‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 January 13

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 13 January, in the year of our Lord 2024. There are several changes in the usual schedule, for this week, so read it closely.

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Octave Day of the Epiphany.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Epiphany II.
• Monday: NO SERVICES. 
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Sext (Monastic Noonday Office), S. Anthony, Abbot.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Prisca, Virgin, Soup & Study.
• Friday: 10:00 AM (a new time), Mass, Feria, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, SS. Fabian & Sebastian, Martyrs.
• Sunday: 10:00 AM only! Mass, Epiphany III, followed by Annual Parish Meeting & Potluck luncheon.

I will be making our annual candle-purchase at Peter Munley Religious Supply on Monday, so no services on that day. As the result of several requests, we'll be changing the service-time on Fridays from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM, for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, this will boost attendance at those services.

Next Sunday ~ a week from tomorrow ~ is the date for our Annual Parish Meeting. We will have one Mass at 10:00 AM on that day, followed by the 'Meeting, to be held in the Nave. After the meeting, we will enjoy a potluck luncheon in the Parish Hall.

Epiphanytide is the liturgical shock-absorber of the Kalendar. The number of Sunday adjusts each year, depending-upon the date of Septuagesima, which in-turn depends-upon the date of Easter. There can never be more than six Sundays in Epiphanytide.

The Epiphany is an ancient Feast of Holy Church, attested from at-least the early Third century. It was first celebrated in the East, where it was focussed-upon the Baptism of our Lord. By the Fourth century, it was widely celebrated, and ranked with Easter and Pentecost as one of the three principal feasts of the Church. It was introduced into the Western Church in the Fourth century, where it took-on the character of the manifestation of the Christ to the Gentiles, in the person of the Magi.

The Roman Church has neither an Epiphanytide, nor a Trinitytide. They refer to both of these Seasons as Ordinary Time; Green is the liturgical colour for these Sundays, just as it is for us in our two Seasons. Thus, they simply count Sundays in Ordinary Time, which usually number in the low thirties each year, varying somewhat per the date of Easter, just as do ours.

We have this Season to appreciate the light of the the Christ; the innocence and grace and love that He brought into the World. All too soon, that light will dim with coming of Pre-Lent, darken with Great Lent, and, briefly, be extinguished during the Triduum. Bask in His light ~ feel the warmth of His love, for you, and for all of us. This, now, should be our only concern. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish