Assumption 2022

Dear friends,

The middle of August has arrived, and that means the celebration of the Assumption is upon us, and that we have one month left of summer. Public schools have begun classes, and private schools will do so in the next few weeks. The summer is always a time of planning in the parish, and this summer has been no exception.

EVES OF SUNDAYS

After a summer hiatus, the Saturday evening Vigil Mass is returning each week at 5:00 pm. This mass is a Sunday mass on Saturday evening, similar to the 8:30 am Sunday Low Mass.

On a few occasions the Saturday Vigil Mass will be replaced by a Choral Evensong and Benediction or Lessons and Carols services. Last year’s Advent Vigil ending with Benediction before the First Sunday of Advent was a huge success. We plan to have a similar service during Epiphanytide.

Weekday Masses & THIS SATURDAY’S ROSARY

Daily masses have returned after a July break. Mass is currently celebrated Tuesday through Saturday at 12:00 noon, and we have begun to use the Lady Chapel for some of these services. We have experimented with many different mass times during COVID-tide, and upon evaluation, the noon time seems to be the best time.

The exception is this coming Saturday when we gather for the Rosary at 10:00 am, followed by mass at 10:30 am. The Society of Mary will offer refreshments after the mass, and our monthly talk is about Mary as the Ark of the Covenant.

WEDNESDAY EVENINGS

This Wednesday, August 17, the Rector’s Study Group returns with a study of the writings and talks of the late Archbishop Desmond Tutu. This study program has been devised by Paige and Jesse Wilson with my support, and it will run for seven weeks, ending at the end of September. Because of the acoustical challenges in the Parish Hall, Wednesday evening classes have been on a summer hiatus, but now that the hall has been carpeted, the challenges of noise and hearing have been greatly reduced. We also now have the ability to play various media in the hall, allowing for richer content when teaching. The study group begins after Evensong and Devotions on Wednesdays, and a simple supper is included.

Thus, this Wednesday, Evensong and Benediction returns each week at 6:15 pm. For the Wednesdays of August, a simple form of chanted Evensong will be prayed, followed by devotions before the Blessed Sacrament. This September we will add organ, cantor, and a full compliment of acolytes to Wednesday Evensong and Benediction. Because Evensong and Benediction will be offered each week on Wednesday, and because the Vigil Mass is returning, no Sunday evening services are being scheduled.

Assumption BVM

There is much more to share, and some of it is rather exciting, but it will need to wait for future weeks. For now we have the great festival of the Assumption to celebrate this Sunday. The choir will return to sing for High Mass this weekend, and then they will return for their choral season on September 11. Mike Dupre has planned the entire year’s music.

Blessings,
Father Paul Lillie +