26 October 2022
Dear Friends of St. Mark’s,
November at St. Mark's is one of the most spiritually rich months of the year. Beginning with All Saints and All Souls, this last month of the liturgical year points us to themes such as the communion of saints, the resurrection of the dead, the end times, the second coming of Christ, and heaven and hell. Advent almost always begins at the end of November, and we also celebrate our patronal and dedication feasts as a parish.
On Tuesday, November 1, Bishop Fitzpatrick will be the celebrant and preacher for our All Saints' Day Solemn Mass at 6:15 pm. We have three candidates for confirmation, and after the mass, dinner will be served. The next day, Wednesday, November 2, we celebrate All Souls with a Solemn Requiem at 6:15 pm. On Tuesday the church will be decked in white vestments, and on Wednesday the church will be decked in violet and black, and the choir will sing for both masses. Whereas for All Saints we celebrate the great saints of the universal church, on All Souls we remember our departed loved ones. I am glad that we are able to observe both of these days individually, rather than lumping them together into one service, as they both have distinct purposes theologically and pastorally.
November also brings to a close our stewardship campaign for 2023. So far the results are promising. As I write this we have 30 pledges totaling $167,590. There are a number of pledges to be received still. Thank you to everyone who has turned in their pledge, as well as to those who are still praying about their 2023 pledge. On Sunday, November 6, we will have the blessing of pledge commitments at all masses.
November 28 is the Feast of the Holy Sovereigns, but in our diocese this feast is usually transferred to the last Sunday of the liturgical year, the Last Sunday after Pentecost, also called Christ the King Sunday. The celebration of Emma and Kamehameha IV works well in conjunction with the Feast of Christ the King, as the Eucharistic lectionary readings appointed each year are appropriate for the feast. Our current church building was also dedicated on the Feast of the Holy Sovereigns in 1954, for St. Mark's was celebrating this feast years before it was added to the Episcopal Church's calendar. Thus our practice has been to celebrate the Feast of Dedication on the penultimate Sunday of the year, followed by the Feast of Patron on the final Sunday of the year, creating an octave of celebration.
Lastly, Advent Sunday is November 27. On Saturday, November 26, the Eve of Advent, the choir will sing an Advent Vigil of Lessons and Carols ending with Benediction beginning at 5:00 pm. As in past years, there will be an Advent party after the service, and the congregation is asked to bring food to share for the party. This festive evening is always popular so please join us.
Before the pandemic we did a parish study on Anglican spirituality, showing how the regular celebration of the mass, with the praying of the daily offices, in accordance with the calendar of the church, forms the basic foundation of our prayer life as Christians. Many of you commented on how helpful it was to move beyond an understanding of the faith as being only a life of repeated Sundays, and that digging deeper into the calendar has been a rich religious experience. The more that you allow the calendar of the church to guide your life, the more you will find that every month has multiple treasures for the ordering your life. I find that the church's calendar is especially helpful in keeping the superficiality of pop culture at bay, while allowing the riches of our faith to take center stage.
Blessings,
Father Paul Lillie
