Hundreds gather in Cathedral for celebration of faith and unity

Being unbreakably bound to Christ means also being inextricably interconnected with one another.

Bishop John R. Gaydos emphasized that aspect of Jesus’ Parable of the Vine (John 15:1-10) in his homily for this year’s diocesan celebration of Catholic identity and unity in the Cathedral of St. Joseph.

The theme for the Nov. 19 Liturgy and festive reception that followed was “One Faith ... One Family.”

“It’s wonderful to know that we are inseparable — not just from the central vine but from the other branches, too!” said Bishop Gaydos. “Not unless we choose to cut ourselves off from Jesus can our unity with Him and among us ever be destroyed.

“We give witness to that by the way we live our commitment to being of one faith, one family,” he said.

The 2 p.m. Mass drew several hundred people, including representatives of various ethnic and cultural groups from all over the diocese.

Many children attended.

The choir consisted of Africans, Filipinos, Latinos and European-American members of the Cathedral of St. Joseph and St. Peter choirs in Jefferson City, the St. Patrick Choir in Laurie, the Sacred Heart Choir in Columbia and the Ss. Peter and Paul Choir in Boonville.

Directed by Thomas E. Halpin and Joel Rosario Lopez and accompanied by Annette Kehner, the choir moved seamlessly across linguistic, musical and vocal styles.

People from several countries proclaimed the readings and led the Prayers of the Faithful in their native languages.

The congregants responded in song, “Lord, hear our prayer; Deus exaudinos; Seor, excchanos.”

Several in the choir and throughout the congregation wore clothes and jewelry from other countries.

Mid-afternoon sunlight broke through the cathedral’s kaleidoscopic windows, drawing out the more vivid hues of purple and blue.

Branching out

In his homily, the bishop noted that the celebration was taking place on a day Pope Francis proclaimed to be the World Day of the Poor.

“We join in prayer with the whole Church throughout the world for the poor and in gratitude for the great privilege of being able to accompany the poor,” the bishop said.

He noted that as the liturgical year draws to a close, God continues to call His people to share what they’ve been given and to pour out their lives in service, in imitation of Jesus.

The bishop spoke of the Lord’s desire for unity of faith and purpose among His followers.

“Again and again, Christ returns to the theme of belonging — of really our belonging to Him, and His belonging to us,” he said.

“The branch severed from the vine is going to wither, just as we’ll wither spiritually if we’re separated from Jesus, Who is our vine,” he noted.

The bishop spoke of “the great goodness of God calling us all together from every corner of the earth to give witness to the power of Jesus Christ to save.”

Jesus’ proclamation that He is the vine and that His Apostles are branches who will bear much fruit applies to all who follow Him.

“We live in Him. He lives in us!” said Bishop Gaydos. “And only by remaining in His love will we be able to change the world in the way He wants us to.”

Many hands

Joining Bishop Gaydos at the altar were: Monsignor Marion Makarewicz, Father Patrick Dolan, Dominican Father Ronald Kreul, Father Daniel Merz, Father John Schmitz, Father César Anicama and Father Ramón López.

Assisting were Deacons James Farnell and Al Brand.

Deacon John Neudecker served as master of ceremonies. Enrique Castro, diocesan director of Hispanic and Cross-Cultural Ministries, served as liturgy coordinator.

The aroma of food prepared according to recipes from around the world worked its way into the cathedral near the recessional hymn, “Alabaré” (“O Come and Sing”).

Afterward, people filled their plates and visited in the Cathedral Undercroft while several Filipino and Latino dancing groups provided entertainment.

Serving as masters of ceremonies for the reception were Anecita Alvizo, Region 3-West chairwoman for the National Federation of Filipino American Associations; and Aurora Avalos, administrative assistant for the diocesan Catholic School Office.

Mrs. Alvizo noted some of the similarities in style, pointing to the common link of Spanish colonists.

A great witness

Bishop Gaydos thanked everyone for coming, especially those who traveled great distances, and all who worked to make the event a success.

“The committees, the choir, all the volunteers who worked on and the people who participated in this event were clearly a great witness of the richness and unity that are so real and tangible in and through the diversity and universality of our Church, in particular of our local Church,” Mr. Castro stated the next day.

This outreach activity is part of the diocese’s renewed commitment to promoting faith, family and outreach, as called for in Bishop Gaydos’ pastoral plan, “Christ’s Call ... Our Response.”