Our Mission

For several months the Board of Trustees and others from the parish community have been in prayer and conversation about the future of Saint Mary's, in particular, future uses of our Mission House.  For the last nine years the space has been occupied by the Center for Families and Children, Inc., one of New York's oldest not-for-profit service agencies.  Their agreement will expire on May 31, 2001.

At its June 19, 2000 meeting the Trustees decided to notify the Center that Saint Mary's will not renew the agreement.  We believe it is again time in the life of this community to step forward in faith and follow a God who promises to "do yet a new thing" at Saint Mary's and in Times Square.  As stewards of God's gifts we believe it is our responsibility to use all that we have been given.

Some newer members of Saint Mary's may not know that the Mission House is the property immediately to the east of the church building on West 46th Street.  It is in fact connected on every floor to the church.  It was built with great hope to be an integral part of the parish plant and mission.  We hope to restore this vision.

Originally the Mission House housed a convent and there still is a balcony in the Mercy Chapel that can only be entered from the Mission House.  It's where the sisters would come to "hear" Mass in the old days!  The Mission House began as the parish's center for ministry to women and children in the neighborhood just as the Parish House was the home of the curates and the center for ministry to men and boys.  It was a tangible expression of the parish's Anglo-catholicism - its faith and its works.

The special professional character and scope of the work the Center for Families and Children does with teenagers means that members of the parish cannot really be involved with their work except on the most occasional basis.

The Center has a great mission of its own; but it is their mission, not ours.  I believe that the parish community of Saint Mary's needs an opportunity to be actively involved in Christian works in our neighborhood.

Your creativity, energy and faith are needed.  I ask your prayers for the Center as it moves to the next stage of its long service to New York City.  I ask your prayers for us and the Mission House that we may discern God's will and way for the future.  Stephen Gerth

PRAYER LIST . . . Your prayers are asked for Jack, Ann, Olga, Helen, Shirley, Hannah, Dawn, Bryn, Mary, Lucille, Frances and Eleanor.

LITURGICAL NOTES . . . The Sunday Proper: Deuteronomy 15:7-11, Psalm 112, 2 Corinthians 8:1-9, 13-15, Mark 5:22-24, 35b-43 . . . 9:00 AM Celebrant: Father Gerth, Preacher: Richard Lawson, 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 July 1 by Father Gerth . . . Confessions will be heard on July 8 by Father Shin.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . The parish office will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.  The church will be open only for the 12:15 PM Mass and this will be the only service on this day . . . Ann Sokolowski continues to recover from her surgery.  She hopes to be back with us in two weeks and we are looking forward to her return.  We are thankful for her healing . . . The Rector's young cousin, Jack Matthews, is continuing to respond very well to the treatment protocol at Memorial Sloan Kettering Medical Center.  The family is very thankful for your prayers . . . We were there even though we were the last banner in the Pride Parade last Sunday! . . . The Wednesday evening teaching series is taking a break for the summer.  Many thanks to all who led and participated in the classes this spring . . . Money for a total of twenty new Bibles for our Christian formation classes has been given.  The Bibles now go to the calligrapher . . . The July-August issue of AVE is on the way.  As we go to press it has arrived in the parish office and you should have it very soon . . . parish office is waiting on Bell Atlantic to find the right feeder for a new DSL connection so that the parish computers can go online . . . It will be several months at least before the damage to the rectory front steps and gates is repaired . . . A number of small repairs are scheduled for the church this summer including some needed patching of secondary roofs in locations . . . Attendance last Sunday: 169.

CORPUS CHRISTI . . . The traffic policeman on duty at the corner of Seventh Avenue and West 46th Street knew exactly what to do when he heard the brass quartet and saw the procession coming.  He stopped traffic.  There are some wonderful photographs of the congregation as it follows the Blessed Sacrament through Times Square.  Many thanks to the many, many people who made the liturgy possible and the day so wonderful for us and for all who saw this public witness to the Lord Jesus Christ.

CLERGY NOTES . . . Father Shin is attending the Episcopal Asiamerica Ministry Conference in Denver from June 28 through Sunday morning, July 2.  Father is scheduled to be back in time for the Sunday evening Mass . . . Father Breidenthal will be on vacation and continuing education leave the weeks beginning July 2, July 9, July 16, July 30, and August 2 . . . Deacon Mary Haddad, who was our senior seminarian last spring and since her ordination has been assisting at the Solemn Mass (and she led the final Wednesday evening teaching class last week) is not with us on Sunday, July 2 . . . The Reverend J. Barrington Bates, priest and doctoral student in liturgics at the General Theological Seminary will be serving as deacon at the Solemn Mass on July 2 and on July 16.  Father will also be assisting us with some of the weekday Masses during July and we hope in the future.  Please introduce yourself to him this Sunday!

SUMMARY OF JUNE 19, 2000, BOARD MEETING . . . At its meeting on June 19, 2000, the Board of Trustees: 1.  Discussed future uses of the Mission House; 2.  Noted that there is a deficit for publishing Ave, the parish magazine.  This needs to be made up by donations from people who receive it; 3.  Voted to use the offering for All Souls Day this year for the Vestment Fund; 4.  Learned that Mr. James Dennis has been updating accounts of the Centennial Restoration Campaign Fund, which has one year remaining; 5.  Heard a report from a Committee that is seeking to define qualifications for membership on the Board of Trustees, which currently has two vacancies; 6. Learned that Father Edgar Wells will preside at Solemn Mass on the Feast of the Assumption, August 15, 2000, in celebration of the 40th anniversary of his ordination to the Sacred Priesthood.  Archdeacon Peter Hannen will preach on that occasion, which will be followed by a reception in honor of Father Wells; 7.  Heard a report of damage to the gate and stairs at the entrance to the Rectory, which was hit by a car driven by a woman coming out of the garage across the street, on 47th Street; 8.  Learned that the Rector plans to reorganize the maintenance staff of the parish; 9.  Learned that the Rector has just received from the Music Search Committee a draft job description for the Music Director.

SUMMER AT SAINT MARY'S . . . There was a period last year when microphones were being used by celebrants and officiants at all the weekday services.  Gradually we stopped using them because they didn't seem to be needed.  Well, we now remember why we started using them in the first place.  During the summer months we keep the doors open.  Even when there is little street noise, the change in the acoustics means that microphones are needed and we will be using them . . . It is helpful for spiritual devotion for many in the parish community to know that during the Solemn Mass that iced coffee is going to be served along with other things in Saint Joseph's Hall afterwards . . . Eastertide was over at sunset on Pentecost.  The ordinary Angelus has returned . . . We will be using the bright green Thai silk vestments this summer as long as they last.  This fabric is not durable and it is entirely possible that we will lose the use of this set before the end of the summer . . . Most of the Saturday Masses this summer will be "Of Our Lady" but we will continue to use the ordinary readings in course as much as possible on Saturdays and on other days so that those who come to Mass frequently or daily may have the benefit of continuity in the readings.

The Collect for Independence Day

Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us,

and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land

may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever.  Amen.

Worship at Saint Mary’s

The Holy Eucharist

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

The Daily Office

On ordinary Sundays Morning Prayer is said at 8:40 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 and 12:00 and between 4:00 and 5:00.  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 Fourth Week after Pentecost

Monday                              Weekday

Tuesday                              Independence Day: One Mass only at 12:15 PM.

Wednesday                        Weekday

Thursday                            Weekday

Friday                                 Weekday                                                                                 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, assisting priests, The Reverend Mary Haddad, assisting deacon, The Reverend Canon Edgar F. Wells, rector emeritus.