SUNDAY, JANUARY 12, 2025

While the bishop of our diocese is always present at the cathedral a few times each year (e.g. Christmas Eve, Easter Vigil and Easter Day, Cathedral Day, Ordinations), an official "Episcopal Visitation" is a rarer and more special occurrence. Canon law requires every diocesan bishop to visit every congregation in their diocese at least once every three years. When this happens here, the bishop is visiting Saint Mark's as a parish community, rather than as a diocesan cathedral. In the words of The Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, "The canonical purposes of a visitation are for the bishop to examine the condition of the congregation, oversee the clergy, preach, confirm, preside at the eucharist, and examine parochial records."

Our newly consecrated bishop, The Rt. Rev. Phil LaBelle, will preside and preach at all three morning services on Sunday, January 12—8 a.m., 9. a.m., & 11 a.m.

It is customary for the bishop to offer Baptisms and Confirmations/Receptions on the occasion of his visitation, and January 12 happens to be the Feast of the Baptism of Jesus, one of the four Baptismal Feasts of the church year!

"Friends Talking" Forum with Dean Thomason

10:10–10:50 A.M., Bloedel Hall

This informal conversation between the 9 and 11 a.m. services is a great opportunity for the cathedral community to continue to get to know our diocese’s new leader, and to hear how things have been going so far.

(This forum takes the place of the Blessing and Dedication of Donna Jean’s Place, which has been postponed to a future date TBA.)