eConnections - February 7, 2025
The Weekend of the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
February 9, 2025
and Super Bowl Sunday
The Dean's List
Not-So-Trivial Weather.
Current weather forecasts say there is a 70% chance of freezing rain arriving at exactly the wrong time for our Trivia Night tomorrow. We are keeping a close eye on the perilous precipitation prognostication, but will need to make a decision fairly early about whether or not to postpone this event. Any changes to the plan will be posted by 1 pm on the Cathedral's Facebook page, on WNDU and WSBT, and via eConnections.
Blah.
Whenever and wherever Christians gather in community, there is always the possibility of sharing more than the love, peace, and joy of Christ. Especially in the middle of winter. Such was the case at the Cathedral of Saint James last Sunday, where at least a dozen people who attended worship and/or Bible Study fell ill with symptoms indicating either Norovirus or, in my case, Influenza A. In one case, symptoms were severe enough to require a trip to the emergency room. These viruses aren't playing.
Norovirus, which causes gastro-intestinal distress, is particularly nasty. Norovirus is transmitted by contact, can live on surfaces for up to two weeks, scoffs at hand sanitizer, and requires a bleach solution (or other medical grade disinfectant) to eradicate it. The best personal defense against Norovirus is frequent, thorough hand washing with good old soap and water. As for the Cathedral, Kirk Philippsen spent several hours today wiping down surfaces in the kitchen, classrooms, restrooms, and sanctuary. A small crew will assemble tomorrow morning to finish up in the sacristies and go back over high-traffic surfaces including door handles and the altar rail. We will also run all Communion vessels through our dishwasher for good measure.
Influenza, on the other hand, is transmitted by airborne droplets created when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks, and can also be transmitted by contact with a surface where those droplets land, although less frequently. Our measures to disinfect the Cathedral for Norovirus will be more than enough to also disinfect for influenza. However, the CDC reports the risk level for influenza in Indiana as Very High, and absentee rates this past week at one local school I happen to know about support that finding. As with Norovirus, frequent hand washing is beneficial but the most effective preventative against influenza for yourself and others - and I know you're going to love me for this - is wearing a mask in public spaces until the risk level falls. Because I don't want you to feel like you've been run over by the same truck that hit me this week, I'll have my mask on this Sunday.
Let's stay healthy, y'all!
Adult Forum
Sundays at 9:15 am in the Cathedral Conference Room
February 9th
Dialogue Across Differences
Megan Zwart, Interim Provost at Saint Mary's College, will discuss effective strategies for engaging in meaningful dialogue across differences. As the founding director of the Dialogue Project, Zwart draws from her research to address the challenges posed by political polarization, highlighting several crises that threaten democratic discourse.
Paint the Saints for Lent Madness
Sunday, February 16 at 9:15 am
Lent Madness is a unique, March-Madness-inspired Lenten devotional brought to us by the Forward Movement. Are you a fan of modern saints like Absalom Jones? Are you more of a fan of mystics and Theologians like Mechthilde of Hackeborn and Gertrude the Great? Don't know the difference between Rose of Lima and Hugh of Lincoln? Want to learn more about these (and many more!) Saints? Lent Madness is for you! We begin by painting peg dolls of the saints at this special Through the Years.
Blessings,
Brian
Photos
Tamisyn and I met up with Steven & Samantha Slaubaugh for a Stephen Kellogg concert in Indianapolis this past Tuesday.
Tamisyn with Stephen Kellogg, who is an amazing human being, not to mention singer, song-writer, and performer.
The new addition now has an opening on the main level across from the classrooms. (Photo by Kirk Philippsen)
A view inside the new addition. (Photo by Kirk Philippsen)
Meanwhile, in Cathedral Hall... (Photo by Kirk Philippsen)
Saturday, February 8
6:30 pm - 9:00 pm
Watch for any weather related changes on eConnections,
WNDU, WSBT, and the Cathedral Facebook page.
Cathedral
Calendar
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity
Saturday, February 8
Bakhita
6:30 pm
Trivia Night
Sunday, February 9
The Fifth 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
12:00 pm
Youth Group
Monday, February 10
Scholastica of Nursia
Cathedral Office: Closed
6:00 pm
Education for Ministry
Tuesday, February 11
The Consecration of Barbara C. Harris
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
5:30 pm
Finance Committee Meeting
Wednesday, February 12
Theodora
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
7:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, February 13
Absalom Jones
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
No Events Scheduled
Friday, February 14
Cyril & Methodius
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
12:05 pm
Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm
Community Lunch at Grill 362
Saturday, February 15
Thomas Bray
No Events Scheduled
Sunday, February 16
The Sixth Sunday after the Epiphany
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Paint the Saints
Through the Years Lent Madness Painting Party
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am
Hospitality
12:00 pm
Youth Group
1:50 pm
St. Margaret's House Winter Walk
Starting at South Bend City Church
Looking Ahead
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Story & Song Parish Retreat
Friday, March 21 & Saturday, March 22
Collect for the Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany
(February 9)
Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Feb 4 Nicholas Papczynski
Feb 8 Andy Helfrich
Cathedral Prayer List
For the repose of the soul of Shantia Bullock, niece of Trice Berkley, and for her entire family.
For James Ellar, high school classmate of Mike Jaworski, who has a recurrence of cancer.
For Greg, cousin of Alison Grantz, whose leukemia prognosis is now, sadly, terminal following two unsuccessful bone marrow transplants. Please pray for Alison's mother, Cheryl, and the Gotsch family.
For Rose Tinder-O’Brien
Josh Young, Kerrin Young, and Violet Young
For Tim Lane and Dan (sons-in-law of Karen Slack) who are recovering from surgery and for Corrine, Tim’s wife.
For Elaine Mick
For the Proffitt Family and for the Hillman Family
Ann and Bill Young
Corey Davis and Kenya Pearson
Steven Mast
Mary Brooks
Jamie, Mimi, Joely, Mia, and the entire Jeter Family
Bill Jones and his family
For Mary Beth Wright
Sharon Toth, and for the entire extended Sobecki Family
Kathleen Murphy, mother of Jen Mosley; and for Richard Murphy Jr., Richard Murphy III, and for Jill Bird
Mary M. Burman
Carolynn Raney
For Carl and Melinda Stopczynski; and for Alison Abbot -- cousins/extended family of Mike & Lisa Jaworski
For Betty Walker, Mike Mosely’s Aunt
For Joan Machatton
Jennifer & Mike Mosley
Jim Arns
For Cindy Ahlgrim
For Joni Carlson, who continues treatment of an ongoing issue
For Mike Jaworski and for Lisa.
For Michael, son of Diane Hoist, and his family.
For Joseph Hilliard
For Tim Haywood, and Janice
Fred & Kate Mast
Wade & Sue Sheets
Paula Fowler
Canon Tina Velthuizen's grand-nephew, Jordan, who is struggling
Connor Gibbons
Olivia, who has leukemia, and her family
Sheila & family
Tammy, daughter of Tony Molnar
Alan Thompson
Peju, Bunmi, and the Okanlami family
Tony Molnar
Dan & Gail Mandell
Ron Gunn
Alissa Broussara
Cherryl Andries
Becky Ballentine
Marge Johnson
Jo Dorsch
Sharron McGowan
Joyce Marchant
Fr. Paul Tracy
Richard Bitner
Al Caparell; Tony Lemna; Mike; Denise & Demetrius
For those expecting children: Connor Wilson and Genesis Dylewski
For those preparing for Holy Baptism: Sloane Drendall, daughter of Megan & Phil Drendall; Greyson Woodruff, son of Lesley & Ryan Woodruff.
For those preparing for Holy Orders: Nan Noecker, diaconate
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.
Ministries
February 9, 2025
8:00 am
Lector Jane Hunter
Eucharistic Minister Volunteer Needed
10:30 am
Lectors Cherry Radin, Joe Anand-Obleton
Acolytes Freddy Kallenberg, Scottie Peters, Volunteer Needed
Eucharistic Ministers Cherry Radin, Mary Beth Wright
Ushers Deborah Drendall, Nicole Pinter
Hospitality Host Michael Anand-Obleton
February 12
Counters Sue Lowe, Betsy VanderBurg
February 14
Folder Norris Whitfield
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