FROM DR. DAVID HURD: SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS. . .

. . . Dominus Deus Sabaoth, or Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts; or, in Rite II, Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might. This ancient hymn is raised at all celebrations of the Holy Eucharist and is, in fact, the original hymn historically embedded in the canon of the Mass.

FROM FATHER JAY SMITH: THE LIGHT SHINES IN THE DARKNESS

Fleishman Is In Trouble is a TV mini-series that premiered in 2022 and streamed on Hulu. It starred Jesse Eisenberg, Claire Danes, and Libby Caplan. It was based on a novel by Taffy Brodesser-Akner that was published by Random House in 2019. Toby Fleishman is in trouble. He really is. His marriage is a mess, and he and his wife can’t seem to fix it. He’s a successful doctor, but he doesn’t get the promotion that he wants and thinks he deserves.

FROM FATHER JAY SMITH: SINGING THE LORD’S SONG IN HARD TIMES

Derek Olsen’s retreat last Saturday got me thinking about prayer, worship, and holiness this past week. It may sound pretentious to talk about holiness that way, I know. But I think Derek’s point is that talking about holiness and worship is not pretentious at all. It’s like talking about breathing or drinking water. It’s something fundamental. It just means trying to pay attention to what’s most important in the world.

FROM RENEE WOOD: CATECHESIS OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD RETURNING TO SAINT MARY’S

As we’ve watched the church reopen from the pandemic these past two years, it’s been exciting to see the return of our younger congregants. In response, we’re reopening the atrium this spring and reviving Catechesis of the Good Shepherd (CGS) formation for children. 

FROM FATHER JAY SMITH: LEARNING HOW TO COOK FOR EACH OTHER

In the Sunday morning Adult Formation class last autumn, we began a series called “Conversion, Transformation & Life in Christ.” We talked about conversion from several points of view: sociology, theology, spirituality, and personal testimony. We then went on to discuss the work and thought of Saint Augustine of Hippo, that most famous of Christian converts.

FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD: ON CHASUBLES OVER THE AGES

One of a handful of garments mentioned in the Bible is the “cloke” or phaelonen, a heavy overcoat of woolen cloth that fell round the wearer’s body like a large cape. Saint Paul, quite the traveler, asked Timothy: “When you come, bring the cloak (φαιλόνης) I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments.” (2 Timothy 4:13) Worn over other garments, it provided extra warmth and protection from the elements. By the 4th century, the small Pænula was worn by common Roman citizens, but senators and officials used a larger, much richer version, which in time was adopted by bishops, priests, and other church officials.