Cathedral of the Madeleine celebrates Centennial Mass

Intermountain Catholic

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Bishop John C. Wester, of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, was the presiding concelebrant and homilist at the Centennial Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine Aug. 16, 2009. He welcomed Deacon Lynn Johnson (left), Father Joseph M. Mayo, pastor of the Cathedral of the Madeleine; The Most Rev. Daniel F. Walsh, Bishop of Santa Rosa, Calif., The Most Rev. Tod Brown, Bishop of Orange, Chancellor Deacon Silvio Mayo, of the Diocese of Salt Lake City, Deacon Scott Dodge, The Most Rev. Stephen Blaire, Bishop of Stockton, Calif, The Most Rev. Joseph A. Pepe, DD, JCD, Bishop of Las Vegas; The Most Rev. Michael Warfel, Bishop of Great Falls – Billings, Mont.; and Father Omar Ontiveros, parochial vicar of the Cathedral of the Madeleine. ?We are celebrating as a parish community at this Mass,? said Bishop Wester.IC photo by Christine Young

SALT LAKE CITY — "I thank each and every one of you parishioners, faithful of the diocese, visitors and guests who have joined us today as we celebrate the Centennial of the Cathedral of the Madeleine," said The Most Rev. John C. Wester who concelebrated the Centennial Mass at the Cathedral of the Madeleine Aug. 16.

"I am very grateful and so honored to have so many of my brother bishops who have joined us today," said Bishop Wester. We have with us, The Most Rev. Daniel F. Walsh, Bishop of Santa Rosa, Calif.; The Most Rev. Tod Brown, Bishop of Orange, Calif.; The Most Rev. Stephen Blaire, Bishop of Stockton, Calif.; The Most Rev. Joseph A. Pepe, DD, JCD, Bishop of Las Vegas, Nev.; and The Most Rev. Michael Warfel, Bishop of Great Falls – Billings, Mont.

"We are celebrating as a parish community in this Mass, our Centennial, of the original dedication of this cathedral church," said Bishop Wester. "As we recall, this temple of God has served the people of Utah for 100 years as a house of prayer. Extending God’s invitation and challenge, love and mercy to all who come within its walls.

"Just think, for 100 years, this cathedral has been engaged in apostolic activity advancing God’s range with the celebration of sacraments, the ministries of teaching and formation, the care of the poor and disenfranchised, and the celebration of all that is noble and beautiful in God’s holy creation," said Bishop Wester.

In his homily, Bishop Wester said reflecting on these beautiful readings we have had these past Sundays, we have been gifted with the opportunity to dwell on the Eucharist.

"Today we get to the heart of it and reflect on the body and blood of Christ," said Bishop Wester. "We, in faith say, we believe, and are so grateful for the opportunity to receive the actual body and blood of Jesus Christ every time we gather around this altar."

Bishop Wester said there was a connection between the Eucharist and the centennial. The image, for him, that brings these two celebrations together was an incident that happened to him early in his priesthood. He visited a convalescent hospital, and one Sunday a young man who visited his mother who had dementia said his mother knew that he came to visit her every Sunday at 9 o’clock sharp in the church. She was always waiting for him. What he did not realize was that his mother was actually there every morning.

"I offer this mother as an image of God’s love," said Bishop Wester. "She was faithful, giving of herself freely, and she was filled with hope.

"For 100 years, this beautiful church has been here giving glory and praise to God as we gather in between its walls," said Bishop Wester. "We have the sense decade after decade of God’s faithfulness and fidelity – that God is always there. He loves us so much that he gave us his only son, Jesus, who is God. Jesus gives us his very body and blood. It is hard to imagine this kind of love that knows no bounds. It is grounded in faith.

"Without faith we would not have these 100 years of this beautiful cathedral," said Bishop Wester. "Without faith we would not be able to come to this altar.

"God gives us the grace and we grateful," said Bishop Wester. "We come as God’s holy people full of thanksgiving for these 100 years. We come here Sunday after Sunday filled with gratitude to be so intimate with Jesus Christ, so one with him, that he is actually closer to us than we are to ourselves.

"It is this Eucharist that gives us hope," he said. "Our cathedral has been here 100 years. So this cathedral centenary is a sign of hope in our lives. The Eucharist, which nourishes us, gives us new hope as well.

"The key in all this is we are the church. When we eat the body and blood of Christ, we become whom we receive," said Bishop Wester. "We are called to go forth and be faithful and hopeful."