CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRALAn Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas

FEBRUARY 2013CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG

THE REV. BARKLEY THOMPSON

During my childhood, my family trekked each November from Paragould to my father’s hometown of McGehee, Arkansas, to spend Thanksgiving with

my grandmother. It was always an adventure.

The drive consisted of four hours along poorly maintained state high-ways, occasionally (in the 1970s) through sleet and snow. And yet we knew at the end of the

road my grandmother awaited us with warmth and love.

Packed like sardines into a “Brady Bunch” station wagon, our sojourn al-ways included a combination of excite-ment, nervousness and promise.

As I prepare to load the truck and join the Christ Church Cathedral family in Houston this month, I am reminded of those trips from Paragould to McGehee, and the same admixture of emotion wells within me.

I am also reminded of God’s call to Abraham in Genesis 12. The call to be your dean is for me literally a call to dif-ferent geography, but it is a call to a “new place” for both the Cathedral community and me. New relationships always entail exploration and discovery of spirit.

When God beckons Abraham out of his settled home and into a new place, he does so with the promise of blessing. What’s more, God’s promise is not for Abraham’s own sake. God blesses Abra-ham so that Abraham may extend God’s blessing to others.

I have already experienced the call to be your dean as a blessing in my life. Even before we’ve traveled the road to Hous-ton, many of you have reached out to my family and me to extend your warmth and love. And I hold fast to God’s prom-ise that the ministry we share will be a blessing to one another, to Houston and to the Diocese.

Traveling the road

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A safe and accepting pathSiblings Mike Puccio and Patti Ramsey re-

member their mother, Lillian Puccio, as a tru-ly honest perfectionist, someone who wanted everything to be done right — her way.

“Mother was probably the most particular person about things that mattered or didn’t matter. She was a very high-maintenance per-son,” Patti said. “But she made friends very easily and was a very genuine person.”

“Some people may have thought she was insensitive,” Mike said. “But she was real honest about what she saw. If she didn’t like

something you were doing, or even if she did, she was real honest.”

As children, Mike and Patti didn’t attend church, despite their father growing up a de-vout Roman Catholic. When Lillian, an Ar-menian, and Joe Puccio, an Italian, decided to marry, the church wouldn’t accept it and much of the Puccio family didn’t approve. So Lillian never attended a church even though she made sure her children were baptized at an Episcopal Church.

Lillian and Joe Puccio

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Dedicate Easter lilies to honor, rememberEaster is a wonderful time to remember that

each person, like a lily, is a creation meant to glorify God. As you consider those who mean the most in your life, you may want to remem-ber or honor them by sponsoring one or more of the lilies that grace the Rood Screen at the Cathedral for our great festival celebration.

Checks for $10 per plant should be made payable to the Altar Guild and mailed to

Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002, attn: Altar Guild. If you wish to honor a loved one with your dona-tion, please include a list of names, indicating if they are in memory or honor of, by March 1.

Names received by then will be listed in the Easter Bulletin. Those received later will ap-pear subsequently.

Our Cathedral FamilyWe celebrate with

E Anna and Robert Nettles upon the birth of John August “Jack” Nettles on December 13.

E Elizabeth and Andrew Connellan upon the birth of Liesl Drew Connellan on December 20. Liesl’s grandparents are Cathedral members Will and Barbara Hamilton.

E Justine Karain and Patrick Reed who were married December 21 in the Cathedral.

E Cathedral Member Austin Skaggs and Wirakarn Sae Hai who were married December 22 in the Golding Chapel.

E New members Tammy and Dan Rogas and their daughters, Jordan and Madison.

We extend heartfelt sympathy to E the family of Jarrett Bryan McGehee who died December

20. Jarrett was the brother of Cathedral member J. Pittman McGehee and the uncle of Pittman Jr. and Jarrett McGehee.

Additional poinsettias at the Rood Screen were given at Christmas to the glory of God and

E in honor of Sue Green, Jeanne Roth and Blake Weisser by Judy Minshew.

E in thanksgiving for their granddaughters, Addison Christine Upshaw and Madeline Violet Upshaw, by Lee and Karen Howard.

E in memory of Trevor Dietrich by Lawrence and Mary Ann Boyd.

E in memory of Forrester Carlyle Lord by his parents, Kathy and Tom Lord.

E in thanksgiving for Cece, Mack and Peyton Fowler and for Catherine, Bruce and Peyton McDonald, with love, by Patricia, Michael, Michelle, Chris and Harper.

E in memory of Virginia and Lester Bille, Molly Bille and Cathy Close by Dolly Bille.

E in loving memory of Ginny and Duncan Smith by Diana and John Smith.

E in loving memory of Charlie Watson by Diana and John Smith and by Agnes Watson.

The Flowers on the Cathedral Altar E on February 3 are given to the glory of God in loving memory

of Scott Cawley by his family. E on February 10 are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving

for the dedication and service of Antha Holland to the Altar Guild as the Flower Chairman.

E on February 17 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of her parents, John and Marion Merritello, by Carol Nielsen and family.

E on February 24 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of George R. Galbreath by Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Avery.

The Flowers in the Floor Vases E on February 3 are given to the glory of God in loving memory

of Gordon Weiser by his wife, Blake Weiser.

Becky Stevens serenades the crowd at the Choir Cabaret in 2010. This year’s event, themed “The Way We Were,” will be held February 8 to raise funds for the choir’s upcoming tour of England. It features a live show of popular music performed by the Cathedral Choir, a seated dinner and a silent auction.

Join our merry band of volunteers who help bring Mardi Gras to the Cathedral at the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, set for February 12 from 6–8 p.m. in Reynolds Hall.

We typically host a crowd of 300 revelers and need help in shifts in the following areas: food preparation and serving, set-up and deco-ration, reception at the door, tending beverages, and clean-up of the kitchens and the hall.

To volunteer, sign up in the cloister on Sundays or online at www.christchurchcathedral.org/volunteer. You may also contact Melissa White at 713-590-3302.

Merci, and laissez les bons temps rouler!

Join the Mardi Gras Krewe

UPCOMING MARCH 2 SAT

What Sweeter Music 7:30 p.m., St. John the Divine. Cathedral outing to hear the Houston Chamber Choir perform English a cappella music.

FEBRUARY 16 SAT

Youth Hangout 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 300 Houston. Go bowling with Jeremy and the gang.

FEBRUARY 17 SUN

Lenten Evensong5 p.m., Cathedral. Sung by the Cathedral Choir.

FEBRUARY 18 MON

President’s DayCathedral offices will be closed.

THIS MONTHFEBRUARY 1 FRI

Bridge Night6–9 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Newcomers and all levels welcome.

“Survey in Wax” Opening Reception6–8 p.m., Cloister Gallery. Keith J. R. Hol-lingsworth uses Crayola crayons for artis-tic expression. Through Feb. 18.

FEBRUARY 3 SUN

Rhythms of Grace1 p.m., Jones Basement. Worship experi-ence for special needs children and their families.

Youth Super Bowl Party5 p.m., The Island at St. Martin’s. Yell and scream for your favorite team.

FEBRUARY 8 FRI

Choir Cabaret: “The Way We Were” 7 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Silent auction, din-ner and a show in support of the Cathe-dral Choir’s 2013 tour.

FEBRUARY 10 SUN

Youth Service Day11 a.m. Join Jeremy and the crew as we go out to serve our community and those less fortunate.

FEBRUARY 22–24 FRI–SUN

Young Adult Retreat East Bernard, Texas. Gathering of 20s & 30s young adults from the Cathedral, Trinity and St. Martin’s. Bishop Doyle and the Rev. Patrick Hall will speak.

FEBRUARY 22–24 FRI–SUN

Intermediate & Junior High Retreats Camp Allen. Students in grades 4–6 and 6–8 will hang out with old friends and make new ones while growing in their faith at these diocesan-wide retreats.

FEBRUARY 24 SUN

Barkley Thompson’s First Sunday10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. Welcome our new dean at a reception between ser-vices on his first Sunday at the Cathedral.

FEBRUARY 27 WED

Tartuffe 6:30 p.m., Latham Auditorium. Staged reading of Molière’s comic masterpiece by the Classical Theatre Company. Pro-ceeds to benefit COMPASS.

WEEKLYSUNDAYS

Episcopal Youth Community (EYC)4–6 p.m., BYC. Gathering of youth for dinner, games, teaching, movies and worship.

TUESDAYS

Women’s Bible Study9:30–11 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room.

WEDNESDAYS

Lenten Preaching12:05 p.m., Cathedral Chancel. Eucha-rist with Lenten preaching and hymns. Begins Feb. 20.

City of God, City of Need6–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Three-week Lenten series on respon-sibilities of the urban faith community. Includes dinner. Begins Feb. 20.

Cathedral 20s & 30s6:30–8 p.m., Mellinger Room. Weekly discussion group and social gathering of young adults.

THURSDAYS

Buscando la Luz6:45–8:30 p.m., Mellinger Room. Span-ish-language discussion group.

CALENDAR OF EVENTSVisit www.christchurchcathedral.org or call 713-222-2593 to learn more about these and other events at the Cathedral.

Registration recommended Registration required

FEBRUARY 12 TUEShrove Tuesday Pancake Supper6–8 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Feast and make merry on the night before Lent. Wear your Mardi Gras best and dance to live Zydeco music.

FRIDAYSWay of the Cross6:30 p.m., Cathedral. Meditation on the events recorded in the Gospels. In English and Spanish. Begins Feb. 15 and continues throughout Lent.

MARCH 8–11 FRI-MON

Youth Spring Break Trip Port Aransas, Texas. Head down south with the Cathedral youth for a part mis-sion, part fun trip.

FEBRUARY 13 WED

Ash WednesdayMark the start of Lent with the imposi-tion of ashes at services at 7 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Spanish).

MARCH 3 SUNPortrait of Spain 3-4 p.m., Museum of Fine Arts. Small-group guided tour of 100 Euro-pean masterpieces from the Museo del Prado. Register by Feb. 14.

FEBRUARY 22 FRI

Corinne Jones Opening Reception6–8 p.m., Cloister Gallery. Corinne Jones explores nature, color and texture with mixed media works.

FEBRUARY 20 WEDPei-Ju Wu Concert7:30–9 p.m., Latham Auditorium. Violinist Pei-Ju Wu performs works by Debussy and Prokofiev in a solo concert. Free.

FEBRUARY 23 & 24 SAT & SUNAfrican-American Music Gala 7 p.m. (Sat.) and 4 p.m. (Sun.) in the Cathedral. Concert of works by black women composers featuring the Houston Ebony Opera Guild Chorus.

Mike and Patti never felt their mother was in need of anything specific in the way of spir-itual guidance until she was diagnosed with cancer at age 84. Surgeries and treatments prolonged her life, but doctors told Lillian they could no longer operate at age 90. Yet even then, Lillian didn’t believe she was go-ing to die. As with everything else in her life, death would only come on her terms, and she wasn’t ready.

“Finally, I had to tell her that we are all go-ing to die,” Patti said, “but she was not in a mode of accepting that.”

When it became apparent that Lillian’s health was in decline, the Cathedral commu-nity stepped in to help. The Rev. Luchy Little-john counseled Patti and was instrumental in preparing her for what was to come. The cler-

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Did you know you can read The Bulletin on our website? If you’d like to go “online-only,” contact Anne Shepard at ashepard@christchurchcathedral.org or call her at 713-590-3301.

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In the Cloister Gallery:Corinne JonesFebruary 18 to March 21Jones layers plants, soil and other materials to create mixed-media works that reflect the natural world.

In the Bookstore:The Deanery LibraryWe’ve added over 1,000 titles to our selection of used books, donated from the deanery library of Joe Reynolds.

I will arrive in Houston in time to attend Diocesan Council on February 8–9, and my first Sunday at the Cathedral will be Febru-ary 24. Though my family will remain in Roa-noke until June, they’ll be in Houston for Eas-ter. We are excited to travel this road, follow this call, and join you!

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gy at the Cathedral visited Lillian, and the Rev. Glenice Robinson-Como eventually formed a bond with her through several visits.

“When the hospital chaplain came out, I think he was baffled by Mother,” Patti said. “Glenice probably was too, but Glenice really learned to understand Mother,” Patti said. “Glenice helped her create a pathway that was safe and accepting. She helped her over her fear of what was next.”

Cathedral members also wrote Lillian notes or brought flowers, food and prayers shawls. Others visited Lillian despite having never met her. One Cathedral parishioner, Roni Coulson, even offered to spend the night with Lillian once a week, and did so for months until her death in July 2012.

“I was totally overwhelmed with the num-ber of people that came to visit or came to the funeral or just expressed their condolences,” Patti said. “The outreach and the outpour was just totally unexpected and just very, very lov-ing. It has given me a whole new appreciation for this community.”

“A lot of times I feel like people attend a place of worship for themselves first, to sat-isfy their faith,” Mike said. “But all through-out our time at the Cathedral there has been a series of events that has made me realize there

is much more to it than just how I feel. When you start doing things that don’t have any-thing to do with religion specifically — just helping people — and then you are taking a shower or driving, and you realize that what you are doing is what Jesus would have done … It’s a great feeling to me to know that this transcends all of the liturgical aspects of it.

“This community really is important to me, and I’m glad I was able to share that with my mother.”