eConnections - March 8, 2026
Click here to view the complete March 8, 2026, edition of eConnections with graphics.
eConnections
The Weekend of the Third Sunday in Lent
(Year A, Lent 3)
March 8, 2026
The Dean's List
Saturday Evening's Greetings
Just a quick note to explain why eConnections is coming out so late. I have been under the weather since Thursday afternoon with what I think amounts to a very determined head cold. After - unfortunately - bowing out of most of this weekend's activities and sleeping today away, I feel like I am finally on the upswing. Fr. Mark Hummell graciously offered to preach and preside tomorrow, which is a tremendous help.
Thank you for your prayers. And if you, yourself, are afflicted by a head cold, I whole-heartedly endorse a four-hour nap.
Prayers for Active Duty & Reserve Military
In this time of open conflict abroad, we ask your prayer for those who serve in the armed forces, both active duty and reserves. Please see the prayer list below for the names of those who have a connection to the Cathedral congregation. If you know someone whom you would like to add to the list, please send an email to Deacon Clay Berkley.
Assistance Day Blessings
The Cathedral's monthly Assistance Day was this past Wednesday. You may recall that a generous grant from the Diocese of Northern Indiana allowed us to double our outreach from thirty recipients per month to sixty for three months. Through the generosity of our congregation we were able to extend that level of giving in February. This month we were able to help fifty people.
Here's what is impressed upon me after this past Wednesday: 1) People are still coming in the middle of the night to stand in line for $50. Just think about that for a minute. 2) I am exceeding grateful to the Fellowship of St. John for their support in providing breakfast for fifty, including better than average church coffee, and for their invaluable help in directing traffic. 3) After being randomly seated at a Community Resource luncheon last month with a team from LITE Recovery - an organization that specializes in directing those who need help with addiction or help with family members who struggle with addiction to available resources, we invited them to join us this past Wednesday. Five people availed themselves of their counsel on Wednesday. 4) We offer to pray with everyone after we have already given them assistance, thus assuring them that it is not a condition of our aid. Most people want prayer, and much of that prayer is about safety, housing, employment, and the well-being of loved ones. This month two men desired prayer to be better men of God.
So let us pray.
Blessings,
Brian
.
Worship
Read Mr. Collier's obituary here.
re:Connections
Formation & Spirituality
Outreach & Evangelism
Team Cathedral's goal was to raise $1,000 for St. Margaret's House through Winter Walk. Our team total currently stands at $4,085.
Way to go, Team Cathedral!
Lent
Cathedral Calendar
Saturday, March 7 Perpetua & Felicity
8:00 am CST
Story & Song Retreat
St. Andrew's Church, Valparaiso
Sunday, March 8
Year A: The Third Sunday in Lent
8:00 am
Penitential Order & Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:00 am
Intercessory Prayer
9:15 am
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Penitential Order & Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
with special musical guest: Britt Kusserow
11:45 am
Intercessory Prayer
Hospitality
12:30 pm
Fellowship of St. John
Ecumenical Bible Study
1:00 pm
Visitation for David Collier
2:00 pm
Requiem Eucharist for David Collier
Monday, March 9 Gregory of Nyssa
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:00 pm
Education for Ministry
Mondays at the Movies: West Side Story
Downtown Library
Tuesday, March 10 Harriet Ross Tubman
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm
Finance Committee
7:00 pm
Singing Faith & Resistance
Zion Community Church
Wednesday, March 11
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
7:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, March 12 Gregory the Great
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
6:00 pm
Short Course: The Holy Bible: Wondrous Stories & Love Songs
Part 2 of 3
Friday, March 13 James Theodore Holly
Cathedral Office Hours: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm
Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm
Community Lunch at Grill 362
5:00 pm CST
House Church
Hosted by Celeste & Rick Hilliard
Saturday, March 14
9:00 am
Unity Gardens Growing Summit
St. Joseph County Library Ballroom
10:00 am
Vestry Resource Day
The Cathedral of Saint James
Sunday, March 15
Year A: The Fourth Sunday in Lent
8:00 am
Penitential Order & Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Penitential Order & Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:00 am
Make El Campito Easter Baskets
First Presbyterian Church
11:45 am
Hospitality
Youth Group
Cathedral Prayer List
Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent
Almighty God, you know that we have no power in ourselves to help ourselves: Keep us both outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities which may happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts which may assault and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anniversaries & Birthdays
03/03 Becky Ballentine
03/08 Elaine Mick
03/09 Steven Mast
03/13 Ruth Warner (126)
03/14 Matthew Craker
For Your Prayers
☩ In Thanksgiving
For Bishop Doug Sparks, in gratitude for his years of leadership and heart for this Diocese; may his upcoming retirement be a season of rest and blessing. We also pray for the Diocese of Northern Indiana, that as we begin the transition to new leadership, we may follow where God’s Spirit leads.
As March is Women’s History Month, we give thanks for the vital role that women have had and continue to have in the life of the Church and in the world both throughout history and today.
☩ Requiescat in Pace
For those who have departed this life, and for their families mourning their loss:
David Lee Collier
☩ For Those Serving in the Armed Forces at Home and Abroad
Cade Dorsch (Jo Dorsch’s grandson)
Brittany San Felipe (Erica Vitale's stepdaughter and wife of Chezka San Felipe)
John Jarrett (Erica's Vitale’s stepson, and husband of Ines Dutra)
Kristoff Richards (Extended Family of Erica Vitale)
Nathan Whitfield (Al and Norris Whitfield's son)
Will Cook (Brian and Tamisyn's Godson)
Nick Reardon ("Nephew" of the Grantzes)
Graham Sparks (Bishop Doug and Dana Sparks’ Son)
Riley Suter (friend of Jesse Grantz)
☩ For Those in Need of Healing & Recovery
For those facing illness, surgery, or physical distress:
Rita (Donna Olis’ sister)
Helene Dauerty
Nan Noecker
Willow Grace Wilson
Rebecca Maloy (recovering from surgery) and for Cynthia Katsarelis.
Mary Beth Wright (rehabbing after a fall)
Joshua Henderson (brother of Chris Henderson)
Michael Anand-Obelton
Mary Brooks
Kevin Renfro (our guest trumpeter)
Steven Mast
Tim Lane, (son-in-law of Karen Slack, recovering from shoulder surgery)
Joni Carlson (continuing treatment)
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:
Nadine Collier & the Collier Family
Bill Young (Catherine Craker’s Father) and for the entire Craker and Young families.
Marci Ullery (friend of Patty Hans)
Patty Hans
Derek (guidance)
Billy Hans (health & guidance)
Joseph Hilliard (strength & guidance)
Joyce (strength & guidance)
Marshall Moore (strength & guidance)
☩ General Intercessions
For friends, family, and members of the community:
Cherryl Andries
The Ashby Family: Shaun, Shirley, and Roland
Richard Bitner
Alissa Broussara
Mary M. Burman
Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius
Ed (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
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
Donnie Zigler
☩ For Those Preparing for Holy Orders
Nan Noecker (Diaconate)
☩ World, National, and Local Community Concerns
For those in our community often overlooked or forgotten, especially the poor, the unhoused, and all others living in the margins of society.
In our Nation, currently torn by fear, oppression, and strife, may Christ bring peace, healing, and unity. For peace and resolution of conflicts both at home and abroad.
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, March 8
The Third Sunday in Lent
8:00 am
Reader Jane Hunter
Server Mary Young-Marcks
10:30 am
Readers Sherry Berkley & Paul Hochstetler
Eucharistic Ministers Cherry Radin, Rick Hilliard
Ushers Keith LaPierre, Nicole Pinter
Acolytes Bear Kallenberg, Jack Laney, Ainsley Gray
Hospitality Tina Velthuizen
Linens DeDe Guth
Sacristan Betsy VanderBurg
Wednesday, March 11
Counters Sue Lowe, Betsy VanderBurg
Friday, March 13
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 update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.