FROM BROTHER THOMAS BUSHNELL, BSG: “What has Athens to do with Jerusalem? What concord is there between the Academy and the Church?” — Tertullian, De praescriptione haereticorum, 7

In our day, we might look for the target of Tertullian’s famous attack not so much in the school philosophy of the Middle Ages, or the twentieth century, but the vagaries of the “spiritualities” practiced around us in a pluralistic and individualistic age. His rhetorical question follows upon a recitation of the shifting sands of Greek philosophy, saying now this, now that: one says the soul is immortal, the next not. One says the true god is fire; the next, matter. “The same subject-matter is discussed over and over again by the heretics and the philosophers; the same arguments are involved. Whence comes evil? Why is it permitted? What is the origin of humanity?”

A plurality of nutritional advice today has now led to a thousand fad diets, notions of “healthiness” which are contrary to any scientific understanding, theories of “cleansing” which seem blissfully unaware of the magnificent chemical factories known as “the human liver” and “the human kidney,” and a blind focus on what is “natural” as though the natural world were not filled with its own dangers and poisons, and as though we humans, and our artifacts, were not equally integral parts of nature.

Spirituality has become a question for individual crafting. Our culture now seems to advise individuals to develop their own spiritual practice, hobbled together from a bit of this and a bit of that, a Christian statue here, a Buddhist meditation there, and perhaps surrounded with a ritual involving sage, a dreamcatcher, and a medicine bag. If nothing else, this screams to me “turn of the century American privileged cultural appropriation.” Or, in Tertullian’s words, “a mottled Christianity of Stoic, Platonic, and dialectic composition.”

Buddhism is a complex and ancient religion, with its own integrity and its own inner logic, which is not simply a vessel into which to pour a made-up assemblage of vaguely spiritual thoughts. Judaism is not simply a place to steal a seder ritual for play-acting in Holy Week. Taoism is more than a book of quiet practical advice. Native American traditions have long been the casual playthings of Europeans, which is hardly appropriate.

To all this Tertullian proposes a healthy antidote: we Christians would do well to look to Christ, and to drink from our own wells. We have rivers of living water in our tradition—we have time-worn practices of bodily prayer, meditation, cycles of fast and feast, ways of building home shrines. We have rituals for blessing homes, practices of daily prayer as adaptable as any, spiritual insights of centuries for the activist, the recluse, the devoted family member, the child, the aged, and even a middle-aged curmudgeon like me.

We do not need to disparage the insights of others and other traditions—perhaps Tertullian went a bit farther in that direction that we think is wise, or loving. But we might do well to allow those other traditions their own integrity and drink deep from our own living water—water flowing from the side of Christ, from the temple, feeding trees with leaves for the healing of the nations. — Thomas Bushnell, BSG

Thomas Bushnell is a member of the Brotherhood of Saint Gregory. Among his other accomplishments, he has been awarded a doctoral degree in philosophy. He is a good friend of Saint Mary’s and serves the parish in a number of ways. He is a member of our guild of readers and he taught our adult-education classes during the month of October 2022.

THE PARISH PRAYER LIST

We give thanks to God for giving us life; for showing us the beauty of the universe, for the warmth and tenderness of the world of nature, and for the goodness of God even in times of darkness when goodness, beauty, and grace are hidden from our eyes.

We pray for those who are sick and for those in any need or trouble. We pray for those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week; for those living with drought, storm, frigid weather, flood, fire, and earthquake.

We pray especially this week for the people of Ukraine, South Sudan, Türkiye, and Syria.; and we also pray for Harriet, David, Tim, Michael, Tracy, Opal, Debbie, Willard, Virginia, Richard, Gigi, Carole, Don, Michele, Bob, Ilde Luz, Catherine, Tony, Pat, Gloria, Gladys, Luis, Liduvina, José, Lauren, Theo, Henry, Mecca, Penny, Steven, Sharon, Lina, Charlotte, Ginny, Roger, Eric, Carlos, Christopher, Shalim, Greta, Quincy, Ava Grace, Bruce, Barbara, Robert, Suzanne, Abe, Gypsy, Hardy, Margaret; Alison, Rick, and Allan, priests; and Frank bishop.

We also pray:
For the people of Saint Mary’s that we may persevere in our observance of Lent;
For the work of the Saint Mary’s Search Committee and the members of the Board of Trustees of Saint Mary’s;
For the brothers of the Order of the Holy Cross, the Brothers of the Society of Saint John the Evangelist, and the Sisters of the Community of Saint John Baptist;
For the Chemin Neuf Community and the Community at the Crossing;
For all those suffering from COVID-19 and for all those recovering from COVID-19;
For those killed and injured in the mass shootings in the United States in 2023;
For all refugees and those seeking asylum;
For the work of Neighbors in Need and for its guests;
For those without food, shelter, or work; and for those seeking work;
For those troubled by depression, anxiety, or addiction;
For all those visiting Saint Mary’s and our neighborhood this week;
For the safety and welfare of our nation, city, and neighborhood;

A COLLECT FOR LENT

Almighty and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made and dost forgive the sins of all those who are penitent: Create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE

On the afternoon of Sunday, March 5, we received the news that the Most Reverend Frank Tracy Griswold III (1937–2003), XXV Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church (1998–2006) had died that morning in Philadelphia. We received this news with great sadness and a deep sense of loss. Bishop Griswold was a great friend of Saint Mary’s. He visited Saint Mary’s for the first time as a young man and came back to visit many times over the years as seminarian, as priest and as bishop. He presided and preached on the Feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in December 2021, when we were finally able to celebrate our sesquicentennial. His presence with us that evening felt right and deeply appropriate.

Bishop Griswold cared about Saint Mary’s. He appreciated us and he supported us. He also provided us with wise counsel and advice. Bishop Griswold did not hesitate to say what he believed and thought, but he almost always began by listening. When he came here, he brought with him a sense of calm and an excitement, about worship and discipleship. It was a pleasure to hear him preach. In his sermons, one might hear about Saint Benedict, Isaac the Syrian, Ignatius Loyola, or Julian of Norwich, one never knew who would make an appearance. He loved the deep riches of the Christian tradition and was able to teach his hearers the ways in which worship, contemplation, discipleship, study, ministry, and reconciliation were intimately woven into a seamless garment in our tradition, and he did this not only as a preacher but also as an accomplished author.

Readers of this newsletter may read more about Bishop Griswold here. He had a remarkable and influential career. We are grateful to Bishop Griswold for all he accomplished during his long and successful ministry. But many of us will never forget his courage in the aftermath of Bishop Gene Robinson’s election as IX Bishop of New Hampshire. Bishop Griswold sacrificed much in supporting Bishop Robinson and the people and clergy of New Hampshire at that time. His clarity was an inspiration and a comfort. We already miss him terribly. May his memory be a blessing. Memory eternal. — JRS

AIDS WALK 2023: SUNDAY, MAY 21

The New York City 2023 AIDS Walk will be on Sunday, May 21, and Saint Mary’s is forming its team—walking for the 18th year! In 2022, thanks to the generosity of Saint Marians and their friends, we raised $57,078 and were the fourth ranked fundraising team overall (and first among religious organizations). We hope to do at least as well this year. We invite you to join us to walk, and we invite you to contribute to our team. This year, our walkers will attend a Vigil Mass on Saturday evening and meet in the Park before 10 AM on Sunday to walk with the thousands of other AIDS Walk teams. Due to our success in 2022, we will have a check-in station in the Gold Team area. We plan to have our own team tee-shirts and be represented by both priests and parishioners in the Walk. Our team captains—MaryJane Boland, Clark Mitchell, and Father Matt Jacobson—welcome your questions. To join or to contribute to our team, visit our page on the AIDS Walks website: https://gmhc.aidswalkny.org/SaintMarytheVirgin. Additional detail about our team’s history can also be found here on the parish website.

THE SHAPE OF LENT AT THE CHURCH OF SAINT MARY THE VIRGIN

An electronic copy of the booklet, The Shape of the Lent, can be downloaded here. In it you’ll find suggestions for keeping a Holy Lent and an invitation for us to observe Lent together, as a community.

Week 3: March 12-18

Psalm of the Week: Psalm 72

Readings:
Sunday: Joshua 1.1-9; 6; 24
Monday: 1 Samuel 8; 10.17-27; 15
Tuesday: 1 Samuel 16.1-13; 17
Wednesday: 2 Samuel 7
Thursday: 1 Kings 3.1-15; 8.22-26, 46-61
Friday: 2 Kings 22.1-2; 23.1-26
Saturday: 2 Kings 17.6-23; 24.10-17

Book of Common Prayer Online
Holy Bible, New Revised Standard Version
Holy Bible, Revised Standard Version
Common English Bible

Friday, March 17, Evening Prayer 5:00 PM and Stations of the Cross 5:30 PM. Stations of the Cross will be offered after Evening Prayer on Fridays throughout Lent, except on March 24 (Eve of the Annunciation).

INCENSE AT SAINT MARY’S: THANK YOU, KENNY!

Longtime parishioner Mr. Ken Isler recently moved to South Carolina. Many know Kenny as one of our faithful servers at Solemn Mass and we certainly miss his assistance at the altar. Fewer know that, since 1991, Kenny has been responsible for producing the incense that gives us our nickname: Smoky Mary’s.

At one point, during these thirty-plus years of incense production, he was living in Arizona and even would periodically fly back to New York to make new batches. Kenny could often be found tinkering in his laboratory in the parish undercroft and he notes that no two batches are ever exactly the same. We are very grateful that Kenny was able to come to New York for a few days recently to make a new batch. He also has taken on an apprentice, Mr. Clark Mitchell, who is beginning to train in these mysteries. Thanks Kenny, and see you soon!

Saint Mary’s incense is also available for purchase. To place an order, please contact Chris Howatt, our parish administrator.

BEING HOSPITABLE, WELCOMING OUR GUESTS

Hospitality is an important ministry at Saint Mary’s, since it is our privilege to welcome guests from near and far almost every Sunday morning. Coffee Hour and other receptions are an important part of that ministry, but the cost of hosting such events continues to rise.

We are seeking your help. We invite the members and friends to volunteer to “host” a Coffee Hour or reception. That can be done in one of two ways: you can make a cash donation, or you can provide food and beverages for the event. If you would like to do this, please contact the Parish Office or speak to Father Jay Smith.

In order to prevent duplications and therefore waste, if you plan to bring food for a Coffee Hour, please let us know a week ahead of time. That way we can work with Marcos Orengo, our weekend sexton, to prepare for that day’s event.

We hope that this will not be taken as an invitation to compete. That is not desirable, and is likely to discourage some who would otherwise like to help. We hope to keep things fairly simple—something look forward to, but neither brunch, lunch, or supper.

We are grateful to all those who already make donations that are a great help to and for this ministry.

“All guests who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for he himself will say: ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed me’ (Matt 25:35).”— The Rule of Saint Benedict

GUEST PREACHERS AT SAINT MARY’S

On Friday, March 24, at the Solemn Mass on the Eve of the Annunciation at 6:00 PM, our guest preacher will be the Reverend Anna Pearson, rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles, Chelsea. Click to read one of her recent posts and to learn more about Holy Apostles.

On Sunday, March 26, our guest preacher at the Solemn Mass at 11:00 AM, will be Sister Hannah Spiers, CCN, of the Community of Chemin Neuf, who is working with other members of the Community to create the ecumenical Community at the Crossing at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Click here for a video where Sister Hannah speaks a little about and being an Anglican consecrated sister within a Roman Catholic religious order. Sister Hannah will discuss her order and this new community after Solemn Mass in the parish hall.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S

Friday, March 10, Stations of the Cross 5:30 PM, following Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM.

Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 AM. Clocks are set ahead one hour, and so we “lose” an hour.

Sunday, March 12, at 12:45 PM. The Saint Mary’s Book Club invites you to join them for a discussion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2023, Failure: What Jesus Said About Sin, Mistakes and Messing Stuff Up by Emma Ineson.

Our regular daily liturgical schedule, Monday through Friday, is Morning Prayer 8:00 AM, Mass 12:10 PM, and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM. Holy Hour is offered on Wednesday at 11:00 AM and Thursday’s Mass includes a Healing Service. On Saturdays, Mass is celebrated at 12:10 PM and Evening Prayer is prayed at 5:00 PM. On Sundays, Solemn Mass is offered at 11:00 AM and Evening Prayer at 5:00 PM.

During Lent at Saint Mary’s, it is our custom to keep most weekdays as Lenten Weekdays or ferias. Among other things, this allows us to hear the Scripture readings in course. However, if there is a saint associated with a date, he or she will be noted in our parish liturgical calendars in parenthesis.

Sunday, March 12, The Third Sunday in Lent (Gregory the Great, Bishop of Rome, 604)

Friday, March 17, Saint Patrick, Bishop and Missionary of Ireland, 461

Saturday, March 18, Cyril, Bishop of Jerusalem, 386

Sunday, March 19, The Fourth Sunday in Lent (Laetare Sunday)

Monday, March 20, Saint Joseph (transferred)

AROUND THE PARISH

We are grateful to all those who worked so we could celebrate Emil Bretzger’s life and commend him to God last Saturday afternoon. We were able to welcome and provide comfort to Emil’s family, his close friends, and former colleagues and students in a way that, we hope, would have pleased Emil. Thank you. Ad maiorem Dei gloriam.

The Saint Mary’s Centering Prayer Group returned to in-person gatherings. Please speak to Blair Burroughs or Ingrid Sletten for more information about the practice of Centering Prayer or click here. Perhaps the season of Lent would be a good time to explore this particular form of prayer. The group is meeting in Saint Benedict’s Room following Stations of the Cross on Fridays and has begun to gather on Sundays after Solemn Mass.

Sunday March 12 at 12:45 PM, Father Jay Smith leads a discussion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2023, Failure: What Jesus Said About Sin, Mistakes and Messing Stuff Up by Bishop Emma Ineson.

On Sunday, March 19, Dr. David Hurd, organist and music director, will be away from the parish. He will be in Rochester, New York, playing a recital at Rochester’s Third Presbyterian Church. The following day, Monday, March 20, he will be speaking at the Eastman School of Music.

ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT, MARCH 12, 2023

The organ prelude on Sunday is a setting of Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BWV 658, one of the eighteen Leipzig Chorales of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750). The “Great Eighteen” were collected and published in the final decade of Bach’s life and are considered to represent the summit of chorale-based Baroque organ composition. In this case, the chorale text, the first phrase of which is interpreted as “I shall not abandon God, for he does not abandon me,” is attributed to Ludwig Helmbold and dated 1563. Its melody, from an anonymous 1557 source, is set by Bach to be played on the organ pedals in the alto register surrounded by a gentle three-voice lace of manual accompaniment. The ending of this chorale prelude is notably prolonged, and with an additional voice added, as if to tone-paint a steadfast desire to remain and not leave. There are four additional four-voice harmonizations of this same chorale melody by Bach, only one of which has its source in one of his cantatas. Bach’s harmonization of Von Gott will ich nicht lassen—catalogued as BWV 418 and about which there is no further source data—is the postlude at the Solemn Mass on Sunday.  

On most occasions, the musical setting of the Ordinary of the Mass at Saint Mary’s is the work of a single composer or is derived from a single source. On Sunday, however, the setting is a composite from three different sources. 

The Kyrie is from the Missa Brevis of Dieterich Buxtehude (1637–1707). Buxtehude is easily the most important composer of organ works in the generation before Johann Sebastian Bach. His fame as organist of the Marienkirche in Lübeck was amplified by his presentation of the pre-Christmas Abendmusiken. He is known to have composed substantial works, unfortunately now lost, for those legendary annual public concerts at the Marienkirche. Buxtehude’s Missa Brevis, BuxWV 114, is described as in stile antico because, rather than reflecting the emerging musical styles of seventeenth-century Germany, it is fashioned after the imitative vocal polyphony of the Italian high Renaissance. The vocal writing is in five voices with two soprano parts. Although it would have been appropriate for instruments to double the vocal parts and provide basso continuo, Buxtehude’s Missa Brevis can be rendered effectively a cappella.

In keeping with the norm for a seventeenth-century Lutheran Mass, Buxtehude composed only Kyrie and Gloria for his Missa Brevis. The Sanctus this morning, therefore, will be from another distinguished German source. J.S. Bach’s collected chorales include a harmonization titled Heilig in one place and Sanctus in another. This setting bears the classification BWV 325 but lacks definitive and complete text underlay for either the implied Latin or the German texts. At Mass on Sunday an adaptation of Bach’s BWV 325 including the traditional Latin Sanctus et Benedictus texts will be sung.  

The Agnus Dei setting this morning is from an English source—Thomas Morley’s 1597 treatise A Plain and Easy Introduction to Practical Music— where it was meant to stand as an example of his principles of composition. Morley’s Agnus Dei appears in the treatise as a motet, rather than as a setting for the Mass, due to its slightly variant text. For our purposes at Sunday’s Solemn Mass, Morley’s liturgically irregular text has been conformed to the traditional liturgical Latin words.

Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina (c. 1525–1594) is generally recognized as the composer whose work, more than that of any other single composer, defined the summit of Renaissance polyphony, and established canons for evaluating appropriate church music which remain in place to our time. The motet sung during the administration of Communion at the Solemn Mass is Palestrina’s Sitivit anima mea, which is the second part of his well-known Sicut cervus. Of Palestrina’s more than three hundred motets, his Sicut cervus for four voices is particularly beloved for its elegant simplicity and accessibility, and the broad devotional appeal and liturgical application of Psalm 42. The less often sung secunda pars of this motet, Sitivit anima mea, continues two more verses into Psalm 42, amplifying the longing expressed by the psalmist in Palestrina’s more frequently performed prima pars. — D. Hurd 

ORGAN RECITALS AT SAINT MARY’S

On Friday, March 24, at 5:30 PM, the Eve of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Timothy Pyper will play the organ recital. Tim is well known to many Saint Marians. He played for us during Holy Week some years ago, coming to our rescue at a difficult moment and doing so with grace, artistry, and great calm. He remains a friend of the parish. We are very happy to be able to welcome him back to Saint Mary’s. We will be able to announce his recital program shortly. Click here to learn more about Dr. Pyper.

ADULT EDUCATION: LENT COMES AND BIBLE STUDY RETURNS
Sunday, March 12, New Testament Letters in the Pauline Tradition, continued

This coming Sunday we continue our examination of the writings from the time the New Testament was formed. Imagine you’re a first-century Christian. Paul has died. The Second Coming has not occurred. Is your faith pointless? The New Testament takes shape and the church is formed in part to answer these questions. We know the Gospels reach their present form after 60 CE. What about the Epistles? How do the followers of Paul understand their faith in light of Paul’s death? How do the followers of Paul understand their faith after the Jewish Revolution and the destruction of the Temple? How do they make sense of worshiping a Jewish Savior when essentially no Jews are Christian? In other words, how do they remain faithful? We continue to seek answers to those questions, and others, when we continue our discussion of these texts on Sunday, March 12, 9:30–10:30 AM. We’ll continue our discussion on all the Sundays in Lent, including Palm Sunday, April 2. — Father Peter Ross Powell

LIVING LENT, PREPARING FOR EASTER

At Saint Mary’s on Sunday, March 12, at 12:45 PM. The Saint Mary’s Book Club invites you to join them for a discussion of the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent Book for 2023, Failure: What Jesus Said About Sin, Mistakes and Messing Stuff Up by Emma Ineson.

From the publisher’s website, “In 2019, Emma Ineson wrote about ambition and what it means for Christians to be successful. And then there was a global pandemic . . . Suddenly failure began to feel very much more familiar than success. But what is failure? What did Jesus think of it? What did he say about sin, mistakes and generally mucking things up? At the start of this wonderfully humorous and encouraging book—which will end at the cross—it’s suggested that our tendency to lump all kinds of failure together could be a bit unhelpful. A more nuanced understanding of what sort of failure we’re dealing with might just allow us to make friends with it and respond more appropriately. This idea leads us ‘Towards an (Imperfect) Theology of Failure,’ based on key Christian thinking, and Emma poses the question of whether sin is an individual or corporate thing. Looking at the church, we consider, what is God’s purpose for it? And in the light of key concerns such as safeguarding and racial justice, how might we re-examine concepts of success and recognize and measure failure? As the book draws to an end, we are reminded of our calling to live life to the full, to take risks despite our fears. We are bound sometimes to fail! Yet gazing at Jesus—who looked like the greatest failure of all—we may discern in the heartache, vulnerability and humility of failure, the glory of the cross.”

Quiet Day led by Mother Deborah Lee at Saint Mary’s on Saturday, March 25, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Mother Deborah will lead reflections and be available for spiritual direction. Father Matt will celebrate Mass at 12:10 PM and lunch in Saint Joseph’s Hall will follow. There will be opportunities for prayer, quiet, journaling, and reading in the church and chapels and in Saint Joseph’s Hall between Mother Lee’s addresses.

Mother Lee writes:

In these forty days of the season of Lent, we are encouraged to step away from our regular routine and make space for quiet reflection and prayer. In the Bible, the number 40 symbolizes the formation and transformation of God’s people. Just as Jesus made his way into the wilderness to pray for forty days, we are also invited to pause, rest, and seek God away from the busyness of life. Come and experience a quiet day retreat for meditation, devotional reading, contemplation, and simply being attentive to God.

The Reverend Deborah A. Lee is an Episcopal priest who graduated with a Master of Divinity degree and Certificate in Spiritual Direction from General Theological Seminary in Manhattan. She is an ecumenical spiritual director in private practice and also offers spiritual direction through the Annand Program for Spiritual Formation at Berkeley Divinity School at Yale and the Center for Christian Spirituality at General Theological Seminary. She served as an associate rector at St. Bartholomew’s in Manhattan, as priest-in-charge at St. Paul’s in Chester, NY, as assisting priest at Christ Church in Warwick, NY, and was formerly the Program Manager for Pastoral Care and Community at Trinity Church Wall Street. She holds a master’s degree in Clinical Counseling and served as a mental health counselor and educator, both internationally and within the U.S. Click here to learn more about Mother Lee.

Please RSVP if you plan on attending the Quiet Day on March 25.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS

Friday, March 24, The Eve of the Annunciation of Our Lord Jesus Christ to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Organ Recital 5:30 PM. Solemn Mass 6:00 PM. Timothy Pyper, music director at the Church of the Holy Apostles, will play the recital. Mother Anna Pearson, rector of the Church of the Holy Apostles, will preach.

April 2, Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday, Blessing of Palms, Procession in the Church, and Solemn Mass 11:00 AM, Evening Prayer in the Church at 5:00 PM.

April 6, Maundy Thursday, Solemn Mass 6:00 PM, Watch before the Blessed Sacrament until Midnight.

April 7, Good Friday, Liturgy of the Day 12:30 PM.

Saturday, April 8, The Great Vigil of Easter, 7:00 PM.

Sunday, April 9, Easter Day, Said Mass with Hymns 9:00 AM; Procession and Solemn Mass 11:00 AM.

CONCERTS AT SAINT MARY’S

Saint Mary’s resident orchestra, the New York Repertory Orchestra, will present concerts here at Saint Mary’s on March 25 and May 20. Admission is free. A $15.00 donation is most welcome. Click here for more details about the 2022–2023 season. The program on March 25 is: George: RUIN (World Premiere/NYRO Commission); Boulanger: Faust et Hélène; Martinů: Symphony No. 2.

AWAY FROM SAINT MARY’S

The Journey of the Sarajevo Haggadah
Hosted by: The International Interfaith Research Lab
Monday, March 20, 2023
5:00–6:30 PM
Location: Milbank Chapel, Zankel Building Teachers College, Columbia University
Click here to register.

Join us for a special event hosted by The International Lab for Research and Leadership in Interfaith Collaboration and Coexistence. We present the story of the Sarajevo Haggadah, one of the oldest Sephardic Haggadahs in the world, originating in Barcelona c. 1350. We will discuss the journey of its safety by courageous individuals of different faiths through amazing acts of courage, compassion, and collaboration. See how this story applies in today's world to prevent hate through understanding and recognition of common human values. At this special event, a rare copy of The Sarajevo Haggadah will be on display. This event ends at 6:30 and will be followed by a reception.

At the Church of the Good Shepherd, 240 East 31st Street, Wednesday Evenings in Lent: “Who-What-When-Where-Why? The Old Testament Lessons of the Easter Vigil,” is the theme of the Lenten program on Wednesday evenings during Lent at the Church of the Good Shepherd, led by Father Stephen Morris. Good Shepherd is a member, along with Saint Mary’s, of the Midtown Manhattan Clericus. You are invited to join the people of Good Shepherd at 6:00 PM each Wednesday in Lent (beginning March 1) for Mass, vegetarian soup, and class/discussion led by Fr. Morris. Discover why we read what we read at the Easter Vigil and the impact these readings can still have in our lives today.

Father Stephen Morris has degrees in medieval history, theology, and special education from Yale, Saint Vladimir’s Seminary, and CUNY (Hunter). He has written books about church history and theology, as well as novels; all his books are available on Amazon. He has lived in New York since 1980 and is the priest-in-charge at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Kips Bay (Manhattan).

This edition of the Angelus was written and edited by Father Jay Smith, except as noted. Father Matt Jacobson also edits the newsletter 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.