JULY.25. The Feast of St. James. We celebrated our beloved pilgrim patron with great solemnity. At the conclusion of the morning Masses, our 18-foot high puppet of St. James made his annual much-anticipated appearance. This year a relic of St. James, housed in a 17th-century reliquary bust (the gift of a generous parishioner) was carried in procession and solemnly venerated. The picnic on Terry Avenue in the afternoon was the best ever. Many thanks to volunteers Stephen Pace and Anna Horton, who once again coordinated this event.
AUGUST.
9-13. Choir Camp. The third annual Choir Camp for the young people of the Schola Cantorum was the best ever. Young singers honed their craft, had fun, and explored the history of the Cathedral in honor of our centennial!
15. The Cathedral Grade School Reunion brought together pupils of the Cathedral school from many generations. Read their memories at the parish website.
SEPTEMBER.
6. Airport Chaplains’ Prayer. The international conference of airport chaplains, gathered in Seattle for their annual meeting, came to the Cathedral on Labor Day afternoon for a beautiful Vespers service. The Cathedral was pleased to host some one hundred and twenty chaplains from as far away as England, France and New Zealand.
9-12. Choir Retreat. The Cathedral choir gathered after their summer hiatus to pray and practice in preparation for the 2004-2005 season.
21. Linda Schaefer, a photojournalist, spoke about her experience working with and photographing Blessed Mother Teresa in Calcutta shortly before her death.
25. Mass for the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. This organization is dedicated to ministry in the Holy Land. Some 350 members of the community gathered in the Cathedral for the induction of their newest members. Archbishop Levada of San Francisco presided.
27. Walter Cardinal Kasper, president of the Pontifical Council on Christian Unity, said Mass in the Cathedral. Cardinal Kasper was in Seattle to receive an honorary doctorate from Seattle University.
27. The 8th Annual Hunthausen Charity Golf Tournament was held at Inglewood Golf and Country Club in Kenmore. The weather cooperated and the tournament raised thousands of dollars to support the Cathedral’s outreach ministries.
29. Mourning, Penitence, and Hope. A special interreligious prayer service was held to honor all those who have died in the last three years in the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001; and in the subsequent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. After prayer in the Cathedral, those assembled walked downtown and placed a wreath at the memorial at Benaroya Hall.
30. Keeping Holy the Lord’s Day. Father Ryan sent a pastoral letter to all parishioners of St. James. “Whenever we gather to offer Mass, we celebrate and make present the defining events of our Christian faith: the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of the Lord Jesus... There is nothing more central to our faith life, nothing more important that we do as a community than the celebration of the Eucharist.”
OCTOBER.
1. Day of Prayer for Life. In observance of Respect Life Month, the Blessed Sacrament was exposed. A short prayer on each hour culminated with rosary and benediction at 2pm.
2. Liturgy Day. Many involved in liturgical ministries at St. James—ushers, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, readers, and Emmaus companions—met on a beautiful, sunny Saturday morning to be renewed in their ministries. The morning concluded with Mass in the Cathedral.
3. The Children’s Religious Ed program started up today. Children and catechists received a special blessing at the Noon Mass.