All Souls Day,
Friday, November 2
Choral Requiem Mass, 7:00  p.m.
Messe de Requiem
Charles-Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921)

+   +   +

Sunday, November 4
National Time Change:
fall back one hour
Solemnity of All Saints
7:30 a.m. Morning Prayer  
8:00 a.m. Said Mass (Rite I)
9:00 a.m. Sung Mass 
11:00 a.m. Solemn High Mass 

Mass in G minor for double choir
Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958) 
and 
3:30 p.m. Stevenson High School
'Baroque & Viols' concert
4:10 p.m. Choral Evensong &
Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament
 




This Week at Ascension +  October 31, 2018

 
IN THIS NEWSLETTER

From the Rector
Also from the Rector
Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Ascension Book Group: November
The First Sunday Rosary
Fall Work Day
Sharing Lunch, Sharing Blessings
This Sunday at Ascension
Father Dunkerley Memorial Book
The Parish Prayer List
Jazz Vespers at 1st St. Paul
Approved Vestry Minutes Online
The Last Word

FROM THE RECTOR

All Souls
 
Father of all, we pray to you for those we love, but see no  longer: Grant them your peace; let light perpetual shine upon them; and, in your loving wisdom and almighty power, work in them the good purpose of your perfect will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.   Amen.
  - Book of Common Prayer, page 504
 
Dear people of Ascension,
     Ten years ago this week I woke from a dream in which my father had died. All of the grief I would ever feel about his death was compacted into a dark pulsar in my heart. A few hours after I woke my sister called: "Hey, have you heard about Dad's cancer?" I hadn't. Ten weeks later he was gone.
     You can no doubt recall some unique and poignant moments from your own losses, moments that remain deeply etched in you. And even if by now you have come through the other side of all the stages of grief, times or seasons of recollection still arise. On occasion, the mortal veil fleetingly thins. A sweet counterpoint to the loss may surprise and bless us. You stop and wonder and pray.
     All of this and more we are invited to bring to the altar, to the liturgy, to God and to one another at the All Souls Requiem. Many of you will join me in recognizing that what we share at this rite is culturally passé. You may also join me in appreciating the playful and imaginative features of Halloween as popularly celebrated. But who has retained the profound opportunities for remembering, honoring and praying for those who have gone before and blessed us? Well, we have!
     Yes, the recitation of all the names is long. But maybe you'll feel nudged to join us, even so, if you can imagine some future All Souls Requiem at which your names and mine will be on the list and read.



ALSO FROM THE RECTOR
Regarding All Souls and All Saints ...
  • All Saints Day II, Kandinsky, 1911
    The All Souls Requiem bulletins have now been printed
    and we are unable to include additional names. We will, however, allow for the naming of additional individuals during the Friday evening mass.
  • The Sunday afternoon concert by the Stevenson High School Baroque & Viols is in part a fund-raiser for the group's hoped-for trip to a music clinic in the spring. A freewill offering will be taken on Sunday afternoon. As you may know, the group is led by Ascension parishioner Enrique Vilaseco.
  • Security will be provided by an off-duty Chicago Police lieutenant both Friday evening and Sunday afternoon. I have attempted to line up this security whenever we have events at the end of the day and into the evening.
  • By recommending the 2017 Disney/Pixar movie Coco, I'm sure my sophistication rating, perhaps already at risk, will plummet. But I was recently coaxed into seeing the film. While no doubt falling short by some measures, I felt that it beautifully illustrates aspects of our (complex) relationship to the dead and what we aspire to on All Souls.  
  • You'll have a chance to remember and talk about saints and beloved souls now departed from your life at the next Sharing lunch, sharing blessings gathering, November 14. See more information below.

"All things come of Thee, O Lord; and of Thine own have we given Thee."   So began Dr. Patrick Johnston at the stewardship message he shared this past Sunday. And he continued ...
"This is often said during the blessing of those alms given during mass.  I must ask of myself, what things have come to me for which I do not give proper credit to God?  Then I must challenge myself; to what proportion do I give back to God, and in what ways?"

The entirety of Dr. Johnston's message may be read by linking here.


The pipe organ sounded great on Sunday, thanks in large part to Organist David White and his playing 'around' the instrument's numerous disabled ranks. Phase I of our organ rehab project will continue for a few more weeks, but with careful pre-planning, fine skills and a pinch of grace or luck it will be more than operable for the All Souls Requiem and on all Sundays. Here's a photo of the organ lit from within by service lights. Feel free to view other photos, from inside the instrument, I shared last week by way of this link.

We recently renewed our subscription to Forward Day by Day, a booklet published quarterly with a one-page-per-day Scripture text, brief devotion, suggested prayer and a one-line 'Moving Forward' action invitation. The present issue is for November-January and you may pick one up (pocket size or a few large print versions) on the desk in the church narthex.

A brief progress report with good news from Bazelais Sui , who for months has been here at the church for English tutoring from Sister Barbara, OSA, for four or five weekdays, every week. Bazelais sent me this heartening text message just a few hours ago!


Finally! Let there be light! In those dark caverns between the two sets of heavy metal doors that separate Wheeler Hall from the parish house hallway and the parish house hallway from St. Michael's Hall. Sexton George Panice is installing them as I write this, and says he has found an alternative to getting through the 18-inch-thick brick wall he encountered in one of the locations. Thanks, George.

COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER

Tired of sending turkeys to Springfield and Washington? Then send one to Church of the Ascension! We need many roasted turkeys and even more volunteer workers for our annual Thanksgiving Dinner for Our Neighbors on Sunday, November 18. This is a fun and meaningful outreach project to our community, and we welcome your participation. There are lots of ways to help: you can assist with set-up on Saturday, November 17 at 10:30; assist with food prep on Sunday, November 18 after mass; be a server or table host during the meal; bring a roasted, carved turkey to the church kitchen no later than 11:00 a.m. on the day of the dinner; make a financial donation to defray expenses. For more information, or to volunteer, contact  Carol Noren  or Bob Rarick .

ASCENSION BOOK GROUP


For November the Ascension Book Group will be reading
Thomas Wingfold, Curate (1876) by George MacDonald (1824-1905).  





THE ROSARY

The Rosary, led this month by George Pineda, will be prayed this Sunday, November 4, following the 11 a.m. Solemn High Mass. All are welcome.
FALL WORK DAY

Bring your garden shoes, your garden gloves and your handy garden tools to church on Saturday, November 10 to help prepare our garden for winter days ahead.  We will gather at 9:30 a.m. to begin raking leaves, removing summer plants and bulbs, trimming trees and bushes, planting spring tulips, and laying down some protective soil and mulch.  Indoor activities are also planned.  Coffee and donuts for all.  Everyone invited!  
SHARING LUNCH, SHARING  BLESSINGS

We will gather for lunch on November 14th (2nd Wednesday) after mass at 12:05.  Think lasagna!   With all the turkey emphasis in later November, something other than chicken noodle soup seems best.  And there will be veggie lasagna for those who don't eat meat.  Our theme will focus on stories of saints--saints of the church and saints you have encountered in your own life.  Come and share in this informal time together!  
THIS SUNDAY AT ASCENSION

The  Sunday Lectionary readings Schedules of Acolytes, Lectors & Ushers as well as Hymnody, Motets and Organ Voluntaries for  Sunday, November 4, 2018 may be found by clicking  here

The Lector's Pronunciation Guide may be found here .

FATHER DUNKERLEY MEMORIAL BOOK

Dear Parishioners:

Fr. Dunkerley died unexpectedly.  Do you have a memory or a picture you would like to share with his partner, Sal Martinez, and his family?  Please download the form here and send to me by All Souls Day on Nov.2nd.
I plan to compose a book to send Sal and Fr D's family.  His family was overwhelmed by the outpouring of love at his memorial.  Please respond.

Thank you
Dianne Walsh          ... PLEASE RESPOND BY FRIDAY ...
 

THE PARISH PRAYER LIST

Please remember these people in your daily prayers
Geoffrey Wainwright, Robert White, Charlene MacDougal, Fr. John Graham, Dorothy Murray, Mary Lou Devens, Doreen Finn, Ronna Case, Michael Milano, Thomas Holden, Brenton Boitse, Charley Taylor, Marlea Edinger, David Belding, Jr., August 'Augie' Alonzo, Ann Halikas, Helena Wilson, Emily Cole, Sharon Przybocki, Mthr. Judith Marie OSA, Burton Nelson, Fr. Richard Daly, James, Keith, Kenvert Samuel, Carnola Malone.

Prayers for the departed
Prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Delores Peter, aunt of DiAnne Walsh.
Prayers are requested for the repose of the soul of Robert White, father of David White.

Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord: and let light perpetual shine upon them. May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
 
JAZZ VESPERS AT 1st SAINT PAUL'S
An invitation from our Lutheran neighbors ...


APPROVED VESTRY MINUTES ONLINE

The Approved Minutes of Vestry meetings are now available online to parishioners who request the link.  If you would like Internet access to the Approved Vestry Minutes, please email the  Church Office and request the link. 
 
Once you access the web page, you can read all recent Approved Vestry Minutes.  In addition, if you click on the subscribe button at the top right, you will be given email notice whenever a new set of Approved Minutes is added. 

THE LAST WORD
All Souls
By May Sarton
 
Did someone say that there would be an end,
An end, Oh, an end, to love and mourning?
Such voices speak when sleep and waking blend,
The cold bleak voices of the early morning
When all the birds are dumb in dark November-
Remember and forget, forget, remember.
 
After the false night, warm true voices, wake!
Voice of the dead that touches the cold living,
Through the pale sunlight once more gravely speak.
Tell me again, while the last leaves are falling:
"Dear child, what has been once so interwoven
Cannot be raveled, nor the gift ungiven."
 
Now the dead move through all of us still glowing,
Mother and child, lover and lover mated,
Are wound and bound together and enflowing.
What has been plaited cannot be unplaited-
Only the strands grow richer with each loss
And memory makes kings and queens of us.
 
Dark into light, light into darkness, spin.
When all the birds have flown to some real haven,
We who find shelter in the warmth within,
Listen, and feel new-cherished, new-forgiven,
As the lost human voices speak through us and blend
Our complex love, our mourning without end.



Image: When the Morning Stars Sang Together, c. 1805, William Blake, pen and black ink, watercolor, over traces of graphite, The Morgan Library and Museum, New York.


Fr. Patrick Raymond,         praymond@ascensionchicago.org
Rector

Susan Schlough,                finance@ascensionchicago.org
Treasurer

Parish Office                      office@ascensionchicago.org