Photo Gallery
Season of Pentecost
An Evensong for the Close of the Church Year
A service of Choral Evensong was celebrated on Sunday November 13th. The Very Rev. Judith A. Sullivan was the Officiant and Homilist.
Service music included “Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis” by James MacMillan, “O thou that art the light” by Gabriel Jackson, “Purge me O Lord” by Thomas Tallis and “Alma Redemptoris Mater” by James Ockeghem.
Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi
On this day we celebrate the beauty of all God’s creatures as we commemorate the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi.
Cathedral Outreach Ministry
The Philadelphia Cathedral’s Outreach Ministry has partnered with the University City Hospitality Coalition in in providing free lunches at the Cathedral on the last Thursday of each month.
If you are interested in volunteering for this vital ministry, please contact the Cathedral Office at 215.386.0234, ext 104.
Below are photos from the barbeque in the Cathedral Garden held on June 30th.
Our next lunch will be held on Thursday, July 28th at 12 Noon.
Ordination to the Sacred Order of Deacons
On June, 11th, Lindsay Marie Hills and Matthew Holcombe were ordained to the Sacred Order of Deacons by The Rt. Rev. Charles. E. Bennison, Jr.
St. Michael’s Choir School performed a Noonday Concert at the Cathedral
The Senior Choir of St. Michael’s Choir School, conducted by Dr. Jercy Cichocki, and accompanied by William O’ Meara performed a program of sacred music by Canadian composers.
St. Michael’s Choir School was founded in 1937 by Fr. John Edward Ronan to facilitate the training of a boys’ choir for St. Michael’s Cathedral. The official name of the school at the time was “Cathedral Schola Cantorum.” On May 17, 1955, St. Michael’s Choir School was accorded an affiliation with the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music in Rome — only six other choirs and choir schools in the world share this privilege. In 1987, the Choir School completed an astounding fifty years of service, and in recognition of this milestone, Mr. Art Eggleton, the mayor of Toronto at the time, declared June 15, 1987, as the official St. Michael’s Choir School Day.
St. Michael’s Choir School was formed from humble beginnings as a privately run institution. In 1967 a partnership was formed with the Toronto Catholic District School Board that is still in existence today. From the very beginning the school has provided parishes in the Toronto Diocese and beyond with organists, cantors, conductors, and professional singers.
St. Michael’s Choir School was formed from humble beginnings as a privately run institution. In 1967 a partnership was formed with the Toronto Catholic District School Board that is still in existence today.
From the very beginning the school has provided parishes in the Toronto Diocese and beyond with organists, cantors, conductors, and professional singers.
Easter Vigil & Rites of Christian Initation
The Great Vigil of Easter and Rites of Christian Initiation were celebrated at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral on Saturday, April 23rd. The Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr. was the Presider and Preacher.
A Lenten Evensong
The Cathedral Singers, including the newly appointed Choral Scholars, sung their first Evensong service under the direction of Thomas Lloyd, Acting Director of Music, and accompanied by Cathedral Organist John Andrew Bailey on Sunday March 20th. The Very Rev. Judith A. Sullivan was the Officiant.
Evensong had its origins in the monastic Vespers, for which the monks, who had worked all day in the fields and vineyards, put aside their tools and came together for a moment of reflection and celebration in the gathering dusk. Evensong has been one of the most treasured liturgies of the Anglican tradition mostly unchanged since the first English Prayer Book of 1549. Sacred music has played an integral role in the life of the Cathedral. The Lenten
The Evensong service music included Herbert Howells St. Paul’s Service, Victor Kalinnikov “Svjetje Tihi” (Gladsome Light/Phos Hilaron), Duke Ellington “Father Forgive” and “Lord’s Prayer” from his Sacred Concerts, the Hall Johnson arrangement of the spiritual “I’ve been ‘buked” and new liturgical recitation settings by Thomas Lloyd. A reception followed the Service.
2011 Absalom Jones Diocesan Celebration at the Cathedral
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified in your saints, and who raised up your servant Absalom Jones to be a light in the world; shine we pray in our hearts, that following his example, we in our generation may strive for the liberation and reconciliation of all people; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom you have called us out of darkness in to your marvelous light, and who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit throughout all ages. Amen.
Ordination to the Sacred Order of Priests
On Saturday, January 22, 2011, Randy Callender, Michael Giansiracusa, Jr. and Callie Swanlund were ordained to the Sacred Order of Priests by the Rt. Rev. Charles E. Bennison, Jr. The Cathedral reported an attendance of well over three hundred people at this joyful service, at which Bishop Bennison was assisted by the Rt. Rev. Edward L. Lee, Jr. and the Rt. Rev. Franklin D. Turner, who delivered the homily. A brief reception was held following the ordinations.
Autumn Evensong with Youth Chamber Choir of St. David’s Church, Wayne, PA
On Sunday, November 14 at 4 p.m. the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral hosted the Youth Chamber Choir of St. David’s Church, Wayne, PA under the direction of Clair Rozier and Robert Gallagher. for a service of Evensong and the Installation of the Cathedral Verger, Robert Mikrut.
The Rev W. Franklin Allen, Rector of Saint David’s Episcopal Church, Wayne, PA, served as the Officiant and Homilist. Service Music included works by Orlando Gibbons, Henry Purcell and Bernard Rose. A reception followed.
Fourth Dean of the Cathedral Invested
On Sunday, October 17 at 4 PM, The Very Rev. Judith A. Sullivan was invested as the fourth Dean of Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral by Bishop Charles E. Bennison, Jr. It was a beautiful liturgy that included the participation of members and friends from around the Diocese; the choirs of the Church of the Redeemer, Bryn Mawr, under the direction of Michael Diorio and the Cathedral Singers, directed by Riyehee Hong, offered special music during the service.
An anthem entitled Fellowship of Miracles was composed for this special occasion by Dr. Thomas Lloyd, a member of the Cathedral congregation and Associate Professor of Music at Haverford College. The text of the anthem, from Henri Nouwen’s, Out of Solitude, was selected by Dean Sullivan.
A reception was held at the Newman Center following the service.
Judy Sullivan has served as the Associate Rector of the Church of the Redeemer in Bryn Mawr since 2007. Prior to her service at Redeemer, she served as Canon Residentiary at Philadelphia Cathedral with responsibility for diocesan worship and the nurture and growth of the Cathedral congregation. She is a graduate of General Theological Seminary.
Prior to her ordained ministry, Judy directed non-profit organizations providing academic support and social services to children with need in Philadelphia public schools. She was appointed by Bishop Rodney Michel as Chair of the Diocesan Liturgical Commission in 2009. She is also a member of the Diocesan Spiritual Growth and Resources Committee and serves on the boards of including Episcopal Community Services and the Philadelphia Interfaith Center.
Judy envisions the Cathedral serving as a seat for the Bishop, a home for the Diocese and an open door for all. She anticipates new theological explorations, events with engaging speakers, more art exhibits, new opportunities for conversations about matters of faith, and will extend invitations to other faith groups to join in dialogue, with the goal of providing renewed reasons for people to visit the cathedral again.
We welcome the Rev. Judith Sullivan and pray that her new ministry will be blessed and may her gifts and talents for ministry find fertile ground and bear fruit in abundance as she returns to Philadelphia Cathedral to serve as its next Dean.
Christ is risen.
On Saturday, April 23 at 7 p.m., the Great Vigil of Easter and Rites of Christian Initiation took place at the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral.
The Rt. Rev. Charles. E. Bennison, Jr. was the Presider and Preacher.