This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo |
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Services are being live-streamed online on Facebook (you do not need a Facebook account to participate).
Saturday, December 4
10am to 2pm - The Emporium is open
5pm - Evensong (in-person and online)
Sunday, December 5
10am - Second Sunday of Advent
Holy Eucharist (in-person and online)
11am to 1pm - The Emporium is open
11:30am - Outreach Committee in the Family Room
Wednesday, December 8
10am - Holy Eucharist (in-person and online)
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Dear Parishioners and Friends,
It's that time of year again, when children everywhere become very conscious of their behavior because, as we all know, Santa Claus is coming to town. Indeed, I hear that he is already in NYC kicking up his heels with the Rockettes. I guess when one is omnipresent, one can fit a lot into a day.
You know the names of his reindeer, but do you recall the story of the real-life Saint behind the legend? On Tuesday, December 6, the Church commemorates the incredible life of St. Nicholas of Myra. He was born to Greek parents in present-day Turkey around 270 AD. Though he is highly venerated today as the patron saint of (among other things), sailors, pawn brokers, the unmarried, the city of New York, and of course, children, the first accounts of his life were not written until several hundred years after his death.
He is known as Nicholas the Wonderworker, because of the many miracles that are attributed to him. Several of the most famous naturally involve children. In one story, Nicholas saves three girls from being sold into prostitution by their father who could not afford their dowries. Nicholas came secretly in the night (see a pattern?) and left three bags of gold, enough to get the girls properly married off. In another more gothic tale, a wicked butcher killed three young boys and preserved them in pickle brine, intending to sell them off as pork during a famine. Nicholas came to the rescue and miraculously brought the three back to life. One wonders what became of the butcher, or if the boys could ever bear the taste of pickles again.
The list of wonders goes on and on, and though the history is murky, Nicholas may also have been at the Council of Nicea, where he is said to have punched the daylights out of a heretic.
Colorful to the last, the saint died in 343 AD. Within 200 years of his death, Emperor Theodosius II had the Church of St. Nicholas built in Myra, where Nicholas's remains were venerated until the great schism. Then, in 1087, a group of Italian merchants sacked the church and moved (most) of his remains to the Basilica de San Nicola in Bari. The rest are said to have been taken during the First Crusade to Venice.
Part man, part myth, the legends of St. Nicholas live on and show us the power of God's love. St. Nicholas of Myra, pray for us.
Blessings,
Father Rick
917.658.6314
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Advent Learning & Spirituality |
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Before the covid lockdown, we introduced a Saturday evening service of evensong with meditation on the writings of the mystic St. Teresa of Avila. For a number of people, this service was a source of spiritual nourishment, and its discontinuance was a source of disappointment for all involved.
I am happy to announce that starting on Saturday, November 27, at 5pm, we resumed evensong with discussion of the classic spiritual work, "Dark Night of the Soul," by St. John of the Cross, a 16th century mystic whose poetry and studies on the development of the soul are considered among the greatest works of Spanish literature. The service is simple, but moving. You can buy your copy of the book here.
In other liturgical news, we resumed congregational singing on the first Sunday of Advent, and are using the Rite I celebration of the Eucharist. Like you, I am very happy to be singing in church again, and Advent is an especially good time to begin again, as it is the Church's new year, and the Advent hymns are some of the greatest in our tradition.
See you in church!
Father Rick
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Emporium Christmas Open House |
Please join us for a special Emporium Christmas Open House on Saturday, December 11th, from 3pm to 5pm. Come and enjoy all the holidays offerings, plus wine and cheese! |
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At this time of year, we give thanks not only for the bountiful harvest, but also for all of the blessings of this life. Everything comes from and returns to God. On November 21st, we ingathered all pledges for 2022 and we are already over 54% of our goal.
Every gift is important and is received with gratitude. It is vitally important for every member of St. Mary's to make his or her pledge as a show of financial support, but also of faith in our mission and witness to the risen Christ.
Your pledge can come in at any time, but practically speaking, before the end of the year helps us greatly with our budget projections for 2022. Thank you!
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Christmas Open House at St. John's |
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On Sunday, December 5th, from 2pm to 5pm, St. John's Church in the Wilderness will be hosting a candlelight Christmas open house. Located at 119 St. John's Road, Stony Point, NY 10980 (in Harriman State Park), the 19th century church, rectory, and former dormitory will be open for self-guided tours. Enjoy the beautiful Christmas decorations, lovely scenery, Christmas hymns, and light refreshments.
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How to contact us...
Office: 845.351.5122
Physical Address: 10 Fox Hill Rd, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 637, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
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