Dear Friends,
I have some good news to share! As you know, Fr. Moretz and his wife, Megan, had their second child a few weeks ago. The baby was premature and spent several weeks in neo-natal intensive care. He has made terrific progress and, last Saturday, Gabriel was able to return home to Megan, Fr. Matthew, and Samuel. We send our warmest best wishes to the family at this time. Fr. Moretz now begins his parenting leave and will return on March 13 in time for Laetare Sunday.
Laetare Sunday – the Fourth Sunday in Lent, also known as ‘Refreshment Sunday’ – will be very special this year. On March 13, God willing, Sr. Promise will be ordained as a priest. She will celebrate mass for the first time on Sunday, March 14 at 11 am. We hope that it may be possible for some of the sisters of her community to be present. Sr. Promise has brought much joy and a depth of spirituality to our parish, and I am delighted that she wishes to celebrate for the first time at the High Altar of Saint Thomas Church.
Last weekend, several non-faculty staff members at the Choir School tested positive for COVID-19 and have been in isolation ever since. Per CDC guidelines, none of the staff affected were considered close contacts of any students or faculty members. No students or their family members have tested positive or been asked to quarantine as a result of these cases. However, out of an abundance of caution, and because of the impending winter storm with predictions of the largest snowfall in New York’s history, we decided to send the boys home a few days early ahead of the storm. Sadly, that meant that we could not have choral evensong on Wednesday and Thursday. All the faculty and staff are tested weekly, and are remaining masked and distanced. We have very strict protocols in place, including those guiding any unplanned transition home. Ms. Francisco and the Housemothers worked quickly to perform contact tracing and resolve the situation according to all the planning for such eventualities. Within a matter of hours, all of the boys returned home safe and sound. Much credit is due to the residential faculty and the parents for their responsiveness and hard work in executing such a seamless transition for all involved. After taking a day to enjoy the snow on Monday, the boys resumed distance learning on Tuesday without missing a beat.
Lent and Holy Week is early this year. Ash Wednesday is on February 17. This year, there will be a said mass with congregation at 10:30am and a Solemn Liturgy sung by the Gentlemen of the Choir at 12 pm. At the moment we are still not having in-person worship with the choir. The Bishop has directed that we will not have the imposition of ashes this year.
The clergy have been discussing how to enrich Lent this year, and in addition to our daily services, the Gentlemen of the Choir will sing Compline on Fridays at 5:30pm which will include a Lenten meditation. The Bible Study Group will have a special book study. Sr. Promise will offer a Day Retreat on Saturday, February 27. For those who would like to pray in silence in church, there will be Eucharistic Adoration after one of the daily masses for an hour in the Chantry. On Tuesday, March 30, Dr. Filsell will perform Marcel Dupré’s powerful work, Le Chemin de la Croix (Stations of the Cross) with Poetry by Paul Claudel. The Way of the Cross will also be available in different forms on-line for people to access at a time that suits them.
Holy Week details will come later, but either the boys or the gentlemen will sing each day at 5:30pm Monday-Saturday, in addition to two services on Palm Sunday and Easter Day.
For those who are interested, next week’s Pilgrim’s Class is titled: ‘The Christian Exodus: An Introduction to Lent and Holy Week.’ If you would like to attend this stand-alone class, please contact Fr. Cheng.
Finally, tomorrow, Saturday, February 6th at 10am, Fr. Bennett will be leading the Rosary via Zoom. For further details, please contact him.
Affectionately,
Your Pastor and Priest,
Carl
