eConnections - February 2, 2024
Candlemas
February 2, 2024
Notes & News from the Cathedral of Saint James, South Bend
The Dean's List
Happy Candlemas!
Today is Candlemas, aka The Feast of the Presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, aka The Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. It is also Groundhog Day. And before you take offense at the cheekiness of a religious-looking icon of a groundhog, let me say two things: 1) all creation reflects the glory of God; and 2) Groundhog Day and Candlemas ARE RELATED. Seriously. Check out this fascinating blog post that draws the lines from one to the other. It actually makes perfect sense.
Besides that, my Aunt Jean and her family live in Punxsutawney; don't diss the whistlepig.
Give It Up.
Earlier this week I spent quite a while on the phone with a South Bend Tribune reporter who is working on a column about the somewhat rare convergence of Ash Wednesday and Valentine's Day. In point of fact, we are in the middle of a cluster of three such convergences: 2018, 2024, and 2029. Prior to 2018, there was another cluster of three at eleven-year intervals in the early part of the 20th century: 1923, 1934, and 1945. The next convergence after 2029 - yet another cluster of three - is a long way off: 2170, 2176, and 2181. Considering that all of this is tied to the date of the vernal equinox AND the lunar cycle, I find this whole cluster-of-three thing fascinating. I also find that I am undeniably a bit of a geek.
So anyway... the reporter's opening question suggested to me that he had an expectation that I will simply define Lent and tell him what the rules are. This made me laugh out loud. And then apologize because I was not - of course - laughing at him, but at the irony asking an Episcopalian about rules. Formal though we may appear, "anyone may, no one must, some should" is pretty much our operating principle when it comes to religious life. Love must be chosen or it isn't love.
And then I began to wonder how on earth this poor guy who just wanted to know our strategy for dealing with the clearly calamitous clash of Cupid and mea culpa was going to make sense my impromptu lecture on Anglican ecclesiology. The part about why my title is The Very Reverend was particularly compelling, I'm sure.
It is important to say that we did, in fact, have a delightful conversation that covered everything from basic liturgical rhythms to intentionality in choosing spiritual disciplines to the counter-cultural character of self-denial amid extraordinary abundance. And it will - in fact - be very interesting to learn how he interpreted what I said. It is possible that I will owe Starbucks an apology.
Will I be telling you how to celebrate Valentine's-Day-on-Ash-Wednesday? No. Do I think there is an inherent contradiction? Also no. Celebrating romantic love:
is a moveable feast; go to Church on Wednesday and go out for dinner another day. You'll thank me;
does not assume excess or preclude chocolate; and
is a sacramental act - an outward and visible sign of inward and spiritual grace - reflecting in microcosm the love of God that moves us to want and will and choose the good of another. I'm all for it.
What you may find interesting (and ironic) is that February 14 isn't even the Feast of St. Valentine on the Church calendar. What little we know about Valentine is unverifiable legend surrounding a 4th century Italian priest or bishop. Thus, Valentine remains a Saint in the Roman Catholic Church, but is no longer given an official feast day. In the Episcopal Church, February 14 - when it doesn't fall on Ash Wednesday or Sunday - is the Feast of Sts. Cyril & Methodius, two 9th century brothers who were missionaries to the Slavs. Cyril's work translating the Scriptures into local dialects resulted in the development of the Cyrillic alphabet, which is still used for written Russian. There is definitely no inherent conflict between Ash Wednesday and Cyril & Methodius Day. Just sayin'.
So what I will do is remind you that Ash Wednesday, along with Good Friday, is a named fast day in the Book of Common Prayer (page 17). I will also remind you that it is perfectly appropriate to break your fast after evening worship (or after sunset if you are coming to morning worship). And finally, I will remind you that giving something up for Lent is fine, but is of far greater spiritual benefit when it is done to create space to deepen one's relationship with God through prayer, study, service, or almsgiving. (This is where the Starbucks thing came in. It is fine to give up your daily cup of designer coffee if that's what you choose to do. It is a better thing - at least potentially - to redirect the funds you would have spent on said coffee to help those in need. I do not have a vendetta against Starbucks; it was just the first example of discretionary spending that came to mind. They should be flattered... I don't even drink coffee).
So that's it. The rules for Lent - apart from fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, which we leave to your discretion based upon your particular needs, involve engaging mindfully and freely in disciplines (as in discipleship, not punishment) and self-denial, which reminds us of our creatureliness and reliance upon God. Oh, and you can't say Alleluia or you'll make the Blessed Virgin Mary cry. Okay, no you won't, but we don't say it anyway because alleluia is a celebration word that we are choosing as a discipline to hold back until the great celebration of Easter.
Blessings :)
Brian
St. Margaret's House
25th Annual Winter Walk
Join Team Cathedral on Sunday, February 18 for St. Margaret’s House’s 25th Annual Winter Walk—a one-mile solidarity walk with the women and children of our community whose everyday means of transportation is their feet, regardless of the weather. New this year: we will begin at the Community Learning Center at the Main Library and finish at St. Margaret’s House with a celebration featuring homemade cookies, hot cocoa, tours, art demos, music, and more! Doors open at 1:30 pm, walk begins at 2:30 pm.
Let’s show up big this year for the women of St. Margaret’s House.
Walk with us! Register to walk here:
runsignup.com/Race/IN/SouthBend/SMHWinterWalk
Or support the team!
To help us raise $1,000 (or more!), donate here:
runsignup.com/cathedralwinterwalk
LENT 2024
This Week at the Cathedral
Sunday, February 4
Year B: The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Paint the Saints Breakfast
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am Hospitality Hour
12:00 pm Youth Group
12:30 pm Ecumenical Bible Study
Monday, February 5
Cathedral Offices: Closed
6:30 pm Education for Ministry
Tuesday, February 6
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Wednesday, February 7
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
9:30 am Raising Cane Bible Study
Call 1 (425) 436-6335; Access Code 782266
7:00 pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 8
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Friday, February 9
Cathedral Offices: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm Holy Eucharist
12:45 pm Community Lunch
Allie's Cafe, Mishawaka Ave.
Saturday, February 10
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, February 11
Year B: The Last Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am Christian Formation
- Growing in Our Worship
- Story Makers
- Adult Forum
10:30 am Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am Hospitality Hour
12:00 pm Youth Group
Looking Ahead
02/14 Ash Wednesday
02/15 Common Prayer Daily Worship begins
02/15 Lent Madness begins
02/18 SMH Winter Walk
Many dates in 2024 are available for flower sponsorships. Click here to sign up.
Sunday & Weekday Ministries
Sunday, February 4
8:00 am
Reader Jane Hunter
Eucharistic Minister Volunteer Needed
9:15 am
Paint the Saints Breakfast
10:30 am
Acolyte Tim Gray
Readers Bunmi Okanlami & Tamisyn Grantz
Eucharistic Ministers Cherry Radin & Betsy VanderBurg
Ushers Kay & Reg Klopfenstein
Hospitality Host Rhonda Culbertson
Wednesday, February 7
Counters Rick Hilliard & Nan Noecker
Friday, February 9
Folder Shela Raman-McCabe
Cathedral Community Prayer List
For Hudson.
For Cherryl Andries.
For Paula Fowler.
For Wendy.
For Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
For Canon Tina Velthuizen's grand-nephew, Jordan, who is struggling.
For the repose of the soul of Christina Forster, mother of Margaret Forster; and for the Schultz & Forster families.
For Tim Haywood, who is currently receiving treatment for bladder cancer; and for Janice Haywood.
For Allison & Shane, who are expecting a child in a higher-risk pregnancy.
For Grace Yakes, niece of Mtr. Tina Velthuizen, who is suffering from an abdominal ailment.
For Connor Gibbons
For Olivia, who has leukemia, and her family.
For Sheila & family.
For Vince.
For Amber.
For Sandy.
For John G.
For Dede.
For John Monroe, brother of Sue Fain.
For Caitlin H.
For Steve B.
For the LaFiero family.
For Sharron McGowan.
For Kara.
For Bernard.
For Rhonda.
For Tammy, daughter of Tony Molnar.
For Alan Thompson.
For Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family.
For Gussie Wietstock, mother of Steve Wietstock.
For Mike Jaworski, and Lisa.
For Marilyn Klopfenstein.
For Tony Molnar.
For Dan & Gail Mandell.
For Ron Gunn.
For Cobie.
For Alissa Broussara.
For Nan Noecker as she continues her diaconal formation.
For Becky Ballentine; Marge Johnson; Jo Dorsch; Sharron McGowan; Joyce Marchant; Dave & Alice Miller; Fr. Paul Tracy; Richard Bitner.
For Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius.
For those awaiting the birth or adoption of a child: Christopher & Andrew Hillak.
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