Dedication

The first service in the unfinished first church of this parish was held on December 8, 1870.  This church was never consecrated during the twenty-five years it served as the home for our parish community.  The first service in the present building of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin was held on December 8, 1895.  It was consecrated four days later, December 12, 1895 by the Bishop of New York, the Right Reverend Henry C. Potter.  On Sunday, December 15, 1895 the Rector, the Reverend Thomas McKee Brown, preached the 25th Anniversary Sermon at the Solemn Mass of the day.

We have service bulletins from very early in Saint Mary's history.  I haven't checked every year but until the Reverend Granville Mercer Williams, S.S.J.E. became rector in 1930 the parish observed December 8 as the feast of title and the feast of dedication of the church.  Beginning in 1930 the parish separated these observances and chose to follow the practice decided on for ancient churches which no longer had a record or memory of their consecration.  The ritual books instructed these parishes to observe a feast of dedication on the first Sunday in October.

One thing that happens at Saint Mary's on the first Sunday in October is the return of the choral season at the Solemn Mass.  In addition, beginning this Sunday the 10:00 AM Mass moves to the High Altar.  An organist will be present.  A simple Sung Mass with incense (Preparation/Great Thanksgiving) will be offered.  We will also be offering Solemn Evensong & Eucharistic Benediction at 6:00 PM.

As I reviewed the programs I saw again something I had forgotten for a year.  At Saint Mary's the flowers on the Feast of Dedication are given by the parish community to the Glory of God and in thanksgiving for the ministry of the departed rectors of the parish.  I myself typed the names of those men into the bulletin last year.  I write to you again something that I have written and said to you since moving to New York, words cannot express what I feel when I stand before the mystery of God's providence in bringing me here to be your rector.  I know I am not a finished product as a person or a priest.  I am grateful to God and to you for the trust you give to me to be your pastor, teacher and priest.

PRAYER LIST…Your prayers are asked for Olga, Helen, Shirley, Dawn, Mary, Lucille, Frances, Eleanor, Carl, Harold, Frank, Cindy, Eleanor, Stephen, Winston, Jane, John and Allen.

GRANT THEM PEACE . . . October 1: 1996 William Wolf; October 2: 1961 Beatrice Irwin Packington; October 7: 1962 Stephen Mason; 1965: Josephine Barreaux.

LITURGICAL NOTES . . . The Sunday Proper: Genesis 28:10-17, Psalm 84:1-6, 1 Peter 2:1-5,9-10, Matthew 21:12-16 . . . 9:00 AM Celebrant: Father Breidenthal, Preacher: Miss Jennifer Reddall, 10:00 AM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Gerth, 11:00 AM Celebrant & Preacher:  Father Gerth, 5:00 PM Celebrant & Preacher: Father Shin . . . Confessions will be heard on September 30 by Father Gerth . . . Confessions will be heard on October 7 by Father Shin.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . Our catechumenate program, Journey in Faith, begins on October 8.  As was the case last year, this program is open to any and all who wish to deepen their faith . . . Congratulations to Phillip Smith and Patricia Ann Walsh-Smith whose marriage was blessed on Sunday evening, September 24, here at Saint Mary's . . . She's a quiet presence but we want her to know that we know how much she always does and how much extra she has been doing this last month during coffee hour.  Thank you, Suzanne Rochester-Nagy! . . . Volunteer Position Openings: One or two people are needed on Thursday afternoons to assist with the folding and mailing labeling of this weekly newsletter.  If you might be interested in this ministry, please contact the parish office at 869-5830.  Volunteers are also needed to fold and staple the Sunday bulletins on Friday evenings or Saturdays . . . The Reverend Martin Smith, administrator of the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, will speak here at Saint Mary's on Wednesday, October 11, at 7:00 PM . . . On Saturday, October 28, Gina Bianco, fabric restorationist at the Metropolitan Museum, will be here to teach and train volunteers to help restore and care for the old vestments.  Those who are interested in this important project please call the church office or talk to Sean Cassidy or Godfrey Gregg . . . Attendance last Sunday 111.

SUMMARY OF SEPTEMBER 18, 2000, BOARD MEETING . . . At its meeting on September 18, 2000, the Board Of Trustees: .1. Heard About Plans For The Stewardship Campaign, Which Will Begin In October.  2.  Learned Of The successful resolution of a dispute with the Association of Anglican Musicians regarding the dismissal of the former Music Director.  3.  Heard about plans for the search for a new Music Director.  4.  Learned about the schedule of services for Christmas.  Christmas Eve falls on a Sunday this year, the Fourth Sunday of Advent.  The Solemn Mass of Christmas will be held at 11 PM on Christmas Eve, with only one Mass held on Christmas Day, at 11 AM.  5.  Heard about renovations in the Rectory, which are in progress.  An amount of $35,000 was budgeted for this work.  A member of the parish, Thomas Jayne, who is a decorator has been coordinating the effort.  Mr. Jayne has also used his good offices to obtain a number of significant donations for the project.  6.  Discussed the need for a weekend long-range planning retreat, for members of the Board and parish clergy.  This will be scheduled for some time early in 2001.  7.  Accepted with regret the resignation of Phil Burgess from the Board.

Worship at Saint Mary’s

The Holy Eucharist

On Sundays Mass is said at 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM.  A Sung Mass is offered at 10:00 AM.  A Solemn Mass is offered at 11:00 AM.  Monday through Friday Mass is said at 12:15 PM and 6:20 PM.  On Saturdays Mass is said at 12:15 PM.

The Daily Office

On ordinary Sundays Morning Prayer is said at 8:30 AM and Evening Prayer at 4:45 PM.  Monday through Friday Morning Prayer is offered at 8:30 AM, the Noonday Office at 12:00 PM and Evening Prayer at 6:00 PM.  On Saturdays the Noonday Office is offered at 12:00 PM and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM.

The Reconciliation of Penitents

Confessions are heard on Saturdays between 11:30 AM and 12:00 PM and between 4:00 PM and 5:00 PM.  Appointments can also be made with members of the parish clergy for the Reconciliation of Penitents at other times.

Friday Abstinence

The ordinary Fridays of the year are observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial in commemoration

of the crucifixion of the Lord.

The Calendar for the Sixteenth Week after Pentecost

Monday                              Weekday

Tuesday                              Weekday

Wednesday                        Francis of Assisi, friar

Thursday                            Weekday

Friday                                 William Temple, priest                                           Abstinence

Saturday                             Of Our Lady

The Parish Clergy

The Reverend Stephen Gerth, rector,

The Reverend Allen Shin, curate, The Reverend Thomas Breidenthal, assistant,

The Reverend Arthur Wolsoncroft, The Reverend Canon Maurice Garrison, The Reverend Amilcar Figueroa, The Reverend J. Barrington Bates, assisting priests, The Reverend Canon Edgar F. Wells, rector emeritus.