Dear faithful people of Saint Peter’s Church:
It’s popularly called “Candlemas” because of the liturgy includes worshipers lighting and extinguishing candles, taking off from the words “A Light to enlighten the nations” which we’ll hear in the Gospel. This Sunday, February 3, is the 40th day after Christmas. The event commemorated is Jesus’ presentation in the Temple and the songs of Simeon and Anna. This is a beautiful liturgy, one of my favorites, and brings to a solemn end the Church’s celebration of Christ’s incarnation.
On Saturday, February 2, we give thanks to God for the life and faith of Jim Burt and place his cremains in our Columbarium during a Mass of the Resurrection at 11:00 a.m. A reception will follow.
Our liturgies settle into ordinary “after the Epiphany” simplicity through the month of February and conclude as we celebrate the Last Sunday after the Epiphany — Transfiguration. In memory of and thanksgiving for the life of Philip Lange, our choir will be singing Handel’s “The Lord is my light” at the 11:00 a.m. mass that day, March 3. Ash Wednesday and the holy season of Lent begins on March 6.
Beginning Wednesday, February 6 and continuing each Wednesday through February 27, our 6:00 p.m. Mass for Peace will be followed by a communal meal and discussion of the Mission Site Profile which must be prepared to begin the process of calling a new pastor. While I cannot take part in those discussions, I can urge you to watch for details and to adjust your schedule so that you can take part in this process, which is the final step before appointing a call committee.
During these bitter cold days, many of our homeless parishioners sleep in our 54th street vestibule. We’ve also arranged for hot coffee to be available for them and we are allowing for them stay in our Narthex during the day.
- Work on our chapel, pending some final approvals (mainly from Landmarks) should begin any day now.
- Work on the Lexington Avenue planters which will waterproof them and provide better outdoor seating is proceeding as planned.
- Work on the Lexington Avenue sidewalk and upper areas of the outdoor plaza is expected to be completed in the next two weeks, after which all barriers in the plaza and on the sidewalk will be removed.
Saint Peter’s new website is up and running and tickets for the Good Friday (April 19) Noon to 3:00 p.m. liturgy, which this year features J.S. Bach’s SAINT JOHN PASSION, will be available on our website as of February 1.
Peace and Courage!
