Graduation: A Pause for Reflection
My son graduates from college next week! He wasn’t all that interested at first in the rituals associated with his achievements. His mother and I persuaded him that the ceremonies created to mark this passage would be important to us, and I think he decided they were important to him too.
Fred Buechner reminds us that rituals are our opportunity to pause for reflection, and to take what is the best of who we are and lift it in some way toward the heavens, where the everyday of life, just might be met by some sort of holiness. I like this.
I don’t take my son’s opportunities and what he has made of them lightly. He is advantaged, loved, blessed. He has made good on his advantages by studying hard, learning a lot, positioning himself for competency in a challenging world. He also cares a lot about those less advantaged than he, is an advocate for those without, and is just a really kind person. His mother has done well.
I share this of course with some pride, but also in a pause for reflection to grab onto the holiness of this moment. I am here and my son is here because my great grandparents paternal left all they knew in Italy to come to America and start new. I am here and my son is here because my great grandparents on maternal side left Wales to work in the mines in Wilkes Barre, and start new. I am not without consciousness of their sacrifice and our invitation to see this as gift and our advantages as responsibility.
I am mindful for my son, that his advantages are an invitation to live responsibly and to grab on to holiness and not let go. I graduated college 41 years ago and the world is a different place. The cost of the same education I received is 220% more for my son. The average home price has increased 25 times from 1987 to now. Healthcare costs has skyrocketed in 40 years. A pew research study published in April has shown that despite more jobs being available now, with an adjustment for rates of inflation, the average worker has the same if not a little less purchasing power than 40 years ago. My son has spent his entire life with the inner rehearsal of what to do should an active shooter appear in his schools. My son has spent most of his life in a post 911 America, and with an awareness that we (our country) has been at war or in military action (much of it combatting terrorism) all of his life. (Serbia, Sudan, Uganda, Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia, Libya, Yemen, Libya, Syria).
Thursday, my son’s name will be called, his mother and I for sure will be flooded with memories of a lifetime that has led him to this place. We will be honored by who he is and what God has done so far in his life. We will be mindful of the world that desperately needs his gifts and his compassion and kindness. We will grab on to this holy moment, and if we are smart enough, we will hold on to it as long as we possibly can.
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Adult Forums:
May 5 - May 12
Rev. John Marcantonio:
Dreams: Tools for Self-Discovery & Spiritual Growth
(Part 2 of a 3-part series)
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Sunday Bulletin
For those of you worshiping with us via Livestream, below please find the Sunday bulletin.
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Cathedral Foundations
is an experience for those who are newer to the Cathedral and/or the Episcopal Church to grow in understanding of our faith and practices. The Foundations experience takes place Sundays, March 31 through May 12 at 9:20-10:15 AM. The first three sessions will meet as part of Adult Forum in the Dining Room of Sayre Hall; the remaining sessions in the Goodwin Room (3
rd
floor of Sayre Hall).
Click here for more details.
To register, email Dean Pompa at
tpompa@nativitycathedral.org
or call the church office at 610-865-0727.
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Church School Game Day
Our church school year will soon be drawing to a close. Our final class is Sunday, May 19, 2019 at 9:20 AM. We will be celebrating all together in Sayre Hall with a Game Day. Young and old are welcome to come and enjoy some favorite board games and card games. We will also take this time to show appreciation to the teachers and mentors who have given their time and talents to mold our children and youth in the Christian faith. Refreshments will be served.
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Cathedral Arts
The remaining concert of the 20th anniversary Organ Birthday Celebration series is on May 19 at 4 p.m. with organist Robert McCormick, Organist-Choirmaster at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Philadelphia will play a recital of works by Elgar, Bruhns, Vierne, delightful hymn settings, and will close with an exciting improvisation based on three themes presented to him just before he plays. A $10 suggested donation benefits the
Cathedral Arts
, and a reception will following each performance. Please come, celebrate with us!
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Correll Scholarship
Established by parishioner Pam Calabrese in honor of Joseph Emmanuel Correll. Applications are available for graduating high school seniors planning on attending college or technical schools.
Click here for application.
The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, May 20, 2019.
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Norwine Scholarship
A legacy witness to Jon C. Norwine, son of parishioners, Jim and Sarah Norwine. Applications available for high school graduating or college attending young people of the Cathedral community who are faithful participants in service a the Cathedral and plan to attend or are attending college.
Click here for application.
The deadline for submission of applications is Monday, May 20, 2019.
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Quarterly Financial Update
Quarterly financial update as prepared by our finance committee.
View Report
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The Episcopal Church Women (ECW) of the Diocese of Bethlehem
will be hosting a special Spring Luncheon and Program on Wednesday, May 15 from 10am to 2:30pm at the beautifully restored Kirby House. Bishop Kevin D. Nichols will be the keynote speaker. The cost to attend is $15, which includes lunch. The deadline to register is May 8.
Register here
or call the diocesan office at 610-691-5655.
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Cathedral Night at Iron Pigs
Friday, August 23, 2019 (Gates open at 5:45 PM) at 7:05 PM the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs take on the Wilkes Barre RailRiders. Tickets are $10 per person and include field level seats and $2 concessions. For ticket reservations, please contact the church office at 610-865-0727 or
teisenreich@nativitycathedral.org.
Please make checks payable to the church and note “Iron Pigs” on the memo line. Deadline July 17, 2019.
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Parish Picnic
Parish Picnic at Upper Saucon Township Park -
Sunday, June 2, 2019 at 10 AM
. Hamburgers, hot dogs, veggie burgers and drinks will be provided. You supply salads, sides and desserts to share! Directions to the park at 3231 Preston Lane, Center Valley: From Route 378 South, turn left at Preston Lane (Copperhead Grill); from Route 378 North, turn right at Preston Lane. NOTE: An 8 AM service will be held at the Cathedral. The picnic will be the only 10 AM service on June 2!
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ShareCare Faith in Action is in need of 10 volunteer drivers.
ShareCare is a program which links volunteers with individuals who are elderly or disabled. Volunteers are needed to drive these individuals to a doctor appointment, the grocery store or pharmacy or to the bank. Volunteers have complete control as to how many and which rides they are available for. It can be as little as one ride per month. If you would like more information please contact ShareCare Faith in Action via email
sharecarefia@aol.com
or by phone 610-867-2177. If you would like to hear about my personal experience with ShareCare please email Cathy Bailey at
cathybaileynnp@gmail.com
. Thanks for considering this ministry. We are doing God's work in our community.
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Parishioners in the Hospital
If a family member is hospitalized, please contact either the clergy or leave a message with the parish office (610-865-0727) informing us of who is in the hospital and at which hospital.
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Cathedral Schedule
Friday, May 3
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
Saturday, May 4
9:00 AM Altar Guild Prep – Cathedral
10:00 AM Thrift Shop open until 1 PM
5:00 PM Holy Eucharist – Cathedral
Sunday, May 5
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
8:45 AM 321 Contact Worship Service - Sayre Hall
9:20 AM Sunday School | Adult Forum
9:20 AM Foundations Class - Goodwin Room
10:30 AM Holy Eucharist - Cathedral
11:45 AM Camp Meeting - Good Shepherd Chapel
Monday, May 6
9:00 AM Flower Arranging for Hospital Visitations - Sacristy
3:15 PM Private Tutoring - Dining Room
Tuesday, May 7
9:30 AM Nativity Serves at New Bethany Meal Center
1:00 PM Al-Anon Meeting - Room 21
7:00 PM Daughters of the King - Good Shepherd Chapel
Wednesday, May 8
9:00 AM Holy Eucharist & Healing - Good Shepherd Chapel
9:30 AM EfM - Goodwin Room
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
6:30 PM EfM - Goodwin Room
6:30 PM New Bethany Ministries Parenting Class - Good Shepherd Chapel, Nursery
7:00 PM Choir Rehearsal - Choir Room
Thursday, May 9
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
10:00 AM Diocesan Finance Committee - Room 23
7:00 PM Cathedral Handbell Choir Rehearsal - Bishop Gray Room
7:00 PM S-Anon - Room 21
Friday, May 10
9:00 AM Morning Star Rotary Spaghetti Dinner - Sayre Hall, Dining Room, Kitchen
10:00 AM Nativity Staffs the Thrift Shop
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Cathedral Church of the Nativity
321 Wyandotte Street | Bethlehem PA 18015
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