Cathedral channels children into diocesan church
Published Mar 6, 2008
JOLIET—The lights were shining brightly, the doors were held open and ceremonial items were strategically placed on display March 1 at Cathedral of St. Raymond in Joliet. Close to 500 religious education and Catholic School students walked around the seat of the diocese as part of the annual Cathedral Days event coordinated by the diocesan Religious Education Office. Two days earlier, close to 200 fifth- and sixth-grade Catholic school students attended the event.
Mark Herwaldt, consultant for the diocesan REO and director of youth ministry at Corpus Christi Parish in Carol Stream, stressed to the students the importance of being acquainted with the edifice. He announced, “This is your church. This is your cathedral.”
Father Brad Baker, administrator of the cathedral, welcomed the curious crowd and also emphasized that the worship space is a spiritual home for the entire diocese. There are about 2,000 families that call it their parish and, he said, “The support and prayers of our community are with you on this day.”
The students rotated among three activities. Father Thomas Paul, pastor of St. Elizabeth Seton Parish in Naperville, conducted the cathedral tour, sharing the history behind features such as the statues of St. Therese of Lisieux and St. Francis Xavier. Mike Kuhn of Joyful Hope Presentations in West Chicago, discussed how the church extends beyond the building and lives out God’s love as the Body of Christ. Dan Wolff of St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Crystal Lake, Ill., used music and humor to demonstrate how people can use their gifts to love the Lord.
Moments before the event, Father Paul told the Catholic Explorer approximately 10,000 children had toured the building as part of Cathedral Days, which started in 1992. The priest that pours out his wealth of knowledge to the students said, “It’s good for the children to realize there are others from seven different counties.”
The event is an annual ritual for Kim Rabideau, director of religious education at St. Peter Parish in Clifton for two decades. Every year, the new class of students gains a better understanding of the diocesan church, she said. And each time, Rabideau witnesses the same expressions of amazement when they walk into the structure decorated in the history of the Joliet Diocese. She said, “Many of these kids have never been up here. They’re in awe.”
The cathedral’s stained glass, statues and decorative style impressed Kyle Hoffman, a fifth-grade student. The 11 year old from St. Patrick Parish in Joliet said, “It’s very nice. It’s huge.”
Meanwhile, Erin Staunton of St. Michael Parish in Wheaton seemed to comprehend the day’s lesson. The fifth grader said of the church community, “We have many parts and we should respect that.”
