ROSE CIRCO. Funeral Ministry.
"I’ve been going to St. James for forty-nine
years, since 1954 when Bishop Gill was the pastor. It’s still a very friendly
church and I love coming here. I help out with funeral receptions. For about
nine years, whenever there’s a funeral, Sister Anne calls me. We make coffee,
put out cookies, put out sandwiches, make punch for children, set it all up. I
like doing it. You see the people, you see the expressions on their faces, when
they come in and talk. What I love best about St. James is coming here and
praying. This is my second home.” If you’d like to help with funeral ministry,
call Sister Anne Herkenrath at 206-382-4504.
STEVE MASMELA. Usher. "I’ve been going to St. James since 1989. Gesi saw me
coming every week and asked, ‘Do you want to be an usher?’ ‘Sure.’ I get the
baskets ready, make sure Mary has candles. I recruit help if we need it. Sunday
afternoons I get here early to rearrange the chairs after Vespers. I open all
the doors when the weather’s warm. My favorite thing about the Sunday evening
Mass is the schola choir. Serving at St. James is a privilege—like serving God.”
If you’d like to find out more about being an usher at St. James, talk to one of
our ushers or call 206-622-3559.
MARIE THERESE COLLETTE. Cathedral Guild.
"I polish all the pews, around the altar, and the feet of the statues (I can’t
reach too high!). I put the cards in the pew racks nice and neat. There are
1,100 chairs! What do I love best about St. James? It’s just beautiful. I love
the beautiful choirs, especially at Christmas, and the beautiful crypt. What a
privilege we have to pray for the holy souls. I also lead the rosary twice a
week in the morning. I love doing that! I’ve been doing this almost fifteen
years.” If you’d like to help keep the church beautiful, contact Matthew Ley
at 206-622-3559.
SUSAN PATELLA. Cathedral Choir.
“The work for Thursday night rehearsals begins
before we get to the choir room… we are expected to come to the rehearsal with
the pieces prepared. It is rigorous work and demands a lot from each singer. I
love being a part of this wonderful, collective instrument through which the
word of God is illuminated. I know that on any given Sunday, people come to Mass
with so many different needs. I also know that music has the power to address
those needs, to comfort, inspire, clarify, affirm, and heal. What a privilege it
is to sing at this time, in this place. I am blessed to be a part not only of
the Cathedral Choir but the greater choir of people at Mass every Sunday from
all walks of life, backgrounds, ages, and experiences which—when combined—is the
most beautiful singing I have ever heard.” To find out how you can support the
Music Program, call 206-382-4874.
MICHAEL KNEIP. Baptism Team.
“A friend’s recommendation brought us to St. James
initially, about 6 years ago. We were struck by the splendor of the Mass, and
felt right at home in the community. The Baptism Ministry might be the best kept
secret at St. James. Every month the team gets an opportunity to celebrate this
incredible Baptism event with these great parents and their kids. I really
appreciate the opportunity to meet and work with the Baptism parents. Many of
them have been away from the Church, and are a little tentative. As a returned
Catholic myself, I feel I can relate to their situation. I’d like to think I can
have a positive effect in sharing my experience with St. James, and the really
terrific influence it has had in my life, and the life of my family.” If you’d
like to find out more about the Baptism Team, call Helen Oesterle at
206-382-4514.
DAVID MURPHY. Welcome Back.
“I’ve been coming to St. James for about ten years.
I became connected to the Cathedral when I was getting my MA in Pastoral Studies
at Seattle University. I was very pleased when Rosanne asked me to be part of
the Welcome Back team. It appealed to me because of my own experience of having
been away from the Church for a number of years. It is wonderful working with
people who are returning, who have questions, who are searching for a new
relationship with the Church. There are so many things I love about St. James:
the beauty of the liturgy, the vitality of the ministries… it’s a wonderful
community.” If you’d like to get involved with the Welcome Back program, contact
Rosanne Michaels, 206-382-2018.
ANNA HORTON. Winter Shelter.
“A friend brought me to St. James in the summer of
1998. I felt a deep connection instantly and drew comfort and peace from being
at mass. I was baptized at the Easter Vigil in the year 2000. The Winter Shelter
typically serves 10-14 men, aged 50+ on Friday - Monday nights.
Typically two "overnight hosts" arrive around 8:00 pm, set-up the mats
and supplies, and then drive one of the vans to St. Martin de Porres
Shelter to pick up the men. The men are brought back to the Cathedral
Hall where they have go to sleep at 10:00 pm. Two breakfast hosts
arrive at around 5:45 am with a hot breakfast to serve in the morning.
The men are then driven back downtown at around 7:00 am. My favorite
part of the shelter is knowing that this ministry helps keep people off
of the street every night. During the cold winter nights, when
thousands wander the streets seeking help and shelter, it is reassuring
to know that people are working tirelessly to end the problem of
homelessness. My favorite thing about St. James is sitting in the
church at night, when it's nearly time to lock up. All is quiet and
calm. It's a great time for praying." ” If you’d like to
volunteer with the Winter Shelter, call Patty Bowman at 206-382-4515.
DAN JINGUJI. ESL Tutor.
"I’ve been a parishioner here since 1980. I’ve been
tutoring in ESL a little over a year. With beginning students we look at
familiarity with English alphabet and vocabulary; with more advanced students
we’ll read a passage together and discuss it. What I love about this ministry is
that it opens up possibilities for the students. They learn to feel more
comfortable interacting with the people around them. Sometimes they can more
easily talk to their grandchildren! The thing I like best about St. James is the
breadth of the community and how easily and openly it welcomes everyone.” If
you’d like to volunteer in the St. James ESL program, call 206-382-4511.
BARBARA COTTON. Family Kitchen.
"My husband and I have been at St. James for
five years. After I retired from teaching kindergarten I was looking for things
to do. I read about the Family Kitchen in the parish bulletin. I’m now the cook
on Monday afternoons. I come in at 1:30 and look over what we have in the way of
ingredients, then plan the meal for the night. It’s really wonderful working
with the other people here. It’s a creative outlet for me and I feel that I’m
doing something that helps as well! What I love about St. James? Where to start?
I can understand why it was voted the city’s best parish in Seattle Weekly.
There’s such a feeling of family here.” If you’d like to help out at the Family
Kitchen, call 206-322-2447.