From The Rector 

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

I don't know about you, but after the long, dry summer we experienced, I am ready for the sparkling days of fall. I hope that everyone had an opportunity to enjoy some quality time with friends and family. Pete and I returned last Friday from our second trip to Greece. It was truly marvelous, and this time we stayed entirely on the mainland, where we thoroughly explored the region of the Peloponnese. Some highlights for me were dusting off my high school Shakespeare in an ancient amphitheatre and having my very own "chariots of fire" moment while running in the stadium of ancient Olympia. And of course the food did not disappoint, as my trouser buttons will attest.

Still it is good to be back home and to re-enter our daily lives. While the lure of the exotic is strong, it is in our routine and ritual that we are grounded. With that in mind, I'd like to invite you to experience the beauty of holiness at St. Mary's as we enter a new program year. Sunday school has resumed, and our full complement of singers are back. I look forward to seeing you soon.

Blessings,

Fr. Rick

Food For Thought

Hoffman Castle aka Paxhurst 

Our Dessert Venue for October 1st is thanks to our Hostess Victoria Chin!

Imagine being brave enough soul to buy a property that has not been lived in since the 1980s. Victoria Chin is such a person! 

Paxhurst, also known as the Hoffman Castle, was built in 1904. An imposing rubble stone and half-timbered Tudor revival castle-like structure, designed by Barney & Chapman for William M.V. Hoffman and his family and it is stunning!

Hoffman was in real estate in the city, where he lived with his family in a townhouse on East 51st Street, designed by the same architects. 

The Tuxedo “cottage” was a departure from city living. It boasts many levels, rooflines, and a turret, all of which combine to make for a place of great character. The driveway winds around the house down the steep hillside where the gardens are being brought out of the clutches of enveloping vines. 

The former owner John Foreman, who wrote for both the "New York Social Diary'' and the blog "Big old Houses," bought Paxhurst with his wife in 1977 for an amazing $175,000. Despite only residing in the house for three years, he claims it’s the most beautiful house he has ever lived in.

(click here for his blog piece on Paxhurst)

This residence was spectacular from the beginning. What is most admirable is that Victoria has maintained the original details of the rooms to an exceptional degree. Not one room disappoints, from plasterwork, interior fountains, and carved oak animals on the stairs. It is an ongoing labor of love that will transport all who enter to the Gilded Age! 

Paxhurst will not disappoint those who dine with us on the evening of October 1st, you will be delightfully treated to a step back in time.

 Thank you, Victoria, oh and to the Hoffmans!

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

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, 9/14 distribution
• Mon, 9/19 delivery
• 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.