. We continue to go ahead at a good pace. If you have pledged and contributed, thank you. If you have not pledged yet, you can find more information on brochures available at the head of the center-aisle; you can check our web page – www.holynamecathedral.org; you also can contact Joe Konen, Stewardship Director at 312-573-4406 or at jkonen@holynamecathedral.org; and you can join many proud Cathedral regulars and friends of Holy Name as we RESTORE & RENEW Chicago’s place of prayer. Who named this wonderful project RESTORE & RENEW? That would be our friend born on January 16, 1937, and celebrating his birthday this Wednesday. Happy Birthday, Cardinal George! Fr. Dan Mayall |
