Father Ryan's message in the wake of the Election

Cathedral Bulletin | November 10, 2020

In this e-newsletter: Register for public Masses this weekend; Sacrificial Giving; Mass for the Deceased Homeless, Poem of the Week, and more!

Message from Father Ryan

My friends, before we begin Mass this morning, I feel the need to say something about the events of this past week.

We have been through a long and bruising election season, an election unlike any of us can remember. Some are elated about the outcome and others are disappointed and even angered by it. One thing is certain: no one is without feelings about what happened on Tuesday and about the results that came in yesterday. And we bring those feelings along with us to Mass this morning. There is no way we cannot.

And so, for some, our prayer this morning is one of gratitude and hope; for others, our prayer will come from a place of sadness and distress. But, for all our differences – our different points of view, different political affiliations, and different convictions about our country and its direction – for all our differences, there is so much that unites us. We wouldn’t be here if that were not the case. No matter what our differences may be, we are sisters and brothers - part of the same Church, part of the Body of Christ, part of this wonderful community of faith called St. James Cathedral parish. And that, more than anything, needs to be in our minds this morning as we gather for prayer - that, and an awareness that we all care deeply about our country and want only the best for it—no matter how we voted.

And, my friends, we have something more in common, too: we all believe in the power of prayer and, to quote the poet, “more things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of.” Not everyone believes that, but we do.

And so, we pray. We pray earnestly and honestly. We pray from our joy, we pray from our pain. We pray with confidence to the God who loves each of us beyond measure, we pray to the God for whom the differences that to us seem great and even insurmountable are really quite inconsequential when viewed against the great backdrop of God’s plan for the human family. God’s plan is for us to love one another; God’s plan is for us to build communities of love; God’s plan for us is to embrace the voiceless and the vulnerable - those on the margins and in the shadows who have no one to embrace them. God’s plan is for us not only to embrace them but also to work for a better world where they are valued, accepted, loved. In doing so, we will be building God’s kingdom - making God’s kingdom come - which is what we pray for every time we recite the Lord’s Prayer. And, my friends, those are things we can all agree on, no matter what our politics may be, things we can all work together to bring about. It’s what we have been doing for a long time at St. James Cathedral, and I am confident that we will continue that great work!

May our prayer this morning be a step in that direction. May it begin to bring about healing, forgiveness, reconciliation, and peace.

And may it bring to our President-elect and to all those who were elected to public office this past week, wisdom, courage, compassion, and a deep commitment to the values that make this nation great.

Lastly, may our prayer help bring our nation, so deeply divided and wounded, to a reawakening, to a belief and a conviction that the great gifts given us so long ago by our Founders are not spent or forgotten: that the great American Dream is still alive and that we are the ones who can make that dream come true.

Let me conclude with the immortal words of Abraham Lincoln spoken so long ago at his first inaugural:

We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies. Though passion may have strained it must not break our bonds of affection. The mystic chords of memory…will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched…by the better angels of our nature.”

Father Michael G. Ryan

Due to increasing demand, there are FOUR options for public Mass in the Cathedral each weekend (click on a date/time to register).

We have put many precautions in place to make sure these celebrations are safe and comfortable. This is not business as usual! The following are important important instructions for those who wish to take part in Mass:

Registration is required, and registered persons will be checked in as they arrive. The Archdiocese of Seattle has mandated registration both to limit the numbers in attendance and to provide for contact tracing should we learn that anyone present has been exposed to Covid-19. We are required to keep records of all in attendance for 30 days, after which they will be destroyed.
Masks/face coverings must be worn throughout the Mass except when receiving Holy Communion. You will need to bring your own as we cannot provide them at this time, and your mask needs to cover both your nose and your mouth at all times. For your safety and that of others, face masks are not optional.
On arriving at the Cathedral, you will be greeted by staff who will check you in and show you your place for the Mass. You will NOT be able to choose your own place to sit! However, household groups will be seated together. We thank you for your patience and understanding.

You will notice a number of changes to the Mass. All these changes are designed to ensure our safety as we gather together for Mass:

The Sign of Peace will not be shared, and Communion will not be offered from the cup.
Communion will be given only in the hand, not on the tongue.
Because we are not able to gather or socialize following Mass, we ask that you depart quietly after the celebration.

Please remember that there is no obligation to attend Sunday Mass at this time. While we do our utmost to make the Mass safe, anyone who attends does so at their own risk. Particularly vulnerable persons are strongly encouraged to continue to shelter in place. Anyone who is experiencing any symptoms whatsoever, such as fever, cough, sore throat, muscle aches, MUST remain at home out of consideration for the health and well being of others.

Livestream Masses this weekend

The 33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

Sunday, November 15, 2020

8:00am

MASS with Father Ryan

Streamed on the Archdiocese of Seattle Vimeo/Facebook pages

VIMEO | FACEBOOK

Worship aid (PDF)

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10:00am

MASS with Father Ryan

Streamed on the Cathedral Vimeo/Facebook pages

VIMEO | FACEBOOK

Worship aid (PDF)

Sacrificial Sunday Giving

Dear Friends,

“Above all, let your love for one another be intense.” During this unique year of 2020, those words from the First Letter of St. Peter present a powerful challenge. As we deal with divisions in our nation the like of which we have never experienced, and as we reel from the impact of a pandemic that has killed more than 200,000 in this country and that continues to hinder our ability to come together in community, what better reminder could there be of what is most important—mutual love?

Our parish isn’t just a place we go on Sundays. During these challenging days, we’ve learned that we are a resilient family of faith, and in spite of distance and separation, we continue to find a home together: where we are nourished, comforted, and challenged; where we are surrounded and supported by a wonderfully diverse community.

Sacrificial Giving is all about our support of this parish family. It’s about giving back to God what God has given to us. Through our gift to the parish, we reach out—together—in the name of Christ to the poor, the elderly, and the immigrant. We celebrate in a powerful way the mysteries of our faith; and we provide a refuge to so many who live on the edge of loneliness in these trying times.

During this year when so many have lost life and so many have lost livelihood, I find myself more grateful than ever before for the gift this parish is to me—the gift YOU are to me! Your support throughout these past months is an inspiration.

Click here to make your pledge now.

New to online giving? Set up your recurring gift here.

Thank you for your prayerful response and for all the ways you make this parish family what it is.

Father Ryan

Mass for the Deceased Homeless, November 12

If you are unable to attend, please join in the prayer via livestream on the Cathedral's Vimeo and Facebook pages.

Daily Masses now open to the public

WEEKDAY MASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Monday—Saturday this week, the 8:00am Mass is open to the public without prior registration. On Tuesdays, 8:00am Mass is followed by Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, concluding with rosary at 12 Noon.

CONFESSIONS are heard in the Cathedral Chapel from 10:00am–11:00am on Saturday mornings.

VESPERS AND BENEDICTION on Sunday afternoons at 4:00pm is open to the public. No advance registration required.

Youth Ministry resumes

Youth Ministry returns November 15!

“What are you looking for?” (John 1:38). As we begin a new year of Youth Ministry in these unusual times, our first evening will be asking that same question that Jesus posed to his disciples. We are looking forward to the ways that YOU want to shape our Youth Ministry to best follow Pope Francis’ words to be the “hands and feet of Christ” in our community! See you in the Holy Names Room at the Pastoral Outreach Center on Sunday, November 15 at 6:30pm! Social distancing guidelines will be enforced, and masks required for attendance. Information, David Buchholz, youth@stjames-cathedral.org.