April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PERSPECTIVE
The many missions of our cathedral
Brooklyn architect Patrick Keely designed it and immigrant hands built it as a proud beacon of faith and good work. Dedicated 158 years ago, it still stands as a spiritual icon in the midst of art museums, entertainment venues, civic centers and diverse neighborhoods.
Somewhat worn from years of service, the interior glistens again with new plaster, paint and illumination. The work on the exterior is promising but remains unfinished.
The style of this cathedral building is gothic revival. However, its real identity is found in the people it is built to serve.
Our cathedral is a symbol of unity between the Albany Diocese and the global Church. The word cathedral is taken from the Latin word "cathedra" and means "chair." This seat symbolizes the different ministries of Bishop Hubbard ordained to teach and serve the people of this Diocese in unity with the whole Church.
The cathedral is where major diocesan liturgies are held. It is a place of pilgrimage. It is a parish of hard-working people.
There are close to 200 cathedrals in the United States. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles. In this sense, they are symbols of a diverse Church.
The people of God are the living stones used to build up a spiritual temple (1Peter 2: 5). We not only give meaning to our cathedrals we define what the Church is.
If we were to personify cathedrals, they would look like the people of God striving to construct God's kin-dom here on earth. Kin-dom is a word that describes a place in time when all people care for and respect one another - like kin.
Cathedrals are ministers. They serve as sacred places for public prayer, personal devotion and interfaith services.
Cathedrals are truly catholic: They offer hospitality to all people, regardless of religious affiliation. They welcome persons living on the fringes of society as well as those with ample resources. Cathedrals nourish people with soup kitchens, food pantries, counseling centers and clothing stores.
Cathedrals can be inspiring, beautiful stages for the sacred arts, music, drama and dance, all performed to praise God.
One of the forgotten ministries of cathedrals is that of the educator. In the Middle Ages, some cathedral complexes housed great libraries and lecture halls. Today, they can serve as centers for dialogue to feed the brightest minds and address the concerns of the community.
The rededication of our cathedral embodies the renewal of our Diocese. It reflects what we are doing as Catholic people. The "Called to be Church" pastoral plan aligned our properties and gifts.
The "Amazing God" initiative should energize our work of evangelization and healing. We can welcome home our brothers and sisters who have left us. The "Covenant to Educate," a plan for revitalizing Catholic education in our Diocese, builds on the foundations of our faith in a competitive educational climate.
While mainline religions struggle to be relevant in a culture that tests every value system, the Catholic Diocese of Albany is moving forward. The Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has been renovated, but is far from being finished.
The mission of the Church, one that acknowledges the dignity of every human being, is far from complete. The rededication of our cathedral can symbolize a diocesan-wide recommitment to the work Jesus Christ called us to do.
(Father Vosko, a priest of the Albany Diocese, has served as design consultant for 14 cathedrals and many places of worship in North America. He is writing a book on the cathedrals of the United States.)
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