Cathedral’s choral services celebrate ascension of Jesus

The Cathedral of St. Andrew will hold two choral services to celebrate the Feast of the Ascension, which commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven following his crucifixion and resurrection.

Ascension Day is one of the principal prayer book feasts, equal in importance to Christmas, Epiphany and Pentecost, a church news release said.

In addition to this Sunday’s evensong at 5:30 p.m., the two choral services — Eve of the Feast and a solemn Mass — will be performed by the Cathedral Choir and conducted by music director and organist John Robert Renke at the cathedral, 229 Queen Emma Square. The free services are open to the public.

Eve of the Feast, set for 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, will feature music of Charles Villiers Stanford and Orlando Gibbons. The solemn Mass, 5:30 p.m. Thursday, will be held with the choir singing Tomas Luis de Victoria’s “Missa Ascendens Christus.” More information is available at thecathedral ofstandrew.org.

Groups sponsor 2 days of sessions on mindfulness

The Bodhi Tree Dharma Center and the Honolulu Mindfulness Community are sponsoring a two-day retreat, including a session at Nuuanu Valley Park.

The retreat, “Mindfulness for Changing Times,” will begin Friday, 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Bodhi Tree center, 654-A N. Judd St. It will continue the next day, 6-8:15 a.m. at Nuuanu Valley Park, 2925 Pali Highway. Sessions will conclude at the center, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Abbot Thich Phuoc Tinh will appear, with assistance from teachers and sisters Kinh Nghiem and Tinh Nghiem, who are coming from Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, Calif. They will lead participants in sitting and walking meditations, dharma sharing, singing and sutra readings.

The cost is $125, which includes breakfast and lunch May 7. For more information or to RSVP, call Margy at 537-1171. To register, send check to the Bodhi Tree or pay via bodhitree hawaii.com. Email Tony at tonypfff@gmail.com if you need financial assistance.