CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
A safe and accepting path Siblings Mike Puccio and Patti Ramsey remember their mother, Lillian Puccio, as a truly 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 person,” 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 devout Roman Catholic. When Lillian, an Armenian, 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.
PATH, back cover
Lillian and Joe Puccio
Dedicate Easter lilies to honor, remember Easter 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 remember 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 donation, 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 appear subsequently.
FEBRUARY 2013 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
Traveling the road
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 highways, occasionally (in the 1970s) through sleet THE REV. BARKLEY and snow. And yet we THOMPSON 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 always included a combination of excitement, 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 different 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 Abraham 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 Houston, many of you have reached out to my family and me to extend your warmth and love. And I hold fast to God’s promise that the ministry we share will be a blessing to one another, to Houston and to the Diocese.
TRAVELING, back cover
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with EE Anna and Robert Nettles upon the birth of John August “Jack” Nettles on December 13. EE Elizabeth and Andrew Connellan upon the birth of Liesl Drew Connellan on December 20. Liesl’s grandparents are Cathedral members Will and Barbara Hamilton. EE Justine Karain and Patrick Reed who were married December 21 in the Cathedral. EE Cathedral Member Austin Skaggs and Wirakarn Sae Hai who were married December 22 in the Golding Chapel. EE New members Tammy and Dan Rogas and their daughters, Jordan and Madison.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to EE 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 EE in honor of Sue Green, Jeanne Roth and Blake Weisser by Judy Minshew. EE in thanksgiving for their granddaughters, Addison Christine Upshaw and Madeline Violet Upshaw, by Lee and Karen Howard. EE in memory of Trevor Dietrich by Lawrence and Mary Ann Boyd. EE in memory of Forrester Carlyle Lord by his parents, Kathy and Tom Lord. EE in thanksgiving for Cece, Mack and Peyton Fowler and for Catherine, Bruce and Peyton McDonald, with love, by Patricia, Michael, Michelle, Chris and Harper. EE in memory of Virginia and Lester Bille, Molly Bille and Cathy Close by Dolly Bille. EE in loving memory of Ginny and Duncan Smith by Diana and John Smith. EE in loving memory of Charlie Watson by Diana and John Smith and by Agnes Watson.
The Flowers on the Cathedral Altar EE on February 3 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Scott Cawley by his family. EE 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. EE 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. EE 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 EE 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 the Mardi Gras Krewe
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 decoration, 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!
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit www.christchurchcathedral.org or call 713-222-2593 to learn more about these and other events at the Cathedral. Registration recommended
Registration required FEBRUARY 16
THIS MONTH FEBRUARY 1
FRI
Bridge Night 6–9 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Newcomers and all levels welcome. “Survey in Wax” Opening Reception 6–8 p.m., Cloister Gallery. Keith J. R. Hollingsworth uses Crayola crayons for artistic expression. Through Feb. 18. FEBRUARY 3
SUN
Rhythms of Grace 1 p.m., Jones Basement. Worship experience for special needs children and their families.
SAT
Youth Hangout 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 300 Houston. Go bowling with Jeremy and the gang. FEBRUARY 17
SUN
Lenten Evensong 5 p.m., Cathedral. Sung by the Cathedral Choir. FEBRUARY 18
MON
President’s Day Cathedral offices will be closed.
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. SUN
Barkley Thompson’s First Sunday 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. Welcome our new dean at a reception between services on his first Sunday at the Cathedral. FEBRUARY 27
FRI
WED
Tartuffe 6:30 p.m., Latham Auditorium. Staged reading of Molière’s comic masterpiece by the Classical Theatre Company. Proceeds to benefit COMPASS.
Choir Cabaret: “The Way We Were” 7 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Silent auction, dinner and a show in support of the Cathedral Choir’s 2013 tour. FEBRUARY 10
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 24
Youth Super Bowl Party 5 p.m., The Island at St. Martin’s. Yell and scream for your favorite team. FEBRUARY 8
FEBRUARY 22–24
SUN
Youth Service Day 11 a.m. Join Jeremy and the crew as we go out to serve our community and those less fortunate.
FEBRUARY 20 WED Pei-Ju Wu Concert 7:30–9 p.m., Latham Auditorium. Violinist Pei-Ju Wu performs works by Debussy and Prokofiev in a solo concert. Free. FEBRUARY 22
FRI
Corinne Jones Opening Reception 6–8 p.m., Cloister Gallery. Corinne Jones explores nature, color and texture with mixed media works.
WEEKLY SUNDAYS
FRIDAYS Way of the Cross 6:30 p.m., Cathedral. Meditation on the events recorded in the Gospels. In English and Spanish. Begins Feb. 15 and continues throughout Lent.
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.
Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) 4–6 p.m., BYC. Gathering of youth for dinner, games, teaching, movies and worship. TUESDAYS Women’s Bible Study 9:30–11 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room. WEDNESDAYS Lenten Preaching 12:05 p.m., Cathedral Chancel. Eucharist with Lenten preaching and hymns. Begins Feb. 20. City of God, City of Need 6–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Three-week Lenten series on responsibilities of the urban faith community. Includes dinner. Begins Feb. 20.
FEBRUARY 12 TUE Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper 6–8 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Feast and make merry on the night before Lent. Wear your Mardi Gras best and dance to live Zydeco music. FEBRUARY 13
WED
Ash Wednesday Mark the start of Lent with the imposition of ashes at services at 7 a.m., 12:05 p.m., 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. (Spanish).
FEBRUARY 23 & 24 SAT & SUN African-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.
Cathedral 20s & 30s 6:30–8 p.m., Mellinger Room. Weekly discussion group and social gathering of young adults. THURSDAYS Buscando la Luz 6:45–8:30 p.m., Mellinger Room. Spanish-language discussion group.
MARCH 3 SUN Portrait of Spain 3-4 p.m., Museum of Fine Arts. Small-group guided tour of 100 European masterpieces from the Museo del Prado. Register by Feb. 14. MARCH 8–11
FRI-MON
Youth Spring Break Trip Port Aransas, Texas. Head down south with the Cathedral youth for a part mission, part fun trip.
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Houston, Texas
1117 Texas Avenue Houston, Texas 77002-3183
PERMIT No. 6404
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
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.
PATH, from cover Mike and Patti never felt their mother was in need of anything specific in the way of spiritual 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 going 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 going 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 community stepped in to help. The Rev. Luchy Littlejohn counseled Patti and was instrumental in preparing her for what was to come. The cler-
TRAVELING, from cover I will arrive in Houston in time to attend Diocesan Council on February 8–9, and my first Sunday at the Cathedral will be February 24. Though my family will remain in Roanoke until June, they’ll be in Houston for Easter. We are excited to travel this road, follow this call, and join you!
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 number 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 loving. 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 satisfy their faith,” Mike said. “But all throughout 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 anything 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.”
In the Cloister Gallery: Corinne Jones February 18 to March 21 Jones layers plants, soil and other materials to create mixed-media works that reflect the natural world.
In the Bookstore: The Deanery Library We’ve added over 1,000 titles to our selection of used books, donated from the deanery library of Joe Reynolds.