Cantus Panama in concert..Traveling the Americas on a chariot of song

The CANTUS choir, directed by Kristen Saltonstall, will present  ”The Americas”  a concert of
music and song from across the continent on June 2 at the historic Cathedral of Saint Luke in
Ancon. The concert, to begin at 3:00 pm, will include presentations by invited guests,  Jan
Bishop on the Harp  and  Abdiel Goddard on the organ, and promises to be a lovely event. 
The June 2 concert will be the first of CANTUS’ twice yearly fundraisers for the benefit of the
Cathedral. Proceeds go to continuing restoration projects at Saint Luke’s and other important
operations which include outreach programs within the community. Two significant programs
are AMENA which is a lunch program for families of patients at the Oncological Institute and the
Food Pantry.
AMENA which is “Amor en Accion” or “Love in Action” is a partnership program between the
Cathedral and an enthusiastic group of volunteers who gather once or twice a month to prepare
a healthy and delicious luncheon to be served on the Cathedral lawn to families visiting their
loved ones up the street at the hospital. The process begins before dawn with dedicated
volunteers gathering in the kitchen to begin preparations for the lunch guests who are
personally invited later in the morning during a visit to hospital by volunteers led by Padre
Adrian Cardenas, Clergy-in-Charge of the Cathedral. Guests number between 100-125 and are
welcomed in the garden for food and fellowship. Many come to the hospital from long distances
and with scarce economic resources … lunch in the garden is a bit of respite for them.
The Cathedral Food Pantry is open two days a week for individuals seeking relief from the
challenges of unemployment, homelessness, illness and other difficult circumstances.
Managed by a volunteer from the Cathedral, it dispenses bags of food to individuals who have
registered in the program for assistance. The pantry is stocked via donations from the
congregation and other generous donors, as well as through a relationship with the Food Bank
of Panama which offers an economic alternative for charitable food programs.
Please join the Cathedral of Saint Luke in hosting CANTUS, Jan Bishop and Abdiel Goddard on June 2. Your donation of $10.00 will provide you with an enjoyable afternoon of music while also supporting the Cathedral in its work