FROM FATHER STEPHEN MORRIS: ON THE EASTERN TRADITION OF THE CHURCH AND ANGLICANISM

Matthew Parker, Archbishop of Canterbury (1559-1575), demanded that the library of Canterbury cathedral include the works of Basil the Great, Gregory of Nanzianzus, and John Chrysostom as well as Jerome, Ambrose of Milan, and Augustine. The famous Caroline divines—English theologians such as Richard Hooker and Lancelot Andrewes who taught and preached in association with the monarchs Elizabeth, James, and Charles I—also insisted that the teachings of the Greek-speaking Fathers were normative for the Church of England.

FROM FATHER WOOD ON PRE-LENT: THE THREE GESIMAS

This Sunday you’ll notice a strange word on the cover of your bulletin—Septuagesima. This year Saint Mary’s is taking up an old practice of observing a short season that used to be called “Pre-Lent.” Until the Roman Catholic Church changed its calendar in the 1960s, and Episcopalians followed suit with our 1979 prayer book, churches all across the West, both catholic and reformed, designated the three Sundays before Ash Wednesday by Latin names.

FROM THE ANTI-RACISM GROUP: SACRED GROUND

The Anti-Racism Group at Saint Mary's is beginning a new program called Sacred Ground. The group and this new program are open to all members. Sacred Ground, a program of the Episcopal Church, is an 11-part online course that looks into issues and possible healing for all people.

AN INTERVIEW OF CLARK ANDERSON: WHO IS THAT PARISHIONER IN THE CHOIR LOFT FROM TIME TO TIME?

How long have you and Zachary been coming to Saint Mary's? What led you here the first time?

My husband Zachary and I have been attending Saint Mary’s since we moved back to New York City in 2014. I had accepted a position with Morgan Stanley at their global headquarters on Broadway at 48th Street, and I was determined not to commute. So we actually live right in the neighborhood. As part of that move God made clear to us we would attend Saint Mary’s.

FROM THE ANTI-RACISM GROUP: A MEMBER’S GIFT TO GOD IN ART AND POETRY

In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, which was observed on Monday, the Anti-Racism Group offers an example of one member's call to action. Ingrid Sletten, a founding member, is also an artist and a poet. She felt a sense of call from God to make art and write poetry around racism. Last month, Ingrid participated in an exhibit at Gallery 35 in Manhattan, where she showed one of her poems and an accompanying image. The poem, White Man's Lamentation, talks about the hard truth that Ingrid came to after many months of readings and discussions in the racism group.

FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD: SAINT DOMINIC’S ROSARY GUILD

Last weekend, Sister Michelle Heyne, O.A., led a group of Saint Marians in our annual Parish Retreat, that focused this year on Benedictine Spirituality. As part of her presentation, Sister Michelle introduced the concept of the “Threefold Rule of Prayer” — (1) the Daily Office (Morning, Noonday, and Evening Prayer, and Compline), (2) regular reception of the Holy Eucharist, and (3) what she calls “personal devotion.” Father Martin Thornton describes this third element of the threefold rule as “that prayer done physically alone, according to one’s unique gifts, personality, and temperament.”

GARY RYAN INTERVIEWS FATHER JAY SMITH

Gary and Father Jay chat for a few minutes, Father Jay thanks him for making this conversation happen and then says, “This interview is going to be in The Angelus and I just want to say to the readers of the newsletter, I know that talk of my impending retirement has been going on for a rather long time now. My apologies. Many of you must surely be saying, ‘So, retire already!!’ I get it. I’m so appreciative of all the support I’m getting, I really am, but I want to reassure everybody that the end is in sight! I don’t believe it, but January 12 is almost here!”

Gary: I understand, so let’s just jump in. Where are you from? Where did you grow up?

FROM ZACHARY ROESEMANN: PRAYING WITH HOLY ICONS

In my first article about holy icons, I described the elements essential to understanding the nature of icons. They are made for only one purpose, which distinguishes them from other forms of Christian art: to help guide people to God in prayer and worship. They are deeply traditional, with roots going back to the origins of Christianity. They are an especially powerful way to illustrate the Incarnation.