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Three educational lectures, presented by liturgical design consultant Rev. Richard Vosko, are scheduled in early November as part of the continuing process of determining the future direction of the enhancement of the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist and all the parish properties.
The lectures on November 9, 10 and 11 will focus on the worship space of the cathedral, examining the roles of history, environment, and art and music in creating quality worship space. The lectures are part of the learning process for the Cathedral parish and the entire archdiocese. They are free and open to the public with no advanced registration required. The lecture schedule is:
- Tuesday, November 9, 7 p.m.:
"History of the Christian Place of Worship"
Archbishop Cousins Catholic Center, 3501 South Lake Drive, Milwaukee.
- Wednesday, November 10, 7 p.m.:
"The Environment for Worship: What Does a Cathedral Look Like Today?"
Humphrey Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 790 North Van Buren, Milwaukee.
- Thursday, November 11, 7 p.m.
"Art & Music for Worship: The Role of the Sacred Arts in Cathedrals Today"
Pius XI High School, 135 N. 76th Street, Milwaukee.
These lectures will begin the data-gathering phase with input from parishioners, priests, civic leaders and others. There will be a time for questions and input after each presentation.
Fr. Vosko is a priest from the diocese of Albany, N.Y., who has worked throughout the United States and Canada as a designer and consultant for worship environments. He has received numerous awards for his contributions in religious art and architecture. Vosko has worked on eight cathedral projects, most recently the $8 million renovation of the St. James Cathedral in Seattle, the $2.3 million enhancement of the Cathedral of the Incarnation in Nashville, and the new $168 million Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels in Los Angeles.
After the lecture series, the archdiocesan cathedral commission will continue the data-gathering phase of the project. The committee will look at what requirements exist for celebration of archdiocesan events, the needs for celebrations of major feasts, the needs of those using the cathedral for performances and lectures, and access to the building and accommodations for people with disabilities. Also to be considered are sight lines and lighting, public access to the crypt chapel, functionality of the baptistery area, location of the pulpit and presider's chair, seating capacity and more.
All the input from the data-gathering phase will contribute to a written statement of needs and expectations that will serve as the blueprint for development of a master cathedral plan. Through the winter months, this master plan will be developed, assembled and designed.
In spring, during the Easter season in 2000, a plan and cost estimate will be unveiled. Following that, additional input will be sought and an examination of the fiscal viability of the plan will be made throughout the year 2000, concluding with presentation of the final design and plan. No projection has been made as to the start date of any work.
The cathedral, in any diocese, is the most important church. It is the bishop's church and thus is a model for all the other churches in the diocese.
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