eConnections - May 11, 2025

eConnections
The Weekend of the Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 11, 2025

The Dean's List

Youth Sunday
Cathedral teenagers are taking over our 10:30 worship service this coming Sunday! Youth Group members have been hard at work over the past few months planning for this special day upon which they will serve as ushers, greeters, readers, intercessors, oblations bearers, eucharistic ministers, hospitality hosts, and musicians. Additionally, high school seniors Anne Gray, Sophia Helfrich, and Dominic Vitale-Richards will share their insights and perspectives on the readings appointed for the Fourth Sunday of Easter as our preaching team. We have an amazing group of teenagers at the Cathedral! Come see and hear and sing and pray as we let the Spirit move in us as it moves in them.

Reunification Discernment Conversation
From the Reunification Discernment Committee: The Committee has been hard at work preparing draft models in order to resource this ongoing, collective discernment. Models representing various dimensions of diocesan life will be shared in early May and will include drafts of a Constitution and Canons, Unified Budget, and Healthcare Model as well as reminders of the model shared at our Fall diocesan conventions for Ministry of the Episcopate. These models are tools to help us all begin to see and better understand how a reunified diocese could look and how it might operate. 

Click here to go to the Episcopal Indiana Reunification Discernment Models webpage.

The Central Deanery of the Diocese of Northern Indiana will convene next Sunday, May 18, at Saint Michael & All Angels Church on N Ironwood Rd, South Bend. The meeting will begin at 3 pm. Registration is not required; just come!

If you are not available on the 18th, an online conversation for the entire diocese (hosted by the Cathedral) will take place on Saturday, June 7, beginning at 10 am. Click here to register.

Discretionary Tales
As you may be aware, in order to balance community need with our available time, the Cathedral offers financial assistance to the public only on the first Wednesday of each month. We distribute $50 checks per person on a first-come, first-served basis, along with a letter that allows those who don't have a bank to cash their check without incurring a charge at Notre Dame Federal Credit Union. Those who come to us are eligible to receive assistance every 90 days. Generally speaking, we usually offer assistance to 25 people; maybe 30 if the clergy discretionary fund is feeling particularly flush.

To my unending amazement, the community knows this: On the first Wednesday of each month I can count on being greeted by a line of people at our door when I arrive. Technically, assistance begins at 9 am when the office opens for the day. By that time, however, there are already more people in line than we can possibly help. When I arrived at 7:45 am this past week, there were already 65 people in line. More saw the line and didn't bother to get in it. Even more came between 9:30 and 11:00 am only to learn that we had already given away all we could.

What got me this time was that the first two people in line had been outside our door since 1 am to make sure they could get help. It is not necessary for them to tell us what they intend to do with the money, but the first man volunteered that his daughter was doing really well in school and he wanted to be able to celebrate that with her in a special way. "I wish I could do more," I told him. "Bless you for doing what you can," he replied.

I was extraordinarily grateful for the help of Joe Anand-Obleton, who has an wonderful ministry organizing those who come to us; Deacon Anne Wietstock who helped distribute donut holes to anyone who wanted them; and to Al Whitfield, Ed Randles, and Chris Gibson from the Brotherhood of St. Andrew, who helped greet people and usher them through the front door into our new and wonderfully functional atrium. While it is really easy for me to get hung up on the many, many people whom we were NOT able to help, those we could help were filled with genuine gratitude.

The Brothers Andrew were there in response to my request last month for a broadening of this ministry to include more people from the Cathedral Community. In our post-event review, we talked about what more we might do to expand our outreach on "Assistance Day." We wondered if we could replace the donut holes (which I purchase at Martin's on my way in) with baked goods provided by the congregation? Or a simple breakfast? One concern is that such an offer might quickly grow beyond our ability to accommodate it. If so, however, at least we would be aware of a real and tangible need in our community that we might strive to address. Al & Norris Whitfield (well... Norris, and therefore Al) have agreed to pilot something along this line - perhaps with baked goods and fruit - for our next Assistance Day on June 4. 

It is also true, just FYI, that we cannot sustain assistance at $1,250 - $1,500 per month much longer without continued support of the clergy discretionary fund. I recognize that we provide many opportunities to support ministries through St. Margaret's House, Care & Share, and other special projects, so this is not a plea to do more if you are already doing all you can. It is imperative, though, that we keep the needs of community, particularly the poor, in front of us so that, as we are able to help, we know where the need exists.

Thank you all for all you do.

Habemus Papem
Well, not habemus in the strictest sense, but you know what I mean. I, like many, followed the Papal Conclave this past week with great interest, and tuned in to the Vatican's live stream shortly after the white smoke rose above the Sisteen Chapel. It was a powerful moment to see Pope Leo XIV step onto the balcony for the first time. I was acutely aware, non-Roman Catholic though I may be, of the weight of that moment for this man who is called now to bear Christ to the world in the singular way that popes do. Please pray for him, for the Roman Catholic Church, for Christians of every flavor, and for a world in need of the reconciling love of Christ.

I also, like many, had to pick my jaw up off the floor when it was announced that the new pope was born in the US. Gobsmacked pretty well sums that up.

Incidentally, it just so happened that those from our diocese who were on pilgrimage to Assisi - including Bishop Doug Sparks and Canon Michelle Walker - were in Rome when the new pope was elected. Blessed are they to have been present for such an historic moment.

Blessings,
Brian


Worship

Blessing . Holy Eucharist . Pot Luck Supper . Elevator Music

Events / Opportunities

Christian Education & Faith Formation

Outreach & Evangelism

Cathedral Calendar

Saturday, May 10

No Events Scheduled
Lots Going On, Just Not Here.


Sunday, May 11  Mother's Day
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Youth Sunday

8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One

9:15 am
Growing in Our Worship & Story Makers
Adult Forum

10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
Anne Gray, Sophia Helfrich, and Dominic Vitale-Richards
preaching

11:45 am
Hospitality Hour


Monday, May 12
Cathedral Office: Closed

6:00 pm
Education for Ministry


Tuesday, May 13
Cathedral Office Hours: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

5:30 pm
Finance Committee


Wednesday, May 14
Cathedral Office Hours: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

8:00 am
Cathedral Staff Meeting

7:00 pm
Cathedral Choir Rehearsal


Thursday, May 15
Cathedral Office Hours: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

No Events Scheduled


Friday, May 16
Cathedral Office Hours: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm

12:05
Holy Eucharist

1:00 pm 
Community Lunch at Grille 362


Saturday, May 17

10:00 am
EDNIN Commission on Ministry 


Sunday, May 18
The Fifth Sunday of Easter

8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One

9:15 am
Adult Forum

10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two

11:45 am
Hospitality Hour

3:00 pm
Episcopal Indiana Reunification Conversation

Cathedral Prayer List

Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
May 11

 

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

Anniversaries & Birthdays
 

May 12  Tony Molnar
May 13  Alex Okanlami
May 14  Tim Bays
May 14  Celeste Hilliard
May 17  Shela Raman-McCabe

May 12  Joseph Przybylski III (39)

 

Cathedral Prayer List

  • For the repose of the soul of Kay Brubaker·        

  • For David, who has thyroid cancer.

  • For Siberina Taylor, mother of Joe Anand-Obelton

  • For Billy Hans, brother-in-law of Patty Hans

  • For Rick Hillard and for Celeste Hillard

  • For Samuel Gibson, Chris Gibson’s father.

  • For Robert Dorsch, Jr, son of Jo Dorsch

  • For Millard “Sonny” Stone & his wife, Joellen.

  • For Joshua Henderson, brother of Chris Henderson.

  • For Dorothea Felix

  • For Laura Gekeler, friend of Deacon Clay

  • For Cory Creager, friend of Deacon Clay

  • For James Ellar, high school classmate of Mike Jaworski, who has a recurrence of cancer.

  • For Rebecca Garcia, sister of Doug Martindale, and the Martindale/Riffell families

  • For Willow Grace Wilson, daughter of Connor Wilson & Genesis Dylewski

  •  For Deb Walter, friend of Sherry Berkley

  •  For Corinne, Karen Slack’s daughter (upcoming surgery)

  • For Marci & Kevin, friends of Patty Hans

  • For Steven Mast

  • For Elaine Mick

  • For the Proffitt Family and for the Hillman Family

  • Ann and Bill Young

  • Corey Davis and Kenya Pearson

  • Mary Brooks

  • Jamie, Mimi, Joely, Mia, and the entire Jeter Family

  • Bill Jones and his family

  • For Mary Beth Wright

  • For Richard Murphy Jr. and Jill Bird

  • For Tim Lane, son-in-law of Karen Slack (recovering from surgery)

  • For Dan, son-in-law of Karen Slack (health concerns)

  • Mary M. Burman

  • Carolynn Raney

  • For Carl and Melinda Stopczynski; and for Alison Abbot -- cousins/extended family of Mike & Lisa Jaworski

  • For Joan Machatton

  • Jim Arns

  • For Cindy Ahlgrim

  • For Joni Carlson, who continues treatment of an ongoing issue

  • For Mike Jaworski and for Lisa.

  • For Michael, son of Diane Hoist, and his family.

  • For Joseph Hilliard

  • For Tim Haywood, and Janice

  • Fred & Kate Mast

  • Paula Fowler

  • Canon Tina Velthuizen's grand-nephew, Jordan, who is struggling

  • Connor Gibbons

  • Olivia, who has leukemia, and her family

  • Sheila & family

  • Alan Thompson

  • Tony Molnar

  • Dan & Gail Mandell

  • Ron Gunn

  • Alissa Broussara

  • Cherryl Andries

  • Becky Ballentine

  • Marge Johnson

  • Jo Dorsch

  • Sharron McGowan

  • Joyce Marchant

  • Fr. Paul Tracy

  • Richard Bitner

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

  • For those expecting children:  Delilah Allsop & Joe MacFarland

  • For those preparing for Holy Orders: Nan Noecker, diaconate

How may we pray for you? To add (or remove) a petition from the Cathedral Prayer List, please send an email to Deacon Clay Berkley. If you are requesting prayer for someone else, please make sure you have their permission to  add their name and any details to the prayer list.

Ministry Schedule

May 11 The Third Sunday of Easter

8:00 am
Lector  Jane Hunter
Server  Volunteer Needed

10:30 am
Lectors  Freddy Kallenberg & Ainsley Gray
Acolytes  Jack Laney, Alaina Gray, Bear Kallenberg
Eucharistic Ministers  Anne Gray, Ainsley Gray, Alaina Gray
Ushers  Aidan McManus, Grayson Woodruff
Hospitality Host(s)  Alaina Gray, Adalena Helfrich
Linens  DeDe Guth

May 14  Wednesday

Counters  Sue Lowe & Betsy VanderBurg

May 16  Friday

Folder  DeDe Guth

Joe Anand-Obleton