eConnections - February 1, 2026
Click here to view the complete February 1, 2026 edition of eConnections with graphics.
eConnections
The Weekend of the Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
(Year A, Epiphany 4)
February 1, 2026
The Dean's List
The Lenten Preview
For those who are newer to the Cathedral or to liturgical worship in general, Lent is a forty day penitential season marked "by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God's holy Word." (BCP 265) Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and culminates with the remembrance of Jesus' passion and death during Holy Week from Palm Sunday through the sacred Three Days (Triduum) of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday/Easter Eve. The Cathedral offers special programs and devotional tools each year during Lent to help each of us individually and all of us together observe this holy season as we prepare for Jesus' resurrection at the Great Vigil of Easter and on Easter Sunday. Here's what's coming:
Ash Wednesday
The Cathedral of Saint James is working with St. Paul's, Mishawaka and St. Michael & All Angels, South Bend to offer three possibilities for Ash Wednesday Imposition of Ashes and Holy Eucharist. Fr. Nathaniel Adishian will preach at each service; I will preside at the early service, and Mtr. Jen Fulton will preside at the later services.
7:30 am St. Paul's, Mishawaka
12:00 pm St. Michael & All Angel's, South Bend
7:00 pm The Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend
Additionally, Ash Wednesday is one of two fast days appointed in our calendar of observance (the other being Good Friday). Fasting is a physical practice of self-denial - in this case food - that is intended to heighten our spiritual awareness of our hunger for God. The fast you choose needs to make sense for you. A total fast means abstaining from all food until it is time to break the fast (usually in the evening). Partial fasting may mean limiting the kinds of food you eat, choosing simple meals or smaller portions. And, of course, fasting is not required for those whose health requires regular meals.
What to Give Up. What to Take On.
Many people choose to embark on a forty-day lenten fast of something; chocolate, social media, salty language (phooey), a daily double dragon chocolate mocha macchiato, or whatever. This is laudable, particularly if the thing given up requires real sacrifice, discipline, or is intended to improve your life spiritually or in any other way. I offer to give up olives every year, except my chief accountability partner (and spouse) reminds me that it is dishonest to give up something I detest and won't actually eat under any circumstance because yuck. Significantly curtailing my consumption of baked goods? That's another matter altogether, and one I really should consider. Maybe if we ALL give up snow, though...
Equally important is what we choose to take on. Disciplines like Bible reading, daily prayer, almsgiving (generosity), regular attendance at worship, service to others, etc., are foundational to Christian living. Lent gives us an opportunity to build healthy habits in our walk with Christ.
Either way, the point is to prepare for the joy of new and unexpected life at Easter.
Lent Madness
Learn about Saints and Holy Heroes as they go head-to-head through the bracket in their quest for the Golden Halo. Read a short biography and cast a vote for each weekday (+ Saturday, February 21) in Lent. Check out all the match-ups at lentmadness.org.
40 Days through Joshua, Judges, Ruth, and Matthew
Read through these four books of the Bible in forty daily readings. Guides are are available at the back of the Church and will be posted in eConnections each week.
Journey through Lent
We're sending out a colorable poster from Forward Movement to households with kids so they can follow along on our progress through this season.
House Church
Each Friday in Lent (beginning February 27) a different host within the Saint James community will open their home for an informal celebration of the Holy Eucharist followed by a carry in supper. Fr. Mark Hummell is coordinating this initiative. Watch for details coming soon!
Adult Forum
In addition to hoped-for presentations and conversations on Black History Month during February, Fr. Mark Hummell is coordinating forums on Lenten prayer and reflections.
Living Matthew 25 Events
Each year, First Presbyterian Church of South Bend coordinates a comprehensive, community-wide Lenten program with myriad opportunities to learn, reflect, and engage through art, books, events, movies, performances, service, and speakers. Click here to see a good summary from the DeBartolo Performing Arts Center of 2026 Living Matthew 25 programs.
Join us on our Lenten adventure!
Blessings,
Brian
Worship
re:Connections
Formation & Spirituality
Outreach & Evangelism
Cathedral Calendar
Saturday, January 31 Marcella of Rome
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, February 1
Year A: The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45
Hospitality
Youth Group
12:30 pm
Ecumenical Bible Study
Cathedral Staff Meeting
3:00 pm
We Make Indiana: Strengthen Mental Health Crisis Response Event
at the Islamic Society of Michiana Community Hall
Monday, February 2
The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:00 pm
Education for Ministry
Tuesday, February 3 Anskar
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm
Cathedral Executive Committee
Wednesday, February 4 Manche Masemola
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
8:30 am
Assistance Ministry
7:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 5 Agatha of Sicily
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
6:00 pm
Prayer Book Spirituality Class
Friday, February 6 The Martyrs of Japan
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm
Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm
Community Lunch at Grill 362
Saturday, February 7
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, February 8
Year A: The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:00 am
Intercessory Prayer
9:15 am
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45
Intercessory Prayer
Hospitality
Youth Group
12:30 pm
Newcomer Welcome Lunch & Information Session
Fellowship of Saint John
Cathedral Prayer List
Collect for the Fourth Sunday
after the Epiphany
Almighty and everlasting God, you govern all things both in heaven and on earth: Mercifully hear the supplications of your people, and in our time grant us your peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anniversaries & Birthdays
02/04 Nicholas Papczynski
For Your Prayers
☩ In Thanksgiving
For the confirmation of Sarah Elisabeth Mullally as the 106th (and first female) Archbishop of Canterbury. May her ministry, with God’s help, heal our divisions and strengthen the mission of the Church.
For a good outcome for Willow, following a tumble on Thursday evening.
☩ For the Repose of the Soul
For those who have departed this life, and for their families mourning their loss:
Nancy Colburn (cousin of Randy Colburn)
☩ For Those in Need of Healing & Recovery
For those facing illness, surgery, or physical distress:
Michael Anand-Obelton
Mary Brooks
Kevin Renfro (our guest trumpeter)
Steven Mast
Mary Beth Wright (recovering after a fall)
Tim Lane, (son-in-law of Karen Slack, recovering from shoulder surgery)
Joe Anand-Obelton (recovering from surgery)
Joni Carlson (continuing treatment)
David (thyroid cancer)
James Ellar (high school classmate of Mike Jaworski, cancer recurrence)
Gideon and his family (healing)
Olivia (leukemia) and for her family
Robin & Laurie (healing from health issues)
☩ For Strength, Guidance, & Comfort
For those seeking spiritual support and peace:
Derek (guidance)
Joseph Hilliard (strength & guidance)
Joyce (strength & guidance)
Marshall Moore (strength & guidance)
Jen
☩ General Intercessions
For friends, family, and members of the community:
Robin Earley (peace & strength)
Billy Hans (health & guidance)
Cherryl Andries
The Ashby Family: Shaun, Shirley, and Roland
Richard Bitner
Alissa Broussara
Mary M. Burman
Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius
Joni Carlson's brother
Cobie (Tina Velthuizen’s sister)
The Demler and Martindale families
Jo Dorsch
Anne Ford
Paula Fowler
Connor Gibbons
Julie Guiler (DeDe’s Stepdaughter)
Ron Gunn
Tim Haywood and Janice
Joshua Henderson (brother of Chris Henderson)
Rick Hillard
Mike Jaworski and Lisa
The Jeter Family: Jamie, Mimi, Joely, Mia, and the entire family
Bill Jones and his family
Charles Kegg
Joan Machatton
Dan & Gail Mandell
Joyce Marchant
Fred & Kate Mast
Sharron McGowan
Megan (Dr. Steve Wietstock's niece)
Michael (son of Diane Hoist) and his family
Elaine Mick
Tony Molnar
Richard Murphy Jr. and Jill Bird
Daniel & Amy Petry (parents of Amanda Helfrich)
The Proffitt and Hillman families
Carolynn Raney
Sheila & family
Karen Slack
Kevin Smith
Alan Thompson
Mthr. Tina Velthuizen
Deb Walter (friend of Sherry Berkley)
Kitty Ward
Willow Grace Wilson
Bill Young (Catherine Craker’s Father)
Donnie Zigler
☩ For Those Preparing for Holy Orders
Nan Noecker (Diaconate)
☩ World, National, and Local Community Concerns
In our Nation, currently torn by fear, oppression, and strife, may Christ bring peace, healing, and unity.
For all travelers, especially those traveling in dangerous weather conditions. May they be protected from all danger and arrive safely at their destinations.
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
Sunday, February 1
The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Reader Chris Jeter
Server Mary Young-Marcks
10:30 am
Readers Bunmi Banjo & Stephen Drendall
Eucharistic Ministers Matthew Worns, Stephen Drendall
Ushers Deborah Drendall, Dave Woods
Acolytes Freddy Kallenberg, Zeke Kallenberg, Aley Vitale-Richards
Hospitality Rhonda Culbertson
Linens Mary Lehman
Sacristan Betsy VanderBurg
Tuesday, February 3
Counters Rick Hilliard & Dave Woods
Friday, February 6
Folder Norris Whitfield
Cathedral Leadership
view this email in your browser
Copyright © 2026 The Cathedral of Saint James, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in via our website.
Our mailing address is:
The Cathedral of Saint James
117 N Lafayette Blvd
South Bend, IN 46601-1507
Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can