FROM THE RECTOR: ONE MONTH AT A TIME

For many years during the summer months, I have drafted the monthly clergy schedules for colleagues and the monthly service schedules for the parish website for the coming year. I have just reworked the May 2021 service schedule for the website using the May 2020 schedule that I drafted in the summer of 2019 as a starting point. It will come as no surprise that the schedules for May 2020 and May 2021 are much simpler than the one for May 2019.

A couple of weeks before Holy Week, I asked for the last set of Holy Week posters for our A-frame signs on the street to be put out on a table in Saint Joseph's Hall so we could think about what the 2021 signs should say. More than once, while the 2019 posters were there, I stopped to appreciate how rich our parish’s common life has been for a very long time—really, since December 8, 1870.

One can find the origins of the Easter Vigil at Saint Mary’s in the archive of the earliest parish publication known to us, the then-monthly newsletter, The Arrow. The newsletter was a project of a parish guild, the Sons of Saint Sebastian. It was published from October 1891 through March 1899. (You can access the archive for this publication on the parish website here.) I am always pleased to be reminded of how important it has been for our church to be open. The April 1898 newsletter includes these words: “The Church is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.”

Easter 1898 would be Father Thomas McKee Brown’s last Easter at Saint Mary’s. He died that same year of pneumonia on December 19. On Saturday, April 9, 1898, Saint Mary’s began to celebrate the Easter Vigil on Saturday in Holy Week, or “Easter Even” (as it was called in the 1892 Prayer Book). The day started with the services appointed by the Prayer Book: “Easter Even. Matins, 9 a.m., followed by Ante Communion [The Ministry of the Word from the Communion Service, but without sermon or communion, a service that concluded with a blessing after the reading of the gospel].”

Then we learn of something new at Saint Mary’s: “the Blessing of Paschal Candle, 11 a.m. Solemn Mass, 1 p.m.” The other services were “Vespers, 1 p.m.”—if memory serves, they were following the pattern of the Roman Catholic Church in having Evening Prayer at this early hour. Also, confessions were heard from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM and 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. On Easter Day, there were Masses (with communion!) at 6, 7. 8, and 9 a.m. At 10:45 AM, there was a Procession (with four hymns) & Solemn Mass (with communion only for the celebrant). Solemn Vespers was at 4:00 PM.

There are albums in the rectory with records of the music for services from the nineteenth century. I have not opened them for many years. The paper is very fragile. It is an archive that needs preservation and reproduction in an accessible format for study and research. It is another of the many projects that lie in the future for us.

Finally, I close with the observation that we have had a couple of cold days this past week, though the flowering trees in Central Park are in full spring glory. For me, that glory is a reminder that before the end of this year, there will almost certainly be better times, by God’s grace, for humankind. —Stephen Gerth

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR Anna, Christopher, Liduvina, Modie, Selena, James, Jonathan, Emerson, Daphne, Rita, Marilouise, Quincy, Florette, John, Shalim, Abraham, Burton, Dennis, Emil, Ethelyn, Hardy, Margaret, and Robert; for all who suffer from COVID-19; for Matthew and Louis, priests; for all those who work for the common good, for all the members and friends of this parish; and for the repose of the soul of Gaston Vercammen . . . GRANT THEM PEACE . . . April 18: 1871 Edward Louis King; 1880 Golgotha Jones; 1881 Jeremiah Bennett Aitkin; 1885 Madge Leroy, Jessie Helen Burhaus; 1895 Granville Perkins; 1923 Mary Harvey; 1926 Elizabeth Guion; 1944 Louise Preston Sharp; 1965 David H. Cunningham.

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE . . . Gaston Vercammen, the brother-in-law of parishioner Marie Rosseels, died in Belgium on Thursday, April 15, two days before his ninety-first birthday. He is survived by his wife Anna, their children, Patrick and Diane, and their three grandchildren. Please keep Gaston, Anna, Marie, their family and friends, and all who mourn in your prayers.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED . . . At our monthly Drop-by Days, we distribute clothing and toiletry and hygiene items to those in need in the Times Square neighborhood. Our next Drop-by Day is tentatively scheduled for Friday, May 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 also support this ministry by making a cash donation (if using PayPal, please write “Neighbors in Need” in the memo line); or by making a donation of clothing or hygiene items. We welcome donations of gently used or new clothing and footwear; unopened toiletry items; backpacks, or small rolling suitcases. All these items should be clean and in good repair. Everyday wear is desirable, which is to say, no formal wear, party clothes or high-heeled shoes. We are not in need of men’s or women’s suits or evening wear at this time. Popular clothing items are: T-shirts, socks (e.g., white and black ankle socks), polo shirts, shirts and blouses with collars; underwear for men and women in all sizes, including bras, slips, briefs; thermal underwear, sweaters, sweatshirts; slacks/blouses; caps, and scarves. Small blankets, towels and wash cloths, rain slickers, umbrellas, and zippered jackets are also desirable. Please speak to Marie Rosseels or Fr. Jay Smith about scheduling a donation.

ALTAR FLOWERS FOR MANY DATES IN 2021 ARE AVAILABLE . . . This includes Sunday, April 25, May Crowning (the first Sunday in May), and feasts such as Pentecost, Trinity, and our observance of Corpus Christi on June 6. The suggested donation is $250. Donors often give flowers in memory, thanksgiving, or celebration of people or life events they would like to pay tribute to. Please contact Chris Howatt, if you would like to donate or speak to Brendon Hunter for more information.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S . . . Sunday, April 18, The Third Sunday of Easter, Adult Education 9:30–10:00 AM. Mass 11:00 AM. The main doors of the church open at 10:00 AM and close at 1:00 PM. The preacher at Mass on Sunday morning will be the Reverend Jay Smith. The service is played by Dr. David Hurd. Dr. Hurd will be joined by the cantor, Dr. Mark Risinger, bass . . . Tuesday, April 20, Racism Discussion Group Meetings, 3:00 PM and 7:00 PM via Zoom . . . Sunday, April 25, The Fourth Sunday of Easter, Adult Education 9:30 AM, Holy Eucharist 11:00 AM.

MUSIC AT SAINT MARY’S . . . The musical setting of the Mass on Sunday is Mass I as found in the Liber Usualis (“Usual Book”), a comprehensive anthology of medieval Roman plainsong compiled in the nineteenth century by the monks of Solesmes, France. Like the several other numbered Masses of the Gregorian Missal, Mass I, subtitled Lux et origo (“Light and Source”), is a collection of chants for the Ordinary of the Mass which were likely originally independent pieces brought together and associated with one another only by later custom. This particular combination was traditionally sung in the Easter season. All parts of Mass I are thought to date from the tenth century. Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei from this setting will be sung by the cantor on Sunday, all of which are in the fourth mode.

During the Communion on Sunday, Mark Risinger will sing Myrrh-bearing Mary by David Hurd, organist and music director at Saint Mary’s. The words are by Rae E. Whitney (b. 1927) who is the author of over five hundred hymns found in a variety of denominational hymnals and collections. In October 2016, when she received the Bishop’s Cross (Diocese of Nebraska), the citation described Rae Whitney’s work as follows: “Her topics span the breadth of Christian life and experience. She has frequently chosen to write about women: women of the Bible, women saints, and feminine images of God. Whitney’s groundbreaking texts on these subjects have illuminated topics previously ignored by hymn writers.” My setting of Rae Whitney’s Myrrh-bearing Mary—in which the ministry, death, and rising of Jesus is presented through the conflated experience of the Gospels’ Marys—was composed for and first published in A New Hymnal for Colleges and Schools (Yale, 1992). It is a ballad-like art song in four stanzas which culminates in resurrection joy.

Sunday’s organ voluntaries are both based upon the well-known Easter hymn O filii et filiae (“O sons and daughters”). The melody of this hymn is thought to be of fifteenth-century French origin. It is found in two different forms in The Hymnal 1982: at #203 the hymnal gives a rhythmic form of the tune, in the manner of a carol, with the text most suitable for Easter Day; at #206 the hymnal presents an equalist plainsong form of the tune with a text most suitable for the second Sunday of Easter and the Feast of Saint Thomas (December 21). Several French composers of organ music since the seventeenth century have composed pieces based upon popular carol melodies. Ofertoire pour le jour de Pâques (“Offertory for Easter Day”) from the First Organ Book of Jean-François Dandrieu (c. 1682–1739) is a continuous set of twelve variations on O filii et filiae. Dandrieu was born into a Paris family of artists and musicians and he gave a harpsichord performance at the royal court as young as age five. From age eighteen he was organist at the Church of Saint Merri where he was named titular organist five years later. In 1721, he became one of the four organists of the Chapelle Royale of France. His variations on O filii et filiae call forth the characteristic sounds of the French classical organs. Lynwood Farnam (1885–1930) was one of the most highly acclaimed concert organists of his time. He was born in Quebec and, as a young man in Montreal, became organist at Christ Church Cathedral and taught organ at McGill Conservatory. After some years in Boston, Farnum was appointed organist at the Church of the Holy Communion in Manhattan, where he remained until his death. During that time, he toured extensively in North America and abroad, made radio broadcasts and, although he made no phonograph recordings, his playing is recorded on organ rolls which he made for the Aeolian company in 1930. His only surviving composition is his Toccata on “O Filii et Filiae” which he reportedly used to test the sonic capabilities of organs he was to play.

More about Sunday’s cantor: Bass Mark Risinger, a Texas native, has been a member of the St. Mary's choir since 2005 and is also currently a member of the Board of Trustees.  He teaches music and English literature at St. Bernard's School and serves on the Education Committee of the Metropolitan Opera Guild.  As a soloist, he has performed opera and oratorio throughout the United States, Europe, and Mexico, including appearances with New York City Opera, Boston Lyric Opera, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Fort Worth Symphony, the Nashville Symphony, the New York Choral Society, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Opera Orchestra of New York, Boston Baroque, and the Choral Arts Society of Philadelphia. In addition to degrees in English literature, he holds a Ph.D. in musicology from Harvard University, where he completed a dissertation on the compositional process of G.F. Handel and where he was lecturer on music for five years. In addition to teaching and singing, he is a frequent guest lecturer for the Metropolitan Opera Guild and an editor of the Hallische Händel-Ausgabe.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR . . . Monday, April 26, Saint Mark the Evangelist (transferred), Mass 12:10 PM . . . Thursday, May 13, Ascension Day, Mass 12:10 PM . . . Sunday, May 23, The Day of Pentecost, Mass 11:00 AM . . . Sunday, May 30, Trinity Sunday, Mass 11:00 AM.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION . . . Beginning on April 18, and continuing until Sunday, May 30, we will offer a new adult-education series on Sunday mornings at 9:30 AM, How We Interpret Scripture and Why It Matters. The classes will be led by a new teacher each Sunday. We will not be focusing just on modern historical-critical methods of interpreting the Bible, but rather on the variety of ways in which Christians have used and interpreted the Bible over the centuries: to create art and music, shape liturgy, found religious orders, do theology, speculate about cosmology, discuss morality, prepare baptismal candidates, and care for the newly baptized.

This coming Sunday, April 18, the Third Sunday of Easter, Dr. Mark Risinger will launch the series with his presentation, Understanding Biblical Narratives through Handel’s Oratorios. He’ll be focusing on the appearance of angels in the oratorios and the ways in which Handel depicts them musically, but he will also discuss some of the other stories, such as the plagues in Israel in Egypt and the judgment scene in Solomon. Mark was awarded a Ph.D. in musicology from Harvard University and is an accomplished singer—he is a member of the Saint Mary’s Choir—and a pianist. He teaches at Saint Bernard’s School here in Manhattan. He will provide examples of Handel’s music at the piano in Saint Joseph’s Hall. If you would like to attend the class via Zoom, please contact Grace Mudd via e-mail.

On Sunday, April 25, the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Father Matthew Jacobson will lead the class in a discussion of the interpretation of the creation accounts in the Book of Genesis by Saint Ambrose of Milan (c. 340–397).

I am looking forward to hearing more about these very different interpretive techniques and points of view, and I am very grateful that so many members and friends of the parish have agreed to share their time and expertise with us. Please join us. All are welcome. —Jay Smith

For all these classes, seating in Saint Joseph’s Hall will be arranged to maximize social-distancing. Unfortunately, we will not be able to provide refreshments. All those attending the class must wear a face covering.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2021 . . . Our stewardship campaign has come to an end. We were not able to achieve our $400,000.00 goal, but we recognize that we are living in a difficult time, and we are all doing the best we can. We live in hope and trust in God. Still, we continue to ask you for your help. We would welcome your financial pledge if you have not yet pledged for 2021. and we are grateful to all those who continue to support Saint Mary’s so generously.

AIDS WALK NEW YORK 2021 . . . The New York City AIDS Walk 2021 will take place on Sunday, May 16. For the second time because of the pandemic, the Walk will be held as a virtual event. The Saint Mary’s AIDS Walk team invites you to join this effort and to provide financial support. To do both—to join and to contribute—you can click here. Despite the previous success of Saint Mary’s AIDS Walk team as fundraisers for the walk, we won’t be able to form a parish team this year. We hope to be back as a team in 2022, and even though we won’t have a full-fledged team this year, we encourage you to contribute to this vitally important cause.

As COVID-19 spread, GMHC adapted most of its services to virtual and created new programs where it saw its clients struggling. The COVID Destroyers Program began this past summer with GMHC staff and volunteers distributing masks and educational materials. Today, GMHC reaches more than 16,000 people in New York City and their services include mental-health support. With its clients among those New Yorkers most grappling with increased anxiety, grief, loss, depression, fear, and social isolation, GMHC uses phone and video-conferencing to continue to provide mental-health and substance-use counseling to hundreds of clients each week.

Saint Mary’s AIDS Walk team has been the most successful church group walking for many years. In 2019, the last year of in-person walking, our team ranked #4 out of all teams walking and raised $62,757 with the support of parishioners and friends and family from all over the country. We hope for an equal degree of success in 2022. Thank you to all those who have supported this outreach effort over the years.

WORSHIPPING SAFELY AT SAINT MARY’S: If you are at all unwell, please do not come to church. If you are experiencing symptoms, contact your primary-care physician and get tested. If you have a fever of 103.5, which is not being handled by an analgesic, and/or you are having difficulty breathing (by difficulty we mean you must stop talking in order to focus on your breathing), go to an emergency room immediately. That said, we are very happy to be able to welcome you to worship with us here at Saint Mary’s (11:00 AM on Sunday, 12:10 PM Monday–Saturday).

When you arrive, please fill out the contact sheet at the ushers’ table. Please take a seat in one of the open pews, and feel free to ask an usher, one of the brothers, or a member of the clergy if you have questions about seating, Communion, or safe-distancing. Face masks are required while in the church building. We know all too well that many of these precautions are tedious, but we accept them as a way to keep ourselves and each other safe and healthy. We continue to pray for those who are sick and for a swift end to the epidemic.

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