Cathedral celebrates four years serving God’s faithful

On Dec. 9, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe celebrated four years serving the Catholics of Southwest Kansas.

The sign-in books that, one after another, have stood in the gathering area of the church, are a testament to the hours, days, weeks and months of labors that went into constructing the Cathedral of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and the quiet spirit that lies within.

"Peace to all in the holiday season," a man from Gunnison, Colo. wrote in the book, which is perched on a special podium constructed by Greg Vierthaler.

"A beautiful house of prayer," wrote a visitor from Westside, Iowa.

Perhaps it was the history that drew them to Dodge City, or maybe it was a stop on the way to other destinations.

They might even have been here at the request of the diocese, such as author and songwriter Eric H.F. Law – a guest of the diocese who presented a retreat on breaking racial barriers, and who wrote of the cathedral, "Wonderful!"

Whatever the reason for visiting here, their Catholic faith eventually led them from historic Dodge City, up 14th street to a young cathedral on the prairie, where, from their own accounts, they found a house – and a moment — of peace and prayer.

Visitors have come from across the United States – Arizona, California, Florida, New York, Texas, Iowa, Colorado, Virginia, Louisiana, Utah, Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Illinois, Ohio, and other states.

And they’ve come from across the globe: "God bless Dodge City," wrote a woman from Australia.

Father Peter Meis, OFM, Cap., from Papua, New Guinea, simply wrote, "Joshua."

Several visitors from Mexico have walked the Cathedral halls, as did a Religious from Manila, Philippines, and a man from Prague, Bohemia.

The messages include blessings, compliments, and simple statements of faith.

Wrote a couple from Nacogdoches, Tex.: "Wonderful, beautiful house of the Lord; friendly, spiritual people. Blessings!"

"It’s really a house of prayer, and you can feel peace and serenity," wrote a Religious from Gentapa, Ariz.

"Thanks for the spiritual environment," a man from St. Louis, wrote.

"Thank you for the opportunity for benediction of the Blessed Sacrament," wrote a woman from Chicago.

Two young women, who didn’t include a city of origin, wrote simply, "Jesus loves everyone. Jesus loves you and me."

Many – at least half – of the comments were in Spanish. Comments such as "Esta Catedral es muy bonita y la adoracion de el santisimo sacromento," sang the praises of the spirituality of the cathedral.

A visitor from Santa Fe, NM wrote, "May Our Lady of Guadalupe continue to bless this community."

Celebrated within the worship area of the cathedral have been approximately 152 marriages, 655 confirmations, 742 first communions, and 990 baptisms.

Weekly Masses are celebrated in three languages, English, Spanish, and Vietnamese. The cathedral has hosted the Vietnamese New Year celebration, local Aztec dance troops, and has presented programs — such as a day of dialogue with representatives of the Islam faith — designed to promote interfaith understanding.

Among its many projects, the cathedral is also home to Generations of Faith, which brings people of all ages and races together for dinner and faith education, as well as Operation Starfish, which allows parishioners to offer their financial help to the poorest of the poor.