3 September 2024
Dear Friends of St. Mark’s,
I want to share with you a number of new developments that will undoubtedly bring fresh life to the parish.
The Guild of Our Lady of the Annunciation
Earlier this past spring a group of parishioners came together to form a Marian society for St. Mark’s. The goal was to have regular recitations of the Holy Rosary, as well as a perpetual novena for the parish. The group was also interested in promoting Marian spirituality, hosting small group studies as well as larger forums.
From these desires, the Guild of Our Lady of the Annunciation has formed. The story of Mary at the Annunciation was chosen because of her faithful fiat to God’s will for the world. Our Guild of the Annunciation hopes that through their work, like the Blessed Virgin Mary, we too may say “yes” to God’s will for our lives.
For some time now, Guild of the Annunciation members have been leading the Holy Rosary before the Sunday High Mass at 10:30 am in the Lady Chapel. Beginning on September 14, the Holy Rosary will also be prayed at 11:45 am before the Saturday noon mass. Every Sunday after Vespers and before Benediction, the Novena of the Guild is prayed after the chanting of the seasonal Marian anthem.
This Sunday is the first Marian Talk at the Rector’s Forum, and about once a month a different Marian Talk will be hosted by the Guild. This Sunday the topic is “The Jewish Roots of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” At some point in the future, there will be the opportunity for desirous parishioners to formalize their membership into the Guild by accepting a simple rule of life. Stay tuned for further details as this new ministry continues to evolve.
Catechesis Evenings
Another exciting addition to our parish life begins on Wednesday, September 18, with our Catechesis Evenings. For some time now, some of our lay leaders have been yearning for a weekly formation gathering that would help new and old members alike deepen their understanding of scripture, theology, liturgy, and knowledge of the Episcopal Church and Anglican Communion. These evenings will have ample room for questions and discussion, centered by Bible and Prayer Book study.
These Catechesis Evenings will begin at 7:00 pm in the Parish Hall, ending with Compline in the church. For those who have asked for a weekday mass in the evening, a Low Mass will now be celebrated on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm. Silent devotion before the Blessed Sacrament will be offered in the church commencing at 5:00 pm. The hope is that many in the parish will make Wednesday evenings at St. Mark’s a staple of their personal formation disciplines.
THE CANON OF THE MASS
Beginning on Sunday, September 15, at the Rector’s Forum, our focus turns to the Canon of the Mass or the Eucharistic Prayer. Every time we gather for the mass, we hear a Eucharistic Prayer, but how many of us actually understand what is required of that prayer? What are the constituent parts? What are the differences between the Eucharistic Prayers of the Western Church and the Eastern Church? What about the Eucharistic Prayers in our Prayer Book? And what is the Gregorian or Roman Canon, and why is it so cherished among Anglo-Catholics? For three Sundays (September 15, 22, and 29) we will focus on the Canon of the Mass.
Vespers Hospitality
Beginning this Sunday, September 8, after Vespers and Benediction, hospitality will be offered in the Parish Hall. Vespers and Benediction is one of the best kept secrets of St. Mark’s. Now after this Divine Office, we may quench our thirst for righteousness with light beverages and nibbles. You are most welcome to join us as we relax into the beauty of holiness on Sunday evenings.
Father Paul Lillie +
