eConnections - March 23, 2025
eConnections
The Weekend of the Third Sunday in Lent
March 23, 2025
The Dean's List
Story & Song Threads
Thread One: I grew up in the heyday of renewal ministries; weekend retreats like Cursillo and Happening, Vocare and New Beginnings, just to name the Episcopal versions. Not to get too far into the weeks, as powerful as these movements had once been, by the late 90s it seemed as though they were all - to one extent or another - outmoded, with diminishing attendance and waning enthusiasm. After moving to South Bend in 2008, I became involved with Love of God (LoG), an ecumenical weekend for teens very much in keeping with traditional renewal ministry models. LoG worked, I believe because it was local, which allowed an active community to develop around it; it was led by a wise and charismatic pastor for whom it was a full-time ministry position; and because the weekend hinged on what was effectively an opportunity for teens to tell their own stories as leaders in presentations AND as participants in an exercise known as the Obstacle Circle (or OC). The OC was simply an opportunity for teens - adult leaders observe, but don't participate - to name out loud the obstacles in their lives they believe are standing between them and God. There are many jargony words to describe what happens in that moment, but the best word that comes to mind is that telling the truth to non-judgmental listeners about what's really going on in your life is potent and has a transforming affect not only on the speaker, but on the entire community.
Thread Two: A few years back, my friend Marie Gambetta was inspired to develop a storytelling event as a forum for faith stories told by Episcopalians from the Diocese of Northern Indiana. Underwritten by a generous grant, several people attended a storytelling retreat at which they learned the elements of story, the craft of telling a good story, and were given time to develop and hear feedback on their own stories. Following the retreat, The Dove Faith Cafe held storytelling evenings at five venues around our diocese, including LangLab here in South Bend. I have to admit that I attended reluctantly, not being terribly sure what to expect and being quite sure that I had something else I would rather be doing. I'm deeply grateful that I listened to the higher angels. The stories told that night were compelling, moving, and transformative, allowing listeners to hear how God is at work in profound ways, reflect on what God is up to in our own lives, and make connections with the presenters and the people at our tables in discussions that dared to go beyond pleasantries.
Thread Three: "Those who sing pray twice." Or something like that, depending upon which version of the quote you hear. St. Augustine said it, unless - of course - he didn't, but it's true, nevertheless. Immersing oneself in music can be an absolutely transcendent experience. One great song is often more spiritually uplifting for me than 1,000 words of spoken prayer. That has always been true for me.
Those are the threads that bring us to this Story & Song weekend. Story is powerful. Sharing our own stories is potent. Music has the capacity to shape moments and lifetimes. Taken together, story and song is the core of Christian worship and community. Tying these threads together is a labor of love that arises from a deep yearning or - to borrow from the musical Rent - "connection in an isolating age."
Please keep this weekend in your prayers. Please keep our leaders in your prayers: Marie Gambetta, Fr. Tom Adamson, Don Campbell, Tamisyn Grantz, Kim Gray, Fr. Mark Hummell, John Lorenzen, Fr. Michael Roeske, and me. Please keep our participants in your prayers. And please keep the Cathedral of Saint James in your prayers: we are about to complete a work decades in the making that will unlock the full ministry potential of our facilities. How does the next chapter in the Cathedral story begin?
AND... if you are unable to attend this weekend's Story & Song Retreat, scroll a long way below to see the four story prompts that participants have been given. We would love to hear your story, too.
Blessings,
Brian
Click here to reply to Steven Mast on or before Tuesday, March 25
Let Us Pray: Called to Common Prayer. Continuing last year's practice, we are hoping to open the Cathedral for prayer every day during Lent. Volunteer officiants, readers, and musicians are needed lead the Daily Office. Click here to view the schedule and sign up. Click here for the readings and collects appointed for each service.
40 Days through Isaiah & Luke. A daily discipline of Scripture reading through the book of the prophet Isaiah and the Gospel according to Luke. Click here for the reading schedule.
A Lenten Century. Exercise is a great opportunity for contemplation and prayer. The Lenten Century is both an invitation and challenge to keep moving. 100 miles, 100 kilometers, or whatever number is right for you, let's get up and get going walking, running, cycling, swimming, or anything else. Click here for a Lenten Century log sheet.
Living Matthew 25. This community-wide effort offers dozens of opportunities from a host of sponsors from which to pick and choose. The Living Matthew 25 schedule is available here and is posted at several places at the Cathedral of Saint James.
Lent Madness. Learn saints whose faith has been an example and inspiration for generations of Christians in this wonderful, whimsical March-Madness style bracket featuring 32 notable faithful followers of Jesus as they vie for the "Golden Halo." Click here for the Lent Madness website.
Upcoming Adult Forums
March 30th Inclusion in the Eucharist: Living Out an Anglican Tradition with Jack Consolie
Saturday, March 29 @ 7:30 pm
Faculty conductor Cynthia Katsarelis from Notre Dame’s Sacred Music program leads a special collaboration with the South Bend Symphony Orchestra and South African soprano Goitsemang Lehobye. The program features Nkeiru Okoye’s Songs of Harriet Tubman and Louise Farrenc’s Third Symphony. There will be a pre-concert conversation at 6:30.
For more information and tickets, please click here.
Cathedral
Calendar
Saturday, March 22
8:00 am
Morning Prayer
Story & Song Retreat
6:30 pm
Story Sharing with the Cathedral Community
Sunday, March 23
The Third Sunday in Lent
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Growing in Our Worship
Story Makers
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am
Hospitality
Monday, March 24
Cathedral Office: Closed
5:00 pm
Evening Prayer
6:00 pm
Education for Ministry
Tuesday, March 25
The Feast of the Annunciation
Cathedral Office: 9 am - 1:30 pm
8:00 am
Morning Prayer
Wednesday, March 26
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
5:00 pm
Evening Prayer
7:00 pm
Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, March 27
Cathedral Office: 9:00 am - 1:30 pm
8:00 am
Morning Prayer
6:00 pm
Dining Out Group
Ho Ping House
Friday, March 28
Cathedral Office: by appointment
Joe Anand-Obleton Out of the Office
12:05 pm
Holy Eucharist
1:00 pm
Community Lunch at Grill 362
Saturday, March 29
9:00 am
Morning Prayer
2:00 pm
Memorial Service for Tammy Sue Nyers
Sunday, March 30
The Fourth Sunday in Lent
8:00 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite One
9:15 am
Growing in Our Worship
Story Makers
Adult Forum
10:30 am
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
11:45 am
Hospitality
12:00 pm
Youth Group
Looking Ahead
Episcopal & Lutheran Renewal of Ordination Vows &
Blessing of the Holy Oils
ELCA Indiana-Kentucky Synod Bishop Timothy Graham, preacher
Thursday, April 10
Holy Week
Palm Sunday (April 13) through Easter Sunday (April 20)
Collect for the Third Sunday in Lent
(March 23)
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.
Birthdays & Anniversaries
Mar 25 Kirk Philippsen
Remembering also those who have gone
into the nearer presences of God:
Mar 24 Hazel Kline (101)
Cathedral Prayer List
For the repose of the soul of Wade Sheets; and for his wife, Sue.
For the repose of the soul of Tammy, daughter of Tony Molnar; and for Tony and his 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 Cherryl Andries
For Deb Walter, friend of Sherry Berkley
For Corinne, Karen Slack’s daughter (upcoming surgery)
For Marci & Kevin, friends of Patty Hans
For Steven Mast
Janet Subbert, aunt of Nan Noecker
For Elaine Mick
For the Proffitt Family and for the Hillman Family
Ann and Bill Young
Corey Davis and Kenya Pearson
Mary Brooks
Jamie, Mimi, Joely, Mia, and the entire Jeter Family
Bill Jones and his family
For Mary Beth Wright
For Richard Murphy Jr. and Jill Bird
For Tim Lane, son-in-law of Karen Slack (recovering from surgery)
For Dan, son-in-law of Karen Slack (health concerns)
Mary M. Burman
Carolynn Raney
For Carl and Melinda Stopczynski; and for Alison Abbot -- cousins/extended family of Mike & Lisa Jaworski
For Joan Machatton
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
Alan Thompson
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: Grayson 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
March 23, 2025
8:00 am
Lector Jane Junter
Eucharistic Minister Volunteer Needed
10:30 am
Lectors Erica Vitale & Cindy Laney
Acolytes Aley Vitale-Richards, Jack Laney, Volunteer Needed
Eucharistic Ministers Rick Hilliard, Matthew Worns, Mary Beth Wright
Ushers Kay & Reg Klopfenstein
Hospitality Host Daughters of the King
Linen Care Volunteer Needed
March 25
Counters Liz Burman & Donna Woods
March 28
Folder DeDe Guth
Copyright © 2025 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.