Sunday, March 7, 2021 -- The Third Sunday of Lent

ON THE COVER   "If today you hear God's voice, harden not your hearts." Moses leads the Israelites through the Red Sea. Central East Apse Stained Glass Window. Hans Gottfried von Stockhausen, artist.
 
MUSIC AND COVID-19 We are once again permitted to have a small ensemble instead of a single cantor. This will allow us to have choral music at 10:00am and 12 Noon Masses each Sunday. In keeping with State guidelines, the singers will wear surgical-grade masks and will observe added social distance of 9'-12' between each other and the assembly.
 
WEEKDAY MASSES OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Each day from Monday through Saturday, Mass is celebrated at 8:00am in the Cathedral. All are welcome to attend without prior registration. The Mass is also livestreamed at vimeo.com/archdioceseofseattle.
 
SATURDAY CONFESSIONS are heard immediately following the 8:00am Mass on Saturday mornings, from 8:30am to 9:30am. During Lent, confessions will also be heard following the 8:00am Mass on Wednesday mornings.
 
ADORATION OF THE BLESSED SACRAMENT Each Friday in Lent, we will have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament following the 8:00am Mass, continuing until 1:00pm, with Holy Hour beginning at 12 Noon. All are welcome. (We no longer have Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament on Tuesdays.)
 
THE WAY OF THE CROSS is a wonderful Lenten tradition in the Church. Stations are prayed on Mondays following 8:00am Mass. In addition, we have prepared a special online version of the Stations led by Father Ryan, with meditations by Paul Claudel and featuring the art of Joan Brand-Landkamer. Visit www.stjames-cathedral.org anytime to join in praying the Stations this Lent. The Cathedral Stations of the Cross are the work of Joan Brand-Landkamer, inspired by 20th-century French artist Georges Rouault.
 
Justice for Immigrants Advocacy Group next meeting via Zoom is on Thursday, March 11 from 6:30-7:30pm. Learn about current legislation, action alerts, and how to make your voice heard. Information or to RSVP, Christopher Koehler, ckoehler@stjames-cathedral.org. 
 
Cathedral Kitchen/Breakfast Update The Cathedral will be the first meal program in the City of Seattle to resume indoor dining! Starting on Monday, March 1, St. James will re-open Cathedral Hall to limited indoor dining for the Cathedral Kitchen and Sunday Breakfast ministries. All guests will have the option to take their food to go, or to come inside. As with many restaurants in Washington State, we will operate at less than 25% capacity, with all people required to wear masks and be socially distant.
 
LENTEN RICE BOWL As our world continues to grapple with the effects of COVID-19, including an increased number of people going hungry, Catholics are invited to reflect on Matthew 25:40 as we begin this Lenten season. "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Each Lent, Catholic families across the country unite to put their faith into action through prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Through CRS Rice Bowl, families learn about our sisters and brothers across the globe who are experiencing hardships like hunger and malnutrition, and how through Lenten alms, we have the power to make the world a better place for the human family. In the past, our donations through Rice Bowl have helped provide lifesaving support to more than 159 million people in more than 100 countries. Visit www.crsricebowl.org to become involved in the CRS Rice Bowl program this Lent! And if you cannot pick up a Rice Bowl at the Cathedral, send an email with your address to jamob14@comcast.net, and one will be mailed to you.
 
CARE CALLS MINISTRY St. James Cathedral Mental Health and Wellness Ministry (MHWM) has initiated a new ministry to help alleviate loneliness and establish connections with parishioners who may be isolated or lonely. Care Calls is outreach to people who live alone or have little connection with people. Volunteers phone identified parishioners on a regular basis to offer listening and companionship. Please let us know of someone you think would benefit from and be open to receiving a regularly scheduled Care Call from a MHWM volunteer. If you are interested in becoming a MHWM volunteer and joining Care Calls ministry, or would like more information, contact Nancy Granger, 206-382-4269 or ngranger@stjames-cathedral.org .
 
Interested in having your child attend a Catholic Elementary or High School? St. James Cathedral can help! Our Rainbow Schools program (for St. George, St. Therese, St. Joseph, and Holy Family Bilingual Schools) and the Simperman Scholars program (for Holy Names Academy, Bishop Blanchet, O'Dea, and Kennedy Catholic High Schools) have scholarships available for qualifying Cathedral families, and in-parish rates apply for all parishioners. Contact Theresa Van de Ven, 206-619-4660 or tvandeven@stjames-cathedral.org  for an application packet. All information must be submitted by April 30.
 
OUTREACH OPPORTUNITIES DURING THE PANDEMIC Catholic Community Services/Catholic Housing Services (CCS/CHS) has asked the Cathedral to provide meals for their day centers and shelters. Unopened store-bought casseroles and unopened sandwich-ingredients (bread, deli meat, vegetables and condiments) are greatly appreciated. In addition, toiletries (toothpaste, toothbrushes, soaps and shampoos, feminine hygiene products), canned ready-to-eat meals (ie soup or chili), cup of noodles, easy mac & cheese, K-cup coffee, cocoa and tea, individual servings of chips, crackers, granola bars and cereals have been requested. Deliver food to Cathedral Hall (803 Terry Ave.), Tuesdays, 9am to 11am. Information, Patrick Barredo, pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org .
 
ST VINCENT DE PAUL HELPLINE During the pandemic, 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. It is better to start seeking help now rather than waiting until the temporary eviction moratorium ends, when so many more people are expected to need help, too. Information, Jo Ann Wiesner, 206-291-4012 or wiesnerjo@gmail.com 
 
Register for our first virtual Catholic Advocacy Day (CAD) Scheduled for March 23, CAD will include several opportunities to choose from: pray at Mass, learn about current legislation that is important to Catholics, talk with your legislators virtually alongside fellow Catholics in your district, and/or participate in a social media campaign. Participate in all or some of the day's activities as your schedule allows. Please register for this free event by March 9 if you would like to meet with your legislators during CAD. In addition to the WSCC, collaborators include the Interfaith Peace and Justice Center, Catholic Community Services and Catholic Charities of the state, Society of St. Vincent de Paul, leaders from the three dioceses of Washington state, and Jesuits West. Thank you to Jesuits West, who will be managing Zoom for the day. Register by March 9 at ipjc.org/cad.

MUSICAL PRAYER FRIDAY, March 12 at 6:30pm: This week, cantor and Cathedral Cantorei member Christine K. Friday, mezzo-soprano, with Joseph Adam, organ, presents a program of works by Duruflé, Wolf, and Vierne. You can find the livestream at vimeo.com/stjamescathedral or facebook.com/stjamesseattle. For a complete archive of 40+ musical offerings since the pandemic began, visit www.stjames-cathedral.org/music .   

PARISH REMEMBRANCE   Throughout the year, because we are the Cathedral Church, we remember in prayer at Mass and Vespers each of the parishes and missions of the Archdiocese of Seattle on a Sunday near their feast day. This week we pray for the parishes of St. Joseph in Chehalis, Vancouver, Sequim, Ferndale, Issaquah, and Elma.    

REST IN PEACE Please pray for the repose of the soul of Carl Weber.