FROM THE RECTOR: PRESENTATION

As I begin to write on Friday, January 31, I am very aware that today I complete twenty-one years of service as rector of Saint Mary’s. On Sunday, January 10, 1999, I officiated for the last time as rector of Trinity Church, Michigan City, Indiana. The service was Solemn Evensong & Benediction. There was a wonderful parish supper in the large parish hall afterwards. The movers had already taken my things out of Trinity’s rectory. I spent my last weekend in Michigan City with very dear friends. On Monday morning, I began the drive to the east. On the way, there was snow. I spent the night in Pennsylvania. On Tuesday morning I reached Saint Mary’s. There was snow on the ground here, but there was also sunshine. I had a couple of weeks to settle in. I became rector on February 1.

My first celebration at Saint Mary’s was on Tuesday evening, February 2, 1999, for the Blessing of Candles, Procession & Solemn Mass. I have few clear memories of that service. But I do remember what I was doing in the morning. I went into the church to show the sexton how I wanted the Prayer Books and Hymnals straightened. After straightening the books in a couple of pews, I realized my hands were dirty. With the help of the sexton and some folks who just happened to be in the church with time on their hands, we dusted and wiped books, pews, and kneeling cushions. I knew we would have many guests that night—and we did.

Of the many blessings that have come my way while serving here, I cannot imagine being rector without the outstanding clergy colleagues that I have had. They have been very generous with their education, their experience, their humor, and their hard work. I value them all for what each has done for the parish community and for what I have learned from them.

I have asked Father Pete Powell to be preacher for the Solemn Mass this Sunday, and I will be celebrant. Pete is going to be teaching again in Lent, and it worked out with his schedule for him to be in the pulpit this Sunday. Many of you will know that Barbara and Pete Powell live in Westport, Connecticut. They have been attending Saint Mary’s for many years. In their retirement, Saint Mary’s has become their church home.

I’ve looked at the service bulletin from Candlemas 1999. The Mass ordinary was Mass in G Major by Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924). At the procession, the hymns were Hail to the Lord’s Anointed and Christ is made the sure foundation. At the preparation, the hymn was Only begotten, son of God eternal, for postcommunion, Virgin-born, we bow before thee. These will all be sung on Sunday. The final hymn was different from the one we have been using for some years now for this feast, Ye watchers and ye holy ones. Quite by chance, I was still forty-four years old for the first few weeks of February 1999—my birthday is later in the month. The board of trustees took a chance on me, as did the bishop of New York. I remain deeply thankful for the opportunity to be the rector of this parish. —Stephen Gerth

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR Leila, Chantal, Oscar, Sharon, Marilouise, MaryHope, Stephanie, John, Renée, Ava, Luis, Donald, Margaret, Murray, Mel, Richard, Carlos, Ken, May, Willard, Alexandra, Karen, Takeem, Michael, Pearl, and Emil; Horace, Gene, Gaylord, Louis, and Edgar, priests; the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Edward; all the benefactors and friends of this parish; and for the repose of the soul of Gretchen . . . GRANT THEM PEACE: February 2: 1885 Lewis Weston; 1905 Norma Ehrgood; 1910 William Trowbridge Eames; 1915 Dorothy Elizabeth Ott; 1923 Virginia Clark; 1985 Warren W. Phelps, John Doy Woods.

IN THIS TRANSITORY LIFE . . . Gretchen Roesemann Kuestner, the sister of parishioner Zachary Roesemann, died after a brief illness on January 19, 2020, while in hospice care in Parma, Ohio. She was seventy-one years old. She is survived by her husband, James Kuestner; her sons, Matthew and Philip, her brothers, Christopher and Zachary, and her grandsons David, James, and Robert Kuestner. Please keep Gretchen, Zachary, their family and friends, and all who mourn in your prayers.

THE ORDINARY FRIDAYS OF THE YEAR are observed by special acts of discipline and self-denial in commemoration of the Lord’s crucifixion.

STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN 2019–2020 . . . Our stewardship campaign has been underway since late October, but pledge cards continue to arrive in the mail. As of January 30, 2020, we have received $361,025 in pledges from 105 households, 84.9% of our goal of $425,000. We still have a fair ways to go. We encourage all the friends and members of the parish to return their pledge as soon as possible. However, if making a commitment now is not possible, we will gladly receive pledge cards at any point during the coming year. Please remember that there are a number of ways to fulfill a monetary pledge. If you have questions, please call Christopher Howatt in the parish office. Our needs are urgent. Our mission is clear. We invite your support.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION . . . On the four Sundays in February, beginning this Sunday, February 2, at 10:00 AM, in Saint Benedict’s Study, Father Jay Smith will lead the Adult Forum in a discussion of the various meanings of Jesus’ death on the cross. Using images of the Crucifixion, the class will study how Jesus’ death was understood, from very early on, as having been “for us,” and how that understanding both evolved and changed over time . . . The Wednesday Night Bible Study Class meets next on February 5 at 6:30 PM in Saint Benedict’s Study. This term the class is reading Saint Paul’s Letter to the Galatians. The class is led by Father Jay Smith. On February 5, the class will discuss Galatians 1:10–24. Newcomers are always welcome.

THE BLESSING OF THROATS . . . February 3 is the day on which we commemorate Saint Blase (sometimes spelled Blaise), fourth-century Armenian bishop and martyr. In Saint Mary’s calendar, Blase now shares February 3 with Saint Anskar, a ninth-century bishop and missionary in the Nordic lands. Saint Blase is considered by some to be the patron saint of drapers, builders, and veterinarians. But he is most often invoked for protection against injuries to, and diseases of, the throat. This year February 3 falls on a Monday. The Blessing of Throats will be offered at the 12:10 Daily Eucharist and at the conclusion of 6:00 PM Daily Evening Prayer.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . Parishioner Mary Robison was promoted this week to the position of the head of the reference department at the Riverfront Branch of the Yonkers Public Library. Mary is a leader of the Saint Raphael’s Guild of Ushers and the clerk of the parish’s Board of Trustees. Congratulations, Mary! . . . Mary Kelly is a great friend of Saint Mary’s and often worships with us during the week and on Saturdays. She has undertaken a number of challenging trips to far-off lands in recent years. She is, at the moment, in Antarctica and has sent us some lovely photographs of that continent. She recently informed Father James Ross Smith that an island in that cold and barren, but fascinating, land had been named for him. Knowing this to be untrue and upon further investigation, Father Smith discovered that there is in fact a James Ross Island, located off the southeast side and near the northeastern extremity of the Antarctic Peninsula. The island was actually named for Sir James Clark Ross, the leader of a British expedition to that area in 1842 and no relation of Father Jay’s. We look forward to learning more about Antarctica in a time of climate change from Mary upon her return. Please keep her in your prayers . . . Flowers are needed for the following Sundays, February 9 and 16. Please be in touch with Chris Howatt in the parish office if you would like to make a donation of flowers for one of those dates . . . Brother Damien Joseph SSF and Brother Thomas SSF will be away from the parish on vacation between February 4 and February 11 . . . Attendance at all Offices and Masses: Last Sunday: 153.

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S . . . Saturday, February 1, Eve of the Presentation of Our Lord, Evening Prayer 5:00 PM, Blessing of Candles and Holy Eucharist 5:20 PM . . . Sunday, February 2, 2020, The Presentation of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Temple, Sung Matins 8:30 AM; Mass 9:00 & 10:00 AM; Adult Education 10:00 AM; Solemn Mass 11:00 AM, Solemn Evensong and Benediction 5:00 PM. . . . Monday, February 3, Commemoration of Saint Blase. The Blessing of Throats will be offered during the 12:10 Daily Eucharist and at the conclusion of 6:00 PM Daily Evening Prayer . . . Wednesday, February 5, Sung Mass 12:10 PM . . . The Wednesday Night Bible Study Class will meet on February 5 at 6:30 PM in Saint Benedict’s Study . . . Thursday, February 6, Mass with Healing Service 12:10 PM . . . Friday, February 7, Centering Prayer Group at 6:30 PM in the Morning Room.

OUTREACH AT SAINT MARY’S . . . The dates of our Drop-in Days in February and March are as follows: February 19 and March 18 from 2:00 to 4:00 PM. On other Wednesdays, we hold our Grab-and-Go Days, during which basic, emergency items—for example, socks, underwear, and toiletries—are available in the church lobby at the Forty-sixth Street entrance to the church. Cold-weather clothing such as coats, jackets, scarves, hats, and gloves remain much-needed, and much-appreciated, items during these winter months. We also continue to receive requests for shoes and sneakers in various sizes and styles. Shoes are an infrequent donation and are in constant demand. All such donations will be put to good use at both our Drop-In and our Grab-and-Go Days. Please contact Brother Damien if you would like to donate cash, clothing, or toiletry articles for this ministry . . . Would you like to volunteer for Drop-in, but can’t get away for two hours mid-day? Consider being with us for an hour or half hour between 2:00 and 3:00 PM. The beginning of the event is especially busy, and we can always use extra hands to help, even if you can’t stay until 4:00 PM . . . We continue to receive donations of canned goods and other nonperishable food items for the Saint Clement’s Food Pantry. Donations may be placed in the basket next to the Ushers’ Table at the Forty-sixth Street entrance to the church. —Br. Damien Joseph SSF

ABOUT THE CHORAL AND ORGAN ON SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 2 . . . Thomas Weelkes (1576–1623) is one of the more colorful characters in English music history bridging the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. He was baptized on October 25, 1576, in the village church of Elsted near Chichester where, some suspect, his father, John Weelkes, was rector. His first book of madrigals was published in 1597, and he became organist of Winchester College the following year. While at Winchester he produced two more volumes of madrigals. He received his B.Mus. from New College, Oxford, in 1602, around which time he moved to Chichester to become instructor of the cathedral choristers and a lay clerk. While the title page of his fourth book of madrigals in 1608 refers to Weelkes as a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, the lack of him being mentioned in the Chapel Royal’s own records suggests that he was likely a temporary stand-in at some point. Records do, however, point to Weelkes’ several reprimands and suspensions for various offenses ranging from unauthorized absence to drunkenness at the organ and use of inappropriate language in church. That said, Weelkes’ esteem as a composer of distinguished vocal music, both sacred and secular, is great. In particular, his verse anthems and Anglican evening services are much admired. The setting of the Song of Simeon (Nunc dimittis), sung at the Solemn Mass on Sunday during the lighting of tapers, is from an Evening Service for five voices as reconstructed from Tenbury Manuscript 791 by musicologist Edmund H. Fellows and further revised by David Wulstan. The motet to be sung during the Communion, O how amiable, is a full anthem setting of Psalm 84, verses 1, 2 and 13. Since none of Weelkes’ sacred works were published during his lifetime, it is not possible to date them beyond the supposition that they were composed after his move to Chichester. Some of the same musical figures can be found in Weelkes’ five-voice service, from which tonight’s Nunc dimittis comes, and O how amiable which also is scored for SAATB voices.

The setting of the Mass on Sunday morning is the Mass for Five Voices of William Byrd (c. 1540–1623). Byrd composed settings of the Latin Mass for three, four and five voices. The Mass for Five Voices probably dates from about 1594 and was the last of the three to be composed. Its voicing is the most expansive, having two tenor parts, but its movements are the most concise of the three Byrd Masses. The whole business of Latin Masses in post-Reformation England needed to be a somewhat clandestine matter to protect those involved from the possibility of arrest. This being the case, Byrd’s part books were undated and without title page or preface, nor was the printer (Thomas East) identified. Fortunately, Byrd’s settings survived the period in which their performance—if not their very existence—was illegal, and now they rightly are regarded as great treasures of Western music. Composed with the Continental Tridentine liturgy in mind, Byrd’s Masses were also influenced by pre-Reformation works of English masters John Taverner (c. 1490–1545), Christopher Tye (c. 1505–c. 1573), John Sheppard (c. 1515–1558) and Thomas Tallis (c. 1505–1585). The several movements of Byrd’s Mass for five voices are linked by recurring freely composed themes.

The organ prelude on Sunday is Antiphon V from Fifteen Versets, Opus 18, by Marcel Dupré (1886–1971). Dupré, one of the giants of the twentieth-century organ world, was a pupil of Vierne and Widor at the Paris Conservatory. He assisted and substituted for both of his esteemed teachers at Notre Dame and Saint Sulpice respectively. He eventually succeeded Widor as organist of Saint Sulpice in 1934 by which time he had succeeded Gigout as Professor of Organ at the Conservatory. In his long and brilliant career Dupré distinguished himself internationally as a concert organist, improvisateur, teacher, scholar, composer and church musician. The Fifteen Pieces for Organ, Opus 18, were premiered by Dupré in an authentic performance with choir in his English debut recital at the Royal Albert Hall on December 9, 1920. Antiphon V carries the text “How fair and how pleasant art thou.” —David Hurd

ORGAN RECITALS . . . Dr. Timothy Pyper will play a recital on Sunday, February 9, at 3:00 PM, at the Church of the Holy Apostles, 296 Ninth Avenue, between Twenty-eighth and Twenty-ninth Streets. This recital is in celebration of the church’s recently restored Van den Heuvel organ. The concert, lasting about an hour, will feature works of J.S. Bach and Philip Glass. Suggested donation to the music fund is $20.00. Reception to follow . . . Dr. David Hurd will play a recital at Saint Philip’s Church, 334 Macdonough Street, Brooklyn, on Sunday, February 9, at 3:00 PM. The recital is sponsored by the Brooklyn Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.

COMING UP . . . Monday, February 17, Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day) . . . Monday, February 24, Saint Matthias the Apostle . . . February 26, Ash Wednesday . . . Fridays in Lent, Evening Prayer 6:00 PM, Stations of the Cross 6:30 PM.

AT THE PECCADILLO THEATER AT SAINT CLEMENT’S . . . Sideways, Rex Pickett’s critically acclaimed novel turned Academy Award-winning film has now been adapted for the stage. The play, which opens on February 20, 2020, at the Theater at Saint Clement’s, 423 West Forty-sixth Street, is being presented by Alexander “Sandy” Marshall/Close Quarters Productions & The Peccadillo Theater Company, in association with Wine Access. In Sideways, struggling writer and wine enthusiast Miles takes his soon-to-be-married friend, Jack, on a trip to California’s wine country for one last, single-guy bonding adventure. The novel, now adapted for the stage and entitled Sideways the Experience, creates an immersive, onstage, pre-show wine tasting event similar to those discovered along the Napa Valley wine trail, as depicted in the novel and film. Gourmet food and premium wine will be served as part of the exclusive first act of this unique theatrical experience. The play runs until Easter Day, April 12, 2020. The artistic director of the Peccadillo Theater Company is Dan Wackerman and the theater’s managing director is Kevin Kennedy. Dan and Kevin are good friends of Saint Mary’s and often worship with us on Sundays. For more information, especially information about the play’s unusual dining experience, and to purchase tickets, you may visit the theater’s website.

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