Cathedral raises funds through swing concert

Through swing music performed in its sanctuary, the Episcopal Cathedral of St. John expects to feed the hungry and house the homeless by reaching out ecumenically to raise funds for Catholic Charities.

The 18-piece Tuxedo Junction Big Band will perform “Swing in the Cathedral for Catholic Charities” at 7 p.m., Friday, May 19, at the cathedral, 127 E. 12th Ave.

This is the first such benefit concert since 2003, and the beginning of a 2006-2007 series. 

A samba concert with Desafinado on October 13 will raise funds for the Interfaith Hospitality Network, and a Community Gospel Choir concert Jan. 12, 2007, will benefit the Martin Luther King Jr. Family Outreach Center.

The outreach committee chose to support Catholic Charities because its service is based on “need not creed,” feeding, clothing, counseling and sheltering more than 50,800 people in 13 Eastern Washington counties in 2005, said Rich Relyea of the committee.

Loreen McFaul, Catholic Charities development director, said that 85 percent of the people they serve are either not religious or not of the Catholic faith.  She said that it is heartening that this is but one example of how the non-Catholic donor base for Catholic Charities is growing.

“It’s exciting to work together ecumenically to promote arts and ministries,” she said.

Funds will serve people through the House of Charities, St. Anne’s Children and Family Center, Immigration and Refugee Services, Hurricane Katrina relief and affordable apartments for single-parent families and seniors.

Tuxedo Junction Big Band plays music from the classic swing era of the 1930s and 1940s, plus a variety of music from the 1950s through today, including show tunes and Latin sounds. 

For information, call 838-4277 or 800-325-7328.

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By Mary Stamp, The Fig Tree - © May 2006