From The Rector 

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

Today the Church remembers St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist. He was a Galilean about which we know little, except that he was a tax collector working for the occupying Roman forces. As long as the Emperor's taxes were collected, the Romans were not terribly concerned with the practice of "tax farming," which was prevalent. Taxes due would be collected with a little extra added on which went straight into the pockets of the collectors. Remember the story of another tax collector, Zacchaeus, whom Jesus also associated with. In his moment of grace, he promised to pay back "even four times what [he] had extorted from the public."

Like Zacchaeus and other "publicans" as they were known, Matthew was despised by his fellow Jews as a thief and a traitor, and therefore lumped in with "sinners." It was therefore shocking to the Pharisees that Jesus would call such a man to be one of his close disciples. What was this supposedly great rabbi doing by associating with these immoral people? His answer, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.” (Matthew 9:12-13)

Matthew is, unsurprisingly, the patron saint of civil servants. The story of St. Matthew is yet another example of how God calls the unexpected or even the despised to holiness of life and witness to his Gospel. How is God calling you?

Blessings,

Fr. Rick

From the Vestry

Raffle for the Barn Owl

Support Saint Mary’s and buy a chance (or more! ) to bring home this incredible Barn Owl by photographer Kate Griswold.

The archival photo on paper measures 28” X 28” and is framed.

Kate is a renowned photographer who has been photographing animals of all types for many years. 7 years ago she decided to shoot birds in their natural habitat, both near her home in eastern Massachusetts and in Bray’s Island, South Carolina. She feels a strong spiritual pull from them, both birds of prey and other large birds; she has the patience to wait and let her subjects go about their daily tasks, with stunning results.

Kate adds a unique background, created digitally, thus focusing our attention solely on the bird.. Resulting in exceptionally beautiful works for any Tuxedo interior or lover of owls.

Saint Mary’s wishes to thank Ann Gwathmey who has so generously donated this work for our raffle.

Raffle tickets are $50. each. If you can’t join us on October 1st, please purchase tickets online. Or grab your chances at cocktails on the 1st!  The winner will be drawn at Victoria’s during dessert. (The winner need not be present)

Sunday School Has Resumed

The Sunday school year has once again begun here at St. Mary's. Please contact the office at 8453515122 or via email at [email protected] for more information

Upcoming Events

Prayers of the Community

Parishioners we are praying for:

Barbara Beauregard

Bert Lucarelli

Bill Steinmann

Webb Turner

Kirby Warren

Friends and family members we are praying for:

Bishop Andrew St. John

Jessica Cromey Buck, niece of Fr. Cromey

Charles de Casteja longtime Tuxedo Park resident 

Anthony Garofano brother of Neil Garofano

Kathy Catini, friend of Sandy McGrady

and longtime Tuxedo resident

John Kordel, friend of Fr Rick and Pete

Rob McQuilkin, longtime Tuxedo Park resident

Bob Myers, husband of Marie-Claude Wrenn

Allan Moli Ochieng, son of Elizabeth Ochieng

Brendan Pascarella, relative of Gillian Ballard

Richard J. Schineller, friend of Inger Grüterich

and former resident of Tuxedo

Nicholas Triantafillou, Grandson of Bill Steinmann

Carmen Murphy, close friend of Ann Ho

We pray for the repose of the soul of Denise Kathleen Williams, sister of Gillian Ballard.

The sanctuary candle is given in loving memory of Henrietta Sloat Reeves Mother and Grandmother by Harrison Bush

Prayer requests may be made at

(845) 351-5122 or [email protected].

Volunteers are needed for the Sloatsburg Food Pantry located in All Souls Community Church, 81 Washington Ave, Suffern, NY 10901

Help is need for the following dates:

• Wed, 9/21 distribution
• Tues, 9/27 distribution
• wed, 9/28 distribution

Please Contact St. Mary's [email protected] (845) 351-5122 or The Sloatsburg Food Pantry [email protected] (201) 394-0627 if you can help on any of the above dates. New volunteers click here to fill out your application form.