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June 2008 Issue
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Bishop's column
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My
dear friends, The spring and summer seasons present
many opportunities for friends and families to gather
and celebrate occasions such as graduations, weddings,
family and school reunions. These celebratory occasions
remind us that we are part of something bigger; we are
members of a much larger unit. |
Our Holy Father's recent visit to the United States highlighted
that reality clearly; our membership in the Catholic Church
extends beyond our parish and diocesan families. From my early
childhood, I remember fondly our family's weekly gatherings
at my maternal grandparent's farm in Canada. My mother was
one of eight children.
Each
Sunday my immediate family along with my aunts, uncles and
cousins would gather at the "family farm" for camaraderie
and dinner. My cousins and I had great fun investigating the
surroundings of the farm, playing hide and seek, and other
outdoor adventures; we made memories that I treasure to this
day not including sliding down a rope in the barn and breaking
off my front tooth. As with all relationships, we didn't always
agree, but, I can attest that the majority of the time we
spent together generated laughter, conversation and many happy
memories.
The
"family farm" was not luxurious. In the early days there was
no running water or electricity - that came later - but the
modest surroundings had little bearing on the quality time
we shared. As years passed, circumstances changed; my grandfather
died and my grandmother soon realized she would be unable
to manage the farm on her own. The farm was sold and Grandma
moved to town to live with an aunt. With the "family farm"
gone, we no longer had a gathering place that provided adequate
space for us to meet. Family gatherings became less frequent
and the relationships, sustained so strongly by our weekly
gatherings on the farm, weakened. The farm was a sign and
a symbol for us all and who we were as family.
When
I was in high school, my family moved to Detroit. Some of
my relatives remained in the area; others moved away. It is
not surprising that throughout the years we lost touch with
one another. If I met many of my cousins today, I would not
recognize them nor would they recognize me...at least without
my hat! The symbol of the "family farm" conveys the value
and benefit of establishing a particular space for families
or communities to assemble; it further illustrates what can
occur when such a place is not available. Historically, our
diocesan administrative offices were located next to the Cathedral
of Saint Andrew.
In
the 1980's when additional office space was needed, some diocesan
offices were relocated to the former St. Joseph Seminary building
on Burton Street and others were housed in various locations
throughout the city of Grand Rapids. Though these facilities
met our needs during that period in our history, they are
no longer fiscally, technologically or spatially efficient.
Cathedral Square highlights the Cathedral of Saint Andrew
and functions as the center of the diocesan church, enabling
us to more effectively serve our 103 parishes and missions
and the broader community. We anticipate occupancy of the
diocesan pastoral center, located in Cathedral Square, in
mid-July. I am most grateful for the support the Cathedral
Square project has received from parishioners throughout our
11- county diocese and from members of the broader community.
A visible sign to all, Cathedral Square is our special place,
where we will gather, worship, and celebrate our Catholic
faith and one another… and, where, together, we will further
the mission of our Lord's Church in collaboration with the
broader community and other churches.
- Bishop Walter A. Hurley is the
11th bishop of the Diocese of Grand Rapids.
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