This year’s celebration of The Cathedral Evening, scheduled for Saturday, May 4. You should have received an invitation and reply-card for it in the mail. This is a wonderful annual gathering of the Cathedral Parish family: its special Mass and meal offer the perfect opportunity for fellowship and recognition of some of those who do so much for our Parish and area.
One of the honors bestowed at The Cathedral Evening is that of St. Joseph’s Apprentice. These are persons who over the years have done so much for our Parish. This year’s new apprentices are: Mr. & Mrs. Thomas & Mary Acosta, Mrs. Dorothy Hall, Mrs. Sheila Juneau, and Bishop emeritus Robert Muench!
They have all done so much for us. Both of the Acostas assist at Mass, Tom as a reader – everyone knows his wonderful deep voice! – and Mary as a minister of holy communion. Probably most everyone’s tasted Mary’s desserts, too, from her St. Joseph’s Day fig cookies to the lemon and coconut and other pies that I find so difficult to share!
Mrs. Dorothy Hall serves on our parochial Development Committee and is also an active member of the Ladies of the Cathedral, always willing to help with every project on Cathedral Square! Mrs. Sheila Juneau worked as the Parish’s Director of Administration for 21 years, often staying late to make sure everything was well-organized and tended-to. And last but not least, Bishop Muench may have been from 2002 to 2018 the fifth Bishop of Baton Rouge, but he was the “first bishop” to make his consistent weekly presence at our televised Sunday Mass a commitment of his: I’m sure the shut-ins and homebound of the diocese, especially, appreciated his years of smiles and preaching!
We also recognize each year Catholics who impact the wider Baton Rouge community for which we are “the Mother Church.” This year the Cathedral Community Award will go to Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Nancy Valluzzo. Their community involvement and philanthropy are well-known in our area: the Valluzzo name may always be associated with his McDonald’s franchises in Baton Rouge, but we appreciate them for much, much more!
Again, festivities on The Cathedral Evening begin at the 4 pm Vigil Mass and lead right into wine and then dinner in our Parish Hall. You’ll want to reserve your place! And you’ll be able to help express all of our appreciation for the time, talents and treasures that those among us share every day. So return your reply-card – or at least call the Parish Office at 225-387-5928!