eConnections - April 26, 2026
Click here to view the complete April 26, 2026, edition of eConnections with graphics.
eConnections
The Weekend of the Fourth Sunday of Easter
(Year A, 4 Easter)
April 26, 2026
View this email in your browser
The Dean's List
Hello from Delaware
As most of you may know, my father, Earl Gene Grantz, died suddenly last Saturday from what turned out to be a ruptured aortic aneurism; the heart attack was incidental. He was 91. His death comes just nine months following the death of my mother, so to say this has been a difficult week - as we began cleaning out their apartment of both of their belongings - is stating it mildly. My family and extended family are gathering this weekend for Dad's memorial service on Sunday afternoon. We will head back to South Bend on Monday (hauling a trailer filled with furniture). I will be back in the office Wednesday.
I sincerely thank everyone who reached out to me via Facebook, Messenger, test, and phone. Your prayers and words of comfort mean a lot to me. Please interpret my general non-responsiveness to messages only as a sign of being a bit overwhelmed; I truly appreciate every word of every comment.
If you're not on Facebook and are interested in reading my father's obituary, you can find it here. The narrative voice may feel very familiar to you.
---
SMH News
St. Margaret's House received fantastic news on two fronts this past week: 1) Local fundraising exceeded the $7M mark, demonstrating tremendous community support for their amazing work. Remaining is a potential $1.5M Lilly grant. Please pray for persuasion and generosity. And 2) An initial, verbal report on recent Phase II environmental testing of the land surround SMH revealed no significant contamination issues that will require further action, so construction can commence as soon as SMH's board votes to proceed (come on, Lilly...).
Blessings,
Brian
Worship
Fellowship
Formation & Spirituality
Outreach & Evangelism
Cathedral Prayer List
Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter
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
04/26 Bunmi Banjo
04/26 Feranmi Okanlami
04/28 Andrea Crawford
04/29 Bill Smith (97)
05/02 Bear Kallenberg
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.
Siberina Taylor (Joe Anand-Obelton’s mother) in thanksgiving for a successful heart catheterization and stent placement, and for continued healing.
For Mary Beth Wright, who has been declared fully healed after a bad fall earlier this year.
☩ Requiescat in Pace
For those who have departed this life, and for their families mourning their loss:
Earl Gene Grantz, father of Dean Brian Grantz and for the entire Grantz Family.
For Dottie Balok, friend and former parishioner of Tina Velthuizen.
For Kevin, brother of Jennifer Baskerville-Burrows, Bishop of Indianapolis and for her entire family.
For Constance Coe, mother of Mthr. Jen Fulton and for the entire Fulton and Coe families, that they may all experience God's tangible presence and have all the support they need during this time.
May the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace and may light perpetual shine upon them.
☩ For Those Serving in the Armed Forces at Home and Abroad
Loren Bates (Tina Velthuizen’s great-nephew)
Colin Woodruf (Nan Noecker’s grandson)
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:
Michael Anand-Obelton that doctors can make a diagnosis leading to healing.
Trudy (guest of St. Margaret’s House)
Pamela Lax (sister of the Reverend Erika Essiem)
Scott Bianchini (husband of Canon Carol Bianchini)
Stephen Foley
Ed Carlson (for Gretchen, his wife; and for Joni Carlson)
Candy McCarthy (Joann Dorsch’s daughter)
Helene Dauerty
Rebecca Maloy (recovering from surgery) and for Cynthia Katsarelis.
Joshua Henderson (Chris Henderson’s brother)
Michael Anand-Obelton
Mary Brooks
Kevin Renfro (our guest trumpeter)
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:
Jacob (Joe Anand-Obelton’s brother) for a healed relationship with his family.
Tara (for support following a devastating fire)
Candy Kieta (former co-worker of Randy Colburn-Hochstetler)
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:
For "AC" who is in a difficult domestic situation.
The Anderson Family
Cherryl Andries
The Ashby Family: Shaun, Shirley, and Roland
Richard Bitner
Alissa Broussara
Mary M. Burman
Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius
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
Joan Machatton
Dan & Gail Mandell
Joyce Marchant
Fred & Kate Mast
Sharron McGowan
Michael (Diane Hoist’s son) 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 all of those who, amid the joy of the Resurrection, still find themselves suffering grief and loss.
For lasting Peace in Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and all the Middle East and an end to armed conflicts in Ukraine and througout the world.
For the poor, the hungry, and the unemployed, that they may find willing helpers and gainful work to support themselves and their families.
For and end to racism in all its forms, that discrimination and violence may end. We pray especially for people of many faiths whose communities are often targeted in hateful attacks, and we pray that those with bigotry in their hearts may come to see, know, and respect the diginity of all human beings.
In our Nation, currently torn by fear, oppression, and strife, may Christ bring peace, healing, and unity.
For the Episcopal Diocese of Western NY as they begin a search for their next Bishop and who offer their prayers for our diocese in our period of transition.
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.
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.