St. Francis Cathedral School

On Tuesday, October 28, the Cathedral of St. Francis of Assisi held a dedication and prayer service for the newly renamed “Pastoral Center & Early Childhood Center” serving the Cathedral parish and school. The building was dedicated to the devotion of the Holy Family, and a statue of the Holy Family was erected in honor of the late Rocco Douglas Rodden, age 17.

Families and friends of the parish and school community, St. Francis kindergarten students, and the Rodden family were present for the dedication, which was led by Fr. Christy.

In his remarks, Fr. Christy shared, “We are a part of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph. As we dedicate and bless this statue today, we want to offer a special thank you to the Rodden family, because it is being dedicated to their son Rocco, who attended preschool and kindergarten here.” He continued, “When we are baptized, we become a part of God’s family. As we dedicate this statue, we want to thank God for His family that we are a part, and for Rocco, and the light of Christ in him.”

Those gathered then joined Fr. Christy in the blessing and dedication of the newly erected Holy Family statue.

After the ceremony, Mrs. Angelina Porchetta, mother of Rocco Rodden, shared:

Dedicating the Holy Family statue in memory of Rocco Douglas Rodden has been both heartbreaking and healing for our entire family. Seeing Mary, Joseph, and Jesus together reminds us of the love, unity, and faith that held us together even through unimaginable loss. It’s a symbol of the hope that Rocco’s spirit lives on in love — in our family, in our community, and in every act of kindness done in his memory.

We hope that when other families see the statue, they are reminded of the strength and tenderness of the Holy Family — that they hold one another close, cherish every moment, and keep faith even in times of sorrow. May this image inspire peace, forgiveness, and the understanding that love endures beyond everything. Rocco thoroughly enjoyed his preschool and kindergarten years in the building behind this beautiful statue, and we are forever grateful for the honor.

The newly renamed Pastoral Center & Early Childhood Center houses the daily operations of the Cathedral’s pastoral care efforts and the education of the pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students of St. Francis Cathedral School. 

The renaming of the “Parish Center” to “Pastoral Center” emphasizes the Cathedral’s mission, which flows from the Eucharist at every holy mass, to accompany and provide pastoral care and support for the families & friends of the Cathedral parish and school. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) defines pastoral care as “a relationship — a ministry of compassionate presence. This was Jesus’ caring stance toward all people, especially those who were hurting or in need. Pastoral care enables healing and growth to take place within individuals and their relationships. It nurtures growth toward wholeness, and it provides guidance in decision-making and challenges obstacles to positive development.”

Flowing from the life of grace received in the Eucharist at every Mass, the Pastoral Center assists parishioners in participating more fully in the sacramental life of the Church, her ministries, social services, and religious education programs, among other initiatives that support each person’s journey of discipleship.