Pastor's Points: "A New Bishop, A New Home"

Pastor's Points: "A New Bishop, A New Home"

The month of July saw two significant moments in the history of the Diocese of Raleigh.  On July 5, it was announced that The Most Rev. Luis Rafael Zarama, currently serving as an Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta, would become the sixth Bishop of the Diocese of Raleigh when he is installed as such on August 29. On July 26, the Holy Name of Jesus Cathedral was dedicated as the new mother church, the new home for the people of the Diocese of Raleigh.

This is certainly an exciting time to be Catholic in North Carolina.  The tremendous growth that has taken place since the founding of our diocese in 1924 until now has warranted the building of many new churches, schools and other facilities.  It is only natural that all of this would have lead the building of a new cathedral where the faithful of the diocese could come and gather around the Bishop to worship and glorify God.

The dedication ceremony was certainly a day to remember in the history of our diocese.  Some 2,000 plus people came together to witness history as our new home as a diocesan church was solemnly consecrated. Bishop Michael Burbidge, the Bishop of Arlington, who served as Bishop of Raleigh from 2006-2016, was the celebrant of the liturgy in the presence of Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Consecrated Religious and the Lay Faithful.  Bishop Zarama was present to receive the keys to the cathedral from Bishop Burbidge.  During the 3 hour ceremony, the main altar was consecrated by Bishop Burbidge as he poured the Sacred Chrism all over the top of the altar. Bishop Ned Shlesinger, Auxiliary Bishop of Atlanta and a former priest of the Diocese of Raleigh, consecrated the altar in the chapel of the cathedral.   Bishop Burbidge, Msgr. Brockman, who served as Vicar General under Bishop Burbidge, and Fr. Justin Kerber, Rector of the Cathedral, anointed the walls.  The relics of the saints were placed inside the two altars and dedication candles were lit throughout the church. There was beautiful music to fill our new home, and a few members of our choirs, including Roger Petrich, our Director of Music, helped to make that joyful sound. 

One of the best aspects of the dedication liturgy for me was seeing the diversity of our diocese in one place.  I thought to myself: this is what the cathedral church is supposed to do. It is supposed to bring together our family in our home.  And at the end of August, the diocesan church will gather again as we welcome a new spiritual father in Bishop Zarama.  The Bishop will take possession of the diocese and be seated in his cathedra (where we get the name “cathedral”) as he is installed by Archbishop Gregory, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta.   On August 29, we will have a new Bishop to lead, guide and sanctify us as we move forward as the Church in Eastern North Carolina.

We are so blessed to be a part of this vibrant diocese here and now.  We are growing and continuing our outreach to the poor and those in need of seeing the face of Christ. Men are responding to God’s call to the priesthood; the lay faithful are carrying out the work of missionary disciples.

Indeed we do have a new home as a Catholic people here the Diocese of Raleigh. Soon we will have a new Bishop installed.  God is continuing to bless us as a local Church, and we are privileged to be part of the journey in this little part of the Kingdom. Blessed be His holy Name!