Choir Camp: Friday

We began the week – on Monday at morning prayer - with Jacob and his dream – and his wonderful discovery that he had met God in that dream and in that place. “This is an awesome place,” he exclaimed when he awoke from his dream, “this is the House of God, the Gate of heaven!” Jacob is part of that “cloud of witnesses” we talked about morning prayer today, part of that great heavenly cheering section that are cheering us on as we, like Olympic runners, live our lives of faith “going for the gold.” It would be wonderful if we could think of Jacob and of some of those other witnesses – beyond number – every time we come into this holy place. And it would be wonderful, too, if we remembered that they go with us wherever we go….

Zacchaeus in the gospel story is another of those “witnesses.” I think the Zacchaeus story is a great story for young people. You all have at least one thing in common with Zacchaeus (and with me!): most of you are short of stature like him (and me)! Sometimes you have to climb a tree - or stand on your tip toes, or climb onto someone’s shoulders, or stand on a chair – to see what you want to see. Zacchaeus saw Jesus by climbing a tree. How are we to see Jesus? The Church is our sycamore tree. The church is the tree we climb to see Jesus. The Church gives us a great vantage point to see Jesus – and not only to see him but to meet him – because that’s what happens at church: we meet Jesus, and Jesus meets us.

St. James Cathedral is a sycamore tree where people have been meeting Jesus, seeing Jesus, for nearly 100 years now. Think of all the people who have come here over those years: all those people who built this great cathedral, rebuilt it after the dome collapsed, and kept making it more beautiful over the years; all the millions of people who have come here to pray over the years – and then remember that you are part of them, part of that wonderful "cloud of witnesses." You may have more in common with all those people than you think. Like them, you love this place, you pray in this place, you make beautiful music in this place, and you meet Jesus in this place!

Dear Campers,
As I told you earlier today, you were A-W-E-S-O-M-E!! You surpassed all our expectations with your musicianship, leadership, and amazing enthusiasm and participation. The newcomers soon caught up with the old-timers and after no time at all you were making beautiful music together. I know this is going to be a GREAT year for the Youth Music Program at St. James. Looking forward to seeing you all in September! In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your summer vacation--you've earned it!

"Moni! Hello!" Our surprise this morning was a visit from Gerald Macheso, Assistant Sacristan at the Cathedral. Gerald is from Malawi in Central Africa and is studying at Seattle University.

Malawi on the map. Gerald told us that the vast majority of people in Malawi live in poverty. Some 60% of children cannot go to school and grow up unable to read! But the music that they sing at Mass is full of faith and rejoicing.

The 12:10 Mass, celebrated by Father Ryan, was the culmination of our week. The first reading was from the book of Genesis. "This is the house of God, the gate of Heaven."

"How lovely is your dwelling place, Lord, mighty God:
even the sparrow finds a home
and the swallow a nest for her young!"

Singing "Eternal Father" in the beautiful Cathedral!

Choral Scholars for Friday. Thanks for being such great leaders.

Ms. Sunde gave each camper a certificate for a job well done.

And at the end of the day... ice cream sundaes, with toppings! GREAT WORK, campers!!

Hello, Graduates! It's been really fun for me to put together this webpage every day! If you have any last thoughts you'd like to share with everybody, fill out this box, click "send," and I'll post them HERE. Have a great rest-of-the-summer!!