Anno Domini 2026 May 18

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Monday, 18 May, in the year of our Lord 2026. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Monday (today): 10:00 AM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Ascencion.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, monthly Parrish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Bernardin of Siena, Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Evensong & Holy Communion, Octave Day of the Ascencion, followed by Soup and Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Feria, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Vigil of Pentecost.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Whitsunday, commonly called Pentecost.

The only deviation from our normal schedule this week is the Mass on Saturday, for the Vigil of Pentecost. This being a major observance of the Church, we will say the full Mass therefore. Otherwise, ops normal, as they say.

As I've said previously, we are truly blessed at Saint Matthews, in that we have no internal dissensions or strifes. As is often the case, however, every blessing carries with it a risk, shall we say, of its being taken or used outside of the bounds for which it is intended. This is no less true for us than for any other.

Everyone's first duty when entering the Parrish proper is to pray. Before each service, I see people in the pews, praying to our God. This is made difficult when people are having conversations in the narthex, right outside the nave. I've no doubt that some of us have never noticed the sign, immediately above the double-doors leading to the nave. Please take a moment, the next time that you're in the Parrish, to find it, and read it.

Even worse is something that should never occur ~ conversation inside of the nave itself. This should be a place of silence. The nave ~ that portion of our building that holds the pews ~ is the second-most sacred space we have, with only the sanctuary exceeding it. Other than the liturgical responses and hymns during the Mass or service being held, there should never be any voices heard here.

All that we do, particularly at Church, is part of a progression towards God. We leave the World at the door when we enter the building. We enter the narthex, where we begin to orient ourselves towards our Lord. We enter the nave, that space immediately before the Altar, where our communication becomes spiritual, not secular; not made in words, but in prayers. Finally, we approach His Altar, where we pass into His Kingdom, His reality, leaving ~ properly done ~ all else behind. This is His path, and the noise of the World plays no part in it. I remain

in His praise,

The Rt. Rev'd T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish