March 14, 2010

Dear Cathedral Parishioners,

This past Monday, March 8, the Cathedral Parish received Catholic Charities’ "In My Name" Award. I was edified by the large number of Cathedral parishioners who attended the award luncheon. What has come to be known as the "Front Door Ministry" really is a ministry of the entire parish. Although Jean McDonnell is the "face" of the Front Door Ministry, your contributions to the Cathedral Charitable Works Fund are what make it possible for us to respond to those who come to us for assistance. Each month Jean gives a report in the bulletin of the reasons for which people need help. I hope you see the good your gifts are doing in our community.

I really have to thank Jean for making the Front Door Ministry what it is today. For over six years she has spent her weekday mornings responding to the needy who come to us. Once she learns of the need she contacts agencies, landlords, utility companies or county resources either to verify the need or to learn what it will take to keep this person or family from being evicted, or losing electric or fuel service. In other cases she finds out what it will take to have the power turned back on, or to get the family off the street and into an apartment. She confers with me and together we decide what we can do. What we do often complements the resources available from the county, Catholic Charities, the Salvation Army and other downtown churches. We do look at the big picture to see whether the families’ income will enable them to sustain the rent, to stay current on utility bills, etc.

Many people who come to us are the "working poor." They make low hourly wages with no benefits. An illness or an injury results in missed hours and lost wages. A vehicle breakdown may require a costly repair needed to get to work. People may be able to get by under normal circumstances, but an extraordinary expense puts them behind. Catching up is hard to do. That’s when our help is needed.

It is only right that the mother church of our diocese and of our city be known as a place of welcome and charity. You are the ones who make it possible for us to welcome the stranger as we would welcome Christ. (Cf. Matthew 25:35-40)

Keep in mind our parish pilgrimage to Prairie du Chien and Sinsinawa being planned for Sunday, April 18, in honor of the Year for Priests. Let us know if you want to participate by calling the rectory.

Pray the rosary this week for the needy our community. Pray for the people in Haiti and Chile, and the people working to assist them. As always, pray for peace.

May God bless his people with peace.

Father Gorman