FROM FATHER SMITH: CHRISTMAS 2021

As I write on Tuesday, December 21, the spread of the Omicron variant has meant that we are all seeking reliable information so we can make good decisions for ourselves, our families, and our communities. This is not easy, since the situation is evolving rapidly, and each day brings with it a new set of facts. We do know this. The rate of infection is on the rise in New York State and here in the city. The good news is that New Yorkers continue to get vaccinated and boosted, and the hospitalization rate is not what it was in the spring of 2020. Still, the effects of the Omicron variant are obvious to those of us who live and worship here in the theater district. Several Broadway plays have closed this week, though it is hoped that they will open once more in mid-January. And it seems that many of us know somebody who has tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days.

Here at the parish, one chorister and one volunteer tested positive for the virus this week. Those who had contact with those people are getting tested. Neither person had contact with worshippers in the nave on the Fourth Sunday of Advent, nor with those attending the brief reception in Saint Joseph’s Hall after Mass that day.

What does this mean for Saint Mary’s? As you know, the Holy Eucharist has been celebrated here every day since the shutdown that began on March 15, 2020. A belief in the centrality of the Eucharist is deeply inscribed in the DNA of this parish. We are determined to celebrate the Eucharist every day this week and, with God’s help, in the weeks and months to come. We can do this because we are blessed with a large building that makes social-distancing possible. We have resident clergy, trained ushers, and a set of policies designed to keep us all safe. We have a particular ministry, and we hope that we can continue to engage in that ministry to, and with, our neighbors, friends, members, and those in need.

And so, although we’ve had to make a few adjustments this week, especially to the music, it remains our plan to celebrate Christmas in the following way. The members of the Flower Guild are hard at work in Saint Joseph’s Hall and in the church today. I’m told that they felt they were back on track by mid-day.

On Christmas Eve, Friday, December 25, Music for Choir, Brass, and Congregation will begin in the church at 4:30 PM. Mass begins at 5:00 PM. The 5:00 PM Mass will be the only Mass celebrated on Christmas Eve. Mass will not be celebrated at 11:00 PM on December 24 this year. The Choir of Saint Mary’s, directed by Dr. David Hurd, and the Saint Mary’s Brass Ensemble, directed by Mr. Christopher Bubolz, will sing and play at 4:30 PM. Eight choristers will sing at the 5:00 PM Mass. The Mass setting is Missa Octavi Toni by Antonio Lotti. I will preach. Father Matthew Jacobson will concelebrate, and we will be assisted by our faithful acolytes.

On Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day, Solemn Mass is at 11:00 AM. Father Jacobson will celebrate and preach. I will concelebrate. The Lotti Mass setting will be sung again. We will have the opportunity to sing a new set of carols and hear yet another beautiful motet. This is true also of the Solemn Mass at 11:00 AM on Sunday, December 26, the First Sunday after Christmas Day, when Father Peter Powell will celebrate and preach.

For all these services, we will continue to follow, though perhaps with increased vigilance, our current practices for health and safety. Masks must be worn in the church, unless one is reading or chanting the Scripture at the lectern; preaching; leading the Prayers of the People or the Eucharistic Prayer; or consuming the consecrated Bread. It is highly recommended that one be vaccinated to attend Mass. This is for the safety of the unvaccinated individual and of the wider community. Our ushers will make sure that individuals, couples, and families are seated in a safely distanced way.

Of particular importance: we have decided to limit the number of worshippers in the nave to 125 on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and on the First Sunday after Christmas Day. We believe that we can do this safely given the size of the building, the expertise of our ushers, and the cooperation of our members and friends. Based on recent experience, and the number of worshippers last year, we do not intend to take reservations for any of the Christmas liturgies.

Life is not easy just now. We face significant challenges. But that does not deter us from celebrating this great feast. We do not need to be jolly at Christmas. But, with God’s help, we can enter into this holy and beautiful time when we give thanks for the first advent of the Savior, who is present to us and for us always, in times both good and bad. — Father Jay Smith, with the Executive Committee of the Board of Trustees

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR Philip, Sharon, Joan, Daniel, Claire, Emil, Sylvia, Belkis, Renée, Pat, Eloise, Barbara, John, Karen, Shalim, Brian, Penelope, Carmen, Jean, Greta, Larry, Liduvina, Jonathan, Emerson, Marilouise, Quincy, Florette, Abraham, Dennis, Ethelyn, Gypsy, Hardy, Margaret, and Robert; Claire, Stephen, Randall and Louis, priests; and Andrew, bishop; all who work for the common good; and all the friends and members of this parish . . . GRANT THEM PEACE . . . December 26: 1887 Caroline Seitz; 1922 Charles E. Bennett; 1940 Blodweir Pauls; 2006 Russell E. Planck.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . The Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 19, was a bittersweet day here at the parish. Father Gerth celebrated the Eucharist and preached for the last time as rector of Saint Mary’s. He addressed this milestone during his sermon and in his comments at the end of Mass. During the announcements, three members of the Board of Trustees thanked the rector for his ministry, celebrated his accomplishments, and announced that the Board was making a gift to the parish in the rector’s honor. Father Gerth invited his husband, Richard Mohammed, to come forward and thanked him for his presence and support. Following Mass, members of the congregation, including several good friends and parishioners who no longer live in the city, shared memories and bid their goodbyes to Richard and the rector at a brief reception in Saint Joseph’s Hall. We are grateful to all those who joined us on Sunday and to all those who made the day’s celebrations possible . . . Parishioner Abraham Rochester celebrated his ninetieth birthday on Wednesday, December 15. Abe and his wife, Suzanne, who live in the Bronx, are not able to come to Saint Mary’s as frequently as in the past, but they remain much-loved members of our parish community. Please keep Abe in your prayers as he celebrates this important milestone . . . Volunteers for Decorating the Church at Christmas are needed for many different things—including tasks that do not require design experience or ability, should that be a concern. You do not have to have been a member of the Flower Guild or a member of the parish to help. The production started on Saturday, December 18 and ends with dismantling on Saturday, January 8 with a lot of work in between. Please contact Brendon Hunter if you are interested in helping the Flower Guild this Christmas and to get a copy of the latest schedule of volunteer opportunities.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S . . . Friday, December 24, Christmas Eve: The Last Mass of Advent at 10:00 AM; Music for Choir, Brass, and Congregation at 4:30 PM; Procession and Solemn Mass at 5:00 PM. There will be no celebration of the Eucharist at 11:00 AM on Christmas Eve . . . Saturday, December 25, Christmas Day: Mass and Procession to the Crèche at 11:00 AM . . . December 26, The First Sunday after Christmas Day: Solemn Mass, 11:00 AM. The celebrant and preacher at the Solemn Mass on December 26 will be Father Peter Powell. Evening Prayer will be said, though not sung, in the church at 5:00 PM on Sunday, December 26 . . . Monday, December 27, Saint Stephen, Deacon and Martyr (transferred), Mass 12:10 PM . . . Tuesday, December 28, Racism Discussion Group Meeting, 7:00 PM via Zoom. For more information about this ongoing weekly meeting, please call the parish office . . . Tuesday, December 28, Saint John the Evangelist (transferred), Mass 12:10 PM . . . Wednesday, December 29, The Holy Innocents (transferred), Mass 12:10 PM . . . Saturday, January 1, The Holy Name of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Said Mass 12:10 PM.

ABOUT THE MUSIC . . . December 24, Christmas Eve: Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767), a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach and George Frederick Handel, was one of the most prolific composers in the history of Western music. He held positions in Leipzig, Eisenach, and Frankfurt, but finally settled in Hamburg in 1721 and became musical director of the five main churches of the city. Five of his twelve Heroic Marches (Heldenmusik) of 1728 will be played on Christmas Eve by the Saint Mary’s Brass Ensemble, Christopher Bubolz, director. These Heroic Marches were originally scored for strings and winds but have a long history of effective adaptations for various combinations of instruments, including modern brass. In alternation with the Telemann pieces, the Choir will sing two choral carol settings.

The angel Gabriel from heaven came was first published, in the form widely known today, in 1922 in a series of carol pamphlets edited by Edgar Pettman. These pamphlets were eventually collected into The University Carol Book (London, 1961), edited by Erik Routley. The documentation of the words and traditional musical setting of The angel Gabriel is attributed to the Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould (1834–1924), who had traveled in the Basque country and written about its language in his A Book of the Pyrenees (London, 1907). The Baring-Gould/Pettman version of this four-stanza carol is found at 265 in The Hymnal 1982. The musical setting to be sung on Friday afternoon, however, was composed in 2012 by David Hurd, organist and music director at Saint Mary’s. It was composed in honor of the 125th anniversary of Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Hollis, Queens, the parish in which Dr. Hurd sang as a boy chorister and where he was confirmed at age twelve.

The other choir carol on Christmas Eve also has Basque roots. Aita Donostia (1886–1956) was a Spanish composer, musicologist, organist, and priest. He was known by many names including José Gonzalo Zulaika, José Antonio Donostia, and Padre Donastia de San Sebastian. Happy Bethlehem (Oi Betleém) is a two-stanza Basque Christmas carol credited to Padre Donostia. The publisher’s note from 1923 reads: “The melody of this Carol was noted down from the lips of peasants by the Padre José Antonio de San Sebastian. Originally restricted to the small valley of Lekarotz-Elizondo in the Spanish Pyrenees (half-way between Pamplona and Bayonne). The tune has, thanks to the Padre’s efforts, spread to all the Basque centers, where it is now cherished. The choral harmonization is the one used by the Orfeon Donastiarra in San Sebastian. It was first sung in America at the Christmas Concerts of the Schola Cantorum of New York in December, 1922.” The English translation is credited to Kurt Schindler.

The musical setting of the Mass on Christmas Eve is the four-voice Missa Octavi Toni by the Italian Baroque composer Antonio Lotti (1667–1740). Lotti was born in Venice, his father Matteo having been Kappellmeister at Hanover at the time. Lotti’s career took shape at Saint Mark’s, Venice, where he was an alto singer, organist, and eventually maestro di cappella from 1736 until his death four years later. In addition to his well-known church music—Masses and cantatas—Lotti composed madrigals and about thirty operas, some of which were produced in Dresden where he was employed from 1717 to 1719. Lotti’s liturgical compositions include renaissance characteristics but also bear evidence of the emerging baroque styles in approach to harmony and functional bass. His Misss Octavi Toni is a setting for four voices and, while polyphonic in construction, may well be more tonal than modal in harmonic conception. It presents the liturgical text clearly and efficiently. 

Richard Wilbur (1921–2017) was a distinguished and Pulitzer Prize-winning American poet. His 1961 collection Advice to a Prophet, and Other Poems included “A Christmas Hymn,” which has become well known in recent years. The musical setting of Wilbur’s “A Christmas Hymn” (A stable lamp is lighted) is by David Hurd. It was composed in 1983 for, and first appeared in, The Hymnal 1982 as Hymn 104. It has since been published and recorded widely. It is a ballad-like art song and is dedicated to Lily Andújar Rogers (1915–2005) under whose direction Dr. Hurd sang as a child in the Choir of Boys and Men of Saint Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, Hollis, Queens. During the Communion on December 24th, the choir will sing a chorally enhanced version of the unison setting of A stable lamp is lighted which is found in the Hymnal.

December 25, Christmas Day: The organ prelude on Christmas Day is from the miscellaneous chorales of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). In dulci jubilo, BWV 729, is based upon the traditional Christmas carol known to English-speaking carolers as Good Christian men rejoice. In this short piece, Bach separates phrases of the carol melody stated in block harmony with free fantasia passages, which sound very much like they might have been improvised. It is likely that this chorale prelude models a common performance practice of that time for organists to lead chorales for congregational singing. The organ postlude today will be improvised. 

The musical setting of the Mass on Christmas Day is the four-voice Missa Octavi Toni by the Italian Baroque composer Antonio Lotti (1667–1740) that was sung on Christmas Eve (see above).

Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) is one the most important and original of twentieth century English composers. His works include orchestral and chamber music, operas, vocal, and instrumental music. Of particular note are his opera Peter Grimes of 1945 and his War Requiem of 1962. Britten’s sacred music includes his much-performed Ceremony of Carols of 1942, and the cantata Rejoice in the Lamb composed the following year. He also composed several canticle settings and anthem-length choral pieces. A boy was born was composed in 1932 when Britten was nineteen and a student at the Royal College of Music in London. It is dedicated to his father and, through its theme and variation structure, utilizes textual phrases relating to the Incarnation from sixteenth and nineteenth century origins, set off from one another by Alleluias.

December 26, The First Sunday after Christmas Day: The musical setting of the Mass this morning is the four-voice Missa Octavi Toni by the Italian Baroque composer Antonio Lotti (1667–1740). This setting was also sung on Christmas Eve (see above).

Michael Praetorius (1571–1621) was the leading German composer and writer on music theory and practice in his day. His Syntagma Musicum, though unfinished, provides a detailed picture of instrumental and vocal musical performance in sixteenth-century Germany. His massive compositional output included the nine-volume Musae Sioniae, a collection of approximately twelve hundred chorale and song arrangements. A composer of giant poly-choral works, he is also known for works of relative simplicity such as the harmonization of Es ist ein Ros which is a staple of music in the Christmas season. Likewise, Praetorius’s dance-like adaptation of the thirteenth-century processional Puer natus has become a Christmas standard. 

The organ prelude is a setting of Es ist ein Ros entsprungen by Johannes Brahms (1833–1897). Brahms is generally considered one of the pillars of the Western musical art. He is the youngest of the proverbial “Three Bs” (including J. S. Bach and Ludwig van Beethoven), so named by the conductor, Hans von Bülow (1830–1894). While organ music permeates the record of J. S. Bach’s creative output, Beethoven is survived by no significant works for the organ. Brahms’s relatively small number of organ compositions came late in his life and were only posthumously published. Perhaps the seeds had been sown in his childhood, a result of having been born into a Lutheran family. The eleven chorale preludes of Brahm’s Opus 122 are relatively modest by comparison to his masterworks for piano and his orchestral works, yet they are expressive and are perhaps intensely personal pieces. The well-known Christmas chorale, Es ist ein Ros entsprungen (“Lo, how a rose e’er blooming”) appears in The Hymnal 1982 at #81 with its classic Michael Praetorius (1572–1621) harmonization. Brahms’s prelude on this chorale avoids stating the chorale literally, but gently weaves a distinctive musical envelope around its essential form.

The postlude is the setting from J. S. Bach’s Orgelbüchlein (“Little Organ Book”) of another Christmas chorale, In dir ist Freude (“In you is joy”), BWV 615. The chorale melody is stated in the midst of energetic accompanying scales and passage work on the keyboard. The pedals punctuate this activity with a recurring motive and, occasionally, bits of the melody.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED . . . We hope to receive donations of new or lightly used winter coats during the winter months. The coats should be clean. Their pockets should be empty, and the zippers, if any, should be in good repair . . . At our monthly Drop-by Days, we distribute clothing, toiletry, and hygiene items—and Metro Cards when they are available—to those in need in the Times Square neighborhood. Our next Drop-by Day is scheduled for Friday, January 21. Volunteers work from 1:30 PM until 3:30 PM. Our guests are invited into the church at 2:00 PM, and we close our doors at 3:00 PM. We need six (6) volunteers for each Drop-by. If you would like to volunteer, please contact Marie Rosseels, MaryJane Boland, or Father Jay Smith. You may reach them by calling the Parish Office at 212-869-5830. The February Drop-by will take place on Friday, February 18.

HELP WANTED! . . . Get involved at Saint Mary’s—Volunteer opportunities!

Whether you’re new to Saint Mary's or a longtime friend of the parish, we welcome and invite you to get involved in one of the many parish guilds. No experience is required for any of these ministries. We will be happy to help train, answer questions, and assist you in getting started.

• Saint Ambrose Candle Guild oversees the use of candles, both ceremonial and decorative, at Saint Mary’s. This includes maintenance of the office lights, hanging lamps, Advent and paschal candles, and creating displays of extra candles on the altar for major feasts. Please contact Brendon Hunter to learn more.

• Saint Bede Guild of Readers is a faithful group of Saint Marians who read the lessons at Mass and other principal services throughout the year. Some members of the guild also chant the Prayers of the People at Solemn Masses and the Epistle on major feasts. Please contact MaryJane Boland to learn more.

• Saint Clare of Assisi Altar Guild cares for the many beautiful sets of linens and vestments that are seen in worship services every day. This ranges from laundering and ironing purificators to preparing special sets of vestments for feast days. Guild members also clean and care for the sacred vessels and prepare liturgical books for Mass and other services. Other ongoing work the guild hopes to take on includes the preservation and restoration of many fine antique vestments and linens currently in storage. Please contact Marie Rosseels or Brendon Hunter to learn more.

• Neighbors in Need Drop-in Days are the core of outreach ministry at Saint Mary's. This dedicated group includes members of the clergy, their spouses, members of the congregation and friends of Saint Mary’s in our neighborhood who organize clothing and other basic necessities such as toiletries for a monthly drop-in on the third Friday of the month. Please contact MaryJane Boland, Marie Rosseels, or Father Jay Smith to learn more.

• Saint Raphael’s Guild of Ushers are the first line of contact and often a first impression of Saint Mary's for so many people as they greet people at the doors before and after services, ensure that any offerings and the elements for the Eucharist collected and brought to the altar, and many things in between. Please contact Marie Rosseels to learn more.

• Saint Thérèse of Lisieux Flower Guild creates all the floral arrangements at the altar and shrines in the church for Sundays, feast days, and other services and events as needed. They also craft other special items such as the Advent wreath, crèche at Christmas, and Altar of Repose for Maundy Thursday. Please contact Brendon Hunter to learn more.

• The Communications Guild is responsible for two of the most visible parts of Saint Mary’s—our livestream of worship services online and taking photos that are used in the Angelus, website, and social media. If you can take a picture or video with your phone, you can do this ministry! Training to manage the livestream will be provided. Come, give it a try: you’ll discover how much fun it is! Please contact Blair Burroughs or Father Smith for more information.

• Saint Vincent’s Guild of Servers consists of the lay members of the congregation who assist the clergy in the worship services from Evensong to Solemn Mass. In many parishes these are called acolytes. At Saint Mary’s the servers also handle other aspects of worship including setup and cleanup and other needs for special services. Please contact MaryJane Boland, Brendon Hunter, or Grace Mudd for more information.

 This edition of the Angelus was written and edited by Father Jay Smith. Father Matt Jacobson is responsible for posting the newsletter on the parish website and distributing it via mail and e-mail, with the assistance of Christopher Howatt, parish administrator, and parish volunteer, Clint Best.