Comedy and Cuisine

Cathedral Chimes, November 1972

Pictured here are Dave Gurney, Fred Sommer, Jim Watson, and Joe Archibald, who are entering their 2nd year of the 3 year program that will see them ordained as deacons of the Catholic Church.

The deaconate program, though new to the 20th century Catholic, actually has its roots deep in Christian history. It was "re-discovered" by Vatican II.

The program is taught by Rev. Patrick McCaslin and has 18 men from the Archdiocese of Omaha. Classes are held twice each week and every sixth weekend is a workshop. The first year's program dealt with many facets of the Church, including scriptures, moral theology and Christian anthropology.

The entire purpose of becoming a deacon is to serve, said Jim Watson. Deacons are described as "men of commitment and faith… men attempting to meet the needs of the people of God in the 20th century. They are men who have been touched by Christ and want only to touch others with Christ."

Cathedral Chimes, March 1973

On June 24, 1973, eighteen men in the Archdiocese of Omaha will be ordained as deacons of the Catholic church, the 1st in our area since Vatican II renewed the program. Four of the 18 men are from the Cathedral parish.

Pictured here is one of Cathedral's first candidates, S. J. (Jim) Watson, 807 N. 48 Ave., with his wife, Jean and their three children.

"We asked Jim to tell us how he became involved in the deacon program. Jim said, "I used to follow the development of the permanent Deaconate closely after its revival by Vatican II. I thought - what a great idea - having married men as ministers in the church. It fit right in with the modernization of Catholicism that the Council had introduced."

"Talk about being in the right place at the right time, that's how I felt when I read in the True Voice that the Permanent Deacon program would be starting in Omaha. I came to the decision that God wanted me to do more than I was."

Cathedral Chimes, June 1973

Being ordained at Cathedral on June 24, 1973, into the Permanent Deacon program of the Catholic Church is Dave Gurney, the fourth candidate to be interviewed these past months in the Chimes.

Dave and Helga live at 3562 Cass and are pictured here with five of their eight children.

Asked about his interest in the Deaconate program, Dave said: "For a number of years (beginning in the Army) I sensed a sad futility in the lives of many. This, I believe stemed from no or too little understanding of the love of God."

"As the years passed, I have sought a means to integrate my own life and pass on (for whatever value) this knowledge and experience to those who would also seek God."

"Since Vatican II we have seen many changes that reflect the Spirit of Renewal, not the least of which has been the resumption of the permanent deacon. This idea was refreshing to me and has been ever growing since our early days in 1971."

"We have learned to know more intimately this Man, Jesus, and this has been done by studying his words and actions as he formed community and revealed the Father to them and to us."

"I wish to perpetuate this growth of community in the Spirit of Jesus that is servant - as husband, father, on the job, in worship, and in the community at large."

Cathedral Chimes, May 1973

Fred J. Sommer, Candidate for deacon from Cathedral, who will be ordained here June 24,
1973, is shown here with his wife, Virginia, and their three sons, Fred Jr., Robert and James. The Sommers also have three daughters, Susan, Cisily, and Patricia, who are married and away from home. Fred and Virginia reside at 4117 Lafayette and have been members of St. Cecilia's for over 20 years.

Fred had this to say about his candidacy: "I heard about the deacon program a couple of years ago. when the Omaha program was being formulated, I discussed it with Father Pat McCaslin, who is the director. 'Service' to people seemed to be a major part of the Deaconate program and this interested me most. I also wanted to learn more about a true Christian response to the spiritual needs of people."

"During the past two years I feel I have gained a deeper insight into the Gospels and teachings of Jesus - what they mean in my life and in the life of my family. I have also learned more about prayer, especially spontaneous prayer."

"Since the deacon training course included our wives for many of the sessions, Gin and I have grown together as Christians and as husband and wife. I hope to be able to share this Christian experience with as many people as I can."

"It is a great responsibility we men are assuming, and we humbly ask for your prayers that we will be able to serve to the best of our ability."

He is like Christ, a washer of the feet of others.

Cathedral Chimes, July 1973

The Omaha Archdiocesan permanent diaconate program, originating two years ago, is now a fact, as 16 men were ordained permanent deacons on June 24 here at Cathedral. Of these 16 men, four are Cathedralites and have been formally received into the parish today at each Mass.

Of these four deacons Father had this to say: "They are official 'helpers'. They have been specially trained and can be of great assistance in the church. I intend to utilize their services in a broad range of parish activities. I see the deacons as an extension of the priests, providing personal contact between parish and parishioner that priests are often unable to provide."

Cathedral Chimes, April 1973

Being ordained as a Deacon in the Catholic Church on June 24, 1973, is Joe Archibald, one of Cathedral's four candidates.

Asked how he became involved in the program, Joe said, "I have always been interested in ways to be of service to people. I never got into a career that would enable me to do this for a living, and I
envy the work of doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers and the like. So I have tried to do things in my spare time to compensate for this, and this led me to be active in such organizations as the
Knights of Columbus, St. Vincent de Paul Society and the Big Brothers. When I heard the announcement of Vatican II regarding the Permanent Deaconate, it sounded like something else I might like to do to help others. In a class for lay communion distributors Father Jerry Millenkarnp spoke about the deaconate program, and further planted the seed of interest in me. When it was finally announced that such a program was to be initiated in the Omaha Archdiocesan area, I was ready."

"Just where it will lead me from here I am not sure, but so far, I know I have received considerably more from it than I have put into it. I have received far more theology education than I would have obtained otherwise; it has updated my ideas of church; it has deepened my faith; and it has made me a part of a real living Christian Community in the deaconate group itself."

Get ready for a fabulous evening of dinner and entertainment at 2010 Comedy & Cuisine. Mark your calendars for Saturday, March 27, 2010. The event is planned for the Fr. Henry J. Sullivan Center at Creighton Prep at 7400 Western. All are invited.

The event is the primary fund-raiser for St. Cecilia Grade School and has raised more than $1.2 million since it was first held 10 years ago. Event chairs for 2010 are Kimberly and Michael Joyce, and Mike and Julie Swartz. Chairs for 2011 are Brian and Lyn Rhoten, and Christopher Burbach and Judith Nygren.

Honorary Chairs

We are pleased that our honorary chairs for the event are our original class of deacons from 1972. Rev. Mr. Jim Watson, Rev. Mr. Fred Sommer, Rev. Mr. Dave Gurney and Rev. Mr. Joe Archibald have offered nearly four decades of dedication and service to Saint Cecilia Cathedral parish. Their commitment to the deaconate program has produced a faithful ripple effect that continues to strengthen all of us. It is our privilege to honor and recognize their many years of service to our parish.

Honorees

Each year Comedy & Cuisine selects honorees to recognize for their service. For 2010, Comedy & Cuisine will honor the Leo Wilwerding family as Great Family. Over the years, Leo, along with his late wife, Marlene, served as stewards on countless projects here at Cathedral, for both the parish and the school. The Wilwerding family brings three generations of service to the school and the parish and we are delighted to honor and recognize their commitment to all things Cathedral.

We will also honor the outstanding faculty who help us carry out our mission at Saint Cecilia Cathedral Grade School. Our outstanding and award-winning faculty, with an average tenure of 22 years, set the standard for academic excellence. Our veteran faculty carries on the Dominican tradition of educating the whole child in academics, faith and service to community. Their success in doing so attracts families from across Omaha, Easter Nebraska and Western Iowa. (Insert picture of the faculty here)

How you can help

We need more volunteers and auction items for the 2010 event so please contact the Joyces at 932-7290 or kimkej@gmail.com or the Swartzs at 556-5250 or mjswartz1@cox.net. Silent auction categories include home, kids, arts, jewelry and sports. Gift certificates for restaurants and services are great items. We also need donated packages for the live auction. These can include sporting events, concerts, gourmet meals, golf trips and vacations. Get creative. If you would like to contribute a cash gift to the Comedy & Cuisine underwriting effort, please contact Beth Klug at the Rectory, 551-2313.

As honorary chairpersons for this year’s Comedy & Cuisine, we would like to thank you for this honor and for your participation in this important fund-raising event. Comedy & Cuisine represents the coming together of many volunteers and contributors who share the desire to help the school that has done so much to shape our lives and the lives of our children.

When we were raising our children, we often commented on how true was the statement that “it takes a village to raise a child.” Over those many years we found again and again that our village was St. Cecilia’s. Whether we were on the bleachers at the baseball field, at Mass in the Cathedral on Sunday, sitting in the gym watching the grade school musical, or socializing at Mama’s, we always knew that the community of St. Cecilia’s was keeping the welfare of our children and their best interests close to their hearts.

We also know that the current economic environment makes the sacrifices of Catholic education a real challenge for many. But please believe us: those sacrifices reap a multitude of blessing on all who accept the challenge. Your belief in the mission of St. Cecilia Grade School is the reason our school is the nationally recognized Blue Ribbon institution it is today.

So once again, thank you for your participation tonight, for your continued support of St. Cecilia, and most of all, for the cherished friendships you have shared with us.

Sincerely yours,

Barry and Mary Gerken

Bob and Mary Gerken