From The Rector

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

"You crown the year with your goodness, *

  and your paths overflow with plenty." Ps. 65:12 (BCP)

As the leaves fall from the trees, the harvest is gathered in, and the chill of autumn is (finally) in the air, our thoughts turn to thankfulness for all of the many blessings of this life. With ritual and tradition, we mark this season of thankfulness with worship, giving, and of course, feasting! My annual contribution to our Thanksgiving table is homemade cranberry sauce, which I am told is quite delicious--though Pete prefers his in the shape of a can. Who can resist those ridges? In this case, nostalgia and happy memories win out over the gourmet touch.

In the church, we give thanks and honor and preserve memories in many beautiful ways, chiefly in our celebration of the Holy Eucharist (the very word means thanksgiving), but also in the many tangible memorials scattered throughout the buildings. Almost everything we see, touch, and hear in our church is connected to the memory of someone or a sense of gratitude for something.

Some things will last seemingly forever, some need regular maintenance (like the organ), and other things eventually outlast their useful life and need to be retired. The priestly vestments are among these things. The chasuble, stole, maniple, burse and veil become frayed and torn from many years of faithful use. At St. Mary's, our most pressing need in this department is for a new white set, with the green set not far behind. (We could also use a violet altar hanging). Like any other type of clothing, "off the rack" is easy and cheap to come by, but we really want to give our best to God, don't we? The good news is that there are any number of really gifted liturgical artists working in this field today. If "the beauty of holiness" is something that nourishes your soul and helps point you to God, perhaps providing a set of vestments in thanksgiving or in memory of a loved one is something that would interest you. Please see me to discuss.

Blessings,

Fr Rick

PS: Don't forget that on November 20, we will be gathering in pledges for 2023 at the 10:00 service, our "Harvest Thanksgiving."

Annual Outreach Thanksgiving Appeal

Traditionally St Mary’s puts together Thanksgiving Baskets to give to low income families in our community and families who, because of sickness or any other adversity, would benefit and enjoy some extra help in creating their Thanksgiving meal.

In Tuxedo we have been asked to provide for 37 families which includes 60 children. We need 24 for Hispanic baskets and 13 Traditional American baskets which will be distributed on the morning of Tuesday 22nd. 

We will be accepting donations of non-perishables at any time and fresh vegetables and fruit the weekend of 19th and 20th November. These should be dropped off in the Chapel (up the steps to the right of the church building). We will pack the baskets on Monday, November 21st.

Cash donations by check [made out to St Mary’s, with memo Thanksgiving Baskets] or online here will also be very gratefully accepted. 

Items for traditional American Thanksgiving meal: 

Potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots 

Cranberry Sauce 

Cornbread 

Cans or jars of green beans, yams, gravy 

Packets of stuffing 

Apples, bananas, oranges Cookies and sweet treats Pumpkin pies

Items for Hispanic basket:

Long grain rice 

Cans of red, black and pink beans 

Corn tortillas 

Garlic, green, sweet and red peppers, green olives 

Yucca, potatoes, sweet potatoes 

Canned pumpkins and yams Apples, bananas, pineapples, oranges 

Packets or Maseca and gandules 

Please contact Jane Garofano or Sue Heywood to indicate what you would like to donate and to volunteer to help pack the baskets. What is not donated will be bought by us using the donated funds. 

Thank You! 

Sue Heywood & Jane Garofano

[email protected]

Tuxedo Park Jeep Available

The 1967 Tuxedo Park Edition Jeep that was auctioned off at our benefit dinner in October of 2021 is once again available and in need of a good home. It was recently serviced by NJV Auto in Sloatsburg and is in running condition. It will need new tires and replacement of some of the wiring. In overall very good condition with low original miles, it is a real stunner! Contact Fr. Rick for more information.

St. Mary's is now on Instagram! Search for stmtux and click "follow" for lots of great photos from our worship and special events.

Sunday School Has Resumed

The Sunday school year has once again begun here at St. Mary's. Please contact the office at 845-351-5122 or via email at [email protected] for more information.

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

Odd Breiland, father of Kimberly Breiland

Charles de Casteja, longtime Tuxedo Park resident 

Jolene Matthews, daughter of Gillian Ballard

Rob McQuilkin, longtime Tuxedo Park resident

Carmen Murphy, close friend of Ann Ho-Powers

Bob Myers, husband of Marie-Claude Wrenn

Allan Moli Ochieng, son of Elizabeth Ochieng

Linette Opiyo, friend 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

Roxana & Mario Mora, friends of Roy & Barbara McKechnie

The sanctuary candle is given in memory of the Masterson Brothers 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 needed on the following dates:

• November 9th - Distribution
• November 16th - Distribution
• November 22nd - Distribution
• November 23rd - Distribution
• November 30th - 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.

If you or someone you know is in need of food, please sign up for an appointment using this link. 

Boy Scout Holiday Wreath Sale

Help support our local Scout Troop 2146 by purchasing a beautiful holiday wreath or greenery. Click here to order. Be sure to enter fundraising code TR2146NY001 and the names of our scouts, Tate or Alexander.