FROM FATHER WOOD: BE OF GOOD COURAGE

There’s a collect in the Morning Prayer rite, a prayer for mission, that reads:

“Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of thy faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers which we offer before thee for all members of thy holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and godly serve thee; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.” (Book of Common Prayer, p. 57)

Every time I pray those words, I see your faces. I think about the people of Saint Mary’s—not so much the clergy as the laity. I think about how you are the real “ministers” of this parish, going about your vocation and exercising your ministry in the world all day, every day. 

I read an article recently that likened parishioners to meteorites—you’re drawn in close for a brief time each week for spiritual renewal and to receive the sacraments, before being flung “back out into the temporal sphere, loaded with grace and redolent of the fragrance of Christ.” That’s the image I have of you, and it’s why I pray every day for you in your vocation and ministry.

And that was the impetus for the recent series of short essays in the Angelus, written by members of our parish—a psychotherapist, two teachers, an iconographer, folks committed to anti-racism work and to prison ministry. We wanted to subvert the myth that vocations have to be either “secular” or “sacred” and highlight the ways you, the people of Saint Mary’s, are extending the kingdom of God in your own vocations and avocations. 

Walker Percy, the American novelist and essayist, once said that Christians should be “signposts in a strange land” and “hints of hope” in a heartless world. The ministry “footprint” of Saint Mary’s is far wider than just our little block here in midtown. It extends into your homes, your offices, the fields where you play and the classrooms where you study and teach—wherever you go, you can take the light of Christ with you into the darkest corners of our city. 

In his book Visions of Vocation, Steven Garber says:

“We live among ordinary people doing ordinary things in ordinary places. We are families and we are neighbors, we worship, and we work, we laugh, and we cry, we hope, and we love—the stuff of life for everyone everywhere. But it is also true that whether our vocations are as butchers, bakers, or candlestick makers—or people drawn into the worlds of business or law, agriculture or education, architecture or construction, journalism or international development, health care or the arts—in our own different ways we are responsible, for love’s sake, for the way the world is and ought to be. We are called to be common grace for the common good.”

Know that your priests pray for you in your vocation and ministry every single day. If you’d be willing to write your own essay to tell the parish how God uses you in the world, let me know. And be of good courage as you go into the world to bring common grace for the common good.  

This week, consider that an invitation.

THE PARISH PRAYER LIST

Prayers are asked for the sick, for those who are travelling, and for all those for whom prayers have been asked, especially Reha, Barbara, Hermine, Manny, Nam, James, Claudia, Joseph, Shay, Tom, Ben, Marjorie, Shalim, Greta, Liduvina, Quincy, Florette, Larry, José, James, Carmen, Brian, Emily, Frank, Abraham, Gypsy, Margaret, Emil, Pat, Robert, and Lain, religious; for the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist; and for the repose of the souls of Surjet Kour, Hank Powell, and Marjel Thomas.

TIMES AND LOCATIONS OF DAILY AND SUNDAY LITURGIES:

Monday–Saturday: Daily Mass 12:10 PM, Lady Chapel

Monday–Sunday: Evening Prayer 5:00 PM, Choir and Church

The Solemn Mass on Sunday morning at 11:00 AM is celebrated in the Church

SACRED SITES OPEN HOUSE WEEKEND

Join us this weekend for the Sacred Sites open house, Saturday–Sunday, July 23-24! You can find out more about the Sacred Sites event through this video.

Take a self-guided tour by scanning the QR codes found throughout the church. These lead to recordings of our sisters and brothers in Christ describing Saint Mary’s architecture and sacred objects. Visit familiar surroundings and learn more about our history through these recordings!  (A binder also will be available with printed descriptions/transcripts of the recordings.)

In the fall, we plan to start offering guided tours of Saint Mary’s on a monthly basis. Are you interested in our history? Would you like to show off our church to interested people? Please be in touch with me if you’d like to learn more about this ministry.

It’s been great fun working on this project, and I am incredibly thankful for the hard work of everyone who made this happen. Many thanks to everyone who brainstormed with me, reviewed material, offered suggestions, read and recorded audio scripts, and otherwise supported this project, including Chris Howatt, Kenny Isler, Thomas Jayne, Wayne Kempton, Jay Kennedy, Rick Miranda, Dr. Charles Morgan, Grace Mudd, Elizabeth Nisbet, Steve Potanovic, Dale Reynolds, Marie Rosseels, Dr. Leroy Sharer, Jennifer Stevens, Father Sammy Wood, and most especially Father Matt Jacobson, for his technical expertise and turnaround speed.
— Mary Robison

LEARNING TO LISTEN: PRELUDE & POSTLUDE AT THE SOLEMN MASS

Here at Saint Mary’s, the entrance and retiring processions at Solemn Mass are almost always preceded or followed by organ music designed in part to help the congregation to prepare for Mass or to give thanks for the Eucharistic celebration. Such music is never simply background music. We ask that the friends and members of the parish be respectful of these periods of prayer, preparation, and thanksgiving. This does not mean a rigid imposition of silence. It does mean, however, that as far as possible, conversation and other distractions should be kept to a minimum. The ushers are always ready to answer questions and solve problems, but please help them by speaking to them softly or taking conversation into the narthex or Saint Joseph’s Hall. Please do not interpret any reticence on their part during the music as unfriendliness.

ABOUT THE MUSIC

Joséph Jiménez (or José Ximenes), composer of today’s organ prelude, was an organist at Saragossa in 1654. Apart from that fact, the thirty-four organ works attributed to him, and the date of his death—1672—nothing is known about him. In The History of Keyboard Music to 1700, musicologist Willi Apel wrote that, in the hands of such composers as Jiménez, “the baroque Tiento evolved into a national type, which cannot be likened to anything else. The peculiarity of the species consists in a wealth of formulae, which may best be called pictorial, for indeed these compositions acquire a picturesque, scenic quality. They represent a kind of drama, a colorful theater, on which certain figures appear, linger for a while, and then make room for others—all without real continuity or unification, but in a loose array whose meaning and attraction lies in its kaleidoscopic changes.”

Today’s postlude is also from a Spanish composer, but one who lived and worked a century-and-a-half later than Jiménez. José Lidon (1752–1827) entered the Royal Chapel of Madrid as an altar boy in 1758 and was taught by organist Antonio de Literes. From 1768, he held music directing positions at Orense Cathedral and the Madrid Royal Chapel, successively serving King Charles IV and King Ferdinand VII. From 1805 until his death, he was Maestro de la Capilla Real in Madrid. Where the Tiento by Jiménez demonstrates an improvisational late Renaissance/early Baroque keyboard practice, José Lidon’s Sonata, also on the first tone, presents a clear late Baroque Italianate two-sectioned structure. The first section leads to a dominant cadence and the second returns to the home key. Lidon’s Sonata is intended for harpsichord or organ with a “royal”’ trumpet.

The musical setting of the Mass today is New Plainsong by David Hurd, organist and music director here at Saint Mary’s. This setting was composed in 1978 at the request of the Standing Commission on Church Music of the Episcopal Church as the revision of The Hymnal 1940 was gaining momentum. The Commission desired a setting which would be for the contemporary language Eucharistic texts what John Merbercke’s 1550 setting had been for the traditional English words. As such, New Plainsong is chant-like and almost entirely syllabic, that is, only one note is sung per syllable. Modest keyboard accompaniments are provided in this Mass setting, but its vocal lines alternatively may be sung unaccompanied. New Plainsong subsequently has been included in The Hymnal 1982 and in worship resources of other denominations. A revised edition of New Plainsong issued in 2018 accommodates newer Roman Catholic usage.

During the Communion, this morning’s cantor, Kirsten Ott, will sing the aria Thou shalt bring them in from Part II of the oratorio Israel in Egypt by George Frederick Handel (1685–1759). Handel completed Israel in Egypt in 1739. The libretto was likely compiled by Charles Jennens (1700–1773) who worked with Handel on several other oratorios, most notably, Messiah. The texts for Israel in Egypt are compiled from the Book of Exodus and the Psalms. Typical of the time, Handel’s Israel in Egypt contains some previously composed music which he recycled and repurposed. Handel also parodied works of other composers in this oratorio. Atypical for the time was the large number of choral movements relative to those for solo voices. The graceful alto aria Thou shalt bring them in comes near the end of the oratorio and immediately precedes its grand and celebratory final choruses.

About the Cantor: Kirsten Ott, mezzo-soprano, has been a member of the Choir of Saint Mary’s since the fall of 2021. She sings frequently with Libero Canto, an organization which stages both opera and song programs, and she has also produced several of her own recital programs. She has previously sung with local groups such as Vox Vocal Ensemble and the Manhattan Chamber Choir. Before joining the choir at Saint Mary’s, she sang for many seasons in the choirs of the Church of the Holy Apostles, Chelsea, and the Church of the Epiphany, Yorkville. Kirsten has extensive acting training and has coached both classical and musical theater performers. She studied oboe at Manhattan School of Music and is also a pianist.

AROUND THE PARISH

In recent weeks, several parishioners and members of the staff have received emails from an account that appears as though it belongs to Father Wood. These emails, sent from an account that is different from Father Wood’s email address at Saint Mary’s, ask for assistance, financial help, or credit card information. These emails are not from Father Sammy, and he will never ask for such assistance over email. Do not respond to any of these messages.

A “cooling station” will be available on Sunday morning during the Solemn Mass. The door to Saint Benedict’s Study will be unlocked and the air-conditioning will be on in the classroom. Speak to an usher, if you are finding the heat difficult in the church, and he or she can escort you to Saint Benedict’s.

Members of the Open Doors Committee are moving ahead with plans to acknowledge donors to the Capital Campaign which made possible the recent renovations to the church building, especially to the façade. For more information—or to make a donation to this ongoing project—please speak to Father Sammy, MaryJane Boland, or Mark Risinger.

Saint Mary’s Book Club: Our first book, which we will read this summer, is Marilynne Robinson’s novel, Gilead (Farrar, Straus & Giroux, 2004). The novel, in the form of a diary written by an elderly pastor to his young son, allows Robinson to explore the strengths and weaknesses of the book’s beautiful and flawed characters, while giving her the space  to reflect on broadly American themes such as slavery, race, war, violence, activism, pacifism, grace, conversion, parish life, human nature, community, prayer, faith, perseverance, and, most profoundly, love and the possibility of forgiveness.

I hope that many of you will be willing to give Gilead a try and join us in September for a discussion of the book. I like to think that you would enjoy the book—though loving the book is by no means a requirement for joining the group. I think our discussion would be interesting, enlightening, and fun. The book is still in print and is available online at the usual places, including www.bookshop.org. (On Amazon it is currently free to those who have a Kindle Unlimited subscription.) If you would like to join the group and come to the discussion in the fall, please send me an e-mail at my Saint Mary’s e-mail address, telling me you would like to participate. Please give me your contact information, including phone number and e-mail address, and please let me know if you would prefer to join such a discussion via Zoom on a weekday evening or in-person on a Sunday afternoon, after the Solemn Mass. (Sandwiches will be provided at the in-person meeting.) And please read the book! I wish you all a peaceful and restorative summer season. — Jay Smith

We hope to receive donations for flowers on the following Sundays: July 31, and August 7 and 28. There are also dates available in the fall and winter months. Please contact Chris Howatt, our parish administrator, if you would like to make a donation.

Father Jay Smith begins his summer vacation on Sunday, July 24. He returns to the parish on Monday, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Father Peter Powell is still needed in Connecticut, caring for his wife Barbara and fulfilling some preaching engagements. He will be able to be with us in two Sundays in August, preaching at the Solemn Mass on Sunday, August 7, and Sunday, August 14. Father Sammy Wood will be away from the parish on vacation, August 6–9 and 12–14. He will preach at the Solemn Mass on Monday, August 15, the Feast of the Assumption, at 6:00 PM. Father Matthew Jacobson is back in New York. He will be the celebrant at the Solemn Mass on Sunday, July 24. Father Wood and Father Smith are grateful to him for taking on extra duties during the first two weeks of August.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S

Sunday, July 24, The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Solemn Mass 11:00 AM. The readings are Genesis 18:20–33; Psalm 138; Colossians 2:6–15; Luke 11:1–13. Father Sammy Wood will preach the sermon. The celebrant is Father Matthew Jacobson. The musical setting of the Mass will be New Plainsong by David Hurd (b. 1950). The cantor will be Kirsten Ott. During the administration of Communion, Kirsten will sing the aria Thou shalt bring them in from Part II of the oratorio Israel in Egypt by George Frederick Handel (1685–1759).

Next Sunday: July 31, The Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Solemn Mass 11:00 AM. The readings are Ecclesiastes 1:12–14; 2:18–23; Psalm 49:1–7; Colossians 3:5–17; Luke 12:13–21.

Upcoming Commemorations: Monday, July 25, Saint James the Apostle; Tuesday, July 26, The Parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Wednesday, July 27, William Reed Huntington, Priest; Friday, July 29, Mary and Martha of Bethany; Saturday, July 30, William Wilberforce, Abolitionist.

The Holy Eucharist is celebrated Monday–Saturday at 12:10 PM in the Lady Chapel.

The chalice is now being administered at all the Eucharists here at Saint Mary’s. Please speak to one of the priests if you have questions.

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.

HEALING MASS ON THURSDAYS

The noonday Mass on Thursdays at 12:10 PM includes anointing, also known as unction, and prayers for healing immediately after the homily or, on holy days, after the Nicene Creed. “Unction is the rite of anointing the sick with oil, or the laying on of hands, by which God's grace is given for the healing of spirit, mind, and body” (Book of Common Prayer, page 861). Anointing is a much-respected rite here at Saint Mary’s, and all are invited, though none are compelled, to come to the rail for anointing during Mass should they wish.

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 August Drop-by will take place on Friday, August 19.

The September Drop-by will take place on Friday, September 16.

We welcome cash donations and donations of athletic shoes, jeans, socks, and underwear for both men and women.

If you would like to volunteer for Neighbors in Need, please contact Marie Rosseels.

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.

WE COMMEMORATE

At Mass on Saturday, July 31, we will remember William Wilberforce (1759–1833), a British and Anglican politician and philanthropist, who, beginning in 1787, played a prominent role in the struggle to abolish the slave trade and then to abolish slavery itself in British overseas possessions.

From the Encyclopedia Britannica, “Wilberforce’s abolitionism was derived in part from evangelical Christianity, to which he was converted in 1784–85. His spiritual adviser became John Newton, a former slave trader who had repented and who had been the pastor at Wilberforce’s church when he was a child. In 1787 Wilberforce helped to found a society for the ‘reformation of manners’ called the Proclamation Society (to suppress the publication of obscenity) and the Society for Effecting the Abolition of the Slave Trade—the latter more commonly called the Anti-Slavery Society. He and his associates . . . were first called the Saints and afterward (from 1797) the Clapham Sect, of which Wilberforce was the acknowledged leader.” You can read more about William Wilberforce here.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO BE BAPTIZED, CONFIRMED OR RECEIVED?

We received news that the Bishop of New York will be with us at the Solemn Mass on All Saints’ Day, Tuesday, November 1, 2022, at 6:00 PM. The bishop’s visitation is a time when Baptism, Confirmation, and Reception into the Episcopal Church are particularly appropriate. If you would like to be baptized—or confirmed or received—please speak to Father Wood, Father Smith, or Father Jacobson.

We will plan on holding a series of “confirmation classes” before the bishop’s visitation. If you have already been confirmed but would like to learn more about the fundamentals of the Christian faith, please let us know. We would love to have you join the class.

FROM PARISH ARCHIVIST, MARY ROBISON: SEEKING BACK ISSUES OF AVE PARISH MAGAZINE

The Church of St. Mary the Virgin, New York, was founded in 1868 in what was then called Longacre Square but is now known as Times Square. An important center of Ritualist and Anglo-Catholic activity, it earned the fond nickname “Smoky Mary’s” because of the prominence of incense in its worship.

Beginning in 1932, St. Mary’s published a monthly bulletin called Ave—from Ave Maria, gratia plena, the angel Gabriel’s salutation to Saint Mary the Virgin in Luke’s gospel—with an outline of services and other activities, notices from the clergy, essays or sermons about current events, poetry, devotional material, and other parochialia.

In 2017, Richard Mammana, Wayne Kempton (archivist and historiographer of the Diocese of New York), and Mary Robison (parish archivist) began a project to locate one copy of all known issues of Ave between 1932 and 2003. Mr. Kempton and Ms. Robison have painstakingly scanned more than 45 years of back issues, and the file directory structure has been compiled by Mr. Mammana for posting online at http://anglicanhistory.org/usa/smv_nyc/ave/. The Reverend Stephen Gerth, previous rector of St. Mary’s since 1999, supported the project enthusiastically from its outset, but there are still gaps in the parish’s holdings of issues.

St. Mary’s seeks copies of any of the following issues of Ave, which may be sent in care of the archivist to the following address: Church of St. Mary the Virgin; 145 West 46th St.; New York, NY, 10036-8502. The issues will not be damaged in the process of digitization, and they can be returned to original owners if desired. Questions may be directed to Mr. Kempton (wkempton@dioceseny.org), Mr. Mammana (richard.mammana@gmail.com) or Ms. Robison (m.robison3@gmail.com).

1983                seeking April/May
1984                seeking November/December
1986                seeking September/October
1987               seeking May/June, November/December
1990                seeking September/October
1992                seeking all but November/December
1997                seeking May/June, November/December
1998                seeking January-June, November/December
1999                seeking November/December
2001                seeking January/February, September/October
2002                seeking March/April
2003                seeking July/August, November/December

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.