eConnections - March 31, 2023

eConnections
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James
March 31, 2023

Holy Week & Easter

April 2: Palm Sunday
8:00 am     Liturgy of the Palms, Passion Gospel, Holy Eucharist

10:30 am    Liturgy of the Palms with St. Patrick & St. Hedwig Parish
Corner of W Washington & S Taylor
10:45 am    Procession to Saint James, Passion Gospel, Holy Eucharist
 
April 3: Monday in Holy Week
5:30 pm     Evening Prayer
 
April 4: Tuesday in Holy Week
5:30 pm Evening Prayer
 
April 5: Wednesday in Holy Week
5:30 pm Stations of the Cross

April 6: Maundy Thursday
7:00 pm Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar
 
April 7: Good Friday
12:00 pm Veneration of the Cross, Solemn Collects, Communion from   Reserve Sacrament
 
April 8: Holy Saturday
10:00 am God Outside at Potato Creek State Park, Trail 1
Meet at the Nature Center

9:00 pm The Great Vigil of Easter
at Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles
 
April 9: Easter Sunday
10:00 am Festal Easter Eucharist
Children's Easter Program: The Little Vigil
Baptism of Jack William Laney

Easter Flower Contributions

The Dean's List

The Easter Feast
The Cathedral community is providing eggs for the Easter Feast following the Great Vigil of Easter on Saturday, April 8. The only rule is: no utensils required from table to tummy. So if you have a recipe for divine deviled eggs or pleasingly purple pickled eggs, or a talent for delightfully decorated Easter Eggs, or some other finger-food egg-stravaganza that I haven't thought of, please contact Tamisyn Grantz to let her know you'd like to volunteer. We are looking for at least three more people to provide 24 servings. Thank you!

Behind the Scenes
There are many interesting, important, and exciting things going on more or less behind the scenes at the Cathedral of Saint James that I mean to write about in greater detail one of these Fridays. Several ad hoc groups have been working to discern God's call and plan for our congregation bothin the near and distant future. The Church Buildings for Collaborative Partnerships team is just about to complete their work of reviewing our mission and facilities, assessing the needs of the downtown community, and seeing where mission, assets, and needs may align to further our ministry. The Five-Year-Plan team is considering our fiscal, spiritual, and missional health as we enter into an inevitable time of transition. The Gather & Grow team - the successor to Heritage & Hope - is evaluating the Cathedral's physical needs, especially including installation of an elevator that will complete our disability access project. Gather & Grow is also leading our dialogue with St. Margaret's House about possibilities for future growth and shared facilities. And the Eco-Cathedral team is working on a set of guiding principles that will inform our short- and long-term project of transforming our 1890s building into a 21st century eco-friendly witness to stewardship of creation.

A Gather & Grow charrette is in the works for late April or early May, so please stay tuned for your first opportunity to hear what we're working on and provide input for next steps. 

If you are interested in hearing more about any of these initiatives, please do not hesitate to ask me, Kim Gray (CBCP), Hal Culbertson (Five-Year Plan), Liz Burman (Gather & Grow), or Andrea Crawford (Eco-Cathedral). 

Discretionary Tales
This has been an interesting week at the old 117. As you may know, it is my practice - when I have time - to ask for a story in exchange for the assistance we provide. The story can be whatever they want to tell me: fiction, fable, or true life.

On Wednesday, a homeless man told me about losing his mother, his granny, and his auntie in the very short span, which led him into despair, alcoholism, and homelessness. He can't go to shelters because of his drinking, so he's out on the street. He wants to go to rehab, which would require just a phone call to arrange, but - like many who suffer addiction - the prospect of being well is daunting. We prayed together. "God is bigger than addiction," I said, even though it sounded cliche in the moment. He said he would be back for more prayers. 

Also on Wednesday, a man who had once been homeless and is now living in an apartment nearby was delighted to regale me with the story of Peppermint Patty, a bogey-man type character with long finger nails who used to hide in trees and scare children right here in South Bend. I hadn't heard that one before. Anyone? He then told me that the reason he was seeking help is that he changed jobs and was waiting for his first paycheck, which put him in arrears on his rent for the first time. The $170 in late fees and penalties was more than he could manage. It costs a lot to be poor.

This morning, yet another homeless man proudly told me that he had done two tours of duty in the military. On his second tour, when rounding a corner in an urban environment he was struck in the head by a bullet. His Kevlar helmet saved his life, earning him the nickname, "Lucky." As difficult as his life can be, he is Lucky, and grateful to be alive.

What astounds me most about these stories is that they usually begin with a smile. "You want me to tell you a story?" "Yes," I say, "whatever story you want." It dignifies the transaction, I think; they are giving me something I want, not just receiving charity. But maybe more than that, taking interest in what they have to say is different from what the world usually gives them. It is all very humbling.

Thank you, again, for making this ministry possible by your generous support of the Clergy Discretionary Fund.

Prayers
Please pray for those who will soon be baptized, and for those completing the Confirm, not Conform process:

  • Baptisms: Jack Laney (April 9), Sophia Helfrich (April 23)

  • Confirm, Not Conform: Danny Armounfelder, Lauren Chapman, Matthew Diehl, Katie Gotfried, Abby Gray, Ainsley Gray, Anne Gray, Amanda Helfrich, Andy Helfrich, Sophia Helfrich, Freddy Kallenberg, Jon Lanari, Abby McManus, Aidan McManus, Eric McManus, Chau-ly Phan, Hannah Resnick, Aley Vitale Richards, Dom Vitale Richards.


Blessings,
Brian

Faith Formation

Sunday Faith Formation
April 2, 2023

9:15 am Sunday Faith Formation
Classrooms Located in Cathedral House

  • Growing in our Worship (age 3 - grade 2)

  • Storymakers (grades 3 - 6)

  • Adult Forum: Lent Series on Benedictine Spirituality

Please note there is no Youth Group this Sunday.

Children's Formation this Sunday | 9:15 - 10:15 am

Growing in our Worship (age 3 - grade 2)

Children ages 3 - grade 2 are invited to the GIOW classroom this Sunday for a lesson on 'The Day the Sun Stopped Shining' and a Holy Week craft.

 
Storymakers (grades 3 - 6)

'Storymakers NYC' is a rich, imaginative curriculum that equips families and children to share in God’s story through zines, storytelling, and art. Join us this Sunday for art, crafts, and a story about Palm Sunday and Holy Week.

Adult Forum | This Sunday at 9:15 am
Meets in the Conference Room

Series Wrap-Up: Finding Balance in Community

Join us for our final session of this series! We'll reflect on themes like community, obedience, welcoming guests, and shared possessions. In the end, we will spend some time reviewing the series and discuss key take-aways from the Benedictine tradition.
 

Miss an Adult Forum? Listen to past discussions here.

LENT 2023

40 Days through Philippians & Matthew

  • Monday, April 3  Matthew 25:31-46

  • Tuesday, April 4  Matthew 26:1-35

  • Wednesday, April 5  Matthew 26:36-75

  • Thursday, April 6  Matthew 27:1-31

  • Friday, April 7  Matthew 27:32-66666

  • Saturday, April 8  Matthew 28


Service Opportunities


Cathedral Calendar

This Week at CSJ

Saturday, April 1
10:00 am  Cathedral Hamster Races

Sunday, April 2
Palm Sunday
8:00 am  Liturgy of the Palms, Passion Gospel,
  and Holy Eucharist: Rite One

9:15 am  Sunday Formation Groups
 - Nursery Open
 - Growing in Our Worship
 - Storymakers
 - Adult Forum
10:30 am  Liturgy of the Palms
  w/ St. Patrick's & St. Hedwig's
  Corner of W Washington & S Taylor
10:45 am  Passion Gospel, Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:58 am  Hospitality
12:30 pm  Ecumenical Bible Study

Monday, April 3
Monday in Holy Week
Administrative Offices Closed
5:30 pm  Evening Prayer
6:30 pm  Education for Ministry

Tuesday, April 4
Tuesday in Holy Week
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm  Evening Prayer

Wednesday, April 5
Wednesday in Holy Week
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
9:30 am  Raising Cane Bible Study
  Call (425) 436-6335; Access Code 782266
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
  at Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles

Thursday, April 6
Maundy Thursday
7:00 pm  Liturgy for Maundy Thursday
  Foot Washing, Holy Eucharist, Stripping of the Altar
  Watch at the Altar of Repose for one hour following


Friday, April 7
Good Friday
Administrative Offices: 9 am - 1:30 pm
11:00 am  Watch at the Altar of Repose
12:00 pm  Liturgy for Good Friday
  Solemn Collects, Veneration of the Cross,
  Communion from Reserved Sacrament


Saturday, April 8
Holy Saturday | Easter Eve
10:00 am  God Outside: Holy Saturday Hike
  Potato Creek State Park, Trail 1
  Meet at the Nature Center

7:30 pm  Rehearsal for the Great Vigil of Easter
  at Trinity Episcopal Church. Niles
9:00 pm  The Great Vigil of Easter
  at Trinity Episcopal Church, Niles
  with St. Paul's, Mishawaka; Trinity, Niles;
  The Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend;
  and St. Michael & All Angels, South Bend

10:45 pm  The Easter Feast

Sunday, April 9
Easter Sunday
10:00 am  Festal Easter Eucharist
  The Baptism of Jack William Laney
  & Children's Program: The Little Vigil
11:30 am  Hospitality Hour

Looking Ahead

Friday, April 14 & Saturday, April 15
Confirm, Not Conform Youth Pilgrimage

Sunday, April 23
The Bishop's Visitation

Thursday, April 27
Confirm, not Conform Banquet

Sunday, June 25
10:30 am Honoring & Remembering Norm Dales
2:05 pm South Bend Cubs Baseball


Making Sunday Worship Possible

Sunday, April 2
Palm Sunday

8:00 am Lector  Jane Hunter
8:00 am Passion Gospel  Steph Campbell, Patty Hans, Nan Noecker,
  Dcn Anne Wietstock
8:00 am Server  Nan Noecker

9:15 am Growing in our Worship Kim Gray & Christopher Hillak
9:15 am Storymakers  Rhonda Culbertson & Katie Gotfried

10:30 am Acolyte  Anne Gray
10:30 am Lectors  Peg Swadener & Steven Mast
10:30 am Passion Gospel  Tom Burman, Cindy Laney, Jack Laney, Cherry Radin 
10:30 am Eucharistic Ministers  Nan Noecker & Matthew Worns
10:30 am  Ushers  Keith LaPierre & Nicole Pinter
10:30 am Hospitality  Kirk & Lisa Philippsen

Counters: Thursday, April 6: Rick Hilliard & Nan Noecker


For Your Prayers

  • For Rhonda

  • For Tammy

  • For Alan Thompson

  • For Joe & Michael, who are traveling.

  • For the repose of the soul of Hattie Newton.

  • For the repose of the soul of Rob Dorsch.

  • For Jo Dorsch and the Dorsch family.

  • For Donna Woods as she convalesces following surgery, and for Dave.

  • Thanksgiving for successful surgery for Patty Hans.

  • For Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family.

  • For Gina Dudeck & Dale Brucki

  • For the Raman family.

  • For Milo & Gussie Wietstock, parents of Steve Wietstock.

  • Mike Jaworski, and Lisa.

  • Marilyn Klopfenstein

  • Tony Molnar

  • Greg Gotsch

  • Dan & Gail Mandell

  • Russell Cartwright

  • Ron Gunn

  • Cobie

  • Alissa Broussara

  • Nan Noecker as she continues her diaconal formation

  • Mary Beth Wright; Becky Ballentine; Jo Dorsch; Sharron McGowan; Joyce Marchant; Dave & Alice Miller; Fr. Paul Tracy; Bill Brennen; Ginger & Richard Bitner.

  • Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius

  • For those preparing for Holy Baptism: Jack Laney, Sophia Helfrich.

  • For those preparing for marriage: Matthew Diehl & Chau-ly Phan (September 30). 

  • For those awaiting the birth or adoption of a child: Christopher & Andrew Hillak.


Social Media

Cathedral of Saint James Podcast

Our adult forum conversation with Dr. Samantha Slaubaugh on 'Wealth, Poverty, and the Patristic Period' is now available on Apple Podcasts:

Cathedral of Saint James Livestream

We livestream each 10:30 AM Sunday service on YouTube and Facebook

Joe Anand-Obleton