‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2022 October 4

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 4 October, in the year of our Lord 2022. The scheduled Services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Francis of Assisi, Confessor.
  6:30 PM, Holy Rosary, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, SS. Placidus & Companions, Martyrs.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S Bruno, Confessor, with Soup & Study following.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Sung Mass, Holy Rosary of the BVM, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Bridgit, Queen & Widow.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 PM, Mass, Trinity XVII, Comm. SS. Denys, Rusticus, Eleutherius, Martyrs.

The Blessing of the Animals went well, this-past Saturday. It was followed by the blessing of the new S. Francis statue in our front garden. We had some invited guests in-attendance, which made it even better. A video has been posted on Facebook, and our YouTube page, I believe.

We are continuing our work on improving our Parish. The contractor has finished all of his work. Yesterday morning, we donated all of the things that we've been storing for a rummage-sale to The Needs Network, a local charitable thrift-store, which benefits the homeless and the otherwise needy. It was quite a pile, when rooted-out from all of the corners where it had been tucked. As you may imagine, this has de-cluttered several spaces within the Parish, including our Hall. These projects will continue.

For several days prior to the Blessing of the Animals, the sounds of a creature trapped above our ceiling in the Sanctuary had been plain. Having held that service, I couldn't see allowing something to die up there, and so, investigated. As it turned-out, it was in the wall betwixt the sacristy and the Sanctuary. As I began to remove the sheetrock, bit-by-bit, working down from the ceiling, I thought that I saw a round head at the bottom of the space, and thought that I might be rescuing something exotic, like a Saw Whet owl. After removing the last piece of wallboard, I heard some scrabbling, and what should pop-up and look me in the eye but a squirrel, alas, who jumped out over my shoulder. After some herding, he streaked-across the front lawn to the trio of Crepe Myrtles by the drainage-ditch, where he'd clearly been before.

The imaginings ~ phantasies ~ that we develope in our minds are an endless wonder. I supposed that I was saving a lovely bird, of some-sort, and was, frankly, perhaps uncharitably, disappointed when I discovered that it was merely a squirrel, for which breed I've never held much sympathy. This certainly reminded me that we must always be cheerful givers ~ cheerful workers of His will, and Word. Though my joy dimmed upon discovering the squirrel in the wall, I'm certain that the squirrel's joy was boundless.

We should never underestimate the benefits of the actions that we commit in His name. Despite they're not always being what we hope, or imagine, those who receive the benefit of them know no such dimming, but only a growing appreciation for His mercy, and love. Let us always be bringers of the light, that His glory and honour may ever be magnified. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish