FROM THE RECTOR: ALWAYS SOMETHING

Many readers of this newsletter will not know that I wasn’t able to be at church on Sunday, July 29. Sometime late Saturday afternoon, I became aware I wasn’t feeling well; by early evening I knew I was not going to be better anytime soon. Father Jay Smith and Deacon Rebecca Weiner Tompkins were both away. I called Father Jim Pace. He and Deacon Mary Jett had a very busy Sunday. They took care of all of the services and I want to thank them for handling it all by themselves.

Father Ryan Lesh was among those I needed to let know what was going on. He called Sunday afternoon, not long after my fever had spiked to 103 degrees—my neck also seemed unusually stiff. He encouraged me to get to the Emergency Room and I did. The studies they did there were all negative. I seem to have some kind of virus and it will just take time to heal.

This Sunday, the Reverend Kent Johnson will be celebrant for the morning Masses. Father Johnson has served parishes in Long Island, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Presently he teaches mathematics at Saint Bernard’s School here in the city—before entering seminary he had earned his Ph.D. in mathematics at Brown University. He and his wife Rita Johnson are members of the parish. It is so great that it worked out for him to be free this Sunday.

Monday, August 6, is the Feast of the Transfiguration. In addition to the 12:10 Eucharist, there will be a Sung Mass at 6:00 PM. The celebrant and preacher for the evening service is the Reverend David Sibley. He’s priest-in-charge of Saint John’s Church, Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn and administrative coordinator for convention and diocesan council for the diocese of Long Island—and he’s an assisting priest here at Saint Mary’s. Most weeks David is celebrant for the 12:10 Mass on Mondays. He’s a real joy to have with us and his own commitment to being at Saint Mary’s is a real help. I invite you to come to share in the celebration. I hope to be with you too! Stephen Gerth

YOUR PRAYERS ARE ASKED FOR Mary, Janine, Robert, Nicholas, Linda, Casey, Angeline, George, Ben, Anna, Jeanne, Wayne, Barbara, Joseph, Jan, James, Helen, Arpene, Joyce, Betty, Sharon, Chandra, Dorothy, and James, priest; and for the members of our Armed Forces on active duty, especially Elizabeth, Nicholas, and Matthew . . . GRANT THEM PEACE . . . August 5: 1891 Julia Anna Wood; 1909 Mildred Jeane Grant.

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

THIS WEEK AT SAINT MARY’S . . . Monday, August 6: The Transfiguration of Our Lord. Said Mass 12:10 PM, Sung Mass 6:00 PM . . . Father Gerth will hear confessions on Saturday, August 4. Father Jim Pace will hear confessions on Saturday, August 11.

AROUND THE PARISH . . . Donations are needed for altar flowers for the following Sundays: September 9, 16 and 23. If you would like to donate flowers on one of those dates, please contact the parish office . . . Father Jay Smith is on vacation and away from the parish. He returns to the office on Monday, August 6. Sister Deborah Francis is away on vacation. She returns on Friday, August 10 . . . Attendance:  Last Sunday 181.

FROM THE MUSIC DIRECTOR . . . The prelude at Solemn Mass on Sunday is the Larghetto from the Troisième symphonie en fa dièse mineur, Opus 28 (1911), by Louis Vierne. Ruth Cunningham, soprano, and I are the cantors for the service. We will improvise the settings of the minor propers. At the ministration of Communion, we will sing the duet Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein reines Herz (“Create in me a clean heart, O God”), from Kleine geistliche Konzerte, SWV 291, composed by Heinrich Schütz (1585–1672). The motet is taken from the first of the two volumes of Schütz’s Kleine geistliche Konzerte (“Little Sacred Concertos”), published in Germany during the 1630s. James Kennerley

HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE . . . Father Matthew Mead, rector of the Church of the Good Shepherd, Granite Springs—who served here as curate from 2004 to 2009—will be leading a pilgrimage to the Holy Land June 28 to July 8, 2013. Father Mead will be with us for the Solemn Mass on Assumption, Wednesday, August 15. During the reception after the Mass he will be available to answer questions about the pilgrimage and to share details, including costs and itinerary. The pilgrimage is open to anyone, and this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit the Holy Land with a great group of Episcopalians you know. Please feel free to contact him at mead@goodshepherdny.org.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR . . . August 15, The Assumption of Mary; Friday, August 24, Saint Bartholomew the Apostle . . . October 3, The Ordination of a Priest.

HOSPITALITY AT SAINT MARY’S . . . We are still receiving gifts to help cover the costs of the reception on August 15, please contact the parish office. We are also happy to receive donations to support our hospitality efforts on Sunday morning!

OUTREACH AT SAINT MARY’S . . . We continue to collect non-perishable food items for the Saint Clement’s Food Pantry. Please consider making a regular donation to the Food Pantry. Look for the basket in the back of the church or in Saint Joseph’s Hall. You may make a cash donation as well. If you would like more information about how the Food Pantry works or if you would like to volunteer, please contact Sister Deborah Francis, C.S.J.B., or Father Jay Smith . . . We recently updated and printed a new edition of our brochure, “Resources and Assistance for Those in Need.” Please look for copies on the ushers’ table and in the sacristy.