On my way to the Cathedral of the Christ of Light, I got a text from John Renke:

The cathedral Rector had a massive heart attack after the Saturday evening mass and died last night. You’re coming to a very interesting Sunday here!

I heard more of the story at the announcement to the parish at the beginning of the service. Father James Matthews heard confessions and celebrated mass last night, then during dinner with other priests, he suffered a massive heart attack and died. There was an audible gasp among the parishioners when they heard the shocking and sad news.

John greeted me at the baptismal font then led the way to the choir rehearsal room where a choir warmup was held before the service.

John introduced me as a longtime friend and colleague from his days in Honolulu, then as the choir went into the church to rehearse before the service, one of the choristers called out to me: Mrs. Crosier! It turned out to be Brett Watanabe, a former student from Iolani School where I had played for chapel for 20 years!

It was not until after the service that I asked Brett in what year he graduated, and was excited to learn that he graduated in 2010, the same year as my former student, Joey Fala! What a small world, right?! Today was Brett’s first day in singing in this choir.

This being the Fourth Sunday of Lent, there was an organ prelude and postlude, the only Sunday in Lent when the organist plays voluntaries. Rudy de Vos played “Attende Domine” by Jeanne Demessieux as the prelude plus the opening hymn, while John Renke played the rest of the service. John later told me he was never hired to play the organ, but after two months here he has become “Assistant Organist,” an unofficial title.

Today’s service featured  the Missa adventus et quadragesimae (MASS XVII) and hearing the choir sing the Gregorian chants in this beautiful space took me back to the Requiem mass for my husband in St. Theresa’s — the unaccompanied chant wafted over us like puffy white clouds on a clear day. For the offertory and communion motet, the choir sang Marcel Dupré’s “Laudate dominum” and “O salutaris hostia.” This was a Doubles Sunday—8:45am-12:45pm for the choristers, a long morning. It was a beautiful day in Oakland, and we walked along Lake Merritt on our way to the Terrace Room restaurant. We had a delicious brunch, and had a great time reminiscing about our shared experiences with St. Andrew’s Cathedral and the Lutheran Church of Honolulu. John was such a special friend to me in Carl Crosier’s last days in hospice, and I will always treasure his friendship and support. It’s so good to see that he is thriving here.