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Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
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News and events for the
week of May 29
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The Seventh Sunday of Easter: Sunday after Ascension Day
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Ascension, Giotto di Bondone (1267 - 1337) |
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Mass Setting: Missa de Sancta Maria Magdalena
Healey Willan (1880-1968)
Voluntaries: Fourth Concerto in F, G.F. Handel (1685-1759)
1. Allegro arr. William T. Best (1826-1897)
Psalm 47 – Omnes gentes plaudite Tone VII.6
Voluntary: – Concerto in F, G.F. Handel
4. Allegro
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26 May 2022 - Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord
Dear S. Stephen's Family,
We find ourselves as a nation once more going through a strange, morbid ritual which has sadly become somewhat routine. A gunman enters what should be a safe haven and takes the lives of innocent young children. The leaders of the nation make statements and point fingers -- news pundits offer their opinions -- voices shout over one another -- and yet in the midst of it, dozens of families grieve the heart-wrenching, soul-hollowing grief of losing a child. Just days before, a gunman targeted black men and women in a grocery store in Buffalo, New York.
I have searched for words in the past couple of days to provide hope and comfort, and yet none come. Lines of Scripture flash through my mind... "Jesus wept." "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted." "A voice is heard in Ramah ... Rachel weeping for her children, and she will not be comforted." On this Ascension Day, Jesus' promise to not leave us comfortless as he goes to the Father take on added poignancy.
Do not leave us comfortless, O Lord. Send your Holy Spirit to comfort and to cheer. And yet, the prophets' cry of "How long, O Lord?" are the words resonating within my own heart.
What is the Christian response to such unspeaking tragedy? Well, we pray. But the phrase "thoughts and prayers" seems also to have been hijacked by those who know not what that phrase truly means. Prayer is not simply a well-wishing to those experiencing great hardship. Prayer is communion with God -- a desire to align one's life with God's will, and a hope that the whole world will come into alignment with God's vision for all people. Prayer is entering into a relationship with God that ultimately leads to change -- a change in perspective and a change in heart, soul, and mind.
The people of Uvalde, Texas need your prayers. Pray for them, and pray for the repose of the souls of those lost. But our country certainly needs our prayers as well. I will not join the chorus of voices shouting about gun legislation - not because I do not have opinions on such matters - but because such discourses typically reduce the conversation to unhelpful talking points that simply result in each side retreating into their respective corners. One thing I can say with certainty: there is a sickness in the soul of our nation, indicated by our growing comfort with this strange liturgy that we rehearse each time this happens. We stop even being surprised by such tragedies. Last week I was at an interactive art display at the Rhode Island Convention Center when the alarm went off suddenly and doors automatically closed. Instead of a fire, my first thought was, "Is there an active shooter? Will my friend and I die in this room?" Why, why should those be the first thoughts that flood my mind in that situation? It should not be so.
I do trust in Jesus' promise to comfort us. I take comfort in the fact that God weeps with us. I do remain hopeful. The Resurrection of Christ does not allow me to give in to despair. Death has been robbed of ever having the last word. And yet the Kingdom of Heaven is far from us at times, and I pray for the coming of that Kingdom daily. I know that prayer should change people, and that there appears to be no change among our elected officials. But I will continue to pray -- and I will pray that our country will take even the smallest step forward to enact laws which will make tragedies that take place and event names like Columbine, Newtown, Parkland, Buffalo, Mother Emmanuel, Pulse Nightclub, a Las Vegas Country Music Festival, Dayton -- and now, Uvalde -- and make them synonymous with gun violence.
Our Lord ascended far above all things that he might fill all things, we are told. He ascended and returned to the Father that he might not leave us comfortless, but send us the Holy Spirit to direct and to cheer. Send us that same Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth. Come, Lord, come, and that right quickly.
Yours in the love of our Risen, Ascended, and Glorified Lord,
Fr. Benjamin +
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Sunday, May 29th is part of Commencement Weekend at Brown University. Please remember to allow yourself extra time to find parking. Use of the cobblestone drive on Sundays is encouraged, but please be mindful that first priority should be given to those with mobility challenges. |
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Summer Weekday Mass Schedule |
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Please be aware that we will go to a “Summer Schedule” once again this year between Memorial Day and Labor Day. There will be no masses on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. As a result, that means the daily masses offered are: Tuesday (noon), Thursday (noon), and Saturday (9:30 morning prayer, 10:00 mass). Sunday Mass schedule stays the same. If you have any questions or concerns about this summer pattern, please reach out to the Rector.
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Volunteers Needed
for Financial Audit
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We are in need of three more volunteers to join Muriel Jobbers and Greg DePardo to participate in the annual financial audit for the parish. This audit usually takes place in July or early August. Please reach out to Muriel at coachappro@aol.com if you have any questions. |
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Next Sunday!
Pentecost Coffee Hour
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As we were not able to hold our Annual Meeting in person on January 31st due to a COVID surge, we will formally recognize and thank in person Alison Huff for her term as Junior Warden, as well as Joy D’Ambra for her term on Vestry. We will also celebrate Richard and Robyn Noble as they prepare to move permanently to Vermont this summer. It will be a bittersweet occasion, but please come so you can express your gratitude for the ways these folks have all served our parish over many years.
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Coming This Fall:
Introduction to Christian Meditation
Be still and know that I am God. (Ps. 46.10)
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This six-week course will provide an opportunity for those interested in finding out about Christian Meditation to experience the practice in a small group, to learn about its origins, and to discover its relevance as a form of prayer for the contemporary world. The course will begin the latter part of September. (Details TBD) All are welcome – parishioner, student, seeker. For more information contact Zulie Catir at zulette.catir@verizon.net or (401) 439-4597. |
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“Make Up”
Confirmations & Receptions
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On Saturday, June 25th, Bishop Knisely will be at S. Stephen’s for confirmations and receptions for those who were unable to attend Mass on January 9th due to COVID. There will be no Morning Prayer that morning preceding the 10:00 Low Mass. All are welcome!
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Office Closed for
Long Memorial Day Weekend
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Please be advised that the church office will be closed Friday, May 27 and Memorial Day, Monday, May 30th. Additionally, the Rector is away Ascension day through Memorial Day. If there is a pastoral emergency, please contact him on his cell phone and he will connect with you one of our assisting priests. |
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This Coming Week at S. Stephen's |
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This Sunday 29 May
The Seventh Sunday of Easter: Sunday after Ascension Day
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sunday School 9:55 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Coffee Hour 11:30 am
Brown Commencement Exercises in Church Nave 2:00 pm
Monday 30 May
Memorial Day
SUMMER MASS SCHEDULE BEGINS
No Evening Prayer or Low Mass
Tuesday 31 May
The Visitation of the
Blessed Virgin Mary
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00
Wednesday 1 June
Justin, Martyr at Rome, c. 167
no Evening Prayer or Low Mass
Thursday 2 June
The Martyrs of Lyons, 177
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00
Friday 3 June
The Martyrs of Uganda, 1886
no Noon Mass
Saturday 4 June
Feria
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Holy Rosary 10:30 am
Society of Mary 10:45 am
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 – 4:00 pm
(meals handed out at door only)
Next Sunday 5 June
THE DAY OF PENTECOST
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Last Sunday School 9:55 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Coffee Hour 11:30 am
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Prayers have been requested for: Charles and Sandra Calverley, Fr. Norman Catir, Trudy Egan, Davidson Garrett, Fr. Harrington Gordon, Richard Hogarth, Andrew Oliver, Bryan Ripley, Rhoda Steinhart, Louis Verdelotti, Fr. Allan Warren, and Christopher Whittingham.
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: William Justice Cowperthwaite (6/1); Rosamond Hine (6/3); Cameron Duke Stebbins (6/4).
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Church of South India (United)(5/29); The Diocese of Lucknow – The (united) Church of North India (5/30); The Diocese of Lui – The Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (5/31); The Diocese of Lusaka – The Church of the Province of Central Africa (6/1); The Lusitanian Church – Extra Provincial to the Archbishop of Canterbury (6/2); The Diocese of Luweero – The Church of the Province of Uganda (6/3); The Diocese of Northern Luzon – Philippines (6/4). In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we are asked to pray for those who have died in service to our country.
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You can mail your pledge card or weekly/monthly offering to the church office, or pledge online here. Thank you for all the many ways in which you are already supporting S. Stephen’s.
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