NOTES FROM THE RECTOR

Our readings this weekend provide an excellent opportunity to reflect upon the glass that is half full rather than the half empty glass (in my case wine rather than water). How easy it is in times such as these, to forget the blessings of family, health, faith and our spiritual home. Qoheleth and our Lord invite us to reflect on what really matters in life: trust and hope in God alone: Easy to say and a lifetime of effort to do. Thank God for a lifetime or however long a time we have to move from self to selflessness.

 

One such blessing for us here at Cathedral this summer has been our seminarian, Ryan Elder. This weekend is Ryans last weekend with us here. He came just about two months ago to assist me and the other priests as well as the staff and to experience parish life. Ryan has been such a blessing to many in our church, the homebound, the sick, the hospitalized.

He has assisted our youth, provided much office help and of course his presence at Mass has been wonderful. In a very important and special way Ryan has provided a constant witness of prayer for all of us here at Cathedral. I know I speak for many of you when I express my thanks to him for all he has done for this parish. We send him off to seminary with our own prayers of thanksgiving, our promise of support and heartfelt gratitude for his joyful presence here. As our Bishop has encouraged us, I encourage you to pray for vocations to the priesthood and religious life. To pray for Ryan and all our seminarians as they soon return to their studies and preparation for that wonderful day when God and the Church call them to Holy Orders.

 

Finally I wish to express heartfelt gratitude to Cristin Ruggles who has served as the Director of Young Adult Ministry for many years. With great joy we welcome Mr. Robert Shaw who is the newly appointed Director. Cathedral is blessed with many young adults who enrich the life of our church and bless our community with their gifts and talents. Please consider joining this group if you have not already and be a part of this vibrant growing group of committed and faith filled Catholics. You can find out more by contacting us via email: YoungAdults@SacredHeartCathedral.org or http://groups.yahoo.com/group/shcya/.

 

Are you searching for a spiritual home? Do you know someone who is? Is the Catholic faith for you? There are some in our midst who might be grappling with these questions. There are many outside are Church who are faced daily with this reality. Perhaps this is the year to come home, to come to a place where you will find welcome and hope.  Soon our Inquiry Program will begin which is an opportunity for people who are not Catholic who want to know more about the Catholic faith to come and learn more about who we are. If you are that person or know of such a person who might benefit from an invitation to come and learn more about our faith, will you let us know who you are? We would like to invite you to join starting soon. Please contact the office via 919-832-6030 or Shirley@sacredheartcathedral.org soon and let us know if you are interested in knowing more.

 

From the Diocesan Website: The Diocese of Raleigh has received a favorable report on a Feasibility Study commissioned by the Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge in January to determine support for construction of a Cathedral Campus that would include a new Diocesan Cathedral, Gathering Hall, Catholic Center Office Building, as well as financial support for parishes.

 

The study, conducted by Graham-Pelton Consulting, included approximately 200 personal interviews and an outstanding return of more than 800 responses to a survey mailed to approximately 2,500 parishioners throughout the 54-county Diocese.  While some who were interviewed and completed the survey acknowledged that the proposed project would require considerable work and challenges, the results of the study indicates a high level of support for the Cathedral Campus from clergy, religious and laity.

 

After reviewing results of the Feasibility Study, the Council of Priests and the Diocesan Finance Council, in separate votes, recommended to Bishop Burbidge that the Diocese should proceed with the next phase of the potential capital campaign project. That will include forming various advisory committees to deal with the many aspects of the project and to develop proposed policies and procedures. Bishop Burbidge accepted the recommendations of both Diocesan councils. The Diocese is now in the process of implementing this next phase.  Updates on the status of the proposed Cathedral Campus will be issued at regular intervals.

Pax et bonum,

Fr.Dan Oschwald