eConnections - February 9, 2024
February 9, 2024
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend
The Dean's List
Lundi Gras.
Mardi Gras.
Ash Wednesday.
Mardi Gras, for the uninitiated, is a) a party like no other in certain quarters; b) not only a day, but the entire interval between the Feast of the Epiphany and Ash Wednesday; and c) an occasion - like Groundhog Day, and arguably many modern iterations of Christmas - rooted in the mish-mash of Christian and pagan traditions. Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, in its Christian sense emerged in medieval Europe when the annual clearing of the larder in anticipation of the Lenten fast provided a good excuse to whoop it up with the neighbors in the bleak midwinter. French explorers, in particular, brought this tradition to the new world, landing in modern day Mobile on the eve of that celebratory day and thus enshrining its observance all along the gulf coast.
Shrove Tuesday, as Mardi Gras is also known, comes from the tradition of making one's pre-Lenten confession on the day before Ash Wednesday... and then going home to clear the larder in anticipation of the Lenten fast. Through linguistic and ecclesiastical chains starting with the Latin word scribere, meaning to write, shrove is the past tense of shrive, which means to receive absolution, as in this is what has been written for you to do. See also Physician => script => prescription.
In any event, the idea is the same: a celebration in anticipation of the discipline and self-denial of Lent, which is itself a 40-day season of austerity in anticipation of the joyous Easter feast.
Give It Up.
To reiterate: The rules for Lent - apart from fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday *, involve engaging mindfully and freely in disciplines (as in discipleship, not punishment) and self-denial. Disciplines are practices that draw us closer to the heart of God which, traditionally speaking, are things like prayer, study, worship, and almsgiving. See the Lenten opportunities listed below that we are offering as corporate disciplines.
Thursday Vespers.
In describing my hope for Thursday evening Lenten Vespers earlier today, I said, "It's the Little Drummer Boy service. Whatever instrument you play, and whatever song you want to play, if it has meaning to you come play it. If it moves you, chances are it will move someone else, too." And that's really it. In the midst of a very simple, 30 to 40 minute prayer service, I would love for anyone who plays and instrument to come play it as an offering. Send me an email to let me know you're interested and what date or dates work for you.
Defibrillator.
The Cathedral Chapter recently authorized the purchase of a defibrillator. It is now installed in the vestibule at the back entrance. Anyone wishing to be trained in the use of the defibrillator should contact Junior Warden Dave Woods.
Blessings :)
Brian
* A word about fasting. Fasting is about both focus and longing. Fasting allows us to set aside distractions - up to and including eating - in order to focus on prayer, study, and worship on the fast day. Physical hunger is also useful in reminding us of our spiritual hunger for God, our creatureliness, and our connection to those who do not have sufficient food on a regular basis. That said, fasting must be done so as not to compromise your health. The point is to do whatever you do mindfully and intentionally. Here are some possibilities for Ash Wednesday fasts:
Total fast. Abstain from food and flavored beverage intake throughout the day until sunset (or after evening worship). Please, for the love of all things holy, drink water.
Partial fast. Eat and drink simple offerings, perhaps in reduced quantities or at fewer meals / snacks.
Limited fast. Especially for those who need to maintain a regular regimen for health reasons, choose particular foods or beverages to abstain from on the fast day.
St. Margaret's House
25th Annual Winter Walk
Join Team Cathedral on Sunday, February 18 for St. Margaret’s House’s 25th Annual Winter Walk—a one-mile solidarity walk with the women and children of our community whose everyday means of transportation is their feet, regardless of the weather. New this year: we will begin at the Community Learning Center at the Main Library and finish at St. Margaret’s House with a celebration featuring homemade cookies, hot cocoa, tours, art demos, music, and more! Doors open at 1:30 pm, walk begins at 2:30 pm.
Let’s show up big this year for the women of St. Margaret’s House.
Walk with us! Register to walk here:
runsignup.com/Race/IN/SouthBend/SMHWinterWalk
Or support the team!
To help us raise $1,000 (or more!), donate here:
runsignup.com/cathedralwinterwalk
LENT 2024
My deepest gratitude to the Cathedral Community for such a positive response to our Lent 2024 Call to Common Prayer. We have volunteers to lead worship and read at nearly every service, meaning there will be opportunities to pray in the Cathedral every day from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Every service is open to anyone who wishes to come and pray. Please consider committing to even one service per week as part of your Lenten discipline.
This Week at the Cathedral
Sunday, February 11
Year B: The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Christian Formation
- Growing in Our Worship
- Story Makers
- Adult Forum
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am Hospitality Hour
12:00 pm Youth Group
Monday, February 12
Cathedral Offices: Closed
6:30 pm Education for Ministry
Tuesday, February 13
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm Finance Committee
Wednesday, February 14
Ash Wednesday
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
7:00 am Imposition of Ashes & Holy Eucharist
9:30 am Raising Cane Bible Study
Call 1 (425) 436-6335; Access Code 782266
7:00 pm Imposition of Ashes & Holy Eucharist
Thursday, February 15
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
8:00 am Morning Prayer
Kim Gray, officiant; Donna Woods, reader
8:00 pm Vespers
Brian Grantz, officiant; Cherry Radin, reader
Friday, February 16
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm Holy Eucharist
12:45 pm Community Lunch
Simeri's Old Town Tap, 1505 W Indiana Ave
Saturday, February 17
9:00 am Morning Prayer
Tom Burman, officiant
Sunday, February 18
Year B: The First Sunday in Lent
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Christian Formation
- Growing in Our Worship
- Story Makers
- Adult Forum
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am Hospitality Hour
12:00 pm Youth Group
2:30 pm SMH Winter Walk
Many dates in 2024 are available for flower sponsorships. Click here to sign up.
Sunday & Weekday Ministries
Sunday, February 11
8:00 am
Reader Patty Hans
Eucharistic Minister Nan Noecker
9:15 am
Growing in Our Worship & Story Makers
Christopher Hillak & Aubree Schenkel
Adult Forum Brian Grantz
10:30 am
Acolyte Freddy Kallenberg
Readers Steven Mast & Dominic Vitale-Richards
Eucharistic Ministers Steven Mast & Bunmi Okanlami
Ushers Nicole Pinter & Erica Vitale
Hospitality Host Nancy Ross
Wednesday, February 14
Counters Betsy VanderBurg & Sue Lowe
Friday, February 16
Folder Shela Raman-McCabe
Cathedral Community Prayer List
For the repose of the soul of Marilyn Klopfenstein, mother of Reg Klopfenstein, who died earlier this week. Please pray for Reg & Kay and their family.
For Jean Adams, maternal aunt of Fr. Brian Grantz, who is now in hospice care. Please pray for her husband, Sam, her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and for Fr. Brian's mother, Janet.
For Hudson.
For Cherryl Andries.
For Paula Fowler.
For Wendy.
For Canon Tina Velthuizen's grand-nephew, Jordan, who is struggling.
For Tim Haywood, who is currently receiving treatment for bladder cancer; and for Janice Haywood.
For Allison & Shane, who are expecting a child in a higher-risk pregnancy.
For Connor Gibbons
For Olivia, who has leukemia, and her family.
For Sheila & family.
For Vince.
For Amber.
For Sandy.
For John G.
For Dede.
For John Monroe, brother of Sue Fain.
For Caitlin H.
For Steve B.
For the LaFiero family.
For Sharron McGowan.
For Kara.
For Bernard.
For Rhonda.
For Tammy, daughter of Tony Molnar.
For Alan Thompson.
For Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family.
For Gussie Wietstock, mother of Steve Wietstock.
For Mike Jaworski, and Lisa.
For Tony Molnar.
For Dan & Gail Mandell.
For Ron Gunn.
For Cobie.
For Alissa Broussara.
For Nan Noecker as she continues her diaconal formation.
For Becky Ballentine; Marge Johnson; Jo Dorsch; Sharron McGowan; Joyce Marchant; Dave & Alice Miller; Fr. Paul Tracy; Richard Bitner.
For Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius.
For those awaiting the birth or adoption of a child: Christopher & Andrew Hillak.
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