FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD, INTERIM RECTOR

On a family trip to England a few years ago, I dragged Renee and the kids on a train ride to a small out of the way place called the Shrine of Our Lady of Walsingham, partly because I wanted to see the Ascension Chapel.

That image—our ascending Lord’s nail-pierced feet dangling from the chapel ceiling—seems to smack of an unscientific, pre-Enlightenment view of the cosmos, a naive belief that heaven is “up there” somewhere. Douglas Farrow, in his Ascension Theology, says:

“It must be admitted that the doctrine of the Ascension, if construed along Lukan lines at all, is something of an embarrassment in the age of the telescope and the space probe . . .”

Wasn’t the Ascension famously debunked by Russian cosmonaut, Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, who upon his return reportedly told Khrushchev, “I looked and looked and looked, but I didn’t see God.” (Actually, there’s evidence Gagarin never said that. It is believed that he was a devout Orthodox Christian and those words, if uttered at all, came from Khrushchev himself!)

Actually, though, the doctrine of the Ascension is something quite different. This decisive plot twist in the story of Jesus, the drama of Jesus’ departure from his disciples—in truth it’s not about travel; it’s about transformation. Farrow says later in his book:

“The metaphysical contradiction— that Jesus is really absent from us and yet we are really present with him—is about conversion . . . about the power of the Spirit to bring into being a new creation out of the old; it is not about movement from one place to another within the present creation.”

God came to find us, to buy us back, to make us his own, and the doctrine of the Ascension is really about the entirety of that project —

Christ’s descent in the Incarnation to be with us and one of us, 

his death on the Cross, 

the Resurrection, 

and the capstone, the coup de grace, the final piece (until the Parousia) is Jesus’ Ascension into a new reality, precisely as a man, God enfleshed, still mysteriously one with us so that he takes our humanity with him into the highest heaven. Ascension celebrates the completion of the work of our salvation and the pledge of our glorification with Christ. 

Next Thursday, May 26, is Ascension Day, the church’s annual celebration of Jesus elevation to the right hand of the Father as narrated in Mark’s gospel (16:19) and twice in Luke’s writings (Luke 24:51, Acts 1:6–11). Known in the Eastern Church as Analepsis (the “taking up”), this ancient feast dates to the third century and falls forty days after Easter. It is one of the principal feasts of the Christian year (ranking alongside major celebrations like Easter, Christmas, Pentecost, and Epiphany). From its earliest commemorations, Ascension Day was marked in the Jerusalem church by a liturgical procession to the Mount of Olives, the traditional location of Jesus’ ascension, and, in Constantinople and Rome, processions led to distinct shrines outside church walls as well. One echo in some western liturgies was, and still is in some churches, the ceremony of extinguishing the Paschal candle (the symbol of Christ’s presence coming into the darkened world and our darkened church at the Great Vigil of Easter) after the gospel has been chanted on Ascension Day. Other folk customs grew up around the feast, from “Ascension Plays” and statues of Jesus being hoisted through ceilings (a la Walsingham), to the widespread custom in medieval Europe of eating a bird (pigeon, pheasant, partridge) on the feast day because Jesus “flew” to heaven.

Join us at 6:00 PM on Ascension Day, Thursday, May 26, as we keep this great feast with a Solemn High Mass and welcome Father Jeff Hanson from the Church of the Advent in Boston as our guest preacher. 

God has gone up with a shout;
The Lord with the sound of the trumpet! (Psalm 47:5)

P.S. Click here for a Spotify playlist of Ascensiontide music compiled by Father Sammy.

THE PARISH PRAYER LIST

Prayers are asked for the sick and for all those for whom prayers have been asked, especially Amy, Bradley, Louis, Margaret, Carlos, Christopher, David, Emil, Thomas, James-George, Marjorie, Pat, Eloise, Charles, John, Shalim, Greta, Liduvina, Quincy, Florette, Brian, Carmen, Peter, George, José, Christine, Abraham, Ethelyn, Gypsy, and Robert; for the members of our Episcopal religious orders, especially Brother Desmond Alban, and the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist; for the people of Ukraine, Russia, and Eastern Europe; for the African American community of Buffalo, New York; and for the repose of the soul of John Conner.

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE

Parishioner John Conner died early on the morning of Thursday, May 19, at the CareOne rehabilitation and senior living facility in Oradell, New Jersey. John had a long career as a church organist, serving churches mostly in New Jersey. He loved Saint Mary’s and worshipped with us when he was not working on Sundays. John died at the age of eighty-five and only retired from his ministry as a church musician recently. John’s funeral will take place here at Saint Mary’s early in June, on a date to be determined. Please keep John, his nieces, his friends and colleagues, and all who mourn in your prayers.

LITANY FOR VICTIMS OF GUN VIOLENCE
We invite the members and friends of Saint Mary’s to pray this Litany during the coming week.

O God the Father, Creator of heaven and earth,
Have mercy upon us

O God the Son, Redeemer of the world,
Have mercy upon us

O God the Holy Ghost, Sanctifier of the faithful,
Have mercy upon us

O holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity, one God,
Have mercy upon us

From all blindness of heart; from arrogance, vainglory, and hypocrisy; from envy, hatred, and malice; and from all want of charity,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word and commandment by thought, word, or deed,
Good Lord, deliver us.

From all terror, oppression, violence, and murder, and from dying suddenly and unprepared,
Good Lord, deliver us.

That it may please thee to rule and govern thy holy Church Universal in the right way, and to bless and keep all thy people, so we all may be of one heart and one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, faith and charity; one flock, led by one shepherd,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bring into the way of truth all such as have grievously erred, are deceived, and whose hearts and mind are shackled by anger or evil intent,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee so to rule the hearts of all in authority, that they may do justice, and love mercy, and walk and speak in the ways of the truth,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to make wars to cease in all the world; to give to all nations and communities unity, peace, and concord; and to bestow freedom upon all peoples,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to preserve all who are in danger because of the color of their skin, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or for any other reason,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to preserve, and provide for, young children and orphans, the widowed, and all whose homes are broken or torn by the strife of hatred, violence, racism, sexism, nationalism, or any other prejudice,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to give us true repentance; to forgive us all our sins, negligences, and ignorances; and to endue us with the grace of thy Holy Spirit to amend our lives according to thy holy Word,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to forgive our enemies, persecutors, and all terrorists, and to turn their hearts, and our own, to forgiveness, compassion, and love,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to grant to all the faithful departed eternal life and peace, especially those murdered at the supermarket in Buffalo, New York, Roberta A. Drury, Margus Morrison, Andre Mackneil, Aaron Salter, Geraldine Talley, Celestine Chaney, Heyward Patterson, Katherine Massey, Pearly Young, Ruth Whitfield, and to those whose names are known to you alone,
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

That it may please thee to bring the healing power of thy love to those who are wounded, especially Zaire, Jennifer, and Christopher, to bless those who care for them, and to bring comfort and peace to those who mourn.
We beseech thee to hear us, good Lord.

O Christ, hear us.
O Christ, hear us.

Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

AROUND THE PARISH

On Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 12:00 PM (PDT), Brother Desmond Alban SSF will mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of his profession of life vows in the Society of Saint Francis during a Sung Mass at All Saints Church, 1350 Waller Street, San Francisco, California. The brothers will stream the Mass live via their Facebook page at:

www.facebook.com/ssfamericas.

Brother Desmond was for a time in residence here at Saint Mary’s. He is remembered with great fondness here at the parish and we are grateful to him for his ministry and presence. Since the brothers take a vow of poverty, should one wish to make a gift to Brother Desmond, please consider a donation in support of the work of the Society of Saint Francis, or the work of a charity of your choice.

The parish’s AIDS Walk Team had a successful fundraising campaign. The Walk was on May 15, but the team can continue to raise money until June 10 (click here to donate). The current total is $53,985 and the team is ranked second overall. Thanks to all who supported the team this year!!

Saint Mary's is now a sponsor of The Living Church and members of the parish are eligible for a complementary one-year digital subscription to The Living Church magazine. Click here to sign up, making sure to select “The Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, New York, NY" from the dropdown list of parishes. According to their website, "The Living Church keeps you informed about what’s happening in the Episcopal Church, Anglican Communion, and beyond. Published twenty times a year, every issue includes news and commentary on the issues of the day, plus reflections on ministry and theology.”

Father Victor Conrado will be traveling this coming week to be with his mother, Carmen, who will be undergoing surgery. Please keep them in your prayers.

Coming Up:

Monday, May 30, Memorial Day, Mass 12:10 PM. The church opens at 10:00 AM and closes at 2:00 PM. Only the noonday services are offered. The parish offices are closed. Evening Prayer will not be said in the church.

Tuesday, May 31, The Visitation, Said Mass 12:10 PM. Sung Mass 6:00 PM. Father Jay Smith is the celebrant and preacher at the Sung Mass. Dr. David Hurd will play the service and will conduct a quartet of singers from the choir.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S

Sunday, May 22, The Sixth Sunday of Easter, The Adult Education Class will meet 9:30–10:00 AM in the Arch Room, Mission House, second floor, 133 Forty-sixth Street. Father Jay Smith will lead the class

Thursday, May 26, Ascension Day:

Said Mass 12:10 PM, Father Matthew Jacobson, celebrant and preacher

Organ Recital 5:30 PM, Dr. Raymond Nagem, recitalist

Dr. Nagem’s program on Ascension Day will include music by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor (1875–1912) and Charles-Marie Widor (1844–1937.

Dr. Raymond Nagem is minister of music at the Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City, and a member of the organ faculty at Manhattan School of Music, where he teaches organ literature, service playing, and improvisation. He completed his D.M.A. at The Juilliard School in 2016, where he was a student of Paul Jacobs. Prior to his appointment at Brick, Dr. Nagem served for eleven years at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, where he was associate director of music and organist. His album Divine Splendor, recorded on the cathedral’s Great Organ is available on the Pro Organo label. At the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in spring of 2020, Dr. Nagem began a weekly online recital series from the cathedral, “Tuesdays at 6,” featuring a diverse range of music spanning the entire organ repertoire. In his spare time, he enjoys running, cycling, and crossword puzzles.

Solemn Mass, 6:00 PM, Father Wood, celebrant & Father Jeffrey Hanson, preacher

Father Jeffrey Hanson is senior philosopher at Harvard University’s Human Flourishing Program, where he researches love, meaningfulness, and other contributors to happiness and well-being. He is an assisting priest at the Church of the Advent, Boston, where his ministry focuses on young adults and educational programming. He is the author of Philosophies of Work in the Platonic Tradition: A History of Labor and Human Flourishing and Kierkegaard and the Life of Faith: The Aesthetic, the Ethical, and the Religious in “Fear and Trembling.” He is the editor or co-editor of four books of philosophical essays, and his writing and podcasting have appeared in The Living Church’s Covenant blog.

The Holy Eucharist is celebrated at the High Altar Monday–Saturday at 12:10 PM. Members of the congregation are now invited to sit in the pews in choir.

The Racism Discussion Group Meeting: The Group meets online on most Tuesday evenings from 7:00–8:00 PM. For more information about this ongoing weekly meeting, please call the parish office, or speak to one of the current members of the group, such as Charles Carson, Charles Morgan, Marie Rosseels, or Ingrid Sletten.

Holy Hour. Wednesday mornings 11:00–11:50 AM, in the Lady Chapel. A time for silent prayer and contemplation before the Blessed Sacrament. The Holy Eucharist follows at 12:10 PM. We invite you to join us.

The Saint Mary’s Centering Prayer Group meets online on most Friday evenings at 6:30 PM. If you are interested in participating, please send an e-mail to this address or speak to Ingrid Sletten or Blair Burroughs.

A Time for Prayer and Preparation Before Mass on Sunday: The acolytes, readers, and members of the audiovisual team are invited to gather in in the Lady Chapel each Sunday between 10:00 and 10:20 AM for a time of silent prayer and preparation before Mass. All are invited to join them.

The New York Repertory Orchestra will have a concert at the parish this Saturday, May 21, at 8 PM. Click here for more information about the NRO.

ABOUT THE MUSIC

The setting of the Mass on the Sixth Sunday of Easter, May 22, is Communion Service by Leonard Raver (1927–1993). Dr. Raver’s musical life in New York City included serving on the faculties of The General Theological Seminary and The Juilliard School, and at various times as parish musician at All Saints Episcopal Church and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church on Manhattan’s East Side. He was organist of the New York Philharmonic from 1977 until 1990. A native of Wenatchee, Washington, his undergraduate studies were at the University of Puget Sound. Graduate studies brought him first to Syracuse University and finally to Union Theological Seminary in New York City.

Dr. Raver was an avid champion of contemporary music and especially of new music which incorporated the organ. In his career as a recitalist, he commissioned or premiered major works by such distinguished American composers as Ned Rorem, Daniel Pinkham, Vincent Persichetti, William Albright, Gardiner Reed, and David Diamond.

The source of Dr. Raver’s unpublished Communion Service is an undated manuscript which probably originated in the late 1960s while he concurrently taught at General Seminary and directed music at All Saints Church. The text is essentially the Order of Holy Communion from the Book of Common Prayer 1928, and the scoring is for unaccompanied voices in four parts. The performing edition of this setting sung on Sunday was prepared by David Hurd. Notations were made in this newly created edition to reconcile the music with the customary liturgical texts as we know them. As such, the choir will omit the liturgically irregular Amens with which Dr. Raver had ended both his Sanctus and Benedictus. (It is interesting to note that the text of The Book of Common Prayer 1928 did not include Benedictus qui venit but did end Sanctus with Amen.) Also, the text underlay at the end of Agnus Dei has been altered to resolve another Amen which the standard liturgical text does not include.

The name Healey Willan (1880–1968) is well known to Episcopalians because of his Missa de Santa Maria Magdalena, composed in 1928, which appeared in The Hymnal 1940 and was retained in The Hymnal 1982. This setting has been widely used throughout the Episcopal Church and by other denominations for decades. Willan’s career and reputation, however, went far beyond composing this beloved congregational Mass setting. He composed more than eight hundred works including operas, symphonies and other music for orchestra and band, chamber music, and music for piano and organ, in addition to a great quantity of choral church music. His liturgical music included fourteen choral Masses, motets for many occasions, canticles, and hymn settings. Willan, who is said to have described himself as “English by birth; Canadian by adoption; Irish by extraction; Scotch by absorption,” was a champion of historic liturgical chant and the aesthetic of Renaissance church music. He incorporated these influences and mingled them with an appreciation of the rich harmonic palette of the late nineteenth-century masters. Through his compositions and choral direction, he significantly set the standard for North American Anglo-Catholic church music in his time. In 1956, Willan became the first non-English church musician to be awarded the Lambeth doctoral degree, Mus.D. Cantuar. Rise up, my love, my fair one, Willan’s setting of Song of Songs 2:10-12, is the fifth of ten liturgical motets which he composed between 1928 and 1937. Scored in four parts with occasional divisi, this motet is modest in length and rich in expression.

The organ voluntaries at the Solemn Mass on Sunday are the opening and closing sections of the Toccata in C of J. S. Bach (1685–1750), commonly referred to as Toccata, Adagio, and Fugue. Baroque keyboard toccatas were typically multi-sectional pieces. With Bach’s Toccata in C, the form is so enlarged that the principal sections effectively become stand-alone movements. The opening sections, which comprise Sunday’s Prelude, include a single-voice flourish on the keyboard, a pedal solo, and a fully-developed concerto-style movement. The final section, played for the Postlude, is a spirited fugue with an extended and playful theme in gigue rhythm. — David Hurd

ADULT EDUCATION

On Sunday, May 22, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, Father Jay Smith will lead the class in a discussion of the gospel appointed for the day, John 14:22–29, which includes these verses, “But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” The “Getting Ready for Mass” series will continue for one more week, with Father Peter Powell teaching on Sunday, May 29. The Adult Forum then breaks for the summer months.

NEIGHBORS IN NEED

The Neighbors in Need program is Saint Mary’s principal outreach ministry. It was founded by members of the parish, along with resident sisters and friars and members of the parish’s clergy staff. We “own” it and run it. We provide clothing and basic, but essential, hygiene items to our neighbors in Times Square. Your cash donations and gifts of new and lightly used clothing make this ministry possible.

The May Drop-by took place today, Friday, May 20.

The June Drop-by will take place on Friday, June 17.

With the arrival of warmer weather, we are now eager to receive donations of lighter clothes such as shirts, blouses, T-shirts, slacks, shorts; jeans, socks and athletic shoes.

However, as you do your spring cleaning, please know that we would love to receive donations of coats, jackets, and sweatshirts. We did not receive many coats from our usual suppliers this past winter and we would like to prepare for Winter 2022–2023. We would be happy to receive donations of coats and other cold-weather clothing even during the summer months.

Our goal is to continue to distribute clothing and hygiene items to those in need in the Times Square neighborhood. We are grateful to all those who continue to support this ministry.

FROM THE FINANCE OFFICE

Our parish accounts recently moved from HSBC Bank to Citizens Bank. As part of that move, our account numbers and bank transfer numbers changed. We have successfully migrated over all the regular automatic payments and deposits (payroll, investment income, taxes, etc.). All credit card processing is already running on the new accounts as well. However, there might still be some donors out there using old legacy account numbers for transfers. If you are notified by your financial institution that a transaction with Saint Mary's was unsuccessful, rejected, or returned, please contact Chris Howatt  in the parish office (chowatt@stmcnyc.org; 212-869-5830, ext 10), so we can make sure you have the new account information. Thank you! 

This edition of the Angelus was written and edited by Father Sammy Wood and Father Jay Smith. Father Matt Jacobson also helps to edit and is responsible for formatting and posting it 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.