Sunday - Thirty-Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners, 

This Saturday we celebrate the funeral for Stephen Eckelkamp, a long-time parishioner of the Cathedral, who passed away on May 4th of this year after a battle with cancer.  Because of the current situations surrounding the coronavirus, we were unable to celebrate a funeral Mass for him. Steve and his wife, Cherie, have been members of our Cathedral Parish Choir.  Cherie has served as lead coordinator for the Sunday Coffee and Donuts and Steve had been a member of our Finance Committee.  I kindly ask you to please pray for the repose of his soul and for the family that is mourning this great loss.

I trust that most of you are aware that the report regarding Theodore McCarrick was released this past week. I know there are as many emotions and feelings about this as there are people present in the church today. Some of you may be growing weary of the topic of sexual abuse by the clergy. You may be wrestling with a range of feelings including grief and betrayal. I that I am struggling with this and at times filled with anger at the perpetrator and those who did do enough to stop it from happening, and filled with deep sorrow for the victims.  The damage sexual abuse does to the person is devastating.

For those who are especially angry and feeling betrayed, I want to say that your feelings are completely understandable. Most of us cannot comprehend how this horrific behavior could ever have been tolerated in any way. This is a moment for us to really take time to question our faith. What does it mean for us to be Catholic? Why do we come to church on Sunday? Are we rooted deeply enough in our relationship with Jesus Christ?

If you are struggling with these kinds of questions, I invite you to turn to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Here are three thoughts and three Scripture verses that may help you at this moment.

Ask the Holy Spirit for wisdom. James 1:5 “But if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly, and he will be given it.”
Share your burden with Jesus. Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light.”
Receive the gifts you need from the Father. James1:17 “All good giving and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no alteration or shadow caused by change.”

The Book of The Dead has been placed in the All Souls Chapel, located in the rear of the church, and will remain there throughout the month of November. All are invited to inscribe the names of family, friends, and loved ones who have died and require our prayer.

In gratefulness for all blessings bestowed upon us as a people of faith, please join us for our special Thanksgiving Day Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 26. This will be the only Mass offered at the Cathedral Basilica on Thanksgiving Day.  

On Saturday, December 5, we will welcome Archbishop Rozanski to the Cathedral for his first Advent Day of Recollection. Please refer to your bulletins for details.

The beautiful poinsettias and greenery that adorn our Cathedral are a special part of the celebration of Christmas at the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Louis. We invite all parishioners and visitors to share in the experience this year through a memorial or thanksgiving gift by purchasing one or more of the poinsettias decorating the Nativity Scene or the Baptismal Font. Order forms may be found in your bulletin, or you may call the rectory office for more information.

Just a quick reminder that masks are to be worn at all times while in the Cathedral Basilica (except for the reception of Holy Communion).  It is important that the mask covers both your nose and your mouth to prevent the spread of a virus.