Saint Stephen's Church
in Providence
News and events for the
week of June 5
The Day of Pentecost:
Whitsunday
Mosaic of the Descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost,
Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, DC
(picture taken by Fr. Benjamin on May 29, 2022)
Kalendars
Music of the Mass
Mass Setting:
Missa in Festo Pentecost Super Cantilenam Komm Heiliger Geist
Georg Phillip Telemann (1681-1767)
Sanctus and Agnus Dei, G dur
Jan Dismas Zelenka (1679-1745)

Voluntary: Praeludium and Fuga in G, BWV 541,
J. S. Bach (1685-1750)

Motet: Loquebantur variis linguis
Don Fernando de las Infantas (1534 - c. 1610)

Voluntary: Pièce d’Orgue, BWV 572
J. S. Bach
From the Rector
Dear Friends,

There is undoubtedly much heartbreak in the world. Last week I reflected on the tragic, unthinkable killing of elementary school children and teachers in Uvalde, Texas. Since then, several more mass shootings have occurred. It is enough to make one despair.

But into the midst of the brokenness of the world, we are called to proclaim the Good News of Christ, who came so that we might be saved from all those things which seek to corrupt and destroy the creatures of God.

Even as some mourned last weekend, others celebrated graduation from university, and others were married; some undoubtedly celebrated births, even as others prepared to bury loved ones. Even as a war rages in Ukraine, the world seems to be collectively pausing to celebrate Queen Elizabeth's 70 years on the British throne, regardless of political persuasions or citizenship.

In short, life is complex and varied. One of the gifts of the liturgical year is that it keeps us from looking inward only, and from letting our own personal feelings and current outlooks determine how worship will be conducted.

This Sunday marks the end of the Great Fifty Days of Easter on which we celebrate the great feast of Pentecost -- the Descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Disciples, and thus the birth of the Church. It is the Spirit which proceeds between the Father and the Son, the Church being his Body. It is the Spirit that makes possible the worship and sacramental life of the Church. It is the Spirit that bestows upon us new life, and unites us with Christ in his saving death and resurrection.

In the Sundays leading up to this feast, and on the day of Ascension, we hear in our liturgies the phrase "Do not leave us comfortless, but send us the saving help of your Holy Spirit." The Spirit is indeed described as a Comforter in Scripture, and the Psalmist prays that God would send forth his Spirit and renew the face of the earth.

If ever there was a time to pray to not be left comfortless, but to experience the power of the Holy Spirit, it is now. If ever there was a time for God to send forth his Spirit and renew the face of the earth, it is now. Even as we look upon God's creation and see the places of brokenness we are still called to trust in this promise of new birth and possibility, and to take comfort, hope, and -- dare I say, joy -- from that promise.

So come Sunday and rejoice in the descent of the Holy Spirit. Take comfort that it dwells in and among us, equipping us with the gifts for ministry. (Come and experience the small joy of knowing that parking will be much easier the next few months now that the Spring semester and Commencement are past!) Come and give thanks for the profound joy that is the life of faith, sustained by the Holy Spirit in God's good grace.

Faithfully,
Fr. Benjamin +
Parish Survey is here! Link below
On this feast of Pentecost we will hear that there are many varieties of gifts but that it is the same Spirit who inspires and unites them all. What a perfect time to share the survey that the Stewardship Committee has created as we re-think the ways in which we approach stewardship.

Stewardship is of course not just how we allocate our financial gifts, but our gifts of time and talent as well. Please take a moment to fill out this short survey as we work together to discern how best to both use your gifts and engage your interests. Please click HERE to take the survey. Your answers will be very helpful as we chart the course of the next year together in parish life and ministry.
Summer Weekday Mass Schedule
Please be reminded that we have gone 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.
Volunteers Needed
for Financial Audit
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.
This Sunday!
Pentecost Coffee Hour
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.
Coming This Fall:
Introduction to Christian Meditation
Be still and know that I am God. (Ps. 46.10)
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.
“Make Up”
Confirmations & Receptions
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!
This Coming Week at S. Stephen's
This Sunday 5 June
THE DAY OF PENTECOST: Whitsunday
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Last Sunday School 9:55 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Coffee Hour 11:30 am

Monday 6 June
Feria
no Evening Prayer or Low Mass
 
Tuesday 7 June
The First Book of Common Prayer, 1549
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00
 
Wednesday 8 June
Feria
no Evening Prayer or Low Mass
 
Thursday 9 June
Columba, Abbot of Iona, 597
Noonday Prayer & Low Mass 12:00
 
Friday 10 June
Ephrem of Edessa, Syria, Deacon, 373
no Noon Mass
 
Saturday 11 June
Saint Barnabas the Apostle
Morning Prayer 9:30 am
Low Mass 10 am
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 – 4:00 pm
(meals handed out at door only)
 
Next Sunday 12 June
Trinity Sunday
Morning Prayer & Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass & Te Deum 10 am
Coffee Hour 11:30 am
For your Prayers
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.
Birthdays this week: Jane Malone (6/8); Carol Julien (6/11).
Anniversary of Ordination to the Diaconate:
Fr. Benjamin P. Straley (6/10); Fr. Norman J. Catir, Jr. (6/11);
Fr. Andrew W. Mead (6/11).
The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Arria Sargent Huntington (6/7); Maxine Faith Bontrager (6/7); Peter C. Barnes (6/10).
In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Anglican Church of Southern Africa (6/5); The Diocese of Lweru – The Anglican Church of Tanzania (6/6); The Missionary Area of Macau – Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui (6/7); The Diocese of Machakos– The Anglican Church of Kenya (6/8); The Diocese of Madhya Kerala –The (united) Church of South India (6/9); The Diocese of Madi-West Nile –The Church of the Province of Uganda (6/10); The Diocese of Madras –The (united) Church of South India (6/11). In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Church of the Holy Spirit, Charlestown; Grace Church, Providence; St. Columba’s, Middletown; and St. Barnabas, Warwick.

Giving to St. Stephen's
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.