The Epistle

St. Paul's Anglican Church | Iglesia San Pablo

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

THE SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST

September 24, 2023

Dear George,

A very sad last week, with the death of John O'Malia, of Claudia Vogt Stuart, and of Rosie Stokes' mother, Martha Ventura.

John O'Malia's funeral will be held Monday September 18th at 4pm with a dinner reception following.

As Claudia died in Germany while undergoing treatment for leukemia, no Liturgy is currently planned. Claudia leaves behind her husband Bruce, suffering lymphoma, and her 12 year old son, Danny. Those willing to provide a meal now and again are asked to contact the parish office.

Our Assistant Priest, Father Miguel Rangel+ has a new e-address at: PadreMiguelSMA@gmail.com

Administrative Assistant, Claudia Rangel's, new office address is:

StPaulManagementSMA@gmail.com 

Currently, some of Bruce Stuart's art is on display in the parish hall. Bruce, originally from Bermuda, is hoping to sell more of his art to defer the costs of his own lymphoma treatment, and the support of their son Danny. A link to Bruce's art my be found HERE

Upcoming Events:

Special Ensemble Fundraising Concert: Angie Guitierrez and family have significant medical expenses accruing for her mother's treatment, and the Ensemble under direction of Xavier Hernández and with the Rector's permission to hold a benefit concert 6pm September 22, 6pm to 7:15pm, 300pesos at the door, with prior tickets also available at the Biblioteca or in the Parish Office. Advance patrons welcome.

Blessing of the Animals: Sunday October 1st, Mass on the Grass at 5pm

Iconography Art Studio Visit: Monday October 2nd 4pm - 6pm. Wine and cheese. 100MX + 100MX for raffle benefiting a charity.

Bluegrass Mass: 10:15am with Rob Ramsey! (see below)

2nd Annual Dolores Hildalgo Catrina Factory outing: Thursday October 26 at 9:30am (see below).

Remembrance Day Liturgy: Saturday November 11 at 10:30am (see below).

Episcopal Visitation for Confirmation and Reception: Sunday November 12. One bilingual Liturgy only this day at 10:15am. (See below).

Men's Retreat: A pre-Advent overnight Men's Retreat or December 1 and 2. Specifics pending. Sign-up presently available in the Parish Hall.

To join 'ST PAULS SAN MIGUEL NEWS' Whatsapp site for parishioners and friends, for the sharing of announcements, news and prayer requests. Ask webmaster Eric Fash to add you: ericfash@gmail.com

Grace and peace,

GFW+

EL GRITO and MEXICAN INDEPENDENCE DAY

Celebrated at St. Paul's Friday September 15, with losts of food, drinks (Pepe brought pulque!), mariachi, karoke...and hats! ¡VIVA MÉXICO!

TWICE MONTHLY THURSDAY EUCHARISTS AT LOS LABRADORES

New beginning for Labradores service

This Thursday, September 21, and the first and third Thursday of each month, Canon Frank Hebert will be leading a service in the chapel of Rancho Los Labradores. Rancho Los Labradores is about 13 kilometers from San Miguel and is home to a nursing care facility as well as over 100 homes and condominiums.

A few volunteers will be needed to share in this ministry -- to take part in this service by reading the scripture, leading the Prayers of the People, and assisting as necessary. 

If you are interested in helping out, please call Canon Frank at 55 2967 3819 or contact him by email at fnhebert@gmail.com...

DEAR ST PAUL'S READERS AND FRIENDS:

Our next book club meeting is Thursday September 21 at 11am in the Parish Hall. We will be discussing Circe by Madeline Miller. Based on ancient Greek mythology yet up-to-date and contemporary in its style and characterizations, this novel traces the lif of the formidable sorceress of The Odyssey. Over the course of this novel, Circe crosses paths with many of the most famous figues in all of mythology, including the messenger god Hermes, the Minotaur, Daedalus and his doomed son Icarus, the murderous Medea and wily Odysseus. An epic story of family rivalry, palace

intrigue, love and loss, it is at the same time the story of a powerful and

indomitable woman. Whether you’ve been to a book club meeting before or not,

you are very welcome. During book club convener and discussion leader Susan

Robinson’s absence in September, discussion will be led by Father Frank Hebert.

He can be reached at fnhebert@gmail.com.

ICONOGRAPHY STUDIO VISIT

October 2, 4pm - 6pm

The Social Committee has arranged for a tour of Mary Jane Miller and Valentin Gomez' Studion from 4pm to 6pm Monday October 2nd. This is the first time Mary Jane and Valentin have opened their studio to the public.

Mary Jane Miller and Valentin Gomez are accomplished artists, and well known to us at St Paul's. Our baptismal font area is adorned with an icon of Christ's baptism by St. John Baptizer (a gift to the parish from the Rector) the image of Christ above our votive candles (a gift from Mary Jane Miller) our Stations of the Cross (donated by Jane McGinnis) and seasonal icons from the couple adorn our Chapel. (You may not know that some Chapel icons are available for purchase!)

The artists will offer a short show and tell with Q & A to follow, accompanied by drinks and hors de oeuvres. The visitation is 100MX with 100MX for a raffle benefitting a local charity.

Silent meditation accompanies this ancient tradition and creative process. Icons are biblical stories and images whispered in hushed tones and have been reflected on for centuries. With every stroke, this couple celebrates through artistic alchemy., Some of their collection has been shown on the walls of the church and in many places in the U.S.. Now is your opportunity to see up close the place these beautiful icons are created; the vibrant colors used, and authentic attempts to keep the practice and prayer alive. 

Classic Iconography: www.SanMiguelIcons.com

Books for Purchase: Lulu.com

Workshops: www.SacredIconRetreat.com

Modern Iconography: www.MillerIcons.com

THE LAST CHANCE BAND

October 15 Bluegrass Mass at St. Paul's

Mike Duncan (mandolin), Rob Ramsey (banjo), John Jessup (guitar), and Bill Kavanagh (bass)

DIA DE LAS MUERTOS ALTAR 2022. What shall appear in 2023? Bring photos of your beloved dead.

EPISCOPAL VISITATION: CONFIRMATION AND RECEPTION

November 12 at 10:15am

Our Bishop, +Alba Sally Sue Hernández Garcia, will join us to administer the (of Confirmation and Reception on 12 November. There will be one bilingual Liturgy only that day.

One prepares for Confirmation by reading and meeting for conversation with the Clergy to better understand the practice of Christianity within the Anglican Communion. Confirmation is considered the adult affirmation of one's baptismal vows. All baptized Christians should, in Anglican expression, move to receive the Sacrament of Confirmation.

Reception is the process by which a person who has already been Confirmed into a branch of the Church in the Apostolic Succession (Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Swedish Lutheran) are regularized into the Anglican Communion. Their previous Confirmation is valid. Reception is a determination to practice the Faith in the Anglican branch of Christian expression.

The ten who have expressed interest are all Spanish speakers, hence:

Las clases de preparación para confirmación y recepción, comenzaran el próximo miércoles 13 de septiembre. Las sesiones se llevarán a cabo vía WhatsApp sobre el libro “Anden en Amor” A través de video explicativos que realizarán los padres: Adrián, Antonio y Miguel. Esto para facilitar que todos puedan tener acceso a la información de las clases en horarios que les favorezcan. Las preguntas que les surjan pueden ser compartidas en el grupo o de manera personal con el padre Miguel Rangel.

Confirmation and reception classes. Will begin next Wednesday, September 13. Classes will be held, by the Priests: Adrián, Antonio and Miguel via WhatsApp. Through videos made according to the book “Walking in Love” This is to make it easier for everyone to have access to preparation information at times that favor them. The questions that arise can be shared in the WhatsApp group or personally with Father Miguel Rangel.

THE SECOND ANNUAL CATRINA FACTORY VISIT

Join Kathy Lapsys for a trip to the Catrina Factory and then out to lunch at Vicente’s Carnitas in Dolores Hildalgo.

9:30, meet in front of Vista Antigua (corner of the Libermiento and Independencia) and park your car on Independencia.

We will car pool to Dolores, visit the Catrina Factory and then have lunch at your expense at Vicente’s Carnitas, Norte.

If you can drive, please let me know.

Thursday, October 26 th , 9:30 am

Kathy may be reached at: mklapsys@gmail.com

The Sermon for Pentecost Sixteen (Track Two), September 17 may be viewed HERE

The appointed lessons for September 24, may be viewed HERE

Lecturas para la Misa del de septiembre, (track dos) estan AQUI

Sandra Orellena's Cookbook, comprised of many parishioner recipes, is available for purchase at: https://a.co/d/5EDJrSx

A portion of the proceeds of each copy goes to St. Paul's.

BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS

Sunday October 1st

5pm Mass On The Grass

The Sunday nearest the Feast of St. Francis October 4

The final Alborada disfile/parade forms in front of St. Paul's the morning of October 1st, comprised of locally identifying indigenous groups, and folk from far-flung parts of Mexico. It is a wonder to behold, though, unfortunately, it renders access to St. Paul's untenable and necessitates one of two Sundays annually when we must cancel morning Eucharist (the other being 'Los Locos'). However, we will worship together October 1st once the parade dissipates, at 5pm with Mass On The Grass and the annual Blessing of the Animals.

All manner of creatures welcome!

REMEMBRANCE DAY LITURGY

(Armistice and Veterans Day)

ST. PAUL'S CHURCH

10:30am

November 11, 2023

WOMEN'S SPIRITUALITY GROUP

Meetings are generally the first Saturday of each month at 10AM - 11:30 in the parish Church. Our facilitator, Sally Zedillo, may be reached at

newtoliver@yahoo.com

ST PAUL'S BEREAVEMENT GROUPS: Edna Marta Hamill, thanatologist and bereavement counselor, leads groups in English and in Spanish. The pain of loss can be overwhelming, but there are healthy ways to learn to cope and heal. The groups are free of charge and occur in the conference room Tuesdays 4 - 5:30pm in Spanish and 5:30 - 6:30pm in English. The group is suspended until September.

James Akers

Gail Baker

Virginia Barron (hospice care)

Steve Clark (broken leg))

Patricia Corr (terminal cancer, Matt Stokes Mum)

Diana Rosario Rangel Cruz (lymphoma)

Tony Faught

Linda Gilmer (Jeff Spears Aunt)

Lynne Gleason

Dorothy Glenn

Mireille Grovier

José Guadalupe

Phil Hawes

Juliete Heatherton

The Herold Family (bereaved)

Mike Lapsys

Maria del Carmen Leon (surgery recovery)

Tim Noel Marinello

Marni McGee

David Miller

Christian Olson

Madre Karen O'Malia+ and family (bereaved)

Francisco Ortíz

Father Jeff Sells+

Marion Stamp

Danny Stuart (bereaved)

Bruce Stuart (lymphoma and bereaved)

Rosalba Suárez (leukemia)

Rosie and Matt Stokes (bereaved)

Pamela Summers

Jaye Truax (hospice care...Frederick Appell's cousin)

Stephanie Watt

Canon Woodward (tailbone treatment)

REQUIESCANT IN PACE

Robert Herold

Marty Garfinkle

John Patrick O'Malia (Madre Karen's husband)

Martha Ventura (Rosie Stoke's mother)

Claudia Vogt Stuart (Bruce Stuart's wife)

V

MEN'S GROUP

Mark your calendars: A pre-Advent Men's Retreat with the Rector and the Assistant priest will occur December 1st and 2nd, 2023

Meeting on the outside back quad of the campus at 10:00am Wednesdays and open to all men, is a group dedicated to discussion and shared prayer.

contact Conor at: conortk@gmail.com