By Toni Alexander
Special to The Voice

Oakland Bishop Salvatore Cordileone has opened the 2010 Cathedral Sunday campaign with an appeal for active support of the diocesan Cathedral of Christ the Light. In a pastoral statement he calls the cathedral “a beacon of light in challenging times.”

A Beacon of Light in Challenging Times In the past year, many of you have attended Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Light. I want to invite those of you who have not yet experienced Mass at the Cathedral to come and join us in celebrating the Eucharist. If you have not yet taken a tour, please avail yourself of the opportunity to better appreciate the art and architecture of the Cathedral. Consider referring your neighbor in need to the Order of Malta Health Clinic or to our Legal Justice Center. Mass at the Cathedral is a unique and powerful experience, as we feel Christ’s presence among us. With this year’s installation of the Conroy Memorial Organ, the Cathedral has been enhanced with the warmth of music. The growing concert series at the Cathedral has begun to create a world-class community of music. Including the prestigious American Institute of Architects’ Award for Excellence in Architectural Design, the Cathedral has received over 30 awards since its dedication. The design of the Cathedral continues to influence global ideas of religious architecture and sacred space. The Cathedral of Christ the Light was made possible by the extraordinary vision and generosity of many. I would like to thank those of you who have given to our campaign — we still need your support. For those of you who have not yet had the opportunity, I ask now that you join us in becoming a part of supporting the ministries of the Cathedral by building this beacon of hope. It is a place of congregation for the entire East Bay community. You will see on the enclosed Cathedral Sunday envelope that there are a variety of opportunities for contributing. Please join me in supporting the Cathedral and its mission so that we may continue to serve our community, and know Christ better and make Him better known. We hope to see you soon at the Cathedral of Christ the Light. Yours in Christ, Bishop Salvatore J. Cordileone

“Many of you have attended Mass at the Cathedral of Christ the Light,” the bishop says in his statement.

“I invite those of you who have not yet experienced Mass at the cathedral to come and join us in celebrating the Eucharist.”

Mass is celebrated Monday through Friday at 7:10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. and at 5:30 p.m. (Spanish) on Tuesday and Thursday; First Friday at 7 p.m. (Vietnamese); Saturday at 7:30 a.m.(Vietnamese) and 5:30 p.m.; and on Sunday at 8 a.m. (Vietnamese), 10 a.m. (Bishop Cordileone presides when his schedule permits), noon (Filipino choir), and 2 p.m. (Spanish). Confession times are Monday through Friday, 11:30 a.m. to noon and Saturday, 4:30 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Bishop Cordileone refers to Mass at the Cathedral as “a unique and powerful experience,” enhanced by devout liturgical ministry, award-winning architecture and inspiring music.

In his statement, he also expresses his pride in the developing cathedral culture at Christ the Light, citing worship reflecting the multicultural, multilingual character of the Oakland Diocese and the pursuit of excellence in sacred liturgy. In addition to liturgy, he references the cathedral’s comprehensive social service programs, its cultivation of the cultural arts, and its role as a sacred gathering place for all people in the wider Oakland community.

He also urges anyone who has not yet taken a tour of the cathedral to do so. Free guided tours by docent ministry volunteers are available weekdays at 1:00 p.m. Group tours can be arranged by reservation, and tour books for self-guided tours are available from the Cathedral Shop, adjacent to the cathedral on the plaza level.

The cathedral itself has won more than 30 architectural awards since its dedication in 2008, including the prestigious American Institute of Architects’ Award for Excellence in Architectural Design. Bishop Cordileone says “The design of the cathedral continues to influence global ideas of religious architecture and sacred space.”

Complementing the cathedral’s stunning design is its music program, accentuated by the installation of the Conroy Memorial Organ last year. The 5,298-pipe masterpiece is regularly featured in solo concerts and accompanies a variety of group performances, including the Grammy-award winning Chanticleer, the San Francisco Boys Chorus (the cathedral’s Choir-in-Residence) and the Schola Cantorum (the cathedral’s vocal ensemble).

“The concert series at the cathedral has begun to create a world-class community of music,” said Bishop Cordileone. “Music forms a vital part of the spiritual and cultural life of the cathedral.”

If liturgy, music and the sacred space are the heart of the cathedral, social services are its soul. The bishop reminds all in the diocese to refer neighbors in need to the Order of Malta Health Clinic and to the Legal Justice Center, both of which are housed within the Cathedral Center.

Situated at the corner of Harrison Street and 21st Street, the Health Clinic offers no-cost medical care to anyone who does not have medical insurance. It also assists these patients with non-generic medications and makes referrals to medical specialists who also agree to treat at no cost.

The Legal Justice Center provides free legal advice and referrals to low-income and indigent individuals who live in Alameda and Contra Costa counties through monthly workshops and private consultations. The workshops focus on a rotating slate of topics and are held in the cathedral’s Parish Hall. Twice annually, the Legal Justice Center hosts dinners to bring lay advocates and community members together to share information on social justice issues.

In his statement to parishioners, Bishop Cordileone said, “The Cathedral of Christ the Light was made possible by the extraordinary vision and generosity of many, but we are very much in need of your support.”

He asks Catholics to be generous in using the Cathedral Sunday envelopes that are placed in churches throughout the diocese. He urges Catholics to join him in supporting the cathedral and its mission “so that we may continue to serve our community, and know Christ better and make Him better known.”

(Toni Alexander is a volunteer with the Cathedral Development Office.)

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