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Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
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News and events for the
week of May 15
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The Fifth Sunday of Easter |
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Mass Setting:
Petite Messe Pastorale
Henri Sauguet (1901-1989)
Voluntary: Pastorale
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974)
Psalm 145:1-9
chant: Thomas Sanders Dupuis (1733-1796)
Anthem: Set me as a seal upon thine heart
David Conte (b.1955)
Voluntary: Esquisses Byzantines
10. Carillon "Tu es petra"
Henri Mulet (1878-1967)
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Dear Friends,
This Sunday our Collect has us pray in the words of John's Gospel that we may know Jesus to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It is another one of the great "I am" statements we hear in Eastertide, together with "I am the Good Shepherd" and "I am the True Vine."
Jesus's self-revelation as Way, Truth, and Life comes during the Last Supper discourse in response to a very earnest (but somewhat naive?) question from Thomas, as Jesus prepares them for his departure. Thomas essentially asks "This place where you are going? How can we follow you there?" Of course, Thomas cannot go where Jesus is going, but for those of us left upon earth in the course of our mortal lives, there are indeed ways to follow in the steps of Jesus until the day we shall see him as he is.
He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and as our Gospel reading this Sunday will remind us, the primary manner in which we follow those footsteps is in obeying the New Commandment to love one another as he loved us. By this will the world know that we are his disciples.
Last night I attended the institution of Fr. Kevin Beesley, the new Rector of our sister parish St. John's in Newport. It was a joyous occasion, and it reminded me of my own installation just several months ago back on Michaelmas. Just as Bishop Knisely in his sermon sought to recall us to some of the original, foundational aspects of the Tractarian or Anglo-Catholic movement, last night's preacher sought to underscore the aspects of revival and renewal that were also hallmarks of the golden age of Anglo-Catholicism.
While the label "Anglo-Catholic" rightly describes a style of worship and sacramental life, and certainly a particular theological outlook, I could not help but think last night that the calls for renewal, evangelism, and "getting back to our roots" are needed in every church in Christendom. They are needed in every corner of the Anglican Communion and the Episcopal Church. Every Christian is called to worship Jesus in the tabernacle as well as minister to him in the streets. Every Christian is called to see the holy breaking into the ordinary. The Church and her members are called at all times, in word and action, to point to the one who is himself the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
I met a Roman Catholic priest at last night's installation who was explaining the term Anglo-Catholic to another Roman Catholic in attendance. Perhaps risking being somewhat forward, I quipped that the Romans didn't have a monopoly on catholicity, despite some claims to the contrary. To be my great delight, my new Roman Catholic friend quite agreed. While we have our own distinct ecclesial identities, even within the Episcopal fold, I am more and more convinced that the distinctions and labels we create are becoming less helpful, and do not serve to advance the great mission of the Church in the present age. We will not see organic reunion with the Church of Rome nor the Orthodox Churches in my lifetime; but I still live in hope that we may one day live into the vision and prayer of Jesus in John's Gospel, that we may all be One as he and the Father are one. Until then, let us continue in the Way, the Truth, and the Life, pointing always to him, and him crucified and risen.
Faithfully
Fr. Benjamin +
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Funeral Mass for Leonard Gaucher |
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The funeral mass for our beloved Len Gaucher, a parishioner for many decades, will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, May 14th. In sure and certain hope of the Resurrection, our prayers continue to ascend for the repose of his soul, as well as for his daughter Sara. |
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Rescheduled! Bethlehem Artworks |
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We are certainly glad that after a last minute cancellation last week, Bethlehem Art Works can come this Sunday.
Beautiful hand-made olive wood religious articles made by Christian families in Bethlehem and Jerusalem will be on sale the weekend of May 8th after all services. Bethlehem Artworks is an organization that provides assistance to over 100 suffering families each week.
Hand made rosaries, statues, crosses and nativities will make wonderful presents for family and friends; or an opportunity to add a beautiful hand carved religious item for your home to be cherished through generations.
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Parish Survey Forthcoming |
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Please watch your inboxes in the next week or so for a parish survey from the Stewardship Committee. More information forthcoming. |
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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. |
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Mark your calendars!
Two Important Dates
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As was announced in January, our esteemed James Busby will be stepping down from his duties at S. Stephen’s at the end of June. Please mark your calendars for two important dates on which we will celebrate and acknowledge his invaluable service, dedication, and accomplishments over the past 29 years of our parish life. On Sunday, May 22, we will have a special reception after Solemn Mass in the Guild Hall to celebrate and toast Maestro Busby.
On Sunday, June 19, the Feast of Corpus Christi, James will play and conduct his final liturgy at S. Stephen’s. Please make every effort to be in attendance for both of these significant days in the life of S. Stephen’s Church. A special “purse” is being collected to present to Mr. Busby as a token of our gratitude and appreciation for all he has done. Please send checks to the office or place in the offering plate with a memo for “Busby purse.” There is also an online giving option on our Vanco platform for this special collection.
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This Coming Week at S. Stephen's |
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May 15 – The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8:00 am
Sunday School 9:55 am
Solemn Mass 10:00 am
Coffee Hour (Guild Hall) 11:15 am
Monday 16 May
Feria
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Tuesday 17 May
Feria
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00 pm
Wednesday 18 May
Feria
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6:00 pm
Thursday 19 May
Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 988
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00 pm
Friday 20 May
Alcuin, Deacon, and Abbot of Tours, 804
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00 pm
Saturday 21 May
Feria
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Monthly Low Requiem Mass 10 am
(Guild of All Souls)
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 – 4:00 pm
(meals handed out at door only)
Next Sunday 22 May
The Sixth Sunday of Easter
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Sunday School 9:55 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Luncheon Celebration of James Busby 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, Fr. Allan Warren, and Christopher Whittingham.
Birthdays this week: Beth Shirley (5/15); Noah Butler-Rose (5/19); Andrew Grover (5/20).
The faithful departed: Recently Departed: Leonard Gaucher.
Year’s Mind: Janice Dobson (5/19); Tyrone Gene Gingrich (5/19); Allen Burnett Williams (5/20); Henry Butler (5/20); Royal Martin Disley (5/21).
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Scottish Episcopal Church (5/15); The Diocese of Liverpool – The Church of England (5/16); The Diocese of Liwolo – The Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (5/17); The Diocese of Llandaff – The Church in Wales (5/18); The Missionary Diocese of Lodwar – The Anglican Church of Kenya (5/19); The Diocese of Lokoja – The Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) (5/20); The Diocese of Lomega – The Province of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan (5/21). In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer we are asked to pray for Diocesan Council, Standing Committee, and those who serve on our diocesan governing committees.
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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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