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CHILDREN’S FAITH FORMATION 2023-2024 St. James Cathedral provides the Children’s Faith Formation program from September to June for children ages 4- 11, and Confirmation (for children 7th and 8th Grade). Classes take place on Sunday from approximately 11:00 am to 12:10pm. Registration begins this Sunday, August 27, after the 10:00am and Noon Masses.
ARE YOU CALLED TO BE A CATECHIST? Do you want to share in the mission of Jesus Christ which you have experienced in the Catholic Church? Do you want to accompany young people as the Holy Spirit guides them—and you—into deeper knowledge of the truth? Then you might be called to be a catechist for Children’s Faith Formation! Materials and support provided. Please reach out to explore how you can serve our children and together with them attend to the voice of the Good Shepherd. Information, Tami Kowal, Director of Children’s Faith Formation, 206- 219-5822 or tkowal@stjames-cathedral.org.
WELCOME BACK Would you yourself–or someone you know–like to take another look at the Catholic Church? If, for one reason or another, you have been away and long for community, or feel hungry for something more, Welcome Back might be just the right place to safely express your concerns. A new in-person six-week series will begin in late August. Information, John Simpson, 206-654-4658 or jsimpson@stjames-cathedral.org.
THE CATHEDRAL CHOIR AND WOMEN OF ST. JAMES SCHOLA are looking for new members for the upcoming year (September–June)! Cathedral Choir auditions in all voice parts are open for those who have prior experience singing in a choral ensemble and strong music-reading skills. Cathedral Choir has a weekly rehearsal on Thursdays from 7:30-9:30pm and sings for the Sunday 10am Mass with a rehearsal beforehand. It is a fast-paced ensemble that covers a large amount of repertoire over the season. The Women of St. James Schola is open to sopranos and altos who would like to sing chant along with unison & 2-3 part repertoire for women’s voices at the 5:30 Mass each Sunday. Rehearsals are Sundays at 4:00pm. Schola members have a wide range of abilities, from beginner through advanced, and there are section leaders to provide core support. Though we do ask that Schola singers have a basic knowledge of reading music, there is no requirement of previous experience singing in a choir. To arrange an audition, contact the Cathedral music office at musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4874. Please let us know your voice part and some information about your singing background.
ST VINCENT DE PAUL HELPLINE The SVdP Helpline may be able to refer you to sources of aid if you need help paying your rent or electricity bill or getting enough food or other basic necessities of life. If you live in Seattle or elsewhere in King County, please submit your request for help online at https://svdpseattle.org/get-help/online-help-request-form/ anytime or by calling 206-767-6449 between 8am and 3pm Monday through Friday. Especially if you cannot handle a growing rent debt because you lost your job or had your hours reduced, please contact the Helpline. And if you are fortunate enough to be able to help others, please donate to SVdP online at https://www.osvhub.com/stjames-cathedral/giving/funds -- be sure to indicate your gift is for “SVdP.” No amount is too small, and your funds will be put to work quickly by your Cathedral Vincentians. We are unpaid volunteers, so 99% of your donation goes directly to help our neighbors in need. Thank you! Information, Jo Ann Wiesner, 206-291-4012 or wiesnerjo@gmail.com
WELLNESS WEDNESDAYS St. James Cathedral’s Mental Health and Wellness Ministry and the Archdiocese of Seattle Mental Health Ministry are sponsoring Wellness Wednesdays, an educational forum featuring professionals from various mental health disciplines speaking on topics related to mental health. The next installment on Wednesday, October 4, 2023, will be a special hybrid (virtual/in-person) event on Spirituality and Dementia, featuring Sr Judy Ryan and Father James Eblen. It will occur both on Zoom and live at St. Mark Episcopal Cathedral. Register, https://bcrook.wufoo.com/forms/dementia-and-spirituality-hope-on-the-journey/
GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP Tuesdays, September 12 through October 31, 10:00-11:30am in the Pastoral Outreach Center. You are invited to join this 8-week support group facilitated by Anisa Ralls, Director of the Mental Health and Wellness Ministry. Register, Anisa Ralls, 206-382-4269 or aralls@stjames-cathedral.org.
WELCOME BACKPACKS UPDATE In March 2023, Immigrant Assistance began welcoming migrants who recently arrived in Seattle after crossing the southern border. A new volunteer team, the Respite Team, was staffed with Spanish-speakers. Essential items to fill Welcome Backpacks were donated by the community. The Respite Team has given out 18 backpacks, with gift cards enclosed, and is supporting families from countries including Nicaragua, Venezuela, Peru, Honduras, Angola, Mexico and Colombia. The Respite Team has been able to respond to more needs than we expected, thanks to generous financial support from Catholic Community Services and others in the community! One newcomer came to St. James in May, with a nearly-empty prescription bottle and significant concern for how to refill this important medication. This individual does not have health insurance, nor regular income, and recently arrived in Seattle from South America. A Respite Team member connected the newcomer with a clinic, and within three weeks they had an appointment and the medication in-hand. St. James covered the prescription cost, visit co-pay, and two months of rental assistance for their household. May God help us to shine light and peace to each migrant we’ve been honored to encounter on their journey. Information, Erica de Klerk, edeklerk@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-382-4511.
JOIN THE CATHEDRAL KITCHEN GARDEN TEAM! The St. James Cathedral Kitchen Garden, which provides fresh produce for the weeknight meals served at Cathedral Hall, welcomes volunteers to help with planting, weeding, maintenance, pruning and harvesting. The garden is located on the corner of Madison and Terry. Information, Peter Burns, pburns@stjames-cathedral.org or 206-264-2082.
HELP YOUR NEIGHBORS Volunteer Services is a program of Catholic Community Services committed to helping elders and adults with disabilities remain living independently through a network of caring, community-minded volunteers of all ages. Assistance needed includes light housework, yardwork, shopping and errands and/or pet care. Information, Jonny Prociv, program manager, 206-328-5787 or vc@ccsww.org.
LOOKING FOR WAYS TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY? Are you interested in discovering a vibrant faith group that serves our local community in meaningful ways? Jesuit Volunteer EnCorps will support you in your commitment! We are a group, ages 40+, that meets monthly in-person. As a program of JVC Northwest, we explore our commitment to values such as social and ecological justice, community, and spirituality. We assist group members to explore volunteer options in our community. Program begins in September. Apply by August 31 to be included in the opening retreat. Applications are accepted throughout the program year. Information, Karen Beal, 971-353-6946 or www.jvencorps.org.
CARE FOR CREATION TIP OF THE WEEK Set your refrigerator thermostat and forget it. Many people still set the temperature too cold. Recommended temperatures—usually between 37 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit—preserve food the longest. Just arrange your food so it’s easy to find (wasted food remains a major source of emissions).
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