Sunday - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Dear Parishioners

The Cathedral Basilica was abuzz with activity early this week as we celebrated the Installation of Archbishop Rozanski.  Both the Vespers on Monday evening and Mass on Tuesday were beautiful and, while seating was limited due to social distancing, there were over 4,000 that watched the Livestream.  And this number doesn’t include those who also viewed the Mass on EWTN and the Catholic Network in Springfield, MA. If you were unable to watch the events live, please visit our website to view the recorded live streams.

I would like to take an opportunity to give a shout out to all who were involved in the planning and execution of the event.  The staff at the Cathedral Basilica, all of them, went above and beyond in giving their time and energy to make sure all necessary preparations were just right.  For some, it meant arriving early on Monday and Tuesday and leaving late.  I am also very grateful to the many volunteers from the parish who also gave of their time.  Our ushers and greeters truly helped to create a wonderful and welcoming environment for our guests.

This is also Deacon Ed Godefroid's last weekend with us at the Cathedral Basilica. He will be returning to Rome on Tuesday to begin his final year before the Ordination to the Priesthood next May.  Please join me in wishing him well and assuring him of the prayerful support of the Cathedral Basilica Parish.

I would like to share with you some words from Our Holy Father from his most recent audience as he speaks of Christian hope, which is apropos during this time of pandemic:

“Dear Brothers and Sisters: As we continue to explore the virtue of Christian hope, we discover in the final pages of the Bible that the ultimate destination of our Christian pilgrimage will be the heavenly Jerusalem. And on this pilgrimage, we encounter the God of surprises who treats us with infinite tenderness, like a father welcoming his children home after a long and difficult journey. Even if many experience life as a prolonged period of suffering – think of the fearful faces of those haunted by violence and war – still there is a Father who weeps with infinite compassion for his children, and who waits to console them with a very different future. 

We believe that neither death nor hatred has the last word, for we Christians see, with great hope, a larger horizon: the Kingdom of God, where all evil is banished forever. It is Jesus Himself who is the light of this new future, and who even now accompanies us on our way. Creation did not stop on the sixth day of Genesis, because God is continually looking after us, always ready to pronounce his blessing: ‘Behold, I make all things new!’ (Rev 21:5)”.

Monsignor Henry Breier

Have you ever thought about becoming a Catholic, or are you interested in finding out more about the Catholic Church? The 2020-21 RCIA session is scheduled begin on Sunday, September 13. Anyone interested is encouraged to call the parish office to register.

Monday, September 7, is Labor Day. In accordance with our usual holiday schedule, the Cathedral Basilica will celebrate Mass at 9:00 a.m. on Monday. This will be the only Mass celebrated on the holiday.  

The Annual Blue Mass will be celebrated Sunday, September 13, at 10:00 a.m. All are invited to join us in prayer, seeking God’s blessing upon those who serve and protect.

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). Please watch the video below on the protocol for how to properly wear a mask.  It is important that the mask covers both your nose and your mouth to prevent the spread of a virus.