FROM DR. HURD: FEAST DAY ORGAN RECITALS

Sunday, November 1, All Saints’ Day – 3:30 PM
Alan Montgomery, organist

Tuesday, December 8, The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 5:30 PM
Ross Wood, organist

Wednesday, January 6, The Epiphany – 5:30 PM
James Wetzel, organist

Tuesday, February 2, The Presentation – 5:30 PM
Justin Bischof, organist

Monday, April 5, The Annunciation (tr.) – 5:30 PM
David Hurd, organist

Thursday, May 6, Ascension Day – 5:30 PM
John Sherer, organist

The main organ at Saint Mary’s, Aeolian-Skinner Opus 891, dates from 1932 with additions in 1942 and 2002. It is a world-famous instrument largely due to its high rear-galley installation and the resultingly rich musical voice it has given to the dynamic worship life of Saint Mary’s. Its tonal refinement (in contrast with its strikingly unfinished appearance), and its thrilling engagement of the church’s generous acoustics, have been brought to life by the remarkable musicians, too many to name, who have performed a remarkably wide range of music on it through the years in liturgy, in recital, and on recordings. This has largely been made possible by the dedicated work of Lawrence Trupiano who has curated this landmark instrument generously and expertly for decades.

In the 2026–2027 season, our recital series will include programs on the following occasions:

Sunday, November 1, All Saints’ Day
Tuesday, December 8, The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Wednesday, January 6, The Feast of the Epiphany
Tuesday, February 2, The Feast of the Presentation
Monday, April 5, The Feast of the Annunciation (tr.)
Thursday, May 6, Ascension Day

On each day, a choral liturgy will follow the recital. Here is an introduction to the musicians who will present our Feast Day organ recitals this season:

Sunday, November 1, All Saints’ Day – 3:30 PM (preceding Evensong & Benediction)
Alan Montgomery

Alan Mongomery holds the title of Artist in Residence at Saint Mary the Virgin. A native of Vacaville, California, Alan is the Project Director for Casavant Frères, a leading pipe organ builder based in Saint-Hyacinthe, Québec, overseeing construction of new organs and renovation of historic instruments throughout the United States. Before starting at Casavant Frères, he served as the Associate Organist and Interim Director of Music at the Riverside Church, where he was responsible for the administration of one of the most extensive music programs in New York. Alan is a graduate of the Juilliard School, where he earned a Master of Music degree while studying with Paul Jacobs. He also holds a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree from the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied with David Graham and Sophie-Véronique Cauchefer-Choplin. While in London, he served as Organ Scholar of Saint Mark’s, Hamilton Terrace and Farm Street Church. His program on All Saints’ Day will include works by Jean Langlais, Jehan Alain, Josef Rheinberger, Robert Elmore, and Percy Whitlock.

Tuesday, December 8, The Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary – 5:30 PM
Ross Wood

Praised for his “exquisite playing” (Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians) Ross Wood served as associate organist at Boston’s Church of the Advent and Trinity Church Copley Square after studies at Southern Methodist University and Eastman School of Music. For twenty-three years he was also a librarian at Wellesley College. Among Mr. Wood’s recital appearances in New York are Saint Patrick’s Cathedral, Saint Thomas Church, Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, and Trinity Church Wall Street. In France, he has appeared at Notre-Dame de Paris on three occasions and in festivals at Bourges and Carcassonne. Equally appreciated as an accompanist, his four recordings with the Trinity Choir garnered critical acclaim. On tour he accompanied the Trinity Choir at Westminster Abbey, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, and the cathedrals of Ely and Chichester. As a freelancer he has performed in the Boston Symphony Orchestra under Helmuth Rilling and James Levine, and with the Boston Pops under Keith Lockhart. His program on December 8 will include works by Nicolas de Grigny, Charles Tournemire, and Marcel Dupré.

Wednesday, January 6, The Epiphany – 5:30 PM
James Wetzel

James D. Wetzel is the Director of Music and Organist of the Parish of Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Catherine of Siena on Manhattan’s Upper East Side, a post he has held since 2016. The Parish’s professional Schola Cantorum, one of the best liturgical choirs in the country, sings for approximately one hundred Masses every year. James previously served as Organist and Choirmaster of midtown’s Church of Saint Agnes and as Organ Scholar under Bruce Neswick at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. He also was an adjunct lecturer in Hunter College’s music department (2011–2016) and Assistant Conductor of the Greenwich Choral Society in Connecticut (2010–2023). Mr. Wetzel is active as an organist and continuo player, having performed at the Berkshire Choral Festival and with the Collegiate Chorale, the Orchestra of Saint Luke’s, the American Symphony Orchestra, the American Classical Orchestra, Cantori New York, the Cecilia Chorus of New York, the National Chorale, the Oratorio Society of New York, and the Paul Winter Consort. He is the immediate past Dean of the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists, President of the Catholic Artists Society, and a board member of the New York Purgatorial Society. Born in Pittsburgh, James earned a bachelor’s degree in organ performance from The Juilliard School under Paul Jacobs and was the first person ever to graduate with a master’s degree and a professional studies certificate in choral conducting from Manhattan School of Music, studying with Kent Tritle. He also studied privately with Robert Page and spent a year reading Early Christianity and Apologetics at Columbia University. His program on January 6 will include music by Sigfrid Karg-Elert, E. Friedrich Richter, and Josef Rheinberger.

Tuesday, February 2, The Presentation – 5:30 PM
Justin Bischof

Justin Bischof is an internationally acclaimed conductor, concert organist, composer, and visionary arts leader whose distinguished career spans the worlds of orchestral music, opera, and the great traditions of the organ. Renowned for his commanding musicianship, artistic versatility, and imaginative programming, he has built an international career as both performer and conductor. As Founder and Music Director of New York City’s MOO | Modus Operandi Orchestra, he has established a dynamic artistic institution dedicated to exceptional performance, ambitious repertoire, and advancing musical excellence. A passionate champion of the arts, Bischof combines an international performing career with significant institutional leadership, serving as Chair of the Manhattan School of Music Alumni Association and a member of the Board of the Lotos Foundation. He is also Director of Music and Organist at Christ Church Pelham Manor and Music Director of Larchmont Temple. Equally at home on the conductor’s podium, at the organ console, and in the world of composition, he brings a distinctive artistic vision and an enduring commitment to enriching the cultural life of New York City and audiences internationally. His program on February 2 will include works by Jehan Alain and improvisation. He will also improvise the Sortie at the end of the Mass.

Monday, April 5, The Annunciation (tr.) – 5:30 PM
David Hurd

David Hurd is Organist and Director of Music at the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin. He is widely recognized as a church musician and concert organist with many awards, prizes, and honors recognizing his expertise in performance, improvisation, and composition. From 1976 until 2015, he served on the faculty of The General Theological Seminary of the Episcopal Church in New York City, as Director of Chapel Music, Organist, and Professor of Church Music. For his work at General Theological Seminary and his substantial musical contributions, five other academic institutions have awarded him honorary doctorates. Dr. Hurd has also taught at Duke University, Yale University, Manhattan School of Music, and Westminster Choir College. He has composed dozens of choral and organ works, many of which are published and widely performed. He was a major contributor to the Episcopal Church’s Hymnal 1982 and his music is seen in hymnals and choir libraries in churches of many denominations. In 2010 he became the fifteenth recipient of The American Guild of Organists’ Distinguished Composer award. From 1998–2013 he was Music Director and Organist at Church of the Holy Apostles (Episcopal) in New York City. Since winning the first prizes both in performance and improvisation of the 1977 International Congress of Organists, he has performed throughout North America and Europe and has been a featured artist at several national and regional conventions of the American Guild of Organists He was invited to perform at the Internationaal Orgelfestival Haarlem, during which he received a diploma for improvisation of the Stitchting Internationaal Orgelconcours. His program on April 5 will include music by Felix Mendelssohn and Josef Rheinberger.

Thursday, May 6, Ascension Day – 5:30 PM
John Sherer

Organist John W. W. Sherer has been hailed by critics as “a terrific musician, a pronounced virtuoso who plays with assurance, authority, and superb energy.” Dr. Sherer has performed hundreds of organ recitals throughout the United States, Japan, and England, including several for regional and national organist conventions.An active church musician since 1980, Dr. Sherer is widely known as a musician who creates inspiring music with love and passion. He has been Organist and Director of Music for Saint George’s Catholic Church in Cincinnati, Ohio; The Episcopal Church at Yale, New Haven, Connecticut; Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Walnut Creek, California, Saint Luke’s Lutheran Church, New York, New York and at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Chicago, Illinois He has led twelve choir tours, several within America, but also to Cuba, Guatemala, France, England, Scotland, Israel, Palestine, South Africa, and India. Dr. Sherer currently serves as Organist and Director of Music at Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church in Rochester, New York. In addition, he is a consultant for musical events in the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester and for clergy and musicians around the country on a variety of topics. He is an active member of the American Guild of Organists and the Association of Anglican Musicians. A native of Xenia, Ohio, Dr. Sherer is married to the Right Reverend Kara Wagner Sherer, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Rochester, New York. He has studied organ with David Mulbury, Roberta Gary, Thomas Murray, and John Weaver and conducting with John Leman and Walden Moore. He received two bachelor’s degrees, in organ performance and choral music education, from the University of Cincinnati College–Conservatory of Music. He earned two master’s degrees at Yale University, majoring in organ performance and art in religion, and received the Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ performance from The Juilliard School. There is certain to be some Widor on John Sherer’s Ascension Day program at Saint Mary’s.

Put these dates and times on your calendar. Come for the music and let the music lead you into the worship which will follow on these six major Feast Days of the church year. — DJH

PARISH PRAYERS

We pray for our sister parish, the Church of All Saints Margaret Street in London, and for the Church of the Province of Central Africa, in the Anglican cycle of prayer.

We pray for those who will be baptized on All Saints’ Day, especially Christopher, Mamoun, and Lucion.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Zac, Paul, Aline, Zena, Stephanie, Jan, Connie, Carol, Jake, Christopher, Nancy, Nick, Tim, Sara, Mary, Diane, Daisy, Judy, Laura, Jay, Rita, Courtney, Dennis, Burks, Steven, Blaise, Jon, Jeff, Derick, Phil, Laura, Sue, Emilie, Sharon, Monique, Cassius, Lisa, Ruth Ann, Rosemary, Holly, Becky, Bill, Grady, Violet, Pat, Allen, Giovanna, Ronald, Jose, Ben, Russell, Robert, Sandy, Desarae, David, Tony, Jan, Carlos, Quincy, Leroy, and Margaret; James, Victoria, and Laura Katherine, religious; Lind, deacon; and Tom, Jay, and Stephen, priests.

We pray for the repose of the souls of those who have died and for those whose year’s mind is on October 25: Jennie McLean (1902) and James Robert Wood (1924).

GUILD OF THE WEEK: THE SAINT RAPHAEL’S GUILD OF USHERS

Each week we are featuring a different parish guild. Maybe God is calling you to join one?

The Saint Raphael’s Guild of Ushers consists of volunteers who work in teams (4 to 6 per service) during Solemn Mass on Sundays and on major feast days throughout the year. Ushers act as guides for newcomers and visitors, and assist regular worshippers by performing specific tasks during the service such as handing out bulletins, taking up the collection, etc. The Saint Veronica’s Guild of Photographers consists of ushers who also act as photographers for The Angelus newsletter (one is assigned for each service). Click here to learn more. Anyone interested in serving as an usher and/or photographer, please speak to Marie Rosseels, Head Usher, or send Fr. Matt an email and he will connect you with Marie.

AROUND THE PARISH

Newcomers Reception this Sunday — Fr. Sammy and Mrs. Renee Wood will be hosting a newcomers reception in the rectory this Sunday, October 25, after the 11:00 AM Solemn Mass. All newcomers to the parish are invited, including those who have been attending for a few years but have never attended one of these receptions.

Parish Work Day on Saturday, October 31 — Help us get ready for All Saints’ Day at a parish workday this coming Saturday, October 31, starting at 10:00 AM. We will be focused primarily on cleaning and polishing brass, which is easy to learn and surprisingly satisfying. Refreshments will be provided. Please contact Grace Mudd if you can help.

All Saints’ Day — All Saints’ Day falls on Sunday, November 1, this year. Morning Prayer will be offered at 8:30 AM followed by a Rite I Mass at 9:00 AM. Adult Formation takes place between the Masses at 9:45 AM in St. Joseph’s Hall (Intro to Patristics). We will have a Procession and Solemn Mass with Holy Baptism at 11:00 AM. In the afternoon, our first feast day organ recital of the season takes place and will be offered by Alan Mongomery, our artist in residence, at 3:30 PM. Evensong & Benediction follows at 4:00 PM. Solemn Mass, the organ recital, and E&B will all be livestreamed.

All Souls’ Day — All Souls’ Day is on Monday, November 2. Morning Prayer is at 8:00 AM. There will be a Mass at 12:10 PM and a High Mass at 6:00 PM.

Annual Requiem Masses — Each year we pray for the departed at five days of Requiem Masses following All Souls’ Day (November 3–7). At these Masses, prayers will be offered for the departed by the last name of the person making the request according to the following schedule:

A–E on Tuesday at 12:10 PM
F–K on Wednesday at 12:10 & 6:00 PM
L–N on Thursday at 12:10 PM
O–Q on Friday at 12:10 PM
R–Z on Saturday at 12:10 PM

Lists of names may be mailed to the parish office, emailed to the office, or placed in the collection basket at Mass.

Adult Formation on Sunday — Our Intro to Anglo-Catholicism concludes this coming Sunday and an audio recording of last week’s class has been posted. On Sunday, November 1, Fr. Matt begins his series on Intro to Patristics. Please visit the formation page on our website for more details. We meet in St. Joseph’s Hall at 9:45 AM. All are welcome.

Class for Newcomers and Confirmation Preparation — Fr. Sammy will be leading a Companions Class, where newcomers and those preparing for the Sacrament of Confirmation accompany each other in their formation. The class is designed to cover the basics of Christianity and our Anglican tradition. The class will meet on Wednesday evenings starting in November. Please contact Fr. Sammy with any questions and to register.

AIDS Walk Final Results: First Place! — The final results for AIDS Walk 2026 were released this week, and we are excited to share the news that we finished in first place among all teams, with a total of $62,870 raised. A big thank you to the team members and all who supported us! We are looking forward to 2027.

Neighbors in Need: Winter is coming! — It may not feel as if winter is coming, but it is, and we hope to build up our supply of coats and jackets. If you plan to replace your coat this winter, please bring us your old coat now, still in good condition. Our other most needed items are casual clothes: pants and jeans, jackets, tops and shoes—we always need shoes. Men’s clothes are harder to come by than women’s clothes, especially in sizes 32–36. We don’t need professional clothing or children’s clothing. We would also be happy to talk to you about being a volunteer. Please speak to MaryJane Boland or Marie Rosseels for more information or email neighbors@stmvnyc.org. The next Drop-by day will be Friday, November 20.

THIS WEEK’S COMMEMORATIONS AT DAILY MASS

Monday, October 26 — Alfred the Great, King of the West Saxons, 899
Tuesday, October 27 — Feria
Wednesday, October 28 — Saint Simon and Saint Jude, Apostles
Thursday, October 29 — James Hannington, Bishop, and his Companions, Martyrs, 1885
Friday, October 30 — Feria
Saturday, October 31 — Of Our Lady

The 12:10 PM liturgy on Wednesday will be a Sung Mass.
Click here for detailed monthly calendars.

MONTHLY LITURGIES AND GATHERINGS

Rosary Guild — Our Rosary Guild meets in the Lady Chapel after Solemn Mass (and a brief stop at Coffee Hour) on the fourth Sunday of the month to pray the rosary. All are welcome, including those who are curious, but have never prayed the rosary before! The Rosary Guild next meets this Sunday, October 25.

Evensong & Benediction — During the program year, we offer Evensong & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament in lieu of Evening Prayer at 4:00 PM on the first Sunday of the month. E&B will next be offered on Sunday, November 1.

Parish Requiem — We offer a monthly Requiem Mass in the Mercy Chapel as part of our chapter of the Guild of All Souls. This Mass is typically celebrated on the third Saturday of the month unless a major feast falls on that day. All are welcome. In November, we offer Parish Requiems on the five days following All Souls’ Day (November 3–7).

Mass and Fellowship with Saint Stephen’s Young Adults — Mass is offered every Wednesday at 6:00 PM in the Lady Chapel. The Saint Stephen’s Guild of young adults attends on the third Wednesday of each month, followed by fellowship. Join them next on November 18.

BECOME A FRIEND OF SAINT MARY’S

You already know you’re a friend of the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin, why not make it official? Now you can by joining our new program: Friends of Saint Mary’s. This is an opportunity for those who feel the connection to this extraordinary historic parish in the heart of New York City and want to participate even more in its vital work and witness.

Click below to learn more about this program and to become a Friend of Saint Mary’s.

THE DIOCESE AND WIDER CHURCH

Halloween Crypt Crawls — Shake your spirits loose this Halloween season! Hear the stories of the entombed, learn the origins of Halloween as a Celtic New Year celebration and later transformation into All Hallows’ Eve, and creep into the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine’s crypt. Dates available: Saturday, October 24; Friday, October 30; Saturday, October 31. Click here for tickets.

Nightwatch at Saint John the Divine — Nightwatch is an evening spent in the world’s largest Gothic Cathedral immersed in a faith-based program to deepen your spiritual connection with God. This one-night pilgrimage is for students aged 12–18. Prices are $150 per person or $130 for groups of 15 or more. If cost is an issue, or if you’d like more information, please contact nightwatch@stjohndivine.org. Click here to learn more. 2026–2027 dates (all Fridays): October 30, February 5, and April 9.

Dean Varghese’s Book Launch — The Very Reverend Winnie Varghese’s newest book, One Single Act, will introduce readers to how daily acts of kindness, generosity and justice can spark personal transformation and renew our communities with hope. Dean Varghese, along with the Diocese of New York, originally launched a social media campaign, #OneSingleAct, in July 2025 to invite the community to perform one act of generosity, compassion, kindness or justice daily. The book expands on this idea and speaks to the fundamentals of Christian Spirituality. To celebrate its release, the Cathedral will host an event on November 9th at 6:30 PM. Attendance is free with RSVP. Click here to register.

CONCERTS AND EVENTS

2026–2027 Concerts and Performances — A schedule of the 2026–2027 concerts and performances at Saint Mary’s, with links to the event pages for tickets and more details, can be found on our website. Coming up: Kollective 366 on November 6 and 7, Adrian Dunn Singers on November 8, and Miller Theatre/The Gesualdo Six on November 12.

ABOUT THE MUSIC ON THE TWENTY-SECOND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

The setting of the Mass on Sunday is by Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847). Mendelssohn blossomed early as a conductor, composer and pianist. His initial music studies in Berlin were followed by travel in England, Scotland, Italy and France before his 1833 appointment as music director in Düsseldorf. Two years later he became conductor of the Gewandhaus concerts in Leipzig where, together with Schumann and others, he founded the Leipzig Conservatorium in 1842. His 1829 Leipzig performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion decisively stimulated the nineteenth century rediscovery of the Bach’s music. Mendelssohn’s contributions as a composer span the categories of orchestral, choral, stage, chamber, piano, vocal and organ works. His music is said to have set the canons of mid-Victorian musical taste. Mendelssohn’s Die Deutsche Liturgie (1846) for eight-voice double choir includes Kyrie (not sung this Sunday), Gloria (Ehre sei Gott), and his previously composed Sanctus (Heilig, 1844). Agnus Dei (Lamm Gottes) is an adaptation of Mendelssohn’s eight-voice motet In der Passionszeit (Herr, gedenke nicht), from Sechs Sprüche, Op. 79/4 (1844). It is sung on Sunday as adapted by James Kennerley.

The Communion Motet is also by Felix Mendelssohn and is one of his choral settings of psalms. Mendelssohn’s Jauchzet dem Herrn, a German setting of Psalm 100, begins and ends in economical four-voice choral texture. The slower middle section, however, is marked Soli and expands out to eight parts.

The organ Prelude and Postlude are Felix Mendelssohn’s Prelude and Fugue in C minor. Composed in 1837 (Prelude) and 1834 (Fugue), this pairing is the first of three Preludes and Fugues dedicated to his friend Thomas Attwood (1765–1838), the London organist and composer, and former student of Mozart. The Prelude is marked Vivace and has a stern, assertive nature. One wonders if Mendelssohn drew inspiration from Bach’s similarly muscular Prelude, BWV 546, in the same key. Mendelssohn’s fugue is marked Con moto and, despite its dark key, it maintains the rhythmic character of a Gigue.