FROM FATHER SAMMY WOOD: ON CONFESSION

All may. Some should. None must.
~ Unattributed Anglican aphorism

I was made a priest in my Washington, DC, parish church where I did field education back on December 8, 2007 (the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, no less! Perhaps a harbinger that one day our paths would cross, yours and mine?). At the Examination, Bishop James Montgomery charged me, in part:

You are to preach, to declare God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners, to pronounce God’s blessing, to share in the administration of the Holy Baptism and in the celebration of the mysteries of Christ’s Body and Blood, and to perform the other ministrations entrusted to you.

In the almost two decades since, few ministrations entrusted to me have been as meaningful, as important, as bracing and gratifying as declaring God’s forgiveness to penitent sinners—of which I am chief, by the way. I suspect the deep meaning I experience in hearing a confession and pronouncing absolution is rooted in my own practice of regular confession to my spiritual director. I made my first confession soon after my ordination in early 2008, and I have rarely missed a month since. This practice has been formative for me, exposing deep patterns of sin so easily glossed over in the General Confession we make at every Mass, and bringing healing, trust, and hope through the words of absolution spoken by whatever priest I happened to be sitting or kneeling before.

Perhaps it is your own practice to make a regular confession, as well. Or perhaps you’ve been an Episcopalian all your life and never let your fingers do the walking through the rite our prayer book calls “the Reconciliation of a Penitent” (BCP, 447-52.) Regardless, the importance of the Sacrament of Confession was one of the central tenets of the Oxford Movement in the 1830s, and a rite for auricular (meaning “of the ear”) confession to a priest is in our 1979 Book of Common Prayer, as well as in such Catholic classics as the Saint Augustine’s Prayer Book and the Saint Benedict’s Prayer Book. From another classic, The Practice of Religion:

The use of this Sacrament is a great privilege and brings a great blessing. It makes repentance real. It expresses the need of God’s Grace. It develops character. It increases holiness . . . Confession has been a practice and privilege of the whole Church, hallowed by the use of centuries and should be regularly used by all. (Emphasis mine.)

We see biblical justification for this sacrament in the parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15. The son wants his inheritance, and he wants it now. So the Father gives him the cash, and the son goes off and squanders the money. Things turn for the worse, and soon he’s reduced to earning a living feeding pigs. He thinks, “Those pigs are better off than I am! At least they have food to eat.” And he realizes—something is wrong. At this point, the gospel narrative says, “He came to himself.” That means he “came to his senses,” he saw things as they really were.

He now has a choice. He can say, “I blew it, it’s a shambles. I can’t possibly go back and let Dad know what I did. I'll somehow muddle through on my own and scrape together an existence; Dad will never know, and I’ll never have to deal with it.” The other option is, of course, what he ends up doing. He decides he’d better go back to Dad and confess. He prepares a speech: “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you and am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”

Just as the prodigal son made a decision, so also confession requires us to make a decision to face the reality of sin and to do something about it. Then come the beautiful words: “While he was yet at a distance . . .” This is so important. While he is still far away, the father sees him coming and gives orders to the hired hands to kill the fatted calf and get the party going. The father runs to meet his son, embraces him and kisses him. Then, and only then, does the son get to give his prepared speech. This is the loving forgiveness of God that is utterly available if we will but decide to come back in repentance.

The aphorism quoted at the head of this article—All may, some should, none must—has been likened to “the equivalent of a road sign that says: ‘Exit Ahead. But you probably won’t take it, and we’re not going to tell you why you might need to.’” But as one of your priests, charged with the cure of souls at this parish, I feel it’s incumbent on me to urge you to consider making Confession a regular practice of yours, not just in seasons like Lent but throughout the year. It’s changed my life. Let it change yours. — SW+

The Sacrament of Confession is offered every Saturday morning in the church at 11:00 AM, annually immediately following the Good Friday Liturgy, or by appointment with one of our priests.

PARISH PRAYERS

We pray for the people and clergy of our sister parish, the Church of All Saints’, Margaret Street, London, and for the Anglican Church of Korea, in the Anglican cycle of prayer.

We pray for those who have asked us for our prayers, for Jimmy, Willie, Sue, Sumar, Ruth, Christine, Emilie, Emma, Sharon, Andrew, Cal, Eric, Hamida, Monique, Khalid, Sophia, Yue, Cassius, Jimmy, Lisa, Sue, Ruth Ann, Rosemary, Holly, Becky, Bill, Grady, Chris, Violet, Pat, Allen, Vicki, Brendon, Nadia, Carol, Giovanna, Ronald, Jose, Ben, Russell, Robert, Sandy, Lexi, Georgia, Desarae, David, Tony, Jan, Carlos, Quincy, Leroy, Margaret, and Robert; Victoria, Suzanne Elizabeth, and Laura Katherine, religious; Lind, deacon; and, Beth, 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 March 22: Sarah Lee (1889), Katherine Ott (1914), Katherine Kopf (1914), Emma Crego Pierce (1930), and Mary Fargher (1971).

FROM THE FLOWER GUILD: VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

Volunteers are needed for Passiontide, Holy Week, and Easter. We always have lots of snacks, coffee, and great fellowship! Whether you can just volunteer an hour or two or be here every day, we need your help. It makes Easter feel even more special knowing you had a part in making it happen.

• Parish workdays are happening on “Passiontide Saturday,” March 21, and “Palm Saturday,” March 28, starting at 10:00 AM on both days continuing through 3:00 PM. On March 21, we need help with veiling the church and getting things ready for Holy Week. On March 28, we need help with stripping palms for Palm Sunday, helping the Flower Guild setup Saint Joseph’s Hall for Easter flower production, and lots of cleaning and polishing to have Saint Mary’s looking our best for Easter. Please contact Grace Mudd if you can help on either day.

• The Flower Guild needs help with getting branches and flowers into water—no skills needed! Branches will be delivered on Monday, March 30, around 10:00 AM with work on that continuing through 2:00 PM. Flowers will be delivered on Tuesday, March 31, at 9:00 AM and work will last through about noon. There is always a great need for as many hands as possible on Holy Saturday, which is April 4 this year, starting at 9:15 AM and continuing through 4:00 PM. We will be removing the veils in the church, moving flowers into place, and putting finishing touches on getting the church ready for Easter. Please contact Brendon Hunter if you can volunteer for any of those dates.

AROUND THE PARISH

Help us celebrate Chris Howatt at Coffee Hour — Please join us at Coffee Hour after Solemn Mass this Sunday where we will celebrate longtime Parish Administrator, Mr. Chris Howatt.

Rosary Guild — The Rosary Guild will meet after Solemn Mass this Sunday to pray the rosary. All are welcome!

Requiem Mass — Our monthly Requiem Mass is this Saturday, March 21, at 12:10 PM in the Mercy Chapel. Click here to learn more about the Guild of All Souls’. All are welcome.

Easter Flower Donations — Donations are needed for Easter Flowers from members and friends of Saint Mary’s to make all the festive decorations possible. Click here to donate online for the Easter flowers. Any amount is welcome! Checks can be mailed to the church; please note “Easter Flowers” on the memo line. Easter flower donation envelopes are also available at the usher’s table in the back of the church and can be left in any shrine box or in the offering basket during services.

Holy Week and Easter Day — Holy Week begins with the Sunday of the Passion: Palm Sunday on March 29. At the Solemn Mass on Palm Sunday, weather permitting, we will process into Times Square. Click here for the complete Holy Week and Easter Day liturgical schedule.

Guest Preachers — This Sunday, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, Father Alan Rimmer, Associate Vicar of All Saints’, Margaret Street, is our preacher at both Masses. On Wednesday, March 25, the Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary, Father Peter Anthony, Vicar of All Saints’, Margaret Street, will preach at Solemn Mass. Thanks to Father Brandt Montgomery, who preached last Sunday!

Adult Formation — Dr. Charles Morgan closes out the Service Stories series this Sunday with “Darkness is my Only Companion” (Psalm 88.18), a look into the mental health crisis in our culture, especially his current work with Sawubona to address the mental health needs of youth and teens. After this Sunday, Adult Formation will be on Easter Break until April 19, when Fr. Matt begins his series on Saint Catherine of Siena. We meet in Saint Joseph’s Hall at 9:45 AM, between the two Sunday Masses. Click here for more details about what we have planned for this semester at Adult Formation. All are welcome!

Stations of the Cross — On Fridays in Lent, we offer Stations of the Cross at 6:00 PM, which follows Evening Prayer at 5:30 PM.

The Shape of Lent — At Saint Mary’s, we try to preserve the communal nature of Lenten practice as a parish family. The Shape of Lent is a booklet which provides a description and schedule of what we will do together during this holy time. There are also suggestions for additional Lenten readings. Copies are on the usher’s table and can be downloaded here.

Thursday Bible Study — Thursday evening Bible study in 2025-2026 is based on the Sunday lectionary for the upcoming Sunday and generally will be led by the preacher for that day. We meet over Zoom at 6:00 PM. If interested, please email Fr. Wood for the link.

Neighbors in Need — Jackets and practical shoes for men and women continue to be top needs. We are typically better supplied with women’s clothes than men’s. Our men’s priorities for February and March are warm tops; pants in size 32, 34 and 36; and shoes in all sizes. Thanks to your donations we are also able to purchase toiletries, gloves and underwear, especially thermals, which are in high demand. Please speak to MaryJane Boland or Marie Rosseels for more information or send an email to neighbors@stmvnyc.org.

THE DIOCESE AND WIDER CHURCH

National Action Network Convention — Ms. Angeline Butler has let us know that the National Action Network will hold their annual Convention in our neighborhood at the Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel on Seventh Avenue and 53rd Street. It will run from April 8-11 and is free to the public, though registration is required (click here to register).

The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture — On Saturday, April 18, join the Diocesan Anti-Racism Committee for a one-day round trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. The transportation fee is $50 per person, payable during online registration. This fee is non-refundable unless the trip is canceled. Admission to the museum is free. Meals are not included, but food is available for purchase at the museum café. ADA accessible buses leave promptly at 5:00 AM from two locations (The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in Manhattan and Christ Episcopal Church in Tarrytown) and will return between 11:00 PM and midnight. Click here to complete a short questionnaire. After completing it, an email will be sent containing the link to finish registering.

2026 Vocations Day: Listening Hearts Retreat — On Saturday, April 25, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM at Christ Episcopal Church (20 Carroll Street, Poughkeepsie, NY), join us for an intentional gathering to help those who are beginning to discern a call to lay or ordained leadership in the life of the Church. Seekers will hear from the Bishop and members of the Commission on Ministry about the ministry of the Laity and Clergy, the expectations of the Commission on Ministry for those seeking ordination, and clear and practical next steps. There will be prayer, a plenary session, breakout groups, and lunch. Break out groups will include sessions exploring priesthood, the diaconate, and discerning lay leadership for your community’s needs. Seekers are encouraged to attend with their clergy person, and the expectation is that participants will be present the whole day. Parking is available. Click here to register and learn more.

ABOUT THE MUSIC AT SOLEMN MASS ON THE FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT

Sunday’s organ voluntaries are from the Clavierübung III (Keyboard Practice) of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750), one of the most remarkable and important collections of organ music by a single composer ever compiled. This third part of the Clavierübung, published in 1739, contains the “Catechism” chorales; pairs of extended settings and settings for manuals alone of chorales closely associated with the liturgy. The organ voluntaries are the two settings of Aus tiefer Not, Martin Luther’s German paraphrase of Psalm 130 (Out of the depths have I called to you, O Lord), which is also this Sunday’s Gradual Psalm. See #151 in The Hymnal 1982 for Luther’s melody and text in Catherine Winkworth’s English translation. Bach’s large organ setting, BWV 686, played as the prelude, is a monumental cry from the deep with twisting chromaticism in dense six-voice counterpoint. The phrases of the chorale are developed one at a time in motet style. The chorale melody sings in long notes written in the upper of the two pedal voices. The small manual setting, BWV 687, played as the postlude, is a gentler and more poignant cry from the deep in four voices with the chorale melody in the top voice.

The setting of the Mass is the Mass for Four Voices of William Byrd (c.1540–1623). Byrd composed settings of the Latin mass for three, four and five voices. The Mass for Four Voices dates from about 1592 and was probably the first of the three to be composed. 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 are now they rightly regarded as great treasures of Western music. Although composed with the Continental Tridentine liturgy in mind, Byrd’s Mass for Four Voices was also influenced by the pre-Reformation Mean Mass of John Taverner (c.1490–1545), particularly in the opening of the Sanctus. The older Taverner setting had already served as a model for settings by English masters Christopher Tye (c.1505–c.1573), John Sheppard (c.1515–1558) and Thomas Tallis (c.1505–1585). Byrd’s four-voice Agnus Dei ends with a particularly expressive Dona nobis pacem.

The communion Motet is William Byrd’s setting of the fourteenth century Eucharistic hymn Ave verum corpus.  The text is attributed to Pope Innocent VI (d.1362). It is a meditation on the presence of Christ in the sacrament and the relationship between suffering and redemption. These words have been sung frequently for centuries in various Eucharistic contexts and set to music by the leading composers of sacred music in each generation. William Byrd’s iconic setting of this text is probably the most widely known and frequently sung. It has served as a template for many settings which have been composed since.

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Saint Mary’s is a vibrant Anglo-Catholic witness in the heart of NYC. With our identity in Christ and a preference for the poor, we are an inclusive, diverse community called to love God and each other for the life of the world.

This edition of The Angelus was written and edited by Father Matt Jacobson, except as noted. Father Matt is also responsible for formatting it on the parish website and distributing it via mail and e-mail, with the assistance of parish volunteer, Clint Best. If you have an idea for an article that you would like to publish in an upcoming issue of The Angelus, Father Matt would be happy to discuss it with you.