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‘Weekly Posts.
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 July 23
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Tuesday, 23 July, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled Services are as-follows:
- Tuesday (today): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
- Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Vigil of S. James the Great, Apostle & Martyr.
- Thursday, Friday, Saturday: NO SERVICES.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity IX, monthly Parish Brunch following 10:00 Mass, at Schooners Grill, on Warwick.
As you literally just read, our Parish Brunch is Sunday this-coming. We will meet after the 10:00 Mass, for which there will be no coffee-hour. Schooners Grill will be our destination, on Warwick Blvd., past CNU, on the same side of the Street. There, we will break the fast together, as all Brothers and sisters in-Christ Jesus had ought to do.
The long-awaited, much-heralded CAC Synod will commence this Thursday (yes, two days hence) in Amherst, Virginia. The sponsoring Parish will be Church of the Epiphany, where Bishop Nalls is the Rector. The Friday-morning Mass will be sung by our own Altar-crew, including myself, Deacon Collins, and our Master of Ceremonies, Jim Elsnau.
We are taking nine people from Saint Matthew's! The is far-and-away the largest contingent that we've taken to Synod, even electoral Synods, during my tenure. I'm very thankful for all of those who have decided to join in this experience.
Inasmuch as this is our first Synod with the CAC, it is well that so many from the Parish will attend, and thus be able to experience everything first-hand, and then share their impressions with those who could not attend. It is also gratifying that the oft-repeated appeals were answered by so many who are willing-and-able to join with the greater Church in worship, praise, and works for the Kingdom.
I will see all those who are travelling to Amherst there, on Thursday. I beseech the prayers of those who will remain here, not only for our safe travels to-and-from, but that a successful, indeed a Sacred Synod, will be had and enjoyed by all who are in-attendance. I remain
in His praise,
The Venerable T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 July 16
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Tuesday, 16 July, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
-
Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
6:30 PM, sung Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Alexius, Confessor.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Camillus of Lellis, Confessor.
Immediately followed by Soup & Study. - Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Vincent de Paul, Confessor, with the Gregorian Canon.
Immediately followed by Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Margaret of Antioch, Virgin & Martyr.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity VIII.
Not Sunday this-coming, but the Sunday next-ensuing will be our monthly Parish Brunch. This month we will sample Schooner's Grill, past CNU, on the same side of Warwick Avenue. Please join us for the breaking of the fast, joining-together as all brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus had ought to do.
Our National Synod for the Convocation of Anglican Churches is barely over a week from now. As I understand it, there are four-or-five rooms left at the Elston Inn, on the Campus of Sweet Briar College. Should those be occupied, there are some dorm rooms that will be made-available. In either case, please make an effort to attend these sessions.
There are several topics that I seldom address, some few of which are due to that over-blown sense of Anglican propriety, or nicety. I typically discuss one of these only annually. There is no particular reason to mention it now, other than that it simply crossed my mind. However, breaking with custom, today we have the dreaded Tithe.
Our tithe is not an option, not a nice extra thing that we do, not a way to stockpile pennies in Heaven. It is a scriptural commandment. Thus, yes, our salvation depends upon it, in-part, among other commandments that we are to live.
One of the Scriptural references mentions first fruits. As-such, we calculate our tithe on gross income, not net, nor otherwise adjusted. As God hath given unto us, so we bless Him, and His holy Church, in-return.
The generally accepted figure is ten-percent of our gross income. This is Scripturally supported, but don't forget The Book of Acts: the standard expressed therein was one-hundred percent ~ be happy with ten! That 'ten, of-course, is supposed to be a starting-point, not a goal.
Ours is a God of mercy. The tithe is always expressed in percentiles, not fixed amounts. Further, these are tenuous times. If you cannot keep to the ten-percent, give what you can. The widow's mite was accepted of our Lord ~ the amount is not the key to salvation, but the sincerity of the gift, the spirit in which it is given. Insincerity was they key to the downfall of Ananais and Sephira.
Love God, as He first loved us. In so doing, we honour him as He wishes us so to do. We are called to be His good, and faithful, servants. Amen. I remain
in His praise,
The Ven. T. L. Crowder, Vicar General
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 July 9
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Tuesday, 9 July, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
-
Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Saint Thomas More, Martyr.
6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs.
- Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's Morning Prayer & Breakfast.
6:30 PM, Mass, Solemnity of Saint Benedict, Abbot, followed by Soup & Study. - Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Saint John Gualbert, Abbot, with Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Saint Silas, Martyr.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity VII.
We are two weeks and two days from the commencement of the annual Convocation of Anglican Churches (CAC) Synod. The Synod will be held in Amherst, Virginia, on the campus of Sweet Briar College. All events, including meals, will be held there. Our lodging is at the Elston Inn, also located at the school.
EVERYONE who can possibly attend should do so. This Synod marks the beginning of a new life in Christ for Saint Matthew's. We have been in the wilderness, and are now come into the Valley of Peace.
Our entrance-into the CAC will rejuvenate both those who were here before us, and we ourselves. Yes, there are issues of administrivia that must be addressed, and that process is already well under-weigh. Some canonical items will be on the agenda for consideration during our approaching sessions. All necessary forms were e-mailed to you previously; they can be sent again, if needed, or hard-copies may be had at the Parish.
God speaks to us in many ways. We have His holy Scriptures, wherein His will for us is directly revealed. We have His holy tradition, those things that He has taught us via revelation through His most Holy Church. We have, perhaps most importantly, His holy Sacraments, the only way, per the words of our Lord Himself, that the Father's saving Grace comes to us. Thus, God communicates, in every sense of that word, with us in many ways.
The only avenue that extends from us to God-ward is prayer. I was reminded last week by one of our faithful of the power of prayer to achieve all things that are in-accord with the Father's designs. A day without prayer is unimaginable to me. I do occasionally worry that my prayer is too informal, more of a running monologue than the classic formats of thanksgiving, petition, etc., all of which latter should be done briefly.
Pray ~ pray to the Father, or to the Son, or to the Holy Ghost, individually; end in the name of Jesus, or that of the most holy Trinity. Pray for yourselves, your family, and all that you may know. Pray for Saint Matthew's, your family in God, and the seat of your faith and worship, that it will reach the unchurched, growing deeper in faith, and greater in numbers. Pray for the Clergy in the Parish, that they do all that they can and should do in-support of you, and of the greater Church, and of the Kingdom. Pray without ceasing,
in His praise,
The Ven. T. L. Crowder, Vicar General
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 June 29
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is 29 June, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows
- Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Sung Mass, SS. Peter and Paul, Martyrs; 22nd anniversary of Fr. Crowder's Priestly Ordination.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity V. Monthly Parish Brunch after the 10:00 Mass.
- Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Feast of the Precious Blood.
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Visitation of the BVM.
6:30 PM, Holy Rosary, Sung Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Of the Octave of SS. Peter & Paul.
- Thursday: 10:00 AM, INDEPENDENCE DAY ~ Hilton Village Parade commences; Mass to follow.
NO OTHER SERVICES TODAY, including Soup & Study. - Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Vladimir of Russia, King & Confessor, with Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Octave Day of SS. Peter & Paul.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 PM, Mass, Trinity VI.
Tomorrow, immediately following the 10:00 Mass, we will will depart the Parish for our monthly Parish Brunch. This month, we'll be dining at the Crab Shack, located at the foot of the James River Bridge, not far from the Parish. Please join us, even if you attend the 8:30 service, in the breaking of the fast.
Independence Day this year falls on Thursday, of this week. We will meet at the the Parish, and depart at 9:45 AM for the staging area, which is just past Warwick Blvd., heading West on Main St. The parade commences at 10:00. This will be our first parade in many years without Pepper, but hopefully Toby will join us, to take up the banner.
This past week, all of you received an e-mail, which had appended to it the registration-form and other documents necessary for the CAC Synod. It will be held in Amherst, Virginia, over the 25th - 27th of July. If you were unable to open or print the attachments, there are hard-copies for your use at the Parish.
Again, I'm urging EVERYONE who has the time to attend the Synod. There is very little actual business to be conducted, but there will be several educational sessions, in-particular one on Church Music, which will end in a concert! As-such, there will be plenty of time for fellowship with all of our brothers and sisters attending from the various regions of the CAC.
The greater Church is entering-into a time of strong change, which will, I believe, continue for some while. Western Orthodoxy has, at long-last, begun seriously to say enough is enough to the corrupting strains that were introduced by the Episcopal Church, and others. Realignments are in-progress; realignments that will, I pray, result ~ in the not too distant future ~ in organic union as a singular Church. This should be our goal, and must be our prayer ~ to order Holy Church Undivided, as it once was, and our Lord intended it to be. I remain
in His praise,
The Ven. T. L. Crowder, Vicar General
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 June 25
Beloved of the Lord:
It is good to be back! I was at the West Coast for ten days, visiting family and friends. 'Many thanks to Deacon Collins and our Master of Ceremonies, Jim Elsnau, for insuring that the service schedule carried-on whilst I was away. The currently scheduled services are as-follows:
- Tuesday (today): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly parish Requiem.
- Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, SS. John & Paul, Martyrs.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. John Fisher, Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
- Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, S. Irenaeus, Bishop & Martyr, with Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, SS. Peter & Paul, Martyrs; Fr. Crowder's Priestly anniversary.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Trinity V, commemorate S. Paul, Apostle & Martyr; monthly Parish Brunch following 10:00 Mass.
The monthly Parish Brunch will follow the 10:00 Mass, this-coming Sunday. We will leave the Parish, and meet nearby, at the Crab Shack, which is at the foot of the James River Bridge. Please join us, even if you attend the 8:30 service ~ come back, and break the fast with us!
I usually employ this space to relate theological, historical, or spiritual topics. However, this week, there are pressing, local matters that affect us all, and must be made-public. Rather than a sermon, these matters were largely presented Sunday, at both services. For those who were not there, here is the gist of what was said.
Several years-ago, after lengthy, numerous, and growing dissatisfaction with the ACC, our Parish, along with others, voted to leave the ACC. Initially, as was the historical precedent with other parishes in these circumstances, we clergy assumed that we would continue as ACC clergy. Without any previous attempt at communication, Bp. Lerow threatened all of us with Deposition, if we did not abandon our Cures. We refused, sought another ecclesial home, and were welcomed by Abp. Thomas Gordon, of the Orthodox Anglican Church.
Things appeared very well, initially. Over time, questions began to arise about the Church leadership, but these were never made public, as the seeming good-will and christian fellowship was enough to cover the concerns that were had. On 23 April, this year, Abp. Gordon, without any conversation-with or preparation-of the greater Church, resigned at 12:07 in the morning. A midnight resignation being extremely unusual at best, and highly suspect, at worst, much-less one that was a complete surprise to every member of the Church, clergy and lay, a firestorm of speculation and questioning was ignited.
Several amongst the clergy thought it best to bring the questions, that had simmered for some time, into the light, at the approaching General Convention. We prepared two motions: one to remove the finances from the control of the Abp., a state of affairs that exists in no other genuine Anglican Church, by electing a lay-member of the Church as Treasurer. The second motion was to nominate Bp. Nalls as a candidate to replace Abp. Gordon, who was clearly intent upon having his nominee as the only candidate, thereby depriving the Church of any sense of an actual election, from amongst a field of qualified clergy. Once he discovered that we intended to bring these questions into the light, for all to see and hear, at the General Convention, and before we'd even had the opportunity to formally present them, Bp. Nalls, myself, Fr. Westcott, Deacon Collins, and the Parishes of S. Matthew's and Church of the Epiphany were all summarily removed from the OAC by Abp. Gordon.
Several other parishes and their clergy left the OAC, when they discovered what had been done to us. Additionally, Abp. Barton of the Convocation of Anglican Churches, when he heard the news, immediately removed his jurisdiction from the OAC. All of the aforementioned have now joined, under the aegis of the CAC, in common-cause to serve the Christ in the Anglican tradition.
The best, however, was yet to come. The Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth, which left the Episcopal Church years-ago, was also watching these events. Their Bishop, The Right Reverend Ryan Reed, called Bp. Nalls, and over the course of the conversation, suggested that we join-together in serving our Lord. He asked Bp. Nalls to write a Concordat of Inter-communion, which Bp. Nalls did, in one page (text below). This Concordat has now been signed by both parties, and has been made public by the DFW.
To my knowledge, this is the first such Concordat into which the DFW has entered. It is an extraordinary honour to have been asked and accepted as partners with the single largest Anglican Church in the United States. We are now on the greater front of the battle to preserve and promulgate the Anglo-Catholic faith.
Returning to local matters, as a result of the integration of parishes and clergy into the CAC, Abp. Barton asked that I accept the rank of Archdeacon, in the position of Vicar General for the CAC. With all due humility, I accepted. A new Diocese, Diocese of the Epiphany, will be delineated, and will have Bp. Nalls as its Ordinary.
Things are accelerating, and will likely continue to do so. History is beginning to move, and we are at the beginning, I believe, of a rising current in the life of Holy Mother, the Church. The choices we have made, resulting in the path we currently tread, will enable us to swim, if not guide, this wave of history. May Jesus, the Christ, be glorified in all that we are and do. I remain
in His praise,
The Ven. T. L. Crowder, Vicar General
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
Articles of Ecclesiastical Fellowship and Concordat of Communion
WHEREAS the Episcopal Diocese of Fort Worth and the Convocation of Anglican Churches, adhere to the Old and New Testaments as the revealed Word of God; the Ecumenical Creeds; the Historic episcopate, priesthood and diaconate; and the historic Anglican liturgies, and further adhere to the doctrine, discipline, and worship set forth in the Articles of Religion of 1801, the Chicago (1886), and Lambeth (1888) statements of the Lambeth Quadrilateral and in acknowledgement of the Articles of Ecclesiastical Fellowship known as the Bartonville Agreement (1999); BE IT UNDERSTOOD THAT:
Article I. As evidence of our fellowship in Christ and the shared Standards of Faith existing between the above-named Jurisdictions, a delegation of clergy and laymen may be sent as observers to each other's Synods and/or Conventions.
Article II. Clergy and/or congregations of the above-named Jurisdictions shall not transfer their connection to the other without the mutual assent of the appropriate authority of said Jurisdictions.
Article III. The ecumenical officers of each Jurisdiction pledge to meet at least once a year to discuss ways of establishing a full confederation of traditional Anglican Jurisdictions in the United States.
Article IV. Recognizing they are working together in the same great cause, and on the same basis the above-named Jurisdictions pledge to each other their mutual communion (communio in sacris) cooperation and support by agreeing to foster growing fellowship among their respective congregations through joint youth events, spiritual retreats, charitable initiatives, worship services, and other godly activities.
Article V. Inter-Communion (communio in sacris) has the following three cardinal points:
- a. Each party recognizes the catholicity and independence of the other, and maintains its own.
- b. Each body agrees to admit members of the other to participate in the sacraments.
- c. Communion does not require from either party the acceptance of all doctrinal opinion, sacramental devotion, or liturgical practice characteristic of the other, but implies that each believes the other to hold all the essentials of the Catholic faith
THIS, the 5th Day of June, 2024, being the Feast of St. Boniface, at Fort Worth, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and Amherst, Virginia.
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 May 4
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Saturday, 4 May, in the year of four Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
-
Sunday (tomorrow): 8:30 AM, BCP Eucharist, Easter V.
10:00 AM, Mass, Votive of the Rogations, with Procession & Beating of the Bounds. - Monday: SERVICES CANCELLED.
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Stanislas, Bishop & Martyr.
6:30 PM, Holy Rosary & Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Vigil of the Ascension.
- Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's Morning Prayer & breakfast.
6:30 PM, Sung Mass, Ascension Day, followed by Soup & Study. - Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Ascension, using the Gregorian Canon.
10:00 AM, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Of the Octave.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Sunday in the Octave of the Ascension.
PLEASE NOTE that there will be no services on Monday, 6 May, This Thursday we'll enjoy our monthly men's Morning Prayer and breakfast, at 8:00 AM. Also, a festive Cinqo de Mayo to those who celebrate that day.
As-noted above, we will have a procession tomorrow, during the Ten o'clock Mass. Processions, for well-over a thousand years, played a central and vital role in the life of Holy Mother Church. We've largely lost them in America; in other parts of the World, especially outside the "first-world" countries, they still play an integral role. Have we advanced too far, become too cynical in our cosmopolitan views, to bother with such? I'd like to say No!, but may not be able to escape that conclusion, upon honest reflection....
In the early Church, almost all customs, especially liturgical ones, were local in nature. Over time, these localities developed-into dioceses. Thus, each diocese began to have its own rites and ceremonies, with even some variations in the Mass itself. As these were formulated, they began to be written into books. Each Diocese had their own Baptismals, Sacramentaries, Ordinals, and Processionals, among others. Indeed, for the complete sacramental and liturgical life of a given diocese, it might take nearly twenty such books to contain all that was deemed necessary to completely live the life of the Church.
Processions are of two types, festival and penitential. Strictly speaking, in the West, there are processions on all Sundays and principal festivals before the High Celebration of the Eucharist. Hence, processional hymns, or the chanting of the processional verses in the minor propers, are remnants of this practice. Practically speaking, however, processions occur only on festivals. Even in the ancient English use, processions were to be held after Evensong, on feasts and on all Saturdays from Easter to Advent.
Processions are frequently held in the open air as acts of witness, e.g. on Good Friday or before a parochial mission. Rogationtide processions ~ like tomorrow's ~ are often through the fields to pray for God's blessing on the fruits of the earth. Banners are often carried in procession both to excite devotion and to typify the Church's vocation to conquer like an army the powers of evil.
Join us at Ten o'clock, as we once again take our faith into the World, singing in procession, streaming-forth from His Church. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 April 6
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Saturday, 6 April, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Saturday in Easter Week.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Easter I.
- Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Annunciation of the BVM (transferred).
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Feria of the Annunciation.
6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Feria.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Leo the Great, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
Immediately following, Soup and Study, The Gospel According to S. Luke. - Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Feria, with the Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Easter II (Good Shepherd Sunday).
There are no looming extraordinary events on our Parish Kalendar. In broader terms, this being an even-numbered year, there will be a General Convention, this year. It will be held on the campus of Sweetbriar College, in Amherst, Virginia, hosted by Bishop Nalls and the Church of the Epiphany. The College has an inn on its grounds, and a large chapel, so, quite literally, the entire affair will be held there ~ no driving, for the hearty amongst us!
I cannot recall the precise title of Stephen Hawking's book, but our reflection for today will likely be something similar ~ A Brief Look at the Nature of Time. Psychologists ~ and others ~ are now saying that, like dear old Dad told us, time does really fly faster the older you are. One of the underlying premises for this position is that, from the perspective of the observer, the more of time that we experience, the smaller the percentage of our overall lifespan it becomes. Thus, the year between ages two-to-three represents 50% of our total experience up to that point; the next year 33%, etc.
This affects everyone, even in Holy Church. Between the two of us, our Master of Ceremonies and I have nearly a century ~ one-hundred years! ~ of Liturgical participation, from Acolyte all the way to MC and Canon. We often comment along the lines of "What? Trinitytide, again!?" In the more immediate sense, we've just experienced Pre-Lent, Great Lent, Holy Week, Easter Day, and are now in Easter Week, although it, too, is drawing to a close. We spent much time ~ no one more than our MC ~ preparing for the observance of these sacred times and rites, after-which we lived them, again, as we have done many times before. The Altar Guild also was very busy, laying all of the ground-work that enables the liturgists to look at-least competent, if not good, lol, as we experienced the life of our Lord. Our Deacon was also busy, working-in to ever-greater participation in all that happens during this space in the life of Holy Mother, the Church.
Time, in the most general sense, exists only during our earthly lives. We know nothing of it before conception, and will experience eternity after our deaths. The here-and-now becomes our all. The temptation to ennui, to take for granted those things that we've experienced for the third, or thirty-third time, is an aspect of this fallen world.
As Christians, we must remain fresh. We must suffer every Good Friday as-though a fresh experience of the loss of our Lord; we must rejoice every Easter Day as a new ~ a first ~ overwhelming joy at His triumphal return. We must then communicate the sorrow and the love to others, especially those not of our flock, that they may learn what it means to know the Christ, and, so we pray, to begin their journeys towards Him, with us. Christ is Risen! Alleluia!
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 Maundy Thursday
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Maundy Thursday, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
-
Maundy Thursday (today): 6:30 PM, removal of the Sacrament from the Altar, Mass of the Day, the Maundy (foot-washing), Stripping of the Altar,
Good Friday Tenebrae. - Good Friday: 12:10 PM: The Mass of the Catechumens, The Solemn Collects, The Veneration of the Cross, the Mass of the Pre-sanctified.
- Holy Saturday: 8:00 PM: Scripture readings, the Blessing of the new fire and the Paschal Candle, The Sabbath Prophecies,
the Blessing of the Baptismal Font, The Litany and the Mass of Easter Even. - Sunday, Easter Day: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass of the Feast of the Resurrection.
Now is the time, this is the hour, and the place. The Rites, Ceremonies, and Liturgies over these next few days form the capstone, not only of Great Lent, but more specifically of the reflections we have discussed in previous weeks. Our journey, hopefully, has lead us to the very core of ourselves, along the way have examined every aspect, every atom of ourselves, in the light of reason, experience, and of the Holy Scriptures. We should be much more familiar with ourselves, now, than when we began this Season of reflection and penance.
This final stage allows us to continue, to deepen our self-study in the absolute dark of the absence of our Lord, as His earthly life is ended, and He travels to very Hell, to take the light that we shall soon lose, to every soul that ever lived before His incarnation. Our considerations will reach another peak, when he returns to us, and we are filled to over-flowing with His light. Come Easter Day, we will have reached full-circle in our journey ~ there, and back again.
Salvation does not exist outside of Holy Church. Now, more than at any other time, we must join with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ as we join Him on His Way ... The Way, as the Church was known in the earliest centuries. In a few, short hours, we will begin. Join us tonight, and over the coming days, we beseech thee. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 March 16
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Saturday, 16 March, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Passion Sunday (Lent V).
- Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Cyril of Jerusalem, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Joseph, Spouse of the BVM, sung Mass.
6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Cuthbert, Bishop & Confessor.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Benedict, Abbot, followed by Soup & Study.
- Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Compassion of the BVM.
Immediately following, 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, Palm Sunday. Parish Brunch following the 10:00 Service, at Marker 20 in Hampton.
Tomorrow begins Passiontide, the final approach of our Lord to His Cross. There will be changes, both visually in the Church, and audibly in some of our prayers, indicating the progressing Season. As Holy Church prepares for the coming Sacrifice, so must we all, in our hearts and minds, prepare for the horror, and our role in it.
At the end of the preceding 'Weekly Post, the question was raised as to whether we can exert any control over our thoughts and emotions. Though very briefly, it was answered with a 'yes'. Let us examine why that not only is, but must be, so.
To have answered that question in any other way would negate that we were made free; free in our minds and wills to choose, or to deny, the Christ, above many others choices that we may make. All of our salvation depends-upon this freedom. We must choose to follow Jesus, and choose freely.
If there is no free choice, if our salvation does not depend-upon, at-least in-part, our participation, then no understanding of salvation that has been held- or espoused-by the Church, over these millennia, may stand. For us to have no role therein reduces us to automatons, with every part of our lives having been determined by our creator. Without choice, even our love for Him would be meaningless, existing only as a programmed response, hard-wired from the beginning. This is precisely where protestants, most especially calvinists, fail. Calvin must deny free choice as an element of salvation, lest his notion of the elect be reduced to a non sequitor. He misses the very point, the heart, of our having been created by God. Just as we chose to crucify Him, so too we may choose to repent for this, and follow him. As a side note, to suggest that our Lord would choose to condemn anyone to Hell, without the possibility of altering that outcome, denies any common understanding of a loving Father in Heaven, and introduces a cruelty in-place-of that love that I, as a worshipping Christian, cannot accept.
Now, where are we? If we have prayed, and searched, and prostrated, and sacrificed correctly, over these recent weeks, we should have arrived at a clearer understanding of who we are. If this has been done, hopefully the intellectual framework that has been presented herein has become a matrix, to hold, in proper order, the results of your searchings. I pray that, at whatever level, some of this has been fruitful to you, in your reflections. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 March 9
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Saturday, 9 March, in the year of our Lord 2024. REMEMBER that the time will change, at 2:00 AM this-coming Sunday (tomorrow), requiring us to be in Church an hour earlier than usual. Don't be late! The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Saturday: (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Frances of Rome, Widow.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Mothering Sunday (Lent IV).
- Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, S. Gregory the Great, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor.
6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
- Thursday: 8:00 AM, monthly men's Morning Prayer.
6:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria, Soup &Study to follow. - Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
Immediately following, 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, Passion Sunday (Lent V).
Again, TIME CHANGE before services tomorrow, so make ye ready. Most of our devices these days adjust themselves automatically, attempting to remove human error from our lives. Some might say that Daylight Savings time is a human error, but we'll leave that for another time....
We began our reflections on Lenten meditation and exploration by looking at our thoughts, as a relatively easy point of entry into our internal lives. This lead to our mind, ostensibly the source and seat of our thoughts. We began then to consider that this might not be the case, and identified the heart (figuratively speaking) as a deeper, more likely candidate for that place in which we live, and move, and have our being.
This was supported by the theological notions, both developed and revealed, held by Holy Church throughout the centuries. The heart is the heart of the very temple ~ our bodies, which do contain all of us, whatever that may be ~ of our lives. It is this temple that is cleansed by the waters of Holy Baptism. Once purified, the Holy Ghost enters-in, to begin the work of guiding us to the Father, and to His Son. We meet Him there, He speaks to us from there, the Light of the Christ beams-forth from there, once we take that next step, following Baptism, at our Holy Confirmation.
At the end of the last full 'Weekly Post, I asked a question. After making the previous arguments concerning the indwelling of the Holy Ghost, the query became what else might dwell within our hearts? The answer, as I hope some or many of you guessed, is the soul ~ our very souls.
The soul is what ~ who ~ we are. From the soul; rather, as the soul, we see all of our lives. We watch the mind, we use it, we are bemused, and occasionally betrayed, by it. We watch our emotions, as do our thoughts, dash out-and-about on their merry ~ or other ~ errands. Can we control these? Of-course we can. Do we? This will form the basis for our next reflection. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 March 2
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Saturday, 2 March, in the year of our Lord 2023. This edition of The 'Post will be abbreviated, with the usual content being published later. The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Sunday (tomorrow): 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent III. ONE CITY MARATHON ALONG WARWICK BLVD.
- Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. Casimir, Confessor.
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
6:30 PM, Rosary and Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, SS. Perpetua & Felicity, Martyrs.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Thomas Aquinas, Confessor & Doctor., followed by Soup & Study.
- Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. John of God, Confessor, with the Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Frances of Rome, Widow.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Mothering Sunday (Lent IV).
For this quick edition, the only news is the One City Marathon, taking-place tomorrow in Newport News. THIS WILL IMPACT TRAFFIC ON WARWICK BLVD.! Plan an alternative path if your route to Church takes you along Warwick Blvd. Church services and times remain unaffected. 'See all y'all then! As-ever
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 February 27
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Tuesday, 27 February, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Tuesday (today): 6:30 PM, Mass, monthly Parish Requiem.
- Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria, followed by Soup & Study.
- Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, S. David, Bishop & Confessor, with the Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
Immediately following, Eucharistic Adoration, 'til Noon.
5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Chad, Bishop & Confessor.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent III. ONE CITY MARATHON.
As-noted above, the One City Marathon will be taking-place this weekend. The run will substantially interfere with all traffic on Warwick Blvd. If you use 'Warwick as a part of your route to get to the Parish, you'll want to determine an alternate route for Sunday.
A week from this-coming Sunday, on 10 March, we will lose an hour of rest, as we Spring-forward. Most clocks are automatic, these days, but for the other Luddites out there, on that Sunday morning, 2:00 AM will become 3:00 AM, thus robbing us of an hour. Don't let yourself show-up at the Parish for Mass, just as it's ending!
In last week's 'Post, we examined the heart-mind interface, and the notion that thoughts were perhaps the easiest aspect of that complex to access; thus, the natural place to begin our Lenten examinations. Fr. Seraphim, of S. Symeon's Skete, which has recently entered-into the OAC, some years-ago gave a Lenten retreat, in which he pointed-out that we are not our minds. They form a part of us, to be certain, but we can, with comparatively little effort, observe our minds, watch them as they complete their revolutions, and execute their manoevers. We are not controlled by our minds ~ this is not where we live.
Having devoted all of my early life to reason, it was with both discomfort and displeasure that I began to realise that we are ~ continuing to use a physical locus ~ controlled by our hearts, rather than our minds. If we properly use our minds, and have that magnificent virtue of integrity, which always seeks only the Truth, a careful examination of our lives will show, regrettably readily, to my mind, that all of our decisions are based in emotion, rather than upon reason. Why, do you suppose, that our hearts play this central role?
One very important reason is that therein lies the Holy Ghost, after He enters-into our beings at the time of our Baptism. This is the center of the Temple, washed clean for His presence, where all things begin. From the point in time of His entry, through ages of ages to come, the heart is the ground whereupon we meet and know the Holy Ghost, and from which He speaks to us. He is ~ or should be ~ our Guide, our Dante, as we plumb the dark depths of ourselves.
There is something else dwelling in our hearts, at the very core of us. Can you think of what it might be? 'More next week. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 February 17
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Saturday, 17 February, in the year of our Lord 2024. Due to the interruption in the heating system in the Parish Hall, the Potluck supper has been cancelled, but there will be a coffee hour, as-per usual. All other scheduled activities for Sunday will proceed as-planned. The services for the week are as-follows:
- Saturday (today): 5:00 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
- Sunday: 10:00 AM, ONE MASS ONLY, Lent I, including the installment of our Vestry, Altar Guild, and Lay Readers.
- Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
- Tuesday: 5:30 PM, Mass, Lenten Feria.
6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, followed-by Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, Ember Wednesday.
- Thursday: NO SERVICES.
- Friday: 10:00 AM, Matins.
Immediately following, Stations of the Cross.
5:00 PM, Stations of the Cross. - Saturday: NO SERVICES.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Lent II.
As-noted above, tomorrow, Sunday, will see one Mass, and the Installation of the Parish Guilds. There will be NO POTLUCK, only the usual coffee hour. Deacon Collins and I will be attending the Spring Clericus (gathering of the Clergy) of the OAC, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. As-such, the service schedule towards the end of the week has been modified. Attend accordingly, and say your offices at home during those times that services have been cancelled.
Great Lent having begun on Ash Wednesday, and tomorrow being the First Sunday in Lent, we are now well-into this Season of Satan, sin, and death. We must now, with great intention, and even greater faith, force ourselves, like Dante, to go further in, and further downward, first in our minds, and then, in the deepest, darkest recesses, into our hearts. The time has come, and now is....
Our Jewish forbears had a rather different construct than do we for the metaphorical heart. To them, it was the seat of thought and reason, unlike we 'moderns', who assign these to the mind, located in the brain. Thus, the heart, to us, bears the burdens and vicissitudes of our emotions.
Regardless of where we seat these things at our inner table, we must begin with thoughts. Emotions are the beginning of all things, but to make them comprehensible, and then relatable, they must be transmitted, or handed-over, from the heart to the mind, which begins to shape and categorise them into some form that may leave the inner landscape, and enter the outer world. Having been so refined, these emotionally generated thoughts are returned to the heart, where the determination of whether-or-not to release them ~ act-upon them ~ into the world outside of ourselves is made.
Since these emotion-thoughts begin and end in the heart, why do we commence our search for ourselves in the mind? Simply put, this is the easiest point for us to access. When travelling inward, it appears as the interface between ourselves and others; hence, the first thing that we see.
What are we seeking there? The ways of our mind are the initial subject of our journey to self. Are we mostly concerned with ourselves? or others? or God? or His Church? or do we think of Him and His only a little, if at-all in our daily rounds? Our mind is largely a slave to our heart, but in those free moments, if such exist, where does the mind, of its own volition, so-to-speak, go, and why?
Begin your Lenten searching here. What do I think, and why do I think it? How does ~ or why doesn't ~ my mind consider God? How do I understand God, and His role in my life ~ what do I think of Him, and His Son, and the Holy Ghost? What is my relationship to Him? Ready ... set ... go! for the discovery of the foundation of your Lenten construct. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 January 31
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Wednesday, 31 January, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Wednesday (today): 12:10 PM, Mass, S. John Bosco, Confessor.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Ignatius, Bishop & Martyr, followed by Soup & Study.
- Friday: 10:00 AM, Mass, Purification of the BVM, also known as Candlemass, with the Blessing of the Candles, using Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Blasius, Bishop & Martyr, with the blessing of the throats.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Sexagesima.
Due to one of those every-seven-years confluences on the Kalendar, some changes have had to be made in the usual schedule. Typically, we add Stations of the Cross to our usual rota of services every Friday, following Septuagesima (which fell last Sunday). However, with Candlemas having fallen on Friday, this year, that would stretch the services on that day to close to three hours. The decision has been made to cancel 'Stations for this week, and to begin them on Friday-next, 9 February.
Going forward, we will continue to have the Mass, with the Gregorian Canon, every Friday. Following the Mass, during Pre-Lent and Great Lent, we will walk and sing the Stations of the Cross. Once the 'Stations have been completed, we will have the 'Adoration, again as is our custom on Fridays. In this way, those who wish to attend the 'Stations won't have to wait 'til after the 'Adoration.
Over time, virtually all things change. I was listening to an online recording of a sermon by a Priest that I know, and heard him refer to Pre-Lent as Shrovetide. I'd never heard the phrase before, but it quite struck me. A quick glance at some of my reference books revealed no references to Shrovetide, but the thought has remained with me.
I suspect that it is an older English usage; therefore, worthy of some consideration. It was in this same vein that I, years-ago, began using Christ Mass rather than Christmas, holding the former to denote our religious observance, and the latter the commercial season to which it has largely devolved. Stopping short of antiquarian excesses, it is usually well for us to look-back into the earlier life of Holy Mother, the Church, to find those instances when time and tide have erased good and useful aspects.
Inasmuch the rest of our Christian Year is composed of '-tides', and despite the fact that both the Prayer Book and the Missal use the Pre-Lent terminology, I think that a change in custom may be in-order. This becomes especially appropriate when one considers the purpose of the -gesima Sundays. Thus, I pray a beneficial Shrovetide for us all, that we may profit from the wisdom and lessons taught by our Kalendar. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘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
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2024 January 3
Beloved of the Lord:
Happy New Year! (Albeit the secular year, the Christian year having commenced on Advent I). Today is Wednesday, 3 January, in the year of our Lord 2024. The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Thursday (tomorrow): 6:30 PM, Mass, Octave Day of the Holy Innocents, followed by Soup & Study.
- Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Vigil of the Epiphany, with Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Holy Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, sung Mass with incense, The Feast of the Epiphany.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Epiphany I.
'And let all things become as-new; radiant in the glory of fresh creation ... on this, the very threshold of the next year of our Earthly lives, may we first appreciate, and then give thanks for all that we have. We sometimes become so involved in the typical prayer-cycle of petition and need, that it becomes an afterthought, if we consider it at all, to give thanks to the Father for our Creation, the Son for our Salvation, and the Holy Ghost, for all of the gifts that He bestows upon us. No matter what sort of beginning we're contemplating, that is when we determine the rules of engagement, the policies of procedure, call it what you will. In any event, we have before us new start ~ let us stop, and pray, and set the tone of our worship, and of our very Christian lives for this year, now.
As-noted above, we will be having our usual course of study, tomorrow-evening. We've had a volunteer to bring the supper, so all y'all the rest of you simply come to Mass at 6:30 PM. Bring sharpened appetites and wits, and we shall see what we shall see....
Having shockingly ~ stunningly ~ already completed Adventide, we will rapidly progress into the other Seasons that exemplify, that teach the earthly life and ministry of our Lord, Jesus, the Christ. Christ-Masstide will soon end, Epiphanytide is hard-upon us, and others will follow in quick succession. Open your hearts and minds to the teachings of Holy Mother, the Church, as we take a front-row seat to the perfect example that He left for us, in all things, that we might know-, and serve Him, all the better. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 December 23
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Saturday, 23 December, in the waning days of the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:
-
Sunday (tomorrow): 10:00 AM, ONE MORNING MASS ONLY, Vigil of Christ Mass, Commemorate Advent IV.
11:00 PM, Midnight Mass of Christ Mass. - Monday: 10:00 AM, Mass for Christ Mass Day.
- Tuesday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Stephen, Proto-Deacon & Proto-Martyr.
- Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. John Evangelist.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, The Holy Innocents.
- Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Thomas of Canterbury, Bishop & Martyr, with the Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Nativity.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity.
The only changes to the Kalendar occur tomorrow, Sunday, The Vigil of Christ Mass. There will be one morning Mass, at 10:00 AM. After that Mass, we will decorate the Parish for the Christ Mass Season. At 11:00 PM, we will offer the Midnight Mass of Christ Mass.
Monday morning, at the same time assigned to Mondays as-always (10:00 AM), we will celebrate Christ Mass Day. From this point forward, the service schedule will be as-normal.
Tomorrow night, that great Light, the Light of all lights, the Light of the World, will come to us. It is perfect ~ it will light not only our path, but will illuminate our hearts and minds, our very souls, as-well. ALWAYS look towards the light. All truth, all wisdom, all needful things are to be found there, and nowhere else. Christ Jesus come to us, and with the brilliance that is thy very nature, show us the Way. In thy most holy and sacred Name, we pray. Amen.
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 December 12
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Tuesday, 12 December, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled service are as-follows:
-
Tuesday (today): 5:30 PM, Mass, Of the Octave of the Conception of the BVM.
6:30 PM, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament, Evensong. - Wednesday: 12:10 PM, Mass, S. Lucy, Virgin & Martyr.
- Thursday: 8:00 AM, men's Morning Prayer & Breakfast.
6:30 PM, Mass, Of the Octave, Soup & Study to follow. - Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Octave Day of the Conception of the BVM, with the Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Veneration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, S. Eusebius, Bishop & Martyr.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Advent III, Rose Sunday.
In our current sermon series, Back to Basics, we are discussing first things ~ the fundamental aspects and acts of the Faith, from which all else flows, or upon which all is built. If we take a few steps back, and look at Advent from a greater height, it may, at-first, seem odd that we begin our Christian year with a penitential Season. Why start in darkness?
All life commences in darkness. 'Born in ocean depths, or dim caves, or conceived in light-less wombs, or pushing-up from within the sunless soil, all new life tends towards the light. We await the celebration of the birth of our Lord, of His coming with Light into the Darkness of the World.
Despite this last, our life-in-Christ begins not with birth, His coming in Light, but rather, with death, His going into Darkness. No soul was saved in the moment of His birth. All were saved, when he offered-up His earthly life, on-behalf of our eternal ones.
Thus, a penitential Season as the beginning of our Year. The deep Violet vestments, the sorrow that we feel, and seek to have forgiven, all become sensible when viewed as expressions of our regret for having necessitated the birth, which lead inevitably to the death of our Lord. As S. Paul tells us, when we die to the World, and rise to life in Christ Jesus, only then are we saved, are we joined to Him, for ever and ever, amen! I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 December 06
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Wednesday, 6 December, in the year of our Lord 2023. The scheduled services are as-follows:
- Wednesday (today): 12:10PM, Mass, S. Nicholas, Bishop & Confessor.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, S. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, and Doctor, with Soup & Study to follow.
- Friday: 9:00 AM, Sung Mass, Conception of the BVM, with Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.
12:00 Noon, Requiem Mass, for David Pearce Radcliffe, followed by reception, followed by Graveside Service. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, of the Octave of the 'Conception.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Advent II.
PLEASE NOTE that this Friday, the day after tomorrow, will be the Requiem for our dearly departed friend and brother, Dave Radcliffe. That service will begin at Noon. Immediately following, there will be a reception in the Parish Hall. At about 2:20 PM, those who will be attending the Graveside Service will depart the Parish for the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Veteran's Cemetery, in Suffolk. Dave will receive military honours there, followed by a brief service on the part of the Church.
In the same sense that Dave is now preparing to meet his Lord, so, too, are we, through the benefit of the Season of Advent. Just as has the weather, our colours have turned dark, we being bound in our penitential Violet vestments. This is a Season in which we reflect and repent upon and for our sins. Make this work your chief occupation, now, that ye may obtain that greater reward, then. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish
‘Weekly Post. Anno Domini 2023 November 28
Beloved of the Lord:
Today is Tuesday, 28 November, 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, Vigil of S. Andrew.
- Thursday: 6:30 PM, Mass, the Feast of S. Andrew, Apostle & Martyr. followed by Soup & Study.
- Friday: 9:00 AM, Mass, Blessed Nicholas Ferrar, Deacon & Confessor, with the Gregorian Canon.
Immediately following, Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. - Saturday: 5:00 PM, Mass, Feria.
- Sunday: 8:30 & 10:00 AM, Mass, Advent I.
Please note the monthly Requiem on the Kalendar for tonight. If you've a name, or names, which you'd like to add to those already on our list of intentions for this service, please send them to me, asap. We will then pray for the holy progress of their immortal soul(s).
With the first Sunday in Advent comes the dawning of a new year in the life of the Christ's one, holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. A beginning is a very important time. Sitting here, and now, it seems rather odd that we expend so much time and energy concerning pledges for Great Lent, which is also a beginning, even if only that of the end, and yet we give so little thought to doing so upon what is, for Christians, the beginning of all that truly matters, the Advent ~ coming, or arrival ~ of our Lord.
As with any spiritual endeavour, begin slowly. Seek His will, and then do it, in the form of a single change in your life for the coming year. Yes, just one. Initiate the change, and then work on perfecting, and maintaining it. Build slowly, but well.
A beginning can be many things; anything from a fresh stat to a complete reinvention. In this spirit of openness, of joy, let us consider a change in the coming, new year. It lays before us, a blank slate, awaiting the imprint of our lives upon it. Seize this moment, not for ourselves, but for Him, and what we, through prayer and fasting, will hopefully discern is His will for this dawning time, and all that will follow. I remain
in His praise,
The Rev'd Canon. T. L. Crowder
Pastor, Saint Matthew's Parish