THE THIRD SUNDAY OF EASTER | APRIL 14, 2024

The Supper at Emmaus. From a French Picture Bible, c. 1190-1200.

Dear Friends,

The hope of the Resurrection has taken on greater poignancy and urgency for our parish community in the past week. I trust you will have seen the pastoral notice that went out on Wednesday that informed you that our brother Bruce Lennihan died peacefully at home on Tuesday morning. Frankly, I am still finding it hard to imagine not seeing Bruce in the very back of the church as usher, and his presence will be greatly missed. While we rejoice that he is in the nearer presence of Our Lord, the very bonds of Christian friendship we share naturally bring great sorrow when one we love is parted from us in death.

That is why, as I said on Easter morning, the very real Resurrected Body of Jesus is so important. It shows us what God intends to do for us as well at the General Resurrection of the Dead. In our Gospel reading this Sunday, Jesus invites the stunned disciples to literally handle his body -- to touch his wounded hands and feet. As if to convince them that they're really not seeing a ghost, he somewhat playfully asks them for a piece of broiled fish to eat. His Resurrection is in no way a metaphor or symbol for his ongoing presence among the community of believers.

There is more information about Bruce's funeral mass below. One final word about Sunday morning at the church: we've had an unusually busy week at Saint Stephen's as we've hosted a Brown Opera production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which has been performed a past few nights. While we trust they will do their best to "load out" Saturday night, it is possible that one or two quirky things may be out of place Sunday morning, but we will have it back to "normal" as quickly as possible.

See you at Mass.

Yours in the Love of our Risen Lord,

Fr. Benjamin +

Join us this Sunday, April 14th for our Eastertide Solemn Evensong & Benediction at 4 pm! The S. Stephen's Schola Cantorum will sing George Dyson's setting of the Evening Canticles in D major alongside Samuel Sebastian Wesley's anthem, Blessed be the God and Father. The service will be preceded by an Organ Recital at 3:30 pm played by Peter Berton, founding Executive Director of the Choir School of Newport County and Chapel Organist of St. George's School, Middletown. A festive reception follows in the Guild Hall!

Bruce P. Lennihan of Wrentham, MA passed away on April 9, 2024, surrounded by his loving family.

Bruce was born in Queens, NY on August 17, 1943, to the late Everett and Ellen (Palmer) Lennihan.

Raised in New York City, Bruce attended Richmond High School and St. Peter’s College. He had a beautiful tenor voice and was selected to sing in the New York All City Choir under the direction of Peter Wilhousky. In addition to his love of choral and classical music, Bruce was a bus and train enthusiast. His passion for transportation led to a successful career as a Director of Marine Chartering for several oil companies.

He was a devoted member of St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church serving on the vestry, soup kitchen board, and as the lead usher. He was a member of the Massachusetts Bay Railroad Enthusiasts Club and the Motor Bus Society. Bruce and Sharon also donated much time and resources to the King Philip Music program.

To know and associate with Bruce was a joy and privilege. He never spoke an unkind word. Bruce had a quick wit, a gentle soul, an optimistic viewpoint, and a serving heart. He will be sorely missed.

Bruce is survived by his loving wife of nearly 54 years, Sharon (Kench) Lennihan, daughter Michelle and her husband Dr. Benjamin Monson, son-in-law Brant Firestone and his partner Rosie Barrett, and grandchildren Neal, Graham, Ellie, Kiersten, Nolan, and Wren.

Bruce was preceded in death by his daughter Jeannine Lennihan Firestone.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend visiting hours on Friday, April 19, 2024, from 4 PM-7 PM in the R.J. Ross Funeral Home 135 South Street, Wrentham, MA. A funeral Mass will be held in his honor on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 10 AM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church Providence, RI. Burial will follow at Wrentham Center Cemetery, 58 Dedham Street at 2 PM.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bruce’s name may be made to Epiphany Soup Kitchen and sent to St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, 114 George Street Providence, RI, 02906.

Easter 3 | April 14

Morning Prayer & Low Mass | 8 am

Solemn Mass| 10 am

Coffee Hour | 11:20 am

Organ Recital: Peter Berton | 3:30 pm

Solemn Evensong & Benediction | 4 pm

Reception | 5 pm

Tuesday | April 16

Eastertide Feria

Noonday Prayer | 12 pm

Low Mass | 12:10pm

Wednesday | April 17

Eastertide Feria

Evening Prayer & Holy Communion | 6:30 pm

Young Adults Fellowship Dinner | 7:15 pm

Thursday | April 18

Eastertide Feria

Noonday Prayer | 12 pm

Low Mass | 12:10pm

Friday | April 19

St. Alphege

Archbishop of Canterbury and Martyr, 1012

Noonday Prayer | 12 pm

Low Mass | 12:10pm

Saturday | April 20

Eastertide Feria

Solemn Requiem Mass for Bruce Lennihan | 10 am

Easter 4 | April 21

Morning Prayer & Low Mass | 8 am

Solemn Mass with Holy Baptism | 10 am

Coffee Hour | 11:20 am

For Your Prayers

Prayers have been requested for: James Busby, Charles Calverley, Fr. Norman Catir, Ann Dake, Trudy Egan, Fr. Harrington Gordon, Katherine Hayslip, Laura Kline, Sharon Lloyd Clark, Sandy MacKenzie-Murdoch, Beverly Myers, Mabel Nimmo, Althea Norgriff, Daniel, Sarah Plunkett, Bryan Ripley, Julie Schultz, Adam Schneider, Rhoda Steinhart, Tammy Tinsley, Louis Verdelotti, Christopher Whittingham, Jeremy & Dyllis Wiening, Maida Williams.

Birthdays: Rhoda Steinhart (4/16), Barbara Osborne (4/20).

The Faithful Departed: Recently Departed: Bruce Lennihan, Allan Bevier Warren III, Priest. Year's mind: Irene Mae Winsor Barnes (4/17).

In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for The Anglican Church in Autearoa, New Zealand and Polynesia (4/14), The Diocese of Doko, Nigeria (4/15), The Diocese of Dominican Republic (4/16), The Diocese of Dornakal, South Inida (4/17), The Diocese of Down and Dromore, Ireland (4/18), The Diocese of Dublin and Glendalough, Ireland (4/19), The Diocese of Duk, South Sudan (4/20).

In the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, we are asked to pray for the Creation Care ministry, and for good stewardship of the earth.

Giving to S. 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.