Blessed John Henry Newman said, “To live is to change, and to be perfect is to have changed often.” 

My cat does not agree. Cats do not like change. These last few days I have been moving to take up residence in our diocesan cathedral, St. Mary of the Assumption in Trenton. My cat has been watching disapprovingly. All over the diocese there have been priests moving from one assignment to another. 

Change, though exciting and invigorating, is also a bit unnerving. What will the parish be like?  The people of God also feel the same when a new priest is coming, and they muse about what the new priest will change. 

Newman also said, “If nothing ever changed, there’d be no butterflies.” In a world where there seems to be so much uncertainty, the Church is one of the few places where we feel grounded; so when there is change in the parish it can be stressful. 

With a new community of faith or a new priest or with new relationships comes the opportunity for new growth.

Newman further said, “Change is the essence of life. Be willing to surrender what you are for what you could become.” All over the diocese new relationships are being formed between priests and people.  Be patient and let God work.

For me personally, going to the cathedral is exciting. Every person in the diocese has two parish homes. You have your parish church, and you have St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, which is the home parish of everyone in the Diocese of Trenton.  It is a truly beautiful place and is the home to celebrations of our wider diocesan family – ordinations of priests and deacons, The Bishop’s Anniversary Blessing during which married couples celebrating 25 and 50 years of marriage are honored, the annual Chrism Mass, Blue Masses, Masses for Catechetical leaders and so many other diocesan celebrations.

The cathedral is also a vibrant parish community and serves as a spiritual home to people in the neighborhood and beyond.

Needless to say, the cathedral is an active place and it is a place that is, and should be, a spiritual home to all of us. It is called a cathedral because of the “cathedra” which means “chair.”  Because the bishop’s chair remains a strong symbol whether he is physically seated in it or not, his place as our shepherd and teacher is there.  I am sure that the cathedral rector, Msgr. Joseph Roldan, would agree.

Inside the cathedral, there is also a seat for each one of the people of our diocese where they can join in the celebration of its many liturgies and pray. So, if you have never been to St. Mary of the Assumption Cathedral, come and visit. We’ll be glad to see you.

For all of us looking at change in our lives, as unsettling as it can be, in whatever form it takes, change can be an invitation to grow. There is a beautiful prayer that Newman also would have known that is said in the Anglican Church at Compline or Night Prayer.  It is one that I have often reflected upon. 

The prayer reads, “Be present, O merciful God, and protect us through the hours of this night, so that we who are wearied by the changes and chances of this life may rest in your eternal changelessness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Father Freer is diocesan vicar for Catholic Education.