FROM THE VICAR: INTRO TO PATRISTICS

This Sunday at Adult Formation we begin a new series, Intro to Patristics, which will run over the next four Sundays. In Fr. Sammy’s class that just concluded, we saw how Anglo-Catholicism evolved out of the Oxford Movement in the early nineteenth century led by high church Anglicans at Oxford University who were very much grounded in Patristics, the study of the early Church.

Intro to Patristics will continue to follow this thread by focusing on this period of Church writings that was formative for the Oxford Movement and remains fundamental for Anglo-Catholic teaching, preaching, and formation.

Our first two weeks will be based on the Apostolic Fathers. These are the oldest Christian writings outside of the Bible, dating to the late-first and early-second centuries and overlapping with the period in which many of the New Testament books were written. In fact, several of the writings by the Apostolic Fathers were included on early lists of Christian scripture before the books of the New Testament were canonized.

During the second two weeks, we’ll take more of a thematic approach as we look at writings from the “golden age” of Patristics, the fourth and fifth centuries. We’ll study how St. Augustine, St. John Chrysostom, and others interpreted scripture, primarily through examples from their sermons. In the final week, our focus will be on sacramental theology and will draw from writers such as St. Ambrose and St. Cyril of Jerusalem.

Our opening prayer for the class this Sunday is a portion of a longer prayer found in 1 Clement, a text which likely dates to the late-first century:

We ask you, O Lord, to be our helper and defender. Save those of us who are in affliction, show mercy to those who are humble, raise those who have fallen, show yourself to those who are in need, heal those who are sick, set straight those who among your people are going astray. Feed the hungry, ransom our prisoners, raise up the weak, encourage the despondent. Let all the nations know you, that you alone are God, that Jesus Christ is your Son, and that we are your people and the sheep of your pasture. (1 Clement, 59.4)

This year at Adult Formation, we are focusing on knowing ourselves better as the sheep of God’s pasture here in Times Square as we continue to discern where the Church of Saint Mary the Virgin is being called in the 21st century. The saints from the early Church certainly can help to point us in the right direction even though they were writing from a context that didn’t look a whole lot like our neighborhood in midtown. Much of their advice transcends time. Come join us on Sunday morning and see how! — MDJ

Adult Formation class takes place between the two Sunday Masses, meeting at 9:45 AM in St. Joseph’s Hall. Please visit the formation page of our website for more information about our 2026–2027 offerings.

PARISH PRAYERS

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

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

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Paul, Aline, Sarah, Bella, Zena, Stephanie, Jan, Nancy, Nick, Tim, Sara, Mary, Diane, Daisy, Judy, Laura, Jay, Courtney, Dennis, Burks, 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, especially Connie, Carol, and Joseph, and for those whose year’s mind is on November 1: Stephen Standard Eyre (1891), Jessie Wilson (1918), Harry Taylor (1925), David Lane Smith (1960), Alice Snyder (1961), Mark Hamilton (1997), and John Knight (2014).

FROM THE REAL ESTATE COMMITTEE: STEWARDING SAINT MARY’S FOR THE FUTURE

You may have seen recent articles or social media posts about a potential real estate transaction involving Saint Mary’s transferable development rights (commonly called “air rights”). As many of you know, the Board of Trustees has worked intentionally over many years to strengthen Saint Mary’s financial footing amid various challenges. As part of that effort, we formed a real estate committee to explore how our property might better support our mission.

We are actively pursuing opportunities that could meaningfully strengthen our endowment and help ensure Saint Mary’s ministry continues for generations to come. Please know that no agreement is final until a transaction has fully closed, and we look forward to sharing more when we are able to. In the meantime, we are grateful for your patience, your prayers, and your continued faithfulness to this community. — MaryJane Boland, Steven Heffner, Clark Mitchell, Renée Pecquex, Dale Reynolds, and Fr. Sammy Wood

GUILD OF THE WEEK: THE ALTAR GUILD

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

The Saint Mary’s Altar Guild encompasses the care for sacred vessels, vestments, linens, candles, as well as numerous brass and silver objects used for worship. The Altar Guild is seeking volunteers who want to get involved with the care of vestments & linens, and the polishing of brass & silver objects, either on a regular or seasonal basis. Click here to learn more. Anyone interested in joining, please speak to Brendon Hunter or Marie Rosseels, or send Fr. Matt an email and he will make an introduction.

AROUND THE PARISH

Parish Work Day on Saturday — Help us get ready for All Saints’ Day at a parish workday this 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.

Clocks Change and the NYC Marathon this Sunday — Daylight saving time ends on Sunday, November 1, at 2:00 AM, when clocks “fall back” one hour. Additionally, the NYC Marathon will be this Sunday. Please plan accordingly for coming to church.

All Saints’ Day is this Sunday! — 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 Montgomery, 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.

Visit to the African Burial Ground — A group of Saint Marians will be visiting the African Burial Ground on Saturday, November 21, after the 12:10 PM Mass. They plan to gather after Mass and travel downtown together. A documentary about the national monument, The African Burial Ground: An American Discovery (1994), is available in four parts on YouTube (Parts 1, 2, 3, 4) and would be useful for those planning to join the outing as well as for those who are interested but unable to make it on that day. Please contact Ingrid Sletten with any questions.

Adult Formation on Sunday — This Sunday, Fr. Matt begins his series on Intro to Patristics. Please see his article above and 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 on November 4. Please contact Fr. Sammy with any questions and to register.

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, November 2 — All Souls’ Day
Tuesday, November 3 — Parish Requiem I (last names A–E)
Wednesday, November 4 — Parish Requiem II (last names F–K)
Thursday, November 5 — Parish Requiem III (last names L–N)
Friday, November 6 — Parish Requiem IV (last names O–Q)
Saturday, November 7 — Parish Requiem V (last names R–Z)

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

MONTHLY LITURGIES AND GATHERINGS

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 be offered this Sunday, November 1, following an organ recital at 3:30 PM.

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.

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 meets next on Sunday, November 22.

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 ALL SAINT’S DAY

This Sunday’s organ prelude is the second movement from Te Deum Laudamus, a four-movement organ solo work by David Hurd, Organist and Music Director here at Saint Mary the Virgin. Te Deum Laudamus was commissioned by Larry King, Director of Music at Trinity Church, Wall Street, from 1968 until 1989. Dr. King premiered Te Deum Laudamus at New York’s Riverside Church in July 1982. The second movement of Te Deum laudamus is subtitled The Adoration. It has four distinct sections, one for each constituency which offers praise in the Te Deum text. Phrases of the traditional plainsong Te Deum are quoted in each of the four sections. The Apostles’ praise is set in twelve-tone technique; the Prophets’ praise uses trumpeting ascending figures in thirds and canonic imitation; the Martyrs’ praise is expressed in boldly juxtaposed major triads; the Holy Church’s praise is a five-voice Baroque-inspired fantasia in which the plainsong melody is quoted in the upper of the two voices played on the pedals.

The musical setting of the ordinary is Missa Brevis by Bruce Neswick (b.1956). This setting of the Latin Mass for mixed voices and organ was commissioned by Saint Paul’s Cathedral, San Diego, where Dr. Neswick is currently Interim Director of Music. It was premiered there under his direction on Sunday, January 26, 2025. In November 2025, its Gloria, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei received their New York premiere at Saint Mary’s with the composer at the organ. Today these movements are being sung here for the second time. Bruce Neswick is in tremendous demand as organist, improviser, choral conductor and trainer, composer, and hymn festival leader. He served as a consultant and contributor of music in the revision process which produced The Hymnal 1982. He is a consummate church musician and has served as music director at several of our nation’s Episcopal Cathedrals in his distinguished career including our own Saint John the Divine in New York City. He was also Associate Professor of Music in Organ and Sacred Music at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University. He holds the Fellowship degree from the Royal School of Church Music and was awarded an honorary doctorate in 2016 by the University of the South, Sewanee, Tennessee.

The composer of Sunday’s Communion motet is Peter Mathews (b.1944). Dr. Mathews was born in Vancouver, British Columbia. His studies included piano, violin, and conducting. He has earned certifications and degrees from the Royal Academy of Music, London, Andrews University, Michigan, and the University of Missouri in Kansas City. He has conducted and taught widely in churches and academic settings and has received significant commissions as a composer from diverse institutions. He is, in addition, an experienced choral singer which undoubtedly informs his writing for choirs. His setting, A Prayer, is of a text by Thomas Dekker (c.1572–1632) from Four Birds from Noah’s Ark. Published in 1998, its dedication reads “Commissioned by Dr. Rick Effinger and dedicated to the glory of God and in loving memory of Alkin Moore and all those who have died from HIV/AIDS.”

The Post-Communion hymn, words by noted hymn author Carl P. Daw and music by David Hurd, was commissioned in 1997 by All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Torresdale, Philadelphia, in honor of The Rev. Dr. Edward Chinn who was rector from 1960 until his death in 2003. This hymn for All Saints’ Day was first published in Supplement 99 by Hope Publications.