By Dan Sullivan
Catholic Herald

Cathedral parish worships in gym

SUPERIOR -- Most mornings at the Cathedral School during this academic year, singing can be heard coming from classroom 102. A similar sound is heard from the gymnasium on weekends.

That wouldn't be unusual, except the music isn't coming from children. The vocalizing is from cathedral parishioners attending daily and weekend Mass in a converted classroom chapel and in the gymnasium.

Since the Cathedral of Christ the King was sealed off in a ceremony last October, parishioners have given up the spacious cathedral for temporary worship quarters at the parochial school.

Parishioner Kent Phillips, co-chair of the cathedral preservation and enhancement committee, said the project will require a lot of perseverance and patience until it is completed, but parishioners have responded positively.

"It's been very rewarding to see the way that parishioners have banded together," he said. "We have held Mass in the gym and it has brought tremendous fellowship, given what could have been perceived as a huge inconvenience."

Phillips added, "One of the interesting dynamics that has come from this is because people have been forced to sit closer together, people talk to people that they normally wouldn't." he said.

Fr. Leon Flaherty, CPPS, associate pastor, said that while worshiping in the cathedral people had a tendency to scatter out more in the church. "This gets people closer together," he said

Parishioner Luz Lao likes the cozy confines of the temporary worship space. "It forces people to sit closer together," Lao said. "Then people become more acquainted with each other."

Parishioner Katrina Karnes said she feels more comfortable celebrating Mass in the gym. "I am one of those people that easily gets distracted by excess," she said.

"However, I understand the cathedral project is a good thing. It will maintain the building, rather than having to tear it down. It has to be restored and taken care of."

As Flaherty has discovered, the cathedral has not been the only church in Superior forced to be flexible for its worship space.

"We're not the only ones that have been displaced," Flaherty said. "Our Savior Lutheran Church is using the community center in Billings Park, because they are remodeling. United Presbyterian used the old post office for several years and their new building finally opened."

With this project Fr. Daniel Dahlberg, cathedral rector, has seen his share of construction dust as one of the officials keeping tabs on the progress. "The hard hat is always at hand," he said.

Dahlberg said with Mass being held in the school, many are becoming reacquainted with the facility. "There were some that hadn't been in the school for a long time," he said. "Now some are seeing it every day and on weekends. They get to see the work that the children have done."

The school's lunch program was also displaced from the cathedral basement and into cramped quarters at the school.

Because of numerous obstacles, parish funeral Masses have been held at St. Francis Xavier and Holy Assumption churches in Superior. "These parishes have been most gracious in accommodating for funerals," Dahlberg said.."

Other parish liturgical celebrations, including those at Christmas and Easter, were held in the gym. First Communion and confirmation also took place as scheduled.

"One or two weddings could be in the gym," Dahlberg said. "Otherwise weddings have been held at St. Francis and Holy Assumption."

Dahlberg applauded parishioners flexibility during construction. "People have been very understanding, helpful and supportive," he said. "I told them to have patience, understanding and charity in all things. It's mainly because our space is limited and there are a number of groups who use the space."

Dahlberg also praised the flexibility of all those involved in numerous parish ministries. "Many hands and many people make it all possible," he said.

Dahlberg sympathized with some parishioners. "I understand that for some it's not easy sitting in bleachers or on folding chairs," he said. "There were some that found conditions too difficult and have gone elsewhere, but that's the nature of a church in transition."

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© Superior Catholic Herald, 2004