Schedule for May 22-23, 2021
Saturday, May 22
- 7:00 am Cathedral Open for Private Prayer and Devotion
- 8:00 am Mass - will also be livestreamed
- 10:00 am - Rite of Confirmation - will also be livestreamed
- 1:30 pm - Rite of Confirmation - will also be livestreamed
- 3:00 pm Rosary – Live-Stream
- 3:30 - 4:30 pm Holy Hour - concluding with Evening Prayer and Benediction
- 3:30 pm – 5:00 pm Confessions
- 5:00 pm Mass
- 6:00 pm Cathedral Closes
Sunday - Pentecost Sunday
- 7:00 am Cathedral Open for Private Prayer and Devotion
- 8:00 am Mass - will also be livestreamed
- 9:00 am - 9:50 am Confessions
- 10:00 am Mass
- 11:00 am - 11:50 am Confessions
- 12:00 Noon Mass
- 1:00 pm - Baptism
- 2:30 pm - Rite of Confirmation - will also be livestreamed
- 5:00 pm Mass
- 6:00 pm Cathedral Closes
Dear Parishioners,
Next Friday, May 28, I will celebrate my 27th anniversary of Ordination to the Priesthood. It is hard to believe that the years have passed and seemingly so quickly. There are so many happy memories to recall during these years, and so many people that I have encountered. Many of those wonderful memories have been at the Cathedral Basilica Parish. My deep gratitude to you all for welcoming me, and providing me with so many memories.
Fra Angelico, the famous Dominican artist, is buried in the Church of Santa Maria Sopra Minerva in Rome. On his tomb, the following phrase, a hallmark of the saintly painter’s life, is inscribed: Chi fa cose di Cristo, con Cristo deve stare sempre, which is translated, “He who does the things of Christ must remain with Christ always.” I recall these words because, in the celebration of Mass, no one is “doing the things of Christ” more than we priests. It follows that we must “remain with Christ always”, particularly through prayer and adoration where he is present, body and blood, soul and divinity, in the Sacrament of the Altar. These words are inspiring and also very challenging to me.
I also call them to mind as the Archbishop will ordain six men to the Order of Priesthood on the 29th of May. The Ordination will be a joyful moment for the Archdiocese of St. Louis and all are welcome to attend. Make sure you arrive early to the Cathedral as we are expecting a larger than normal gathering.
The Spirit descends again on today's Christians so that they may witness to the love of God for all. In the Letter to the Galatians, the apostle Paul exhorts the believers to walk by the Spirit, whose fruits are a blessing for the world: "By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control" (Gal 5:22). The entire world needs fruit like this. Pentecost is the beginning of the Church, but also the beginning of a new world.
Monsignor Henry Breier
This Weekend's Pulpit Announcements
Our thanks to all parishioners and guests who have made a pledge or a contribution to the 2021 Annual Catholic Appeal. If you have not already done so, please remember that it is never too late and that no gift is too small. Large white pledge envelopes may be found on the tables at the entrances of the Cathedral if you wish to make a pledge or contribution today.
The faithful of the Archdiocese will give witness to the special gift of the Holy Spirit on Saturday, May 29, when Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski ordains six men to the priesthood at a special Mass here at the Cathedral Basilica. A reception of “First Blessings” will be held next door at Rosati Kain High School following the ordination.
On Monday, May 31, the Cathedral Basilica will gather for Mass at 8:00 am in recognition of Memorial Day. This will be the only Mass celebrated here at the Cathedral on Memorial Day.
On Sunday, June 6, Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski will lead the annual Corpus Christi Procession from the front steps of the Cathedral immediately following the
12 noon Mass. All are invited to join this prayerful procession of the Holy Eucharist.
UPDATE
COVID-19 Guidelines
To Archdiocesan Parishes:
The mask mandate now only applies to all parish faithful who have not received a vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. Following the CDC guidance issued yesterday, capacity restrictions and social-distancing measures at archdiocesan parishes will be determined by the parish pastor based on the size and construct of the parish and what he deems is needed to provide for the safest possible environment. These changes in the guidance are effective immediately.
Archbishop Mitchell Rozanski leaves in place the dispensation for Sunday Mass at this time but will be re-evaluating the need for the dispensation in the coming weeks.
What does this mean for the Cathedral Basilica?
- Masks are required to be worn only by those who have not received a vaccination against the COVID-19 virus. Those who are fully vaccinated need not wear a mask but may do so if they wish.
- Social Distancing with every other pew closed off will remain in place and will be re-evaluated over the next few weeks.
- Communion on the tongue will continue to be distributed at the Communion Rail for the foreseeable future.