‘Weekly Post. Anno domini 2023 September 5

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 5 September, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Lawrence Justinian, Bishop & Confessor.
  6:30 PM, Holy Rosary & Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Feria of Trinity XIII,
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Evurtius, Bishop & Confessor, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Nativity of the BVM, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Peter Claver, Confessor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity XIV.

We're entering a very busy period, in the life of the Parish. Please write-down these dates. Firstly will be the replacement of the carpet in the nave and Sanctuary. Next week, on Monday, 11 September, the furniture ~ everything from the Altar itself on down ~ will be removed for the Choir and the Sanctuary, to clear the way for the carpet-layers. Tuesday, the carpet will be installed. Wednesday, the furniture will be returned the usual positions. Since schedules of this sort are frequently subject to shifting, THERE WILL BE NO SERVICES on Monday - Wednesday of next week. The work should be done in-time to hold the usual mid-week service, but it may not, so we will play it safe.

Next, we will celebrate our Patronal Feast on Sunday, 24 September. There will be one service on that day, at 10:00 AM. A potluck luncheon will follow. As-per usual, that will also be the day when Archbishop Gordon makes his annual Parish Visitation. He and Jan will join us for Mass, and the meal following. There was some talk of also having a Clergy Appreciation Day on that date, but that seemed a bit much for a single day, so that celebration has been transferred.

The Clergy Appreciation Day will be held on Sunday, 15 October ~ The Feast of Our Lady of Walsingham. There will one service on this day, at 10:00 AM. After the Mass, a potluck luncheon will be held in the Parish Hall.

Gazing into the more distant future, General Convention will take-place next year in late July. This means that we are only nine months-away from this biennial gathering of the Body of the Church. We do not yet have a location, but bear the timing in-mind.

Thus, the year progresses, and we keep the pace. Virtually all of the Clergy and Staff will be out of the area sporadically for vacations and meetings in the coming months, especially in October. Keep a weather-eye on these pages, as dates, and any changes thereto, will be announced here. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 August 28

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Monday, 28 August, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Augustine of Hippo, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Martyrdom of the Forerunner.
  6:30 PM, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 AM, Mass, S. Rose of Lima, Virgin.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Aidan, Bishop & Confessor, followed by Supper & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Giles, Abbot, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Stephen of Hungary, King & Confessor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity XIII.

You may've noticed, in yesterday's bulletins, that the larger prayer-intention is for the reunion of Anglicanism in the United States. This is something that we must keep firmly at the forefront of our daily prayers. There are many reasons to place this prayer there, perhaps none greater than that it seems an impossible eventuality.

We here at S. Matthew's were a member Parish of one of the greater Anglican bodies for, roughly, forty years. As time passed, it became clear that to maintain Christian Orthodoxy, as it applies to morality and integrity, we had to leave, and so we did. Yet, if we believe and follow our Lord's command, we will, sooner or later, have to engineer rapprochement with those very people, whose failings are all too well known to us.

God truly blessed us when we found-, and were accepted into, the Orthodox Anglican Church. There are neither crises nor scandals here. Politics and human agendas do not exist. Certainly at the Clerical level, where all of my contact happens, I've only known faithful, christian souls. This has truly been a place of rest and refreshment for all of us.

As God has blessed us, so He blesses our Greater Church. Virtually every week, we field inquiries form Clergy, Parishes, and Jurisdictions, all of which want to learn more about us, and in many cases, what the process is for becoming a part of our Church. We have been, and continue to increasingly be, occupied in this work.

Many times in my own life, I've faced situations that appeared to be completely without solution ~ I could discern absolutely no way through, leaving prayer as literally the only thing to be done, insofar as I could see. Then, suddenly, an answer not only appeared but was effected, and the entire matter was resolved. This is the work of the Holy Ghost, of whom I like to think as God in the trenches, with us.

Speaking personally, this is where I, and many of my Brother Clergy, from many Anglican Jurisdictions, have been stuck for years. Every time that a way through appears, just as suddenly there is an avalanche to block the way. Even in those moments when one party is truly willing to follow our Lord, and to forgive all, the other (most-often as a result of some aspect of ego) either refuses to bend, or simply leaves the table. ,And round and round it goes....

The future is not known to me. Thus, I ask everyone to pray, fervently and frequently, for this small goal of Anglican reunion. I say small goal for, as we all of us should know, our Lord's command is for the reunion of all Christendome. Let us begin by setting our own house aright, that, as a whole, we may begin to work our way back to God's one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church, as it ever ought to have been. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 August 23

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Wednesday, 23 August, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Wednesday (today): 12:10 PM, Mass, Vigil of S, Bartholomew.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Feast of Saint Bartholomew, Apostle & Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Louis IX, King & Confessor.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity XII; Parish Brunch following the 10:00 Mass.

As-noted above, this-coming Sunday will be the occasion of our monthly Parish Brunch. After the 10:00 Mass, we will go to Kismet, just two blocks away from the Parish, on Main Street across Warwick Blvd. I've never been, so it will be an adventure, perhaps for several of us.

ARCHBISHOP GORDON will be visiting us next month, on Sunday, 24 September. The custom of the Regiment will be maintained, in that we will transfer our Patronal Feast, that of Saint Matthew, Apostle and Martyr, to the nearest Sunday (in this case, the 'Twenty-fourth). Thusly will we celebrate our Parish home, and the Archbishop's visit to us.

There will be one Mass on that day, at 10:00 AM. As-per-usual, there will be a potluck afterwards. Let us eat heartily, and celebrate merrily!

The cult of relics is ancient in the Christian church, and is known in some religious traditions, especially popular Buddhism. Traces of it may be found in the OT miracles worked through the mantle of Elijah, and the bones of Elisha. In the NT, we see it in the healing power of handkerchiefs that had been touched to the body of S. Paul. In post-NT times, the martyr's bodies were venerated from an early date, the first certain evidence occurring in the 'Martyrium Polycarpi" (c. AD 156-7) where the relics of S. Polycarp are described as 'more valuable than precious stones and finer than refined gold', to be carefully collected and honoured by a memorial service for the saint at the place where they were laid.

Relics are found in three classes. A First-class relic is a piece (often a tiny chip of bone, or bit of hair) of the actual body of the saint. A Second-class relic is (either a small bit of-, or in its entirety) an object, frequently clothing, which belonged to the saint ~ one of their possessions in life. Third-class relics are items (often bits of cloth, or specially-minted coins or medals) that have been touched to the body of the saint.

Material objects can be relics as-well, perhaps the most famous being the True Cross. The Shroud of Turin or S. Veronica's Veil would be included in this grouping. In these instances, inanimate objects being unable to have possessions, only First- and Third-class relics would be available. As-such, one could hold a piece of the True Cross, or something that had been touched to a piece of the True Cross.

We are profoundly blessed in the Orthodox Anglican Church to count among our Parishes S. Martin's Anglican Church, in Ocala, Florida. Archbishop Gordon anointed them as The National Shrine of the True Cross of Jesus Christ, for they hold there a piece of the True Cross, and have issued bronze coins emblazoned with a Jerusalem Cross, which have been touched to that ancient relic. Their relic was obtained directly from the Vatican.

In my capacity as the last Prior General of Saint Dominic's Priory (Monastery) on the Oregon Coast, I gathered-together the collection of relics that had been assembled by those holy Fathers. After having lain in dark storage for many years, they are now (generally on applicable days to the lives of those saints) being displayed for veneration in our Parish. For those of you with sharp eyes, you have lately seen a reliquary (a decorative case) appear on the Altar. Among others, it contains a First-class relic of S. Francis, Patron Saint of Animals. I placed it there on the day that Pepper died. Since then, you may've seen a small silver case at the foot of the Altar Cross. This contains a First-class relic of S. John Vianny, Patron Saint of Priests, and was put on-display on his Feast-day.

Through these powerful items, we see the paths of God on this Earth. He has left behind Him traces of His power, grace, love, and truth. Where His blessings anciently fell, they remain still, I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 August 5

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 5 August, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Oswald, King & Martyr.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, The Transfiguration of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, The Holy Name of Jesus.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Blessed John Mason Neale, Confessor.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. John Vianney, Confessor, Patron Saint of Priests.
• Thursday: 8:00 AM, monthly men's Morning Prayer & breakfast.
  6:30 PM, Mass, S. Lawrence, Deacon & Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Feria, using the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Clare, Virgin.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Deacon's Liturgy, Trinity X.

The Feast of The Transfiguration, which we will celebrate tomorrow, is the appearing of the Lord in Glory during His earthly life, as it is related in the first three Gospels (Mt. 17. 1 - 13, Mk, 9, 2 - 13, Lk. 9. 28 - 36), and alluded-to in 2 Pet. 1. 16 - 18. This vision of our Lord, transfigured, with Moses and Elijah, was witnessed by SS. Peter, James, and John, and is described by the Evangelists as an historic event, with striking agreement as to the main outline, and understandable differences in the details which they record.

Tradition locates it on Mount Tabor, but many scholars prefer Mount Hermon, and some have even suggested the Mount of Olives. The event was significant as showing the testimony of the Jewish Law and Prophets to the Messiah-ship of Christ; as furnishing a further Divine proclamation of our Lord's Sonship, and as foreshadowing His future Glory. In the Kalendar, the Feast of the Transfiguration is observed on 6 August.

It originated in the Eastern Church, where it appears to have been at first a local and unofficial feast, but it had become widely adopted before A.D. 1000. In the West, where the feast was not introduced 'til a much later date, its general observance goes back to 1457, when Pope Callistus III ordered its universal celebration in commemoration of the victory gained over the Turks at Belgrade on 6 August, 1456.* I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

*The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church, ed. F. L. Cross.

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 July 29

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 29 July, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Martha, Virgin.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity VIII.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Iñigo of Loyola, Confessor.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Peter's Chains.
  6:30 PM, Holy Rosary, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Nicodemus, Confessor, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Dominic, Confessor.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Oswald, King & Martyr.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Transfiguration of Christ (Comm. Trinity IX).

'Another standard week in Trinitytide, with nothing exceptional to report. There have been some issues with toilets, in both restrooms. These have now been fixed. We will also, probably in August, be replacing the red carpet in the Nave, and in the Sanctuary. Once we've gotten firm dates for this work, they will be announced, as to save money on installation, we will be moving the furniture ourselves.

For those of you who are observant of details, you've likely noticed a small, gold cross before the Tabernacle, at the Altar. Technically, it hadn't ought to be directly in-front-of the Holy Sacrament, but given the lay-out of our Altar, this was pretty-much the only spot in which it is clearly visible. It is, in point of fact, a Reliquary, or device used to hold Relics of The Saints.

The oldest Reliquaries took many forms ~ caskets, capsules, ampullas, and also crosses, which were especially used to hold relics of the True Cross. Rings and purses have been used, as-well-as caskets and boxes of all sizes. For the reception pf the whole remains of a Saint, the gabled shrine was a favourite in the Middle Ages. At this same period, smaller Relics were housed in containers shaped like arms, legs, and especially heads and busts. By the later Middle Ages, the Monstrance form, which, with it's glass window, facilitated exposition, became frequent.

Some of the earliest Altars were the flat tops of the sarcophagi of Christian martyrs and Saints in the Catacombs. Thus, even through today, all proper Altars have an Altar Stone embedded in the midst of the mensa (literally table, or the top). Cemented-into this stone is the Relic of a Saint, over which the Consecration of the Elements is to take-place. We have such a stone at S. Matthew's; the Relic is purportedly that of an Eastern Saint, though the name has been lost to us.

Relics come to us in three Classes. A First Class Relic is a portion of the Saint's body, ranging from a chip of bone or bit of skin to limbs or entire remains. A Second Class Relic can be something that the Saint actually owned and used, such as a Crucifix, prayer book, Rosary, etc. It can also be a part of something that the Saint wore, such as a glove, or shirt. A Third Class Relic is an object that has been physically touched to a First- or Second Class Relic.

The Reliquary at our Altar was placed there when Pepper died, and contains a First Class Relic of S. Francis of Assisi, the Patron Saint of Animals, a rather rare relic in and of itself. This Reliquary also contains two other Relics; one that appears to be of S. Francis de Sales, and a third that I've yet to identify. These are a portion of my personal set of Relics.

Saints may be spoken-to, and also asked for their intercessions ~ prayers ~ on our behalf, precisely as you'd ask a friend or loved-one for the same. We may venerate ~ honour ~ them for the lives they lived, or for the deaths they died, showing us the way to greater sanctity. We may NEVER pray to them ~ this is reserved for the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity. We may NEVER worship them ~ this is reserved for the Persons of the Most Holy Trinity. The Saints are that great cloud of witnesses, by which we are surrounded, and through which, we may receive God's love. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 July 22

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 22 July, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Mary Magdalene, Penitent.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity VII, Parish Brunch at Schooners following the 10:00 service.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Vigil of S. James.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. James the Great, Apostle & Martyr.
  6:30 PM, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Anne, Mother of the BVM.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Feria, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, SS. Nazarius & Company, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Martha, Virgin.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Deacon's Liturgy of the Holy Sacrament.

Please note that our monthly Parish Brunch will take-place tomorrow, after the 10:00 Mass. We will be dining at Schooners, which is a few miles up Warwick Avenue, past CNU. We've eaten there previously, with good results.

At-least through the Summer months, we will be alternating Sundays between the Mass, and the Deacon's Liturgy. This Service is called a liturgy to distinguish it from a Mass. Deacons are unable to Bless, much-less Consecrate, anything. The Sacrament that is distributed by a Deacon has been previously Consecrated by a Priest or Bishop.

A number of liturgical details are altered, in-order that the difference between this and a Mass will be made clear. The Apostle's Creed is been substituted for the 'Nicene (as is allowed by the Prayer Book rubrics), and the Bidding Prayer takes the place of the Prayer for the Whole State of Christ's Church. There is no form of Absolution following the General Confession, inasmuch as Absolution, which is a form of Blessing, is also an act that Deacons are not able to bestow.

Deacons may perform marriages and funerals, teach Confirmation classes, and the like. The most famous Deacon was likely the first, S. Stephen ~ first Deacon, and first Martyr. Inasmuch as the word 'Priest' does not explicitly appear in the New Testament accounts of the nascent Church, many once thought that the Order of Deacon was more ancient than that of Priest.

In the modern system of the Church, Deacons fundamentally disappeared from public view. For both the Anglican- and Roman Churches, the Diaconate became something that happened after the successful completion of the Middler Year of seminary, that being the second of three years. Anglican Deacons were rarely seen outside of Seminaries; Roman Deacons were never seen, leading many Roman laity to be surprised, should they discover that Deacons did indeed exist in the Church.

The shortage of Priests, especially in the Roman Church, in recent decades, has changed much of this. Rome went so far as creating an Order of married Deacons, who are primarily used as were the ancient Deacons, taking the Holy Sacrament from the Table of the Lord, to those who might not otherwise receive it. Rome has also degraded Holy Orders, by allowing those for whom 'Orders are not appropriate to distribute the Sacrament, but that is a separate topic.

Although it should never be allowed, due to the Clergy shortage Deacons are occasionally given charge over Parishes. My first Cure was as a Deacon, in a Parish for which no Priest was available. Again, as I learned from first-hand experience, this is a terrible idea, at many levels, and should never be permitted.

Thus, a thumbnail of the role of a Deacon in the modern Church. Now that they have been largely restored to their historic function and honour, perhaps we should investigate the return of the Sub-Diaconate, which was once itself a part of major Orders.... I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 July 19

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Wednesday, 19 July, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Wednesday (today): 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Vincent de Paul, Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM , Mass, Feria.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Mary Magdalene, Penitent.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity VII. Monthly Parish brunch following 10:00 Mass, at Schooners, on Warwick Blvd.

Pepper Pignataro-Crowder

On Thursday, the Sixth of July, at 4:28 AM, in the year of our Lord 2023, Pepper Pignataro-Crowder entered life eternal. He was born (approximately) on 15 June, AD 2007, in a West Virginia puppy mill. Following that wretched circumstance, he was sent to a shelter, where he experienced abuse. He was, in another ill-turn, then adopted by a dog-hoarder. When finally rescued from that situation, another abusive shelter awaited him.

All of this occurred during his first three-or-four years of-life. When removed from the last shelter, he was given training as a Companion Dog, and was assigned to Dr. Rose Pignataro, He lived-with and was loved-by her for roughly one and-a-half years.

During this time, he had several ministries. He accompanied Father Frank, the local Roman Catholic Priest in Morgantown, West Virginia, on Communion and convalescent calls. Fr. Frank quickly came to realise that the residents were more interested in seeing Pepper than they were in receiving the Sacrament, much to his consternation.

Similarly, when Dr. Pignataro would conduct wellness or exercise classes, Pepper would always get top billing on the schedule, as-in “Come to the stretching class today, with Pepper and Dr. Pignataro.” Much like Fr. Frank, she wondered where Pepper got the credentials to outrank her, and her twelve years of degree work!

In June of AD 2012, he came to stay with Canon Crowder. Originally, this was to be a short-term arrangement, before going to a new home in New York State, with four little girls. Due to his extensive abuse, he had negative reactions to most men, and to children. As it became clear that four little girls would be more than Pepper could comfortably manage, Canon Crowder made the decision to keep him.

One month later, he began accompanying Canon Crowder to S. Matthew’s Parish, in Newport News, Virginia, where the latter began serving on an interim basis. Pepper had been attending S. Columba Parish, in Warrenton, Virginia, where Canon Crowder had been Rector for over four years. When the Saint Matthew’s assignment was made permanent, in AD 2013, Canon Crowder and Pepper moved from Warrenton, to Newport News.

From the beginning, they were constant companions. Sleeping, eating, driving, working at the Parish, saying the Mass, making sick calls and more were all done together. Other-than out-of-town trips requiring air-travel for Canon Crowder, they were, virtually, always in each-other’s company.

When out-of-town travel was required, especially during the Summer, and over the Thanksgiving holiday, he began to travel with Charlotte Haden to her Mother’s home, in New Jersey. There, he would enjoy the company ~ and adoration ~ of her Mother, Karen, and her Sisters, Sue and Trish. He had a personal floatie, so that he could swim in the pool, and his Care Dog vest, for those times when he needed to visit Karen in hospital.

December of AD 2021 brought a diagnosis of congestive heart-failure for Pepper. He was immediately placed on medications. These were increased as-needed, ‘til he reached the maximum dosage, some time before he passed.

Pepper is survived by Canon Crowder, Dr. Pignataro, Charles and Charlotte Haden (who made their home his when Canon Crowder was travelling), their dog, Toby, and his extended family at Saint Matthew’s, with whom he loved to worship, eat, and visit. The end for Pep came quickly and painlessly. He is free from all burdens and discomforts. He now frolics in the heavenly fields above, with our Lord. Good-bye, Pep, ‘til we meet again ~ we love you.

Requiescat in Pace

Pepper ‘Pep’ Pignataro-Crowder

Was Born on 15 June, AD 2007

Fell Asleep on 6 July, AD 2016

Aged 16 years, 21 days

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 June 27

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 27 June, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Sung Mass with Incense, Mass, SS. Peter & Paul, Martyrs; Soup & Study to follow.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Paul, Apostle & Martyr, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Precious Blood of our Lord.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Visitation of the BVM (Commem. Trinity IV).

A week from Tuesday will be the Fourth of July. The custom of the Regiment has been to walk in the parade, which begins at 10:00 AM. This usually ends by 10:30 or so, after which we return to the Parish, and say the Mass for the day, at 11:00. Insofar as I'm aware, Hilton Village is still on-track with their plans, which means that we will hold true to ours.

Thursday, the Feast of SS. Peter and Paul, marks the Twenty-first Anniversary of my ordination to the Priesthood. July Fifteenth will be the Eleventh Anniversary of my first Service at S. Matthew's; the 'Eighteenth will be the Twenty-fourth Anniversary of my Ordination to the Diaconate. Pepper joined my life in June of AD 2012, and the next month he and I began working at S. Matthew's. Time flows ever-more quickly....

If we were to try to choose the single-greatest mystery of the Christian Faith, that would almost certainly have to be the Most Holy Trinity. The 'Trinity is the source, the font, the focal-point, the first point, of all things, all creation, outside of the three Persons themselves, who are, as they have ever been defined by Holy Church, truly timeless. Even in that single aspect of time, there are multiple mysteries.

One sense in which this is commonly understood is that they ~ the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost ~ have neither beginning nor end. The Father has always been, and the Son was always with the Father, from the beginning, as was the Holy Ghost. A limited understanding of this can be gotten from looking at our own natures, as made by the Father, and the Son, without whom nothing that was made was made.

I have been with ~ inside, a part-of ~ every one of my ancestors that ever was, inasmuch as I am a product of the genetic material that was within them all, which was finally distilled into my being, my creation, as it were. Thus, as our Lord was always with (within) the Father, so also was I within my earthly father, and his before him, etc. Again, this is not a perfect metaphor, but it casts the question of the existence of the Son with the Father in a perhaps more comprehensible light.

Another sense of the timelessness of the Holy Trinity is that they are outside of time, in-terms-of the linear experience of it that we perceive. Our Father is at Creation, at the Fall of Angels, at the Fall of Man, at the End of Days, simultaneously. Our Saviour is at Creation, His earthly Birth, His earthly Death, His sitting in Judgement over all Creation, simultaneously. So it is for the Holy Ghost.

We now see that even in something as direct as we think time to be, the Most Holy Trinity is not only a mystery, but one that shall never be solved. In this life, we cannot. In the 'next, we will have better things to do. Welcome to Trinitytide! I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 June 17

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 17 June, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Sunday (tomorrow): 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity II.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Juliana Falconieri, Virgin.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass. Translation of King Edward, King & Martyr.
  6:30 PM, Evensong & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Aloysius, Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Alban, Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Vigil of the Nativity of S. John Baptist, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately after, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Nativity of S. John Baptist.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity III, Comm. Octave of the Nativity, Parish Brunch to follow the 10:00 Mass.

Yes, we are nearing the end of another month, believe it or not. Thus, the monthly Parish Brunch approacheth. During my tenure here, which will soon mark eleven years, I believe that this custom was begun by John and Shirley Murphy, may he rest in peace. We've been sporadic about it, at times, but it has endured.

Most Christians know that one of the appellations for S. John Baptist is The Forerunner, going forth before the face of the Lord, to prepare His ways ... making a highway for our God. In some theological views, S. John forms the third person of the Most Holy Trinity. Thus, the Heavenly Trinity, in this configuration, would most clearly mirror its opposite, the Unholy Trinity, of the Dragon, the Beast, and the False Prophet, who also goes before his Lord, performing miracles in his name, preparing the way before him, that way which leads to Hell.

As is The Christ, so too is S. John Baptist our exemplar, the model after whose pattern we are to shape our lives, to direct our ways. His was total commitment to Jesus, The Christ. He forsook ALL things, left-behind ALL men, ALL relationships, ALL usual human ties, to serve Messiah.

In the bare minimum, we must follow him in proclaiming Jesus boldly, loudly, clearly, and without ceasing. ALL of these can be done without a fraction of the sacrifices made by S. John. Yet, if we only but choose, each of us can make those as-well, perhaps never rivalling him, but approaching his purity, his drive, his right fear of God, his clarion call to everyone to come unto the Lord.

When we celebrate the Feast of the Nativity of S. John Baptist, remember these things. Keep them in your hearts, and ponder them deeply. If adopted, and followed, they will lead you unto the Lord, I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 June 10

Beloved of the Lord:

 

Today is Saturday, 10 June, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Sunday (tomorrow): 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Of the Octave of Corpus Christi,
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Of the Octave.
  6:30 PM, Evensong & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Wednesday: Sext (monastic office of Noonday prayers).
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Octave Day of Corpus Christi, followed by Soup & Supper.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Barnabas, Apostle & Martyr, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Botolph, Abbot.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity II.

Those of you who are interested in Liturgical oddities will no-doubt have noted that the first two Sundays in Trinitytide are always White, never Green. Trinity Sunday, of-course, makes sense to be in White, as would other Feasts of our Lord, and of our Lady, unless a Marian Blue set is available for the latter. What would otherwise be Trinity I is a bit more complicated.

The Feast of Corpus Christi, instituted c. AD 1230, always falls on the first Thursday after Trinity Sunday. The logical place for this Feast, which marks the institution and gift of the Holy Sacrament, would be Maundy Thursday. However, the memory of the passion being expressed on that day made the finding of another day suitable; the appropriateness of the Thursday following the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity made it the reasonable choice.

In the system by which Feasts are ranked for Holy Church, Corpus Christi is a Double of the 1st Class; moreover, it has a Privileged Octave, which confers a rank similar to that of the Feast to the days of the associated Octave as-well. If you look in the People's Anglican Missals in your pews, you will find that there are no propers for Trinity I listed. That Day is permanently displaced by the Octave of Corpus Christi. Thus, it is always described as The Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi.

This year, yet a further complication occurs. The date assigned for the Feast of S. Barnabas would place it tomorrow, on the Sunday. Unbeknownst to many, most of the Feasts of the Apostles are only ranked as Doubles of the 2nd Class, lesser than Corpus Christi. As-such, not only is S. Barnabas bumped from his usual date, but his Feast cannot occur 'til after the Octave Day, when the Octave concludes. Hence, we see his Feast on this-coming Friday.

With this brief glimpse, you may see how complex the creation of the Ordo Kalendar can be. Why do we care? Holy Church, from before time, has ever been an hierarchy ~ top-down, in all ways at all times. This order, instituted by God the Father, is reflected in the Feasts that His Church celebrates ~ the honour, and lessons to be taught that He wishes to see observed. As it has been written, so shall it be. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 June 5

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Monday, 5 June, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Monday (today): 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Boniface, Bishop & Martyr.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Holy Rosary & Evensong (S. Norbert, Bishop & Confessor).
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Sext (Noonday Prayers). Feria.
• Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's Morning Prayer & Breakfast.
  6:30 PM, sung Mass, Corpus Christi, Soup & Study to follow.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Of the Octave of Corpus Christi, with Gregorian Canon, Comm. S. Columba, Abbot.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Of the Octave, Comm. S. Margaret, Widow.
• Sunday: 8:30 AM, Mass, Trinity I.
  10:00 AM, Mass, Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi.

Despite the colour upon the Altar not indicating such, we've now entered the long, green Season ~ Trinitytide. The first-half of our Christian year, which commences upon Advent I, the first day of the Christian year, is concerned with the life of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ. We now will undertake that portion of the Kalendar devoted to the life of Holy Church ~ its ways, and means, and meanings. Let us pay attention, now, instead of having to pay rather more, later. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 May 22

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Monday, 22 May, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (tomorrow): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Ascension; commemorate S. Vincent of Lerins, Confessor.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Octave Day of the Ascension; Soup and Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Augustine of Canterbury, Bishop & Confessor, using Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, The Venerable Bede, Confessor & Doctor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Whitsunday.

For those attending our weekly soup & study, we took some detours these past two session, but will return this week to the study of the Gospel According to S. Luke. Please read Chapter Four, verses 24 to the end of the Chapter. If you've yet to join us for this study, please do so.

Pentecost (Whitsunday) is one of the great Feasts of the Ancient Church. It was the second-most common day upon which to receive the Sacrament of Baptism, following Easter. The word Pentecost refers to the coming of the Holy Ghost, following hard upon the heels of our Lord's Ascension, His return to Heaven-above.

Whitsunday is a typical English contraction, having come from White Sunday. It was the custom to bathe (often only an annual event in English villages) on that morning, don garments of white ~ symbolic of purity ~ and parade through the Village on the way to the Church, there to be Baptised into the Body of Christ, His most holy Church. They walked through the world, this fallen, muddy, dirty in oh so many ways one, to reach that perfect, spotless, flawless one to come.

Purity ... a dead concept. When I signed-on to my computer, there was a link for the fashions at the Cannes Film Festival, which I clicked. The headline article was on a woman of whom I've never heard (perhaps an actress), who wore a hard, transparent, plastic halter, beneath which was revealed everything. Apparently, she's known for her 'daring' fashion choices. Thus, what would've gotten her arrested not that many years-ago, and well-within my lifetime, is now celebrated.

Purity ... a dead concept? In this world, under the Prince of this World, yes. However, not dead under our Prince. We not only remember Him, we know Him. We strive to live as He lead us to do. We are not pure, but strive ever for it, hoping to attain it, on His great day of coming. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Canon T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 May 9

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 9 May, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Gregory Nazianzus, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
  6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Feria of Easter IV.
• Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's monthly Morning Prayer &breakfast.
  6:30 PM, Mass, Feria of Easter IV, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, SS. Nereus, Achilles, Domitilla & Pancras, Martyrs, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, The Martyrs of Uganda.

Note that this week, we've the monthly Men's Morning Prayer. Also, our Soup and Study will return after a week's hiatus. Please read from verse 24 to the end of Chapter 4 of the Gospel According to Luke.

At the recent OAC Spring Conference, there were several important events. For our purposes at S. Matthew's, chief among these was the Ordination to the Diaconate of Avery Collins. S. Matthew's, more than most parishes, has a long tradition of having Deacons on-staff, as 'twere. Once more, we deepen our position as a parish practicing the fullness of the faith Catholic.

Also at this 'Conference, I was promoted Canon by the Archbishop. Within the Parish, you may continue to call me 'Father. To use Canon is not improper, and you may, if you so wish. However, I've been Father here for nearly eleven years (this July) ~ and that has been, and will continue to be, my primary role at S. Matthew's.

The nature of what it means to be Ordained has largely been forgotten, in the modern world; even portions of His Church have blurred what have been, and should remain, clear distinctions. A man, once Ordained, no-longer exists as he has been known. When the Bishop laid his hands upon him, he died to this world, and rose first a Deacon. He has now become a new creation ~ a new creature ~ in God's Kingdom. He entered a new life, set-apart, called closer to the Christ. Obviously, the memories and associations of the man still remain, but the rest of his life will follow a path that will lead-away from the former nature, and towards the latter.

In the West (Romans and Anglicans), when you ask a man when he was Ordained, he will inevitably give the date of his Priestly Ordination. In the East, the response is the Diaconal date. This latter is the appropriate, and preferred, response, for it is in that instant (Ordination as a Deacon) when a man casts-off the old, and becomes the new. At that moment, he has entered Holy Orders, and become a Sacrament.

It can be especially difficult to make this transformation in the Parish within which one has been known as a parishioner. The notable exception to this was Bishop Mote, who served as layman, Deacon, Priest, and Bishop all in the same Parish! Just as it is the duty of the Ordained to set himself apart from what he was before, it is our duty as a parish to support him in this effort.

As Anglicans, we excel in matters of form. Thus, you may use Deacon, Deacon Collins, or Father Deacon as forms of address. The written form is The Reverend Deacon Avery Collins. These are patterned-after the Eastern forms, to better make-clear the distinction. Under no circumstances should The Reverend Mister... be used; this is an old, episcopalian practice, that at-best blurs the lines, and at-worst attempts to degrade Holy Orders. We will all slip in applying these titles, in the beginning, but it is intention, not result, that matters most.

Order ~ God's first gift to us, in His, and our, Creation. As all things tend ~ or should ~ towards God, the order shifts; or should we say returns to its original shape, as He intended it to be. At the very least, let us serve as His tools, in this greatest of struggles, the salvation of man, and the restoration of the Kingdom. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 May 2

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 2 May, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Athanasius.
  6:30 PM, Holy Rosary, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Invention of the Holy Cross.
• Thursday: NO SERVICES.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Sung Matins.
• Saturday: NO SERVICES.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Easter IV.

Midday on Thursday, Avery Collins and I will be travelling to the Spring Conference of the OAC, which will be held in Eustis, Florida. There, he will be Ordained to the Diaconate, which is to say that he will be made a Deacon, in the Prayer Book usage. That Mass will commence at 4:30 PM, Thursday afternoon. Please keep Avery in your prayers, during that time, on that day, as he enters-into Holy Orders, being set-apart for the work of God, and of His holy Church.

As a result of this trip, as is noted in the schedule above, there will be no services on either Thursday or Saturday. Perhaps the greatest benefit of having more than one Clergyman in a Parish is the decreased odds of the faithful ever having to do without the holy Sacrament ~ if I happen to be out of the Parish, Avery, using what is called a Deacon's Liturgy (it is not a Mass, because nothing is being consecrated), may distribute the Host from the Reserve Sacrament, which is kept in the tabernacle upon the Altar for this and other needs. Thus, the spiritual necessities of the Parish can be better-met.

For those participating in our current class, The Gospel According to Saint Luke, we are in Chapter four. Please be certain to read and review Chapter four, from verse 24 to the end. We will next meet on Thursday, 11 May.

For those even moderately familiar with the Kalendar of the Church, you will no-doubt recall the Feast of Saint Stephen, Protodeacon and Protomartyr (proto from the Greek for primary, or first). He was Ordered Deacon to assist in serving at the table. I one heard Kirk Cameron, a sometime-actor and evangelical protestant, describing S. Stephen's role as serving food and clearing dishes at the meals after services! A real Deacon does serve food ~ the most-blessed Sacrament ~ and clear dishes ~ the holy vessels of the Altar, but he does neither in the degraded sense conveyed by Mr. Cameron.

The table mentioned in 'Scripture, of-course, is the holy Altar. When Holy Church was persecuted, Deacons took the Sacrament out from where the Priests and Bishops had consecrated it to the people, who could not gather-together in numbers, as that would attract attention, and very possible death, for being servants of our Lord.

Those ancient Deacons, then, were on the front-lines of the Faith, carrying the very body of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ, through dark streets and alleyways, bringing eternal life to those who believed. Every Priest and Bishop that has ever been, or will be, began as a Deacon, and remains a Deacon throughout their lives. The day of Ordination for a Deacon is the first day of his life-in-Christ in Holy Orders.

We will soon be blessed to have a Deacon in our midst, at Saint Matthew's. Pray thanks to almighty God for His munificence to us, in this blessing. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 April 25

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Tuesday, 25 April, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Sung Mass, Saint Mark, Evangelist & Martyr.
  6:30 PM, Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Sung Mass, Patronage of Saint Joseph.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Saint Peter Canisius, Confessor & Doctor, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Saint Paul of the Cross, Confessor.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Easter III, monthly Parish Brunch at Smoke Barbecue, on Warwick, after 10:00 service.

Alleluia, He is risen! Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia! We remain in Eastertide 'til the Feast of the Ascension, which commemorates our Lord's leaving this world, to return to His home, in the heaven of heavens above. In the meantime, let us all show-forth the heavenly grace of His crucifixion, by which we are all saved, and the joy of His resurrection, by which we are all uplifted.

As-noted above, we will have our Parish Brunch this-coming Sunday. Please jot this in your schedule, and join us! We will break the fast together, on that day.

This-past Sunday, after services were completed, and as he was mowing the lawn, young Sam Wells discovered four baby opossums in the grass, under the three Crepe Myrtles, beside the drainage ditch at the back of our property. They were fed Sunday evening, and were placed with a wildlife 'rehabber' (I'd never heard of such a thing) on Monday afternoon. They seemed in good health, and are now with experts, who will eventually return them to their native habitat.

The vestry met last evening. Among other matters, new officers were elected; Bill Leary is the new Rector's Warden, James Deviese will remain as the People's Warden, and Charlotte Haden will remain ~ thankfully! ~ as our Treasurer, a post that she has occupied for some years, now. As you may've noticed, a number of the bricks that were tossed-into the ditch have been lifted-out, as a result of the good works of Al Scharff, and his Grandson, Aiden McReynolds, one of our acolytes when he is in-town.

There are several on-going maintenance projects about the Parish. If you've noticed something that may need doing, please feel free to jump-in and take-on the matter at-hand. You can coordinate scheduling and supplies through the People's Warden, James Deviese. If it is a larger project, he can help to arrange that, as-well.

As we approach Summer, please remember to keep your tithe current, despite vacations and other travels that often occur during those months. The easiest way to manage your tithe is to make it an auto-pay from your bank account. In this way, the Parish will have the benefit of a consistent income-stream, regardless of the season of the year. Saint Matthew's is here to serve you, and your family, 365 days per year. Your tithe should reflect your year-round commitment to our Parish, and never become a matter of only giving when you attend services. Someone is here, every day of the week, and those labours need to be supported. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 April 15

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 15 April, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Saturday in Easter Week.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Low Sunday (Easter I).
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Stephen Harding, Abt.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Alphege, Bishop & Martyr.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Feria, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Anselm, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor, with the Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Good Shepherd Sunday (Easter II).

Alleluia, Christ is Risen! He is Risen indeed, Alleluia! Having just emerged from Great Lent, including the travail of Holy Week, things are now, blessedly, quiet. That will change with the Feasts towards the end of May, but, for now, we can be still in our knowledge of the life and light of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ.

What are we to with the gift of freedom that our Lord has given us ~ freedom from sin and from death? We are to accept the gift, and then to live it. We achieve this by living the life that He has given us without fear.

Holy Scripture tells us not to fear the one who who can take our life, but rather fear the One who may not only take our life, but cast our soul into Hell. This not Satan ~ he may kill us, but over our soul he has no power, beyond that given to him by we ourselves. Therefore, of all Creation, we need only fear God. However, that is a topic for another 'Post.

Suffice it to say that, in this life, we've nothing to fear. Witness the Saints, more especially the Martyrs. S. Lawrence, whose Feast we've yet to celebrate, this year, when he was being roasted to death, asked his murderers if they might turn him over, as he was certain that the side closest to the flames was done. Death held no fear for him, as his greater, eternal end was already known to him.

We must strive to be the same. When in situations where death might find us, we truly should be fearless, thus calm. What can our enemies do? The World? Take our lives? Alleluia, for if they do, we shall be nearer the Christ than ever before!

If we can remain fearless in the face of Death, then nothing else may claim dominion over us. We can proceed to love and live for our Lord, without hesitation. As it has been written, so now must we do. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 March 18

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 18 March, the Feast of S. Cyril of Jerusalem. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Mothering Sunday (Lent IV).
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Cuthbert, Bishop & Confessor.
• Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Benedict, Abbot.
  6:30 PM, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Blessed James de Koven.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Joseph, Spouse of the BVM, followed by Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Gabriel, Archangel, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Annunciation of the BVM.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Passion Sunday (Lent V).

There are envelopes in the narthex for the flowering of the Sanctuary at Easter. Please write ~ legibly ~ in the space-provided any dedications or memorials that you wish to have included in the Eastertide bulletins. Perhaps shockingly, there is not much more time to accomplish this, so act accordingly.

Just as there is symmetry permeating the Creation, so, too, in our Kalendar, we see the symmetry of His grand design. Light and Dark, both, are ever-present. Thus, even as we come-closer to the greatest Darkness, the death of our Lord, Messias, Jesus, the Christ, we see signs of the light, have we but eyes to see them.

On three successive days this-coming week, we Celebrate first the Spouse of the Blessed Virgin Mary, our Lord's earthly Father, Saint Joseph. Next comes Saint Gabriel, Archangel, Messenger of the Most High God. Lastly, we have the Annunciation, when S. Gabriel reveals to Holy Mary what, and the nature thereof, will soon happen to her.

In the spirit of symmetry, of unity, of intentional design, these clear indications of the Light to come reach us nine months prior to His earthly birth. Thus, on the eve of His death, and the dying of the light, we are reminded that His birth is coming, is always coming to save us from the horrors that we not only created, but imposed upon Him. He is constantly coming to save us, just as He is constantly wounded by our sin. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 March 11

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 11 March, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent III.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Sung Evensong.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Sext (monastic Noonday prayers).
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria, followed-by Soup and Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Saint Patrick, Bishop & Confessor, with Gregorian Canon.
  Immediately following, Stations of the Cross & Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Mothering Sunday (Lent IV).

'Another busy week for us, here at S. Matthew's. I will be out of the Parish at the beginning of the week, for several days of meetings with the Archbishop, in Myrtle Beach. Thus, there are slight changes to the schedule on Tuesday and Wednesday. Also, the Mass will not be said on either of those days.

On Friday, we will Celebrate the Feast of Saint Patrick, Patron of Ireland. As Anglicans, abstinence means refraining from the consumption of red meat. We do this in-order to consume no blood, on the day when the Christ shed His blood for us, thereby honouring Him and His Sacrifice.

The Prayer Book admonishes us to do so on virtually all-of-the Fridays of the year, but particularly during Lent. The exceptions are the major Feasts of Christ Mass and the Epiphany. This opens-up a larger question about the relationship betwixt and between Feasts and Fasts.

Even during Lent, there is never any fasting on Sundays; indeed, the intervening Sundays are not counted in the forty days that compose Great Lent. This is because some centuries-ago, all Sundays were elevated to being first-class Feasts, in light of the mandatory attendance of the faithful at Church on those days.

One of the most common instances of this dichotomy is when Feasts occur during Great Lent. Whether the Feast in-question is Red or White in liturgical colour, it is not ~ clearly ~ Violet. Thus, on those days, the recitation of the Greater Gloria (Gloria in Excelsis), and the lesser Glorias, is restored. The Missal provides other liturgical clues, on those days, to remind us that we are indeed in Great Lent. Among these is the use of the Lenten Preface, and the commemoration of the Feria, the Mass that would have been said, had the non-Feast not occurred.

Now for S. Patrick. His Feast, being White in Colour, as he was not martyred, cannot, technically, be a day of fasting or of abstinence. However, this year it is not only in Lent, but falls on a Friday. What to do?

Using the rules, so-to-speak, you should be in the clear, when eating your corned beef. As a part of my personal Lenten devotions, I have for some years abstained completely from meat throughout Lent. As-such, I usually have my corned beef after Easter.

Taking an overview of these questions, there are several points that must be made. One is that eating meat ~ or not ~ will neither save nor condemn our souls. Abstinence is what is called a sacramental ~ things that we do for holy purposes, to aid us in better apprehending and living our faith. They are spiritual tools. If violating the rules for abstaining and fasting were enough to condemn us, we'd all be damned, which is not what our Lord seeks for us. He is not a legalist, in this strict, perhaps petty, sense.

The extent to which we follow these practices does not make us any holier than another person. Doing so can take us deeper-into communion with our Lord, and His holy Church; also with understanding His Sacrifice. They can help us to improve, relative to our former selves, but not in-regards to the spiritual status of other faithful.

Lastly, if health considerations make abstinence or fasting dangerous to you in any way, then all bets are off ~ don't do them. There are many, many other ways, other sacramentals, that can be used to attain the same spiritual goals that we pursue through these perhaps more common means. Regardless of the methods used, the entire point of Lent is to recognise our sins, and to draw further-away from them, and their pain, as we come nearer to Jesus, and His grace. I remain

in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 February 25

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 25 February, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent I.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
• Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. David, Bishop & Confessor.
• Thursday: NO SERVICES.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, sung Matins.
• Saturday: NO SERVICES.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent II

PLEASE NOTE the changes to our usual schedule. I'll be attending the Spring Clericus (gathering of Clergy; usually done in Spring and Fall) at the end of the week, so we'll, regrettably, not have the Mass for a few days. Take this opportunity to say your Offices (as we all should, every day) with the free time that these changes give you.

Having had our General Convention last November, and it being a biennial event, this year there will be a Spring Conference. It is to be held at Epiphany Celebration Church, one of our parishes in Florida. The parish is in Eustis; the hotel is in nearby Tavares. A group rate has been set; the group name is Epiphany Anglican Church, and the group number is XD3OLO. The 'phone number for the Comfort Inn and Suites is 352-253-2378. The dates are 4 - 6 May, a Thursday through Saturday schedule.

Inasmuch as this is not a 'Convention, no business will be conducted. Therefore, we will not be sending official delegates. Anyone who wishes to go may do so.

On the end of the building next to the Old Point Bank branch that I use, on Jefferson Avenue, I've noticed a sign for Care Net. This is a Christian, pro-life organisation with which I am familiar. When I was Rector of S. Columba in Warrenton, in NOVA, I was active with them, along-with a number of other pastors who were ~ and are ~ friends of mine.

I stopped-by their office, yesterday, and introduced myself and Saint Matthew's to them. I got a few brochures, and will put these in the Parish Hall. Please look at them when next you're in the Parish.

They have periodic meetings with local clergy, to keep us informed of their projects and initiatives. I'm going to begin attending these. Among other things, they've recently purchased their own building, which they are currently remodelling. Perhaps, through gathering volunteers from our midst, we can contribute to their efforts to refurbish and move-into their own facility.

There are a number of us at Saint Matthew's who are passionate about combatting on-demand abortion in our Country. As a Parish, we have recently begun to make a larger presence for ourselves in social- and electronic media. Whilst these things are truly important in this age, we must also establish a larger presence and ministry in Newport News, and its environs. We are the chief, if not the only Anglo-Catholic presence in the Seven Cities; we must find every way, and use every opportunity, to let people know that we are here.

Lent is a Season of death ~ we must die to sin (how much of ourselves must go this way is known only to God and us) and rise to righteousness in Him. It seems highly appropriate that whilst in death we think of life; thus, let us look at ways in which we may better serve in the war against death, and provide life for infants, the most innocent amongst us. I remain

in His service,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish

Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 February 18

Beloved of the Lord:

Today is Saturday, 18 February, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:

• Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Quinquagesima.
• Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Feria.
• Tuesday: 5:30 - 7:00 PM, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper! (No services today).
• Wednesday: 12:30 & 6:30 PM, ASH WEDNESDAY; Great Litany in Procession, A Penitential Office, Imposition of Ashes & Mass.
• Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Vigil of S. Matthias, Soup & Study.
• Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Feast of S. Matthias, Apostle & Martyr, with the Gregorian Canon.
  10:00 AM, Stations of the Cross.
  Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
  5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross.
• Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
• Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent I.

BRING YOUR PALM CROSSES AND FRONDS TO THE PARISH, ASAP!

PLEASE NOTE the changes to this week's schedule, on Tuesday and Wednesday. Tuesday, being Shrove Tuesday, will be a fun gathering, filled ~in good, Saint Matthew's tradition ~with food. Five dollars per-person (children under twelve eat for free) will gain you entrance. The funds raised will benefit the Altar Guild; fitting that the men raise money for the women's ministry. Do remember that the men are fully responsible for the meal, ladies, so do not bring extra foods, or feel compelled to help with the cleaning, etc. The supplies are already laid-in, and only await the griddle, and everyone's appetite!

Ash Wednesday will begin all of the further customs and observances for Great Lent, not already commenced on Septuagesima. Abstinence, fasting, attending more than your usual round of services, and more besides, must now draw our attention, away from the world, unto Christ. 'More on this below.

Next year will mark thirty years since I began studying for Holy Orders. In that time, I've been in many places serving the Church, and have seen much. Throughout all of this space, I've never seen such flux in Anglican Churches in the United States, omitting, of-course, the Episcopal Church. Realignment and instability, failures in leadership, leadership uncertain as to which way to lead their flock, and on it goes.

We are blessed to have leadership that strikes no uncertain note. Our Lord is Jesus; our mission is service to Him, through extending salvation to all whom we may. We bow before Him, surrendering all that we have and are, rejoicing in the opportunity to do so, and teaching others the to do same. Pray for our Bishops and Clergy, that they may never lose this Way!

Shrove Tuesday is our last joyful gathering for some time to come, Ash Wednesday following hard upon it, the very next day. Come Wednesday, when our sins are physically laid-upon us in the character of Ashes, we will begin the Lenten process. Our obligation is to tear-away ~rip, shred, cut, peel, scrape, burn and purge ~all of the delusions and illusions with which we cover ourselves, or that others place-upon us. All of the niceties, all of the falsehoods, all of the vanities that infect us must be done-away, dropped and left-behind on the ground, like so much discarded skin, as we walk, stumble, and crawl, over the rough and rocky path, completely exposed, naked to His eyes, towards His Cross.

BRING YOUR PALM CROSSES AND FRONDS TO THE PARISH, ASAP!

I remain in His praise,

The Rev'd Fr. T. L. Crowder

Pastor, S. Matthew's Parish