When opening our bulletin each week, I think it is safe to say that most people first focus on the page that begins with the Rector’s Column. I say that not in a prideful way, as I am certain people skip right over that page as well, perhaps maybe pausing to look at the Mass intentions for the week, before looking at the rest of the bulletin. The page to the left, which lists the clergy, staff, and service times at the Cathedral, is often passed over, as this page will remain the same week in and week out, so why even give it a look? This week, though, there is a significant change that I want to make sure does not go unnoticed. A name that has been a part of the bulletins for more than three decades is sadly missing. Bill Vogt, the who had the official title of “Office and Plant Manager” passed away on Saturday, February 17. That title hardly does justice to all that Bill has done over the years here at the Cathedral. He was the institutional knowledge of this place, having worked under three bishops, five rectors, and many other clergy and staff who have been a part of this place he loved. Bill was the thread that maintained continuity over all of those years. Anytime there was a question about where something was, he would pause and say: “Let me think about it”, and before long, he would have an answer.
I am usually the first to get up every morning and I will normally head down to the church around 5 AM to pray. There were many mornings when, as I was descending the steps, looking out on the parking lot, I would see Bill rolling in to start the day. When he would prepare dinner for the house, there were times when he wouldn’t leave until close to 7 PM. To say that Bill was dedicated to this parish would be an understatement, to say the least. As much as he was dedicated to the operations of the parish, he was especially dedicated to the bishops and priests who have lived here over the years. When I first came to the Cathedral as Bishop’s Priest Secretary and Master of Ceremonies in 2013, Bill and I quickly became friends. While I was praying in the church each morning, he would come in with his cart to work on replacing the candles in the votive shrines. As he walked down the aisle, I would look up at him, and he would give me his familiar two-finger wave. Over the past year or more, as he has slowed down, he’s not been doing those candles, even though he was still coming in early each morning. And as I recall now that greeting we would share each morning, even though it’s been a while since it last happened, my heart is heavy. This is just one of the many memories I will forever cherish about my relationship with Bill.
There is so much that can be said about Bill and all that he meant to me personally and to so many of us, but I am at a loss for words to write much more. Bill was truly a friend to many and our hearts are broken at our loss. But as Christians, we always have hope in the Resurrection, for ourselves and for our loved ones who have passed away. Since I have been reflecting on the Eucharistic Prayer recently in these articles, I would like to conclude with the prayers added to the Third Eucharistic Prayer for Masses for the Dead, words which I always find powerful and comforting. May they be a source of comfort and hope for us who have known and loved Bill and now commend him to God’s mercy.
Remember your servant William whom you have called from this world to yourself. Grant that he who was united with your Son in a death like his, may also be one with him in his Resurrection, when from the earth he will raise up in the flesh those who have died, and transform our lowly body after the pattern of his own glorious body. To our departed brothers and sisters, too, and to all who were pleasing to you at their passing from this life, give kind admittance to your kingdom. There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory, when you will wipe away every tear from our eyes. For seeing you, our God, as you are, we shall be like you for all the ages and praise you without end, through Christ our Lord, through whom you bestow on the world all that is good.
Father Alford