Anno Domini 2024 December 24
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Tuesday, 24 December, in the year of our Lord 2024. It is also Christ Mass Eve! The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Tuesday (today): 11:00 PM, Midnight Mass (first Mass of Christ Mass).
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM, Sung Mass, Christ Mass Day,
- Pontifical High Mass, from the Throne.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Sung Mass, S. Stephen, Proto-Deacon, Proto-Martyr. NO SOUP AND STUDY, MASS ONLY.
- Friday: 9:00 AM, Sung Mass, S. John Evangelist, with Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 10:00 AM, Sung Mass, Holy Innocents.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Christ Mass I. Parish Brunch following 10:00 AM service.
Merry Christ Mass everyone! As-noted above, there are some shifts from our usual schedule. The first Mass of Christ Mass will be celebrated tonight at 11:00 PM, so that the Mass will carry-into the new day. On Thursday, we will celebrate the Feast of S. Stephen, but will not have Soup and Study following. After Thursday, we will return to our usual schedule of services.
As likely all of you know, I was Consecrated a Bishop this past Saturday, 21 December, the Feast of S. Thomas, Apostle and Martyr, and the Winter Embertide Saturday. It was a wonderful service, with a delicious pot-luck following. Archbishop Barton was the Chief Consecrator, with Bishop Brown assisting. The Most Reverend Thomas J. Kleppinger sent Letters Permissory.
I look-forward to seeing all y'all tonight and tomorrow ~ hopefully, some of you will make both services! Our 10:00 AM Mass on Christ Mass Day will be a special event, as we will have sufficient Clergy available to Celebrate a Pontifical High Mass, something seldom seen these days. This has been a beautiful, light-filled Season, and the brightest of all lights, the Light of the World, will be soon with us, and that right soon. I remain
in His praise,
The Rt. Rev'd T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish