Dear Friends,
What a joyful celebration we had on Tuesday, the Feast of St. Mary Magdalene, when Bishop Andrew St. John celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of his ordination as a Bishop. A large number of people gathered for the mass that he celebrated so devotionally. Also, the Saint Thomas Girl Chorister Course and the Gentlemen of the Choir sang exquisitely. At the reception afterwards, we presented him with flowers and a bottle of champagne, and Bishop Shin spoke movingly of the Diocese’s appreciation of his ministry. There were many clergy from neighboring parishes and parishioners from around the city; it certainly was an evening to remember, and if you missed it, you can still watch the mass on demand.
Bishop Andrew sent a lovely email after the celebration that included these words:
I am deeply grateful to you for all your encouragement, forethought and practical assistance with yesterday’s memorable mass marking my 30th anniversary of episcopal ordination. With your assistance, occasional promptings, pointing, gentle directions and helping me up and down the marble steps, I was able to get through the Mass. You make the perfect pontifical MC for a tottering old bishop! … All in all it was an occasion I shall long remember. By the way I have had numerous emails from Australians watching the livestream commenting on the beauty, the reverence, the sermon and the sublime music. My musician niece and nephew in law, sitting in the front row were full of praise for the music.
Bishop Mary preached a moving and thoughtful sermon on Mary Magdalene. You can find the transcript of her fine sermon here.
On Wednesday, I had the privilege of meeting two descendants of our founder, Cornelius Roosevelt Duffie, his great-great-great grandson, and his great-great-great-great grandson! It was a joy to hear about their family history and how proud they are to be related to the CR the first! We had a tour of the church, looked at some of our archival materials, and examined some of the early silver in our vault. They were delighted to see the restored portrait of our founder so generously funded by Frank Reinauer, who also helped Fr. Mead with the memorial to the Cornelius Duffie, his wife, and his son, in the sanctuary of the church.
As I mentioned earlier, the Saint Thomas Girl Chorister course is going very well indeed. I am amazed how confidently the girls sang a Palestrina mass after only been together as an ensemble for just two days! On Thursday, they sang evensong on their own, and on Friday with the gentlemen of the choir both celebrating the Feast of St. James. Do listen to the recordings if you missed the services. On Sunday, they will be singing at 11am and 3pm. Dr. Maxine Thévenot, our guest director, is producing an incredible sound from the girls who come from all over the United States, as far away as Seattle and New Mexico.
They have also had some fun times in New York, visiting the Broadway show Wicked, going to a Mets baseball game, and having a pizza-party on the roof!
STOP PRESS! I just heard today that we have a surprise visit of the Archbishop of Brisbane, Australia, and Bishop Shin for the Feast of the Assumption on Friday, August 15; please mark your calendars for our last summer feast day at 5:30pm with the Saint Thomas Consort, followed by a reception.
Affectionately,
Your Priest and Pastor,
Carl
