Dean’s Letter: Music Updates

Hello St. Paul’s, The news about Martin Green’s departure came as a surprise to most of the congregation on Sunday. Martin has been a part of the fabric of the cathedral for so long, it has been easy to imagine that he would be here for ever. However, nothing except God is eternal, and while … READ MORE…

A Letter from Dean Penny: Advent is Here!

Hello St. Paul’s, As you know, Advent, the opening season of the church year, has traditionally been observed in the Episcopal Church for the four Sundays before Christmas. However, there is a longstanding and widespread alternative tradition of observing Advent for a period more equivalent to the 40 days of Lent; and for us, Advent … READ MORE…

A Letter from Penny: Christian Formation

Hello St. Paul’s, One of the primary responsibilities of a rector or dean is to ensure that parishioners are engaging in Christian formation, to enable all of us “grow into the full stature of Christ”, as we repeatedly promise in the baptismal liturgy. For many years St. Paul’s has offered a weekly forum on Sunday … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Homecoming 2025

Hello St. Paul’s, Welcome Home! The children are back at school, the calendar is flying headlong towards Christmas, and even for those of us who left academic calendars behind long ago, September brings a sense of new beginnings. This weekend we will celebrate Homecoming at St. Paul’s, with a special procession and commissioning of lay … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Saint Mary the Virgin

The Collect for the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin O God, you have taken to yourself the blessed Virgin Mary, mother of your incarnate Son: Grant that we, who have been redeemed by his blood, may share with her the glory of your eternal kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who  lives and reigns … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Ten Years of Marriage Equality

Hello St. Paul’s, On June 26, 2015 I was in Phoenix, on the last leg of a cross-country trip with my son. We were at a gas station early that morning when my son’s watch beeped with the news that the Supreme Court had decided in favor of legalizing same-sex marriage across the nation. As … READ MORE…

Music Update

Hello St. Paul’s, As we head into the summer months, we want to update you on the cathedral’s music ministry. As you know, our choirs are sounding magnificent this season, perhaps the best in a long time. This is due in large part to the presence of our staff singers. We do our best to … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Ascension, Rogation, Pentecost

Hello St. Paul’s, As the Easter season comes to a close, the Church celebrates Rogationtide, Ascensiontide, and Pentecost. The Rogation Days are traditionally observed on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday following the Sixth Sunday of Easter. This year that would have been May 26-28. Rogation is a word meaning prayer, but over time the Rogation … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Three Holy Days

Hello St. Paul’s, By now we are well into Holy Week, the center of our year and our faith. We have celebrated the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem and we have meditated deeply on the mystery of his Passion, as recounted by St. Luke. Now we turn to the Triduum, the three holiest days. … READ MORE…

Dean’s Letter: Palm Sunday

Hello St. Paul’s, It seems like just the other day that we were imposing ashes and launching into the season of Lent, but here we are already on the verge of Holy Week, the center and heart of our year. Palm Sunday is a complicated day that attempts to commemorate not only the entry of … READ MORE…