‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 May 4

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 4 May, in the year of four Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Sunday (tomorrow): 8:30 AM, BCP Eucharist, Easter V.
  10:00 AM, Mass, Votive of the Rogations, with Procession & Beating of the Bounds.
• Monday: SERVICES CANCELLED.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S.  Stanislas, Bishop & Martyr.
  6:30 PM, Holy Rosary & Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Vigil of the Ascension.
• Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's Morning Prayer & breakfast.
  6:30 PM, Sung Mass, Ascension Day, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Ascension, using the Gregorian Canon.
  10:00 AM, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Of the Octave.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Sunday in the Octave of the Ascension.

PLEASE NOTE that there will be no services on Monday, 6 May, This Thursday we'll enjoy our monthly men's Morning Prayer and breakfast, at 8:00 AM. Also, a festive Cinqo de Mayo to those who celebrate that day.

As-noted above, we will have a procession tomorrow, during the Ten o'clock Mass. Processions, for well-over a thousand years, played a central and vital role in the life of Holy Mother Church. We've largely lost them in America; in other parts of the World, especially outside the "first-world" countries, they still play an integral role. Have we advanced too far, become too cynical in our cosmopolitan views, to bother with such? I'd like to say No!, but may not be able to escape that conclusion, upon honest reflection....

In the early Church, almost all customs, especially liturgical ones, were local in nature. Over time, these localities developed-into dioceses. Thus, each diocese began to have its own rites and ceremonies, with even some variations in the Mass itself. As these were formulated, they began to be written into books. Each Diocese had their own Baptismals, Sacramentaries, Ordinals, and Processionals, among others. Indeed, for the complete sacramental and liturgical life of a given diocese, it might take nearly twenty such books to contain all that was deemed necessary to completely live the life of the Church.

Processions are of two types, festival and penitential. Strictly speaking, in the West, there are processions on all Sundays and principal festivals before the High Celebration of the Eucharist. Hence, processional hymns, or the chanting of the processional verses in the minor propers, are remnants of this practice. Practically speaking, however, processions occur only on festivals. Even in the ancient English use, processions were to be held after Evensong, on feasts and on all Saturdays from Easter to Advent.

Processions are frequently held in the open air as acts of witness, e.g. on Good Friday or before a parochial mission. Rogationtide processions ~ like tomorrow's ~ are often through the fields to pray for God's blessing on the fruits of the earth. Banners are often carried in procession both to excite devotion and to typify the Church's vocation to conquer like an army the powers of evil.

Join us at Ten o'clock, as we once again take our faith into the World, singing in procession, streaming-forth from His Church. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 April 6

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 6 April, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Saturday in Easter Week.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Easter I.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Annunciation of the BVM (transferred).
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Feria of the Annunciation.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S.  Leo the Great, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
  Immediately following, Soup and Study, The Gospel According to S.  Luke.
• Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Feria, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Easter II (Good Shepherd Sunday).

There are no looming extraordinary events on our Parish Kalendar. In broader terms, this being an even-numbered year, there will be a General Convention, this year. It will be held on the campus of Sweetbriar College, in Amherst, Virginia, hosted by Bishop Nalls and the Church of the Epiphany. The College has an inn on its grounds, and a large chapel, so, quite literally, the entire affair will be held there ~ no driving, for the hearty amongst us!

I cannot recall the precise title of Stephen Hawking's book, but our reflection for today will likely be something similar ~ A Brief Look at the Nature of Time. Psychologists ~ and others ~ are now saying that, like dear old Dad told us, time does really fly faster the older you are. One of the underlying premises for this position is that, from the perspective of the observer, the more of time that we experience, the smaller the percentage of our overall lifespan it becomes. Thus, the year between ages two-to-three represents 50% of our total experience up to that point; the next year 33%, etc.

This affects everyone, even in Holy Church. Between the two of us, our Master of Ceremonies and I have nearly a century ~ one-hundred years! ~ of Liturgical participation, from Acolyte all the way to MC and Canon. We often comment along the lines of "What? Trinitytide, again!?" In the more immediate sense, we've just experienced Pre-Lent, Great Lent, Holy Week, Easter Day, and are now in Easter Week, although it, too, is drawing to a close. We spent much time ~ no one more than our MC ~ preparing for the observance of these sacred times and rites, after-which we lived them, again, as we have done many times before. The Altar Guild also was very busy, laying all of the ground-work that enables the liturgists to look at-least competent, if not good, lol, as we experienced the life of our Lord. Our Deacon was also busy, working-in to ever-greater participation in all that happens during this space in the life of Holy Mother, the Church.

Time, in the most general sense, exists only during our earthly lives. We know nothing of it before conception, and will experience eternity after our deaths. The here-and-now becomes our all. The temptation to ennui, to take for granted those things that we've experienced for the third, or thirty-third time, is an aspect of this fallen world.

As Christians, we must remain fresh. We must suffer every Good Friday as-though a fresh experience of the loss of our Lord; we must rejoice every Easter Day as a new ~ a first ~ overwhelming joy at His triumphal return. We must then communicate the sorrow and the love to others, especially those not of our flock, that they may learn what it means to know the Christ, and, so we pray, to begin their journeys towards Him, with us. Christ is Risen! Alleluia!

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 Maundy Thursday

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Maundy Thursday, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Maundy Thursday (today): 6:30 PM, removal of the Sacrament from the Altar, Mass of the Day, the Maundy (foot-washing), Stripping of the Altar,
  Good Friday Tenebrae.
• Good Friday: 12:10 PM: The Mass of the Catechumens, The Solemn Collects, The Veneration of the Cross, the Mass of the Pre-sanctified.
• Holy Saturday: 8:00 PM: Scripture readings, the Blessing of the new fire and the Paschal Candle, The Sabbath Prophecies,
  the Blessing of the Baptismal Font, The Litany and the Mass of Easter Even.
• Sunday, Easter Day: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass of the Feast of the Resurrection.

Now is the time, this is the hour, and the place. The Rites, Ceremonies, and Liturgies over these next few days form the capstone, not only of Great Lent, but more specifically of the reflections we have discussed in previous weeks. Our journey, hopefully, has lead us to the very core of ourselves, along the way have examined every aspect, every atom of ourselves, in the light of reason, experience, and of the Holy Scriptures. We should be much more familiar with ourselves, now, than when we began this Season of reflection and penance.

This final stage allows us to continue, to deepen our self-study in the absolute dark of the absence of our Lord, as His earthly life is ended, and He travels to very Hell, to take the light that we shall soon lose, to every soul that ever lived before His incarnation. Our considerations will reach another peak, when he returns to us, and we are filled to over-flowing with His light. Come Easter Day, we will have reached full-circle in our journey ~ there, and back again.

Salvation does not exist outside of Holy Church. Now, more than at any other time, we must join with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ as we join Him on His Way ... The Way, as the Church was known in the earliest centuries. In a few, short hours, we will begin. Join us tonight, and over the coming days, we beseech thee. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 March 16

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 16 March, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Passion Sunday (Lent V).
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Joseph, Spouse of the BVM, sung Mass.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Cuthbert, Bishop & Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Benedict, Abbot, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Compassion of the BVM.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Palm Sunday. Parish Brunch following the 10:00 Service, at Marker 20 in Hampton.

Tomorrow begins Passiontide, the final approach of our Lord to His Cross. There will be changes, both visually in the Church, and audibly in some of our prayers, indicating the progressing Season. As Holy Church prepares for the coming Sacrifice, so must we all, in our hearts and minds, prepare for the horror, and our role in it.

At the end of the preceding 'Weekly Post, the question was raised as to whether we can exert any control over our thoughts and emotions. Though very briefly, it was answered with a 'yes'. Let us examine why that not only is, but must be, so.

To have answered that question in any other way would negate that we were made free; free in our minds and wills to choose, or to deny, the Christ, above many others choices that we may make. All of our salvation depends-upon this freedom. We must choose to follow Jesus, and choose freely.

If there is no free choice, if our salvation does not depend-upon, at-least in-part, our participation, then no understanding of salvation that has been held- or espoused-by the Church, over these millennia, may stand. For us to have no role therein reduces us to automatons, with every part of our lives having been determined by our creator. Without choice, even our love for Him would be meaningless, existing only as a programmed response, hard-wired from the beginning. This is precisely where protestants, most especially calvinists, fail. Calvin must deny free choice as an element of salvation, lest his notion of the elect be reduced to a non sequitor. He misses the very point, the heart, of our having been created by God. Just as we chose to crucify Him, so too we may choose to repent for this, and follow him. As a side note, to suggest that our Lord would choose to condemn anyone to Hell, without the possibility of altering that outcome, denies any common understanding of a loving Father in Heaven, and introduces a cruelty in-place-of that love that I, as a worshipping Christian, cannot accept.

Now, where are we? If we have prayed, and searched, and prostrated, and sacrificed correctly, over these recent weeks, we should have arrived at a clearer understanding of who we are. If this has been done, hopefully the intellectual framework that has been presented herein has become a matrix, to hold, in proper order, the results of your searchings. I pray that, at whatever level, some of this has been fruitful to you, in your reflections. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 March 9

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 9 March, in the year of our Lord 2024. REMEMBER that the time will change, at 2:00 AM this-coming Sunday (tomorrow), requiring us to be in Church an hour earlier than usual. Don't be late! The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday: (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Frances of Rome, Widow.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Mothering Sunday (Lent IV).
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Gregory the Great, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Thursday: 8:00 AM, monthly men's Morning Prayer.
  6:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria, Soup &Study to follow.
• Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Passion Sunday (Lent V).

Again, TIME CHANGE before services tomorrow, so make ye ready. Most of our devices these days adjust themselves automatically, attempting to remove human error from our lives. Some might say that Daylight Savings time is a human error, but we'll leave that for another time....

We began our reflections on Lenten meditation and exploration by looking at our thoughts, as a relatively easy point of entry into our internal lives. This lead to our mind, ostensibly the source and seat of our thoughts. We began then to consider that this might not be the case, and identified the heart (figuratively speaking) as a deeper, more likely candidate for that place in which we live, and move, and have our being.

This was supported by the theological notions, both developed and revealed, held by Holy Church throughout the centuries. The heart is the heart of the very temple ~ our bodies, which do contain all of us, whatever that may be ~ of our lives. It is this temple that is cleansed by the waters of Holy Baptism. Once purified, the Holy Ghost enters-in, to begin the work of guiding us to the Father, and to His Son. We meet Him there, He speaks to us from there, the Light of the Christ beams-forth from there, once we take that next step, following Baptism, at our Holy Confirmation.

At the end of the last full 'Weekly Post, I asked a question. After making the previous arguments concerning the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, the query became what else might dwell within our hearts? The answer, as I hope some or many of you guessed, is the soul ~ our very souls.

The soul is what ~ who ~ we are. From the soul; rather, as the soul, we see all of our lives. We watch the mind, we use it, we are bemused, and occasionally betrayed, by it. We watch our emotions, as do our thoughts, dash out-and-about on their merry ~ or other ~ errands. Can we control these? Of-course we can. Do we? This will form the basis for our next reflection. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 March 2

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 2 March, in the year of our Lord 2023. This edition of The 'Post will be abbreviated, with the usual content being published later. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Sunday (tomorrow): 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent III. ONE CITY MARATHON ALONG WARWICK BLVD.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Casimir, Confessor.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
  6:30 PM, Rosary and Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, SS. Perpetua & Felicity, Martyrs.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Thomas Aquinas, Confessor & Doctor., followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. John of God, Confessor, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Frances of Rome, Widow.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Mothering Sunday (Lent IV).

For this quick edition, the only news is the One City Marathon, taking-place tomorrow in Newport News. THIS WILL IMPACT TRAFFIC ON WARWICK BLVD.! Plan an alternative path if your route to Church takes you along Warwick Blvd. Church services and times remain unaffected. 'See all y'all then! As-ever

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 February 27

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 27 February, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. David, Bishop & Confessor, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
  Immediately following, Eucharistic Adoration, 'til Noon.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Chad, Bishop & Confessor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent III. ONE CITY MARATHON.

As-noted above, the One City Marathon will be taking-place this weekend. The run will substantially interfere with all traffic on Warwick Blvd. If you use 'Warwick as a part of your route to get to the Parish, you'll want to determine an alternate route for Sunday.

A week from this-coming Sunday, on 10 March, we will lose an hour of rest, as we Spring-forward. Most clocks are automatic, these days, but for the other Luddites out there, on that Sunday morning, 2:00 AM will become 3:00 AM, thus robbing us of an hour. Don't let yourself show-up at the Parish for Mass, just as it's ending!

In last week's 'Post, we examined the heart-mind interface, and the notion that thoughts were perhaps the easiest aspect of that complex to access; thus, the natural place to begin our Lenten examinations. Fr. Seraphim, of S. Symeon's Skete, which has recently entered-into the OAC, some years-ago gave a Lenten retreat, in which he pointed-out that we are not our minds. They form a part of us, to be certain, but we can, with comparatively little effort, observe our minds, watch them as they complete their revolutions, and execute their manoevers. We are not controlled by our minds ~ this is not where we live.

Having devoted all of my early life to reason, it was with both discomfort and displeasure that I began to realise that we are ~ continuing to use a physical locus ~ controlled by our hearts, rather than our minds. If we properly use our minds, and have that magnificent virtue of integrity, which always seeks only the Truth, a careful examination of our lives will show, regrettably readily, to my mind, that all of our decisions are based in emotion, rather than upon reason. Why, do you suppose, that our hearts play this central role?

One very important reason is that therein lies the Holy Ghost, after He enters-into our beings at the time of our Baptism. This is the center of the Temple, washed clean for His presence, where all things begin. From the point in time of His entry, through ages of ages to come, the heart is the ground whereupon we meet and know the Holy Ghost, and from which He speaks to us. He is ~ or should be ~ our Guide, our Dante, as we plumb the dark depths of ourselves.

There is something else dwelling in our hearts, at the very core of us. Can you think of what it might be? 'More next week. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 February 17

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 17 February, in the year of our Lord 2024. Due to the interruption in the heating system in the Parish Hall, the Potluck supper has been cancelled, but there will be a coffee hour, as-per usual. All other scheduled activities for Sunday will proceed as-planned. The services for the week are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Sunday: 10:00 AM, ONE MASS ONLY, Lent I, including the installment of our Vestry, Altar Guild, and Lay Readers.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, followed-by Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Ember Wednesday.
• Thursday: NO SERVICES.
• Friday: 10:00 AM, Matins.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: NO SERVICES.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent II.

As-noted above, tomorrow, Sunday, will see one Mass, and the Installation of the Parish Guilds. There will be NO POTLUCK, only the usual coffee hour. Deacon Collins and I will be attending the Spring Clericus (gathering of the Clergy) of the OAC, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As-such, the service schedule towards the end of the week has been modified. Attend accordingly, and say your offices at home during those times that services have been cancelled.

Great Lent having begun on Ash Wednesday, and tomorrow being the First Sunday in Lent, we are now well-into this Season of Satan, sin, and death. We must now, with great intention, and even greater faith, force ourselves, like Dante, to go further in, and further downward, first in our minds, and then, in the deepest, darkest recesses, into our hearts. The time has come, and now is....

Our Jewish forbears had a rather different construct than do we for the metaphorical heart. To them, it was the seat of thought and reason, unlike we 'moderns', who assign these to the mind, located in the brain. Thus, the heart, to us, bears the burdens and vicissitudes of our emotions.

Regardless of where we seat these things at our inner table, we must begin with thoughts. Emotions are the beginning of all things, but to make them comprehensible, and then relatable, they must be transmitted, or handed-over, from the heart to the mind, which begins to shape and categorise them into some form that may leave the inner landscape, and enter the outer world. Having been so refined, these emotionally generated thoughts are returned to the heart, where the determination of whether-or-not to release them ~ act-upon them ~ into the world outside of ourselves is made.

Since these emotion-thoughts begin and end in the heart, why do we commence our search for ourselves in the mind? Simply put, this is the easiest point for us to access. When travelling inward, it appears as the interface between ourselves and others; hence, the first thing that we see.

What are we seeking there? The ways of our mind are the initial subject of our journey to self. Are we mostly concerned with ourselves? or others? or God? or His Church? or do we think of Him and His only a little, if at-all in our daily rounds? Our mind is largely a slave to our heart, but in those free moments, if such exist, where does the mind, of its own volition, so-to-speak, go, and why?

Begin your Lenten searching here. What do I think, and why do I think it? How does ~ or why doesn't ~ my mind consider God? How do I understand God, and His role in my life ~ what do I think of Him, and His Son, and the Holy Ghost? What is my relationship to Him? Ready ... set ... go! for the discovery of the foundation of your Lenten construct. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 January 31

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Wednesday, 31 January, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Wednesday (today): 12:10 PM, Mass, S. John Bosco, Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Ignatius, Bishop & Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Purification of the BVM, also known as Candlemass, with the Blessing of the Candles, using Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Blasius, Bishop & Martyr, with the blessing of the throats.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Sexagesima.

Due to one of those every-seven-years confluences on the Kalendar, some changes have had to be made in the usual schedule. Typically, we add Stations of the Cross to our usual rota of services every Friday, following Septuagesima (which fell last Sunday). However, with Candlemas having fallen on Friday, this year, that would stretch the services on that day to close to three hours. The decision has been made to cancel 'Stations for this week, and to begin them on Friday-next, 9 February.

Going forward, we will continue to have the Mass, with the Gregorian Canon, every Friday. Following the Mass, during Pre-Lent and Great Lent, we will walk and sing the Stations of the Cross. Once the 'Stations have been completed, we will have the 'Adoration, again as is our custom on Fridays. In this way, those who wish to attend the 'Stations won't have to wait 'til after the 'Adoration.

Over time, virtually all things change. I was listening to an online recording of a sermon by a Priest that I know, and heard him refer to Pre-Lent as Shrovetide. I'd never heard the phrase before, but it quite struck me. A quick glance at some of my reference books revealed no references to Shrovetide, but the thought has remained with me.

I suspect that it is an older English usage; therefore, worthy of some consideration. It was in this same vein that I, years-ago, began using Christ Mass rather than Christmas, holding the former to denote our religious observance, and the latter the commercial season to which it has largely devolved. Stopping short of antiquarian excesses, it is usually well for us to look-back into the earlier life of Holy Mother, the Church, to find those instances when time and tide have erased good and useful aspects.

Inasmuch the rest of our Christian Year is composed of '-tides', and despite the fact that both the Prayer Book and the Missal use the Pre-Lent terminology, I think that a change in custom may be in-order. This becomes especially appropriate when one considers the purpose of the -gesima Sundays. Thus, I pray a beneficial Shrovetide for us all, that we may profit from the wisdom and lessons taught by our Kalendar. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 January 13

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 13 January, in the year of our Lord 2024. There are several changes in the usual schedule, for this week, so read it closely.

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Octave Day of the Epiphany.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Epiphany II.
• Monday: NO SERVICES. 
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Sext (Monastic Noonday Office), S. Anthony, Abbot.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Prisca, Virgin, Soup & Study.
• Friday: 10:00 AM (a new time), Mass, Feria, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, SS. Fabian & Sebastian, Martyrs.
• Sunday: 10:00 AM only! Mass, Epiphany III, followed by Annual Parish Meeting & Potluck luncheon.

I will be making our annual candle-purchase at Peter Munley Religious Supply on Monday, so no services on that day. As the result of several requests, we'll be changing the service-time on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, this will boost attendance at those services.

Next Sunday ~ a week from tomorrow ~ is the date for our Annual Parish Meeting. We will have one Mass at 10:00 AM on that day, followed by the 'Meeting, to be held in the Nave. After the meeting, we will enjoy a potluck luncheon in the Parish Hall.

Epiphanytide is the liturgical shock-absorber of the Kalendar. The number of Sunday adjusts each year, depending-upon the date of Septuagesima, which in-turn depends-upon the date of Easter. There can never be more than six Sundays in Epiphanytide.

The Epiphany is an ancient Feast of Holy Church, attested from at-least the early Third century. It was first celebrated in the East, where it was focussed-upon the Baptism of our Lord. By the Fourth century, it was widely celebrated, and ranked with Easter and Pentecost as one of the three principal feasts of the Church. It was introduced into the Western Church in the Fourth century, where it took-on the character of the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles, in the person of the Magi.

The Roman Church has neither an Epiphanytide, nor a Trinitytide. They refer to both of these Seasons as Ordinary Time; Green is the liturgical colour for these Sundays, just as it is for us in our two Seasons. Thus, they simply count Sundays in Ordinary Time, which usually number in the low thirties each year, varying somewhat per the date of Easter, just as do ours.

We have this Season to appreciate the light of the the Christ; the innocence and grace and love that He brought into the World. All too soon, that light will dim with coming of Pre-Lent, darken with Great Lent, and, briefly, be extinguished during the Triduum. Bask in His light ~ feel the warmth of His love, for you, and for all of us. This, now, should be our only concern. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 January 3

Beloved of the Lord:

Happy New Year! (Albeit the secular year, the Christian year having commenced on Advent I). Today is Wednesday, 3 January, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Thursday (tomorrow): 6:30 PM, Mass, Octave Day of the Holy Innocents, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Vigil of the Epiphany, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Holy Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, sung Mass with incense, The Feast of the Epiphany.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Epiphany I.

'And let all things become as-new; radiant in the glory of fresh creation ... on this, the very threshold of the next year of our Earthly lives, may we first appreciate, and then give thanks for all that we have. We sometimes become so involved in the typical prayer-cycle of petition and need, that it becomes an afterthought, if we consider it at all, to give thanks to the Father for our Creation, the Son for our Salvation, and the Holy Ghost, for all of the gifts that He bestows upon us. No matter what sort of beginning we're contemplating, that is when we determine the rules of engagement, the policies of procedure, call it what you will. In any event, we have before us new start ~ let us stop, and pray, and set the tone of our worship, and of our very Christian lives for this year, now.

As-noted above, we will be having our usual course of study, tomorrow-evening. We've had a volunteer to bring the supper, so all y'all the rest of you simply come to Mass at 6:30 PM. Bring sharpened appetites and wits, and we shall see what we shall see....

Having shockingly ~ stunningly ~ already completed Adventide, we will rapidly progress into the other Seasons that exemplify, that teach the earthly life and ministry of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ. Christ-Masstide will soon end, Epiphanytide is hard-upon us, and others will follow in quick succession. Open your hearts and minds to the teachings of Holy Mother, the Church, as we take a front-row seat to the perfect example that He left for us, in all things, that we might know-, and serve Him, all the better. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 December 23

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 23 December, in the waning days of the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Sunday (tomorrow): 10:00 AM, ONE MORNING MASS ONLY, Vigil of Christ Mass, Commemorate Advent IV.
  11:00 PM, Midnight Mass of Christ Mass.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass for Christ Mass Day.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Stephen, Proto-Deacon & Proto-Martyr.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. John Evangelist.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, The Holy Innocents.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop & Martyr, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Nativity.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity.

The only changes to the Kalendar occur tomorrow, Sunday, The Vigil of Christ Mass. There will be one morning Mass, at 10:00 AM. After that Mass, we will decorate the Parish for the Christ Mass Season. At 11:00 PM, we will offer the Midnight Mass of Christ Mass.

Monday morning, at the same time assigned to Mondays as-always (10:00 AM), we will celebrate Christ Mass Day. From this point forward, the service schedule will be as-normal.

Tomorrow night, that great Light, the Light of all lights, the Light of the World, will come to us. It is perfect ~ it will light not only our path, but will illuminate our hearts and minds, our very souls, as-well. ALWAYS look towards the light. All truth, all wisdom, all needful things are to be found there, and nowhere else. Christ Jesus come to us, and with the brilliance that is thy very nature, show us the Way. In thy most holy and sacred Name, we pray. Amen.

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 December 12

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 12 December, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled service are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Conception of the BVM.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Lucy, Virgin & Martyr.
• Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's Morning Prayer & Breakfast.
  6:30 PM, Mass, Of the Octave, Soup & Study to follow.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Octave Day of the Conception of the BVM, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Eusebius, Bishop & Martyr.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Advent III, Rose Sunday.

In our current sermon series, Back to Basics, we are discussing first things ~ the fundamental aspects and acts of the Faith, from which all else flows, or upon which all is built. If we take a few steps back, and look at Advent from a greater height, it may, at-first, seem odd that we begin our Christian year with a penitential Season. Why start in darkness?

All life commences in darkness. 'Born in ocean depths, or dim caves, or conceived in light-less wombs, or pushing-up from within the sunless soil, all new life tends towards the light. We await the celebration of the birth of our Lord, of His coming with Light into the Darkness of the World.

Despite this last, our life-in-Christ begins not with birth, His coming in Light, but rather, with death, His going into Darkness. No soul was saved in the moment of His birth. All were saved, when he offered-up His earthly life, on-behalf of our eternal ones.

Thus, a penitential Season as the beginning of our Year. The deep Violet vestments, the sorrow that we feel, and seek to have forgiven, all become sensible when viewed as expressions of our regret for having necessitated the birth, which lead inevitably to the death of our Lord. As S. Paul tells us, when we die to the World, and rise to life in Christ Jesus, only then are we saved, are we joined to Him, for ever and ever, amen! I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 December 06

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Wednesday, 6 December, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Wednesday (today): 12:10PM, Mass, S. Nicholas, Bishop & Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor, with Soup & Study to follow.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Sung Mass, Conception of the BVM, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  12:00 Noon, Requiem Mass, for David Pearce Radcliffe, followed by reception, followed by Graveside Service.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, of the Octave of the 'Conception.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Advent II.

PLEASE NOTE that this Friday, the day after tomorrow, will be the Requiem for our dearly departed friend and brother, Dave Radcliffe. That service will begin at Noon. Immediately following, there will be a reception in the Parish Hall. At about 2:20 PM, those who will be attending the Graveside Service will depart the Parish for the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veteran's Cemetery, in Suffolk. Dave will receive military honours there, followed by a brief service on the part of the Church.

In the same sense that Dave is now preparing to meet his Lord, so, too, are we, through the benefit of the Season of Advent. Just as has the weather, our colours have turned dark, we being bound in our penitential Violet vestments. This is a Season in which we reflect and repent upon and for our sins. Make this work your chief occupation, now, that ye may obtain that greater reward, then. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 November 28

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 28 November, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Vigil of S. Andrew.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, the Feast of S. Andrew, Apostle & Martyr. followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Blessed Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon & Confessor, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Advent I.

Please note the monthly Requiem on the Kalendar for tonight. If you've a name, or names, which you'd like to add to those already on our list of intentions for this service, please send them to me, asap. We will then pray for the holy progress of their immortal soul(s).

With the first Sunday in Advent comes the dawning of a new year in the life of the Christ's one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. A beginning is a very important time. Sitting here, and now, it seems rather odd that we expend so much time and energy concerning pledges for Great Lent, which is also a beginning, even if only that of the end, and yet we give so little thought to doing so upon what is, for Christians, the beginning of all that truly matters, the Advent ~ coming, or arrival ~ of our Lord.

As with any spiritual endeavour, begin slowly. Seek His will, and then do it, in the form of a single change in your life for the coming year. Yes, just one. Initiate the change, and then work on perfecting, and maintaining it. Build slowly, but well.

A beginning can be many things; anything from a fresh stat to a complete reinvention. In this spirit of openness, of joy, let us consider a change in the coming, new year. It lays before us, a blank slate, awaiting the imprint of our lives upon it. Seize this moment, not for ourselves, but for Him, and what we, through prayer and fasting, will hopefully discern is His will for this dawning time, and all that will follow. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 November 13

Beloved of the Lord:

To-day is Monday, 13 November, in the year of lour Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Monday (today): 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Britius, Bishop & Confessor.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Deacon's Liturgy, Bestowal of the American Episcopate.
  6:30 PM, Holy Rosary & Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Sext.
• Thursday: NO SERVICES.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Matins.
• Saturday: NO SERVICES.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Deacon's Liturgy, Trinity XXIV.

PLEASE NOTE THE SCHEDULE CHANGES! I'll be travelling to see family; thus, the changes noted above in the schedule. Should you have a pastoral emergency, please call me, on my cellular 'phone, and I'll arrange Clergy coverage for you. 'One of the few benefits of this electronic Age....

As recently-noted, Advent will soon be upon us. One of the most frequently-asked questions concerning the Kalendar of Holy Mother, the Church, is Why is Advent a Penitential (Violet) Season? The simple answer is our sorrow for our sin.

Delving-into greater depth, specifically we mourn that our sin, our fallen ~ and yet somehow haughty ~ nature necessitated the descent of our Lord from the infinite peace and grace of the heavenly places, into this blood-stained horror of a world that we've been forging from the perfection of His original design since the very Fall itself, our expulsion from the Garden; which, despite our finest efforts, still bears elements of the grace with which He imbued it.

We dragged Him here ~ down, down, down to our level. 'Not a fate that He'd have chosen, to be sure, but neither one that He would ever refuse, being innately desirous of pleasing His Father, and completing the Father's over-arching plan of ultimate redemption ~ salvation. He became in this way, as He is in all things, perfect; the ultimate martyr, who was not captured and killed by the world, but marched straight to the gallows. He never had to be found, or tracked ~ at the appointed hour, He presented Himself for torture and death.

At this level of deeper examination, we also notice that throughout the time of physical and spiritual darkness, we are to busy ourselves in preparing for the Light. Jesus, the Christ, is coming! As such, we focus upon our sins, aiming ultimately at repenting therefrom, so that we may be rightly and duly prepared for His arrival, His Advent to this world. The Light of all Lights, the Light of the World, is near ... let us make ready for Him. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 November 7

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 7 November, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Willibrord, Bishop & Confessor.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament & sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, All Anglican Martyrs & Saints (Octave Day of All Saints).
• Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's Morning Prayer & Breakfast.
  6:30 PM, Mass, S. Theodore, Martyr, followed by soup & study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Hugh, Bishop & Confessor, using the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Martin of Tours, Bishop & Confessor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity XXIII.

Be sure to VOTE! Today, Tuesday, is Election Day. Don't fail to exercise your right as a citizen of our Great Land, and cast your vote in determining our future.

As you can see, our schedule for this week is as-per usual. Next week, there will be some variations, due to my travel. Please review that schedule closely, when it is issued. This is my usual family trip. There shouldn't be any Church travel until February of next year.

Roughly a month from now, Advent will commence, and with it, a new Christian year. Begin reflecting-upon the year just-passed, and thinking of the year to come. As-for the past, what lessons have you learned? What joys did you experience? What gifts ~ especially those of God ~ did you receive? What wounds did you suffer? What betrayals did you endure? What lessons did you learn?

In the year to come, what will you do? Who will you be? Perhaps more to the point, who will you become? Will you rise-above the hurts and injuries visited-upon you by those whom you trusted? Will you rely-upon His strength to carry you through, or participate ~ or continue to participate ~ in the delusion that you can make it through on your own? How will you better serve our Lord in the year to come, than you did in the year just concluded?

Prepareth now for the future, as it cometh, and that right soon. First your heart, then your mind, then the rest of what and who you are must be prepared, or reformed, the better to serve Him. Build in this moment, for the future that will never end. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 October 28

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 28 October, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled Services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, SS. Simon & Jude, Apostles & Martyrs.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, the Feast of Christ the King.
  Monthly Parish Brunch, following the 10:00 Mass, at County Grill.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Feria.
• Tuesday: NO MASS; Trunk-or-Treat, from 6:00 to 8:00 PM, in the Parish drive.
• Wednesday: 12:10 & 6:30 PM, Mass, All Saint's Day.
• Thursday: 12:10 & 6:30 PM, Mass, All Soul's Day; Soup & Study following 6:30 Mass.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Winifred, Virgin & Martyr, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Charles Borromeo, Bishop & Confessor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity XXII, Comm. S. Elizabeth, Mother of S. John Baptist.

Before plunging-into the usual rota, here is a note from Dave Radcliffe's family:

Dear Family and Friends,

We hope you are all well. Unfortunately, you are receiving this message because David Radcliffe, wonderful husband, father, brother, and friend passed from this life on Saturday, October 21st. There will be a funeral and grave side service forthcoming. As soon as these dates have been fixed, we will inform you. Please share this news with anyone that also knew David, and pass on any information that will help us reach as many people as possible.

Best wishes,

The Radcliffe Family

As you may've noticed, we've a busy week ahead. There will be no Services on Tuesday, 31 October, the Vigil of All Saint's, also known as All Saint's Eve, All Hallow's Eve, or Hallow E'en, crushed by the decay of grammar into Halloween. For our Second Annual Trunk and Treat, we will assemble at about 5:30 PM, to arrange our cars, start the fire, and generally set-up for the arrival of the tots. The more cars the merrier! We will be done and packed before 8:00.

On Wednesday, we will say the Mass for All Saint's twice, for those who may not be able to make the Midday Service. The same schedule will be kept for All Soul's Day, on Thursday, 2 November. PLEASE BRING THE LIST OF NAMES YOU WANT REMEMBERED AT THE MASS TO CHURCH TOMORROW! All Soul's Day is that day when we pray for all of those whom we have known and lost. If you've names not on our permanent list, please write them ~ legibly ~ down, and give them to me. We will pray for the holy progress of their soul at both Services.

All Saint's day has an early lineage in the Church, the first known mention of such a Feast occurring in S. Ephrem Syrus (d. 373). The first record of a specific date occurs in S. Chrysostom (d. 407), where it was assigned to the first Sunday after Pentecost, which date still obtains in the East. It became firmly planted in the West in the early Seventh century; the assignment of the 1 November date was under Pope Gregory III (d. 741). Its universal observance was ordered by Pope Gregory IV (d. 844); the Octave was added much later, by Pope Sixtus IV (d. 1484).

Although not known by many in the United States, where a new Prayer Book was approved in 1928, there was also an English Proposed Book of 1928. Therein, the Octave Day (8 Nov.) was assigned to the 'Saints, Martyrs, and Doctors of the Church of England'. If you read closely, you will see this reflected in our Saint Matthew's Ordo Kalendar. Perhaps this is something to which we should give greater prominence, in coming years.

All Soul's Day follows All Saint's Day, on 2 November, and was made universal by Odilo of Cluny, who, in 998, commanded its annual celebration in the Benedictine houses of his Congregation. This is one of only two days in the Kalendar when a Priest may thrice say the Mass, the other being Christ Mass. Inasmuch as the liturgical colour of the day is Black, should it fall on a Sunday, the Observance must be moved to 3 November. It has always been forbidden by Holy Church to say a Requiem Mass on a Sunday, which day is a commemoration of the Resurrection of our Lord.

Surprisingly, this Day does not occur in the 1928 BCP. To me, this has always been the more powerful, the more immediate Observance. It not only affords us an opportunity to remember, and pray for, those who we've lost, but it serves as an immediate reminder of our own mortality, this being the one aspect of humanity that, more than any other, makes us as we are. Again, bring your list of names tomorrow ~ we will pray for them, and, in so doing, pray also for ourselves. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 October 24

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 24 October, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Saints Crispin & Crispinian, Martyrs.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Blessed Alfred the Great, King & Confessor, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Vigil of Saints Simon & Jude, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Saints Simon & Jude, Apostles & Martyrs.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity XXI & Christ the King.
  Monthly Parish Brunch at County Grill following 10:00 service.

Do not forget the Parish Brunch, scheduled for this Sunday after the 10:00 service. There will be no coffee hour, and we will all depart immediately after the Mass has ended. Also, one week from today, on Tuesday, 31 October, we will have our Second Annual Trunk and Treat. We can never have too many trunks or treats, so please remember to volunteer! Sherri Fosdick will leading this event; please contact her for details, and to sign-up to serve.

It is astounding how quickly this year has passed. We will reach the Feast of Christ the King this week; in another five weeks, Advent will commence, and with it, the beginning of a new Church Year. Time flies, and carries us along with it.

As time passes, hopefully bringing many new and good things with it, we also know that time takes many, many things from us, in its inexorable flow. As you all know, Pepper passed in the beginning of July, this year. I was texting with one of my dearest Cousins, this-past week, and happened to catch her as she was at the 'vet with her dog, Dash. 'Long story short, in an unexpected developement, she had to have Dash put-down as we were texting. A few days later, another friend from out West lost her little friend, Benny. 'Just in the past few days, Linda Scharff's daughter, Malia, lost her wee Lilly Bean, of whom Giada was especially fond.

I some times suspect that our animal friends are, on the whole, closer to our Creator than are we. The random unkindnesses and cruelties that we perpetrate, the innate selfishness that we carry within us, and the host of other offenses that we regularly commit, are not practiced by them. Their love is unconditional, and, beyond this, self-sacrificing, as a rule.

The beauty and the glory that we see in the world around us, in nature, are the shards, the reflective remnants of God's intentions for how this world was to have been. So too we see His Son, not only in creation, but in these small, animal-borne responses to us. It is the Spirit that enables us to see, and to know, the essence, the primary relationships between all things, as God the Father intended them to be. As His will continues, let us pray that it be the river that eventually sweeps us along, and up, ever closer to the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and the promises they made in Creation, still present to be seen, and heard, if we but look and listen for them, some times in the innocency of those closest to us. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 October 14

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 14 October, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Callistus, Bishop & Martyr. Sunday, 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity XIX, Comm. Our Lady of Walsingham. Pastor Appreciation Luncheon to follow.
  5:00 PM, After Party.
• Monday, 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Hedwig, Widow.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Deacon's Liturgy, S. Etheldreda, Queen, Virgin, Widow, Abbess.
  6:30 PM, sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Deacon's Liturgy, S. Luke, Evangelist & Martyr.
• Thursday: NO SERVICES.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. John Cantius, Confessor, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Hilarion, Abbot.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 PM, Mass, Trinity XX.

The day has finally arrived for the Pastor Appreciation Luncheon. Mike Hardin has put much effort into this, and has been helped by several of our members. There will be only ONE MASS TOMORROW, AT 10:00. Immediately following, we will enjoy the luncheon, which is a pot-luck ~ bring your favourite dish. Drinks and dessert will be provided.

Tomorrow evening, we will have an hors d'oeuvres - wine - dessert - cheese gathering to wind-up the celebration. This will commence at 5:00 PM. Some libations will be provided, but please bring whatever drinks or food you prefer to share.

Our recent Clericus for the Clergy of the OAC was a success, with approximately twenty-five Bishops and other Clergy in-attendance. Our Retreat Topic was the Seven Sacraments. There was a different presenter for each of them.

We will be holding our Second Annual Trunk or Treat for All Hallow's Eve, in a few short weeks. This will be dependent-upon the weather, of-course. We'd quite a few visitors, last year. We will be distributing S. Matthew's bookmarks along with the sweets, this year.

Advent will soon be upon us, with Epiphany, and all of the other rites and Seasons that attend the beginning of another Christian year. We all of us must consider the changes to our prayer-life that these will engender, and the new/different foci that will arise in our spiritual lives. He is coming. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish