eConnections - June 7, 2026
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eConnections
The Weekend of the Second Sunday after Pentecost
(Year A: Proper 5, Track 1)
June 7, 2026
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The Dean's List
It was a busier than normal Friday at the Cathedral of Saint James with the Requiem Eucharist for Joann Dorsch at 10 am and The Renewal of Marriage Vows & Holy Eucharist celebrating the 50th wedding anniversary of Carl & Kelly Marseilles at Noon. Both were occasions to talk about how the Benedictine promise of stability and faithfulness (obedience in the traditional formulary) work together over time for bring about transformation (or conversion) in life. Rob & Jo and Carl & Kelly are wonderful examples of what can happen when you give yourself to love and, by grace and determination, stay with it: Love transforms us. In marriage this isn't (hopefully) about enmeshment or capitulation, but rather about the myriad ways we learn to uphold and support one another, how we learn to recognize and affirm one another for who we are, and how come to truly want and will the best for one another. No married couple in the history of ever had a hint of a clue what that would look like or what would be required of them when they boldly confessed their mutual love and exchanged vows on their wedding day; it requires learning to lean into faith, hope, and love in real, tangible, challenging, and unforeseeable ways.
Marriage, when it works like that, is a great blessing. It is a metaphor for the relationship between Christ and the Church, pointing to the tenacity of God's love for the beloved in its longing for us - humanity - to be safe and well and at peace with one another. That love and longing as witnessed in Jesus is sacrificial, a word we interpret as being willing to give up something for a greater good, but literally means to make holy. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross - the pouring out of his life and love - is the self-offering of God to make the beloved holy. When Paul writes in Ephesians that wives should submit to their husbands in one line and that husbands should be as Christ to their wives in the next, he is invoking Christ crucified: a mutually sacrificial love that works towards the holiness - the setting apart or uplifting - of the beloved.
The Sacrament of marriage IS, therefore, an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace; it is a lens through which we can reliably witness the sacrificial, transformational ways and works of God as two people commit themselves to a life shaped and formed by the Love of God. What we cannot miss, however, is that the Sacrament of marriage IS NOT God. Marriage - at its best - points us in the direction of God's hopes for us and for all humanity, but to assert that God's hope for us and for all humanity is Marriage, particularly when very narrowly defined, is to miss entirely the point of... well... Jesus. The point, the hope, God's dream for God's people, is to inspire people of faith - whoever they may be and in whatever circumstances they may find themselves - to immerse the world in love, to commit to it, and to pray that we, ourselves, and everyone who knows and receives such love may be transformed by it.
Love is for the world. Love creates the stability we seek in our circumstances. Love is the Way, and the Truth, and the Life anywhere and everywhere Love is found.
Blessings,
Brian
Worship
Diocese of Northern Indiana
Last Call for Summer Camp!
Space is still available, particularly for 3rd & 4th grade boys.
Formation & Spirituality
Outreach & Evangelism
The Butterfly Garden at the Cathedral of Saint James is a stop on this year's Tour de Unity. This is a wonderful opportunity to connect Cathedral and community! We are seeking volunteers to help spruce up the garden with a brief work session on June 13 and to welcome guests during the event itself on June 20.
Garden Spruce Up. Saturday, June 13 from 10 am 'til Noon
Garden Hosts. Saturday, June 20 with times from 9 am until 4 pm.
Contact Catherine Craker to let her know when you are available to help. Thank you!
Cathedral Calendar
Saturday, June 6
9:00 am Episcopal School for Faith & Ministry
1:00 pm CDT What's Next? Gathering
St. Andrew's Church, Valparaiso
Sunday, June 7
The Second Sunday after Pentecost
Year A: Proper 5, Track 1
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
EFM Graduation
11:45 am Hospitality Hour
3:00 pm What's Next? Gathering
St. Paul's Church, Mishawaka
Monday, June 8 Melania the Elder
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:00 pm Education for Ministry (EFM)
Last meeting of this academic year
Tuesday, June 9 Columba of Iona
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm Finance Committee Meeting
Wednesday, June 10 Ephrem of Nisibis
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Thursday, June 11 Saint Barnabas the Apostle
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Friday, June 12 Enmegahbowh
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm Community Lunch at Grill 362
Saturday, June 13
10:00 am Butterfly Garden Workday
10:00 am CDT What's Next? Gathering
St. Paul's Church, Munster
Sunday, June 14
The Third Sunday after Pentecost
Year A: Proper 6, Track 1
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:00 am Intercessory Prayer
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am Intercessory Prayer
Hospitality Hour
12:30 pm Fellowship of St. John
Afternoon Summer Camp begins!
Ministry Schedule
Sunday, June 7
Year A: Proper 5, Track 1
8:00 am
Lector Patty Hans
Lay Minister Mary Young-Marcks
10:30 am
Lectors Tamisyn Grantz & Norris Whitfield
Eucharistic Ministers Stephen Drendall, Cherry Radin
Ushers Nicole Pinter, Dave Woods
Acolyte Aley Vitale-Richards
Hospitality Tina Velthuizen
Linen Care Mary Lehman
Sacristan Cindy Foley
Wednesday, June 10
Counters Sue Lowe & Betsy VanderBurg
Friday, June 12
Folder Peg Swadener
Prayer List
Collect for the Second Sunday
after Pentecost (Proper 5)
O God, from whom all good proceeds: Grant that by your inspiration we may think those things that are right, and by your merciful guiding may do them; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Anniversaries & Birthdays
06/07 Richard Appelt
06/09 Steven & Samantha Slaubaugh (13)
06/10 Clayton Henderson (90)
06/11 Helen Waterson (101)
06/12 Finnegan Hillak
06/13 Deborah Drendall
06/13 Patty Hans
06/13 Lester & Patty Hans (45)
For Your Prayers
☩ In Thanksgiving...
In June we celebrate Pride Month. This month and always, we give thanks for the many gifts offered to the Church and to the world by members of the LGBTQ+ Community and we pray that our Church may continually proclaim that all are loved, all are welcome, and all belong.
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.
☩ Requiescat in Pace
For those who have departed this life, and for their families mourning their loss:
Jeff Sallak, uncle of Christopher Hillak; for his family.
Joann Ruth Dorsch, for all her children, siblings, and her entire family and extended family.
Professor Xavier Navarro Aquino, his family, and all the Notre Dame faculty, students and staff touched by his life.
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:
Melody Sallak (aunt of Christopher Hillak)
Mary Mitchell (cousin of Deacon Clay)
Kathy Nate (friend of Clay Berkley)
Trudy (guest of St. Margaret’s House)
Pamela Lax
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)
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:
Tara (for support following a devastating fire)
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:
Mary Beth Wright
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
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
Karla Smith, who will be ordained to the priesthood at the Cathedral of Saint James on Saturday, June 27.
Nan Noecker (Diaconate)
☩ World, National, and Local Community Concerns
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 an 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
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