This Week at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo
|
|
Stay informed about what's happening at St. Mary's by subscribing to our weekly newsletter...
|
|
|
|
|
Thursday, August 16 - Stephen of Hungary, King and Confessor, 1038
9am to 11:30am - Vacation Bible School
Sunday, August 19 - Patronal Feast of St. Mary the Virgin
8am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
9:50am - Infant/childcare available and Sunday School begins
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Church with special Marian music; coffee & lemonade follows
11:30am - Vestry Meeting
Wednesday, August 22 - Queenship of the BVM
10am - Holy Eucharist in the Chapel
|
|
Dear Parishioners and Friends,
Growing up in the evangelical Protestant tradition, I rarely heard much about our patron Saint, Mary the Mother of Jesus. Sure, she popped up each year around Christmas, but even then only as something of a stage prop. She was necessary only because to have a baby, one must have a mother. To cast her in that light is a grave mistake, as it minimizes her role in salvation history to that of a mere incubator. She is vastly more than that. Mary is the chosen vessel of Grace through which God's eternal Word became incarnate, and she did not take on that role unwittingly or unwillingly. On the contrary, when the angel Gabriel appeared to her, he announced and explained God's plan for her. We don't know exactly how she reacted to this heavenly intrusion into her everyday life. No, we do not know how she reacted, but we do know how she responded. She responded with the most important words ever uttered by a human being, "Be it unto me according to thy word." Her "yes" in that time and place bore eternal implications for all of humanity.
She also came to know the cost of discipleship. From the time of Jesus' birth, things were not easy. King Herod wanted the infant killed, causing the family to become refugees in Egypt (a powerful story for our own time). As Jesus grew and began his ministry, there were those who constantly tried to bring him down. Finally, Mary had to witness the arrest, torture, and execution of her beloved son. Indeed, as the prophet Simeon told her in the Temple, "A sword will pierce your own soul, also." Luke 2:35.
But on this glorious feast we focus not on her trials, but on her joyful reunion with her son in heaven. As always in her role as God-bearer, she shows us the way to her son. Let us give thanks to God for the powerful and eternal witness of the Blessed Virgin Mary, she who said yes to His plan, and opened the gate of heaven to all believers.
Blessings,
Father Rick
|
|
Thanks to everyone who has helped launch VBS 2018! We just completed day 2 of the program and everyone is enjoying learning about God's love and forgiveness, while gaining an appreciation for the natural world around us. There was even a bat in the belfry (well, Father Rick's office) to investigate. Please see our Facebook page for
photos of the festivities
!
|
|
Feast of St. Mary the Virgin
|
The mother of our Lord is
recognized
on several feast days throughout the calendar year, but the most important one is August 15th, when the Episcopal church celebrates the Feast of Saint Mary the Virgin. Roman Catholics also honor Mary on this day with the Feast of the Assumption, and the Eastern Orthodox celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos.
Here at St. Mary's-in-Tuxedo, August 15th is an especially important day for our community as we have been dedicated to Mary since our very founding. This year, there will be several ways to join in the festivities:
- On Wednesday, August 15th, Father Rick will talk about the importance of the feast to our VBS campers; he will also hold a "missa cantata" (sung low mass) at 10am in the Chapel
- On Sunday, August 19th, we will pull out all the stops with a Festival Eucharist at 10am in the Church featuring special music, Marian hymns and a sung mass.
We understand that many people are on summer holidays during this time, but encourage you to be present, especially on August 19th at 10am, if possible.
|
|
All are truly welcome at St. Mary's, which is located within the historic gates of Tuxedo Park and serves the entire Tuxedo community. Please tell the gatehouse you're going to St. Mary's, proceed thru the gates and we're on the right (plenty of parking available).
|
|
How to contact us...
Office: 845.351.5122
PreSchool: 845.351.2389
Physical Address: 10 Fox Hill Rd, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 637, Tuxedo Park, NY 10987
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
