Alleluia! Christ is risen! Christ is risen indeed, Alleluia!
Today, May 14 is the 40th day of Easter and celebration of the Ascension of our Lord. Tonight at 6:00 p.m. Bishop Robert Rimbo will preside at Vespers of the Ascension with special music from Argentina. Why Argentina? This evening's Vespers takes its shape from Pope Francis' ministry: music from his native Argentina, special concern for the anawim, the poor of God, and the expansive mission of the church's liturgy. This liturgy will be followed by a presentation on The Great Reformer: Francis and the Making of a Radical Pope by biographer Austen Ivereigh. Thanks to Barnes & Noble, hardcover copies of his book will be available for purchase and signing at a reception in the Living Room.
The ten days between Ascension Day and Pentecost has traditionally included very specific prayers for those preparing for ordained ministry in the Church. What has been traditional is a reality for us at Saint Peter's Church;
- On Monday, May 18, one of our members, Joe Brewer, will receive his Master of Divinity degree when he graduates from Yale Divinity School.
- On Saturday, May 23, at a mass at 10:30 in the morning, another of our members, Nicholas John Sollom, will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament by Bishop Robert A. Rimbo.
- Seminarians Nancy Rakoczy, another member, and Kevin Farrar, our seminary intern, will have completed their academic years.
- And finally, in the week following Pentecost, our vicar from last year, Carol Schneider, will have her first parish interview for a call in the Upstate New York Synod.
We pray the Holy Spirit will continue to strengthen, guide and bless these who are beloved of our parish community.
This Sunday, May 17 is the Seventh Sunday of Easter, the Sunday after the Ascension of our Lord and the 43rd of Easter's Fifty Days. Today Jesus teaches us how to pray to and work with God to accomplish God's will of holding heaven and earth in a single peace and giving unity to the whole people of God.
8:45 a.m. mass I will preside and Vicar Joseph Schattauer Paille will preach
10:00 a.m. forum Helen Goodkin: Sickness and Death in the Hebrew Scriptures
11:00 a.m. mass I will preside and Vicar Joseph Schattauer Paille will preach
12:30 p.m. brunch Thanks to our Ushers
1:30 p.m. misa Pastor Arias will preside and preach
5:00 p.m. Vespers I will preside and preach
Next Sunday, May 24 is the Day of Pentecost and the 50th day of Easter's Fifty Days. This day celebrates the greatest gift of Christ's Resurrection: the Holy Spirit through whom God creates faith, builds Christ's Church and empowers God's mission in the world.
8:45 a.m. mass Pastor Stahler will preside and preach
10:00 a.m. forum Roberto Lara on Dance
11:00 a.m. mass Pastor Nicholas Sollom will preside and Pastor Jared Stahler will preach
12:30 p.m. brunch Thanks to Bruce Johnson
1:30 p.m. misa Pastor Arias will preside and preach
5:00 p.m. Mass Pastor Stahler will preside and preach
Our 6:00 P.M. Wednesday MASS AND 7:00 p.m. BIBLE STUDY will go on summer hiatus as of May 27.
Looking ahead:
- NICHOLAS JOHN SOLLOM will be ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament on Saturday, May 23 at 10:30 A.M. Nicholas has been called as Assistant Pastor at Good Shepherd Church and School, Plainview, NY.
- DR.THOMAS E. SCHMIDT is retiring after 25 years as Cantor of Saint Peter's Church. A parish-wide celebration takes place Sunday, May 31 beginning with mass at 11:00 A.M. Dr. Schmidt's final Sunday at the organ is June 14.
- SAINT PETER'S THIRTY-FIFTH ANNUAL MEMORIAL VESPERS is Saturday, June 13 at 4:00 P.M. Saint Peter's Choir presents, along with other selections, Johann Sebastian Bach's Cantata No. 60 Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort (O eternity, you word of thunder) and Cantata No. 106 Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (God's time is the very best). A reception follows the vespers.
- SAINT PETER'S ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING is on Sunday, June 21 following the 11:00 a.m. mass. The agenda includes Resolutions to
- Extend the Covenant with Sion for two more years and create a Merger Commission
- Establish a process for review of Partnership Ministries
- Adopt the 2015-2016 Ministry and Property budgets of Saint Peter's Church.
There are so many people and some much good to give thanks for in these waning days of this program year. Please join me as together we rejoice in all of these gifts and give thanks to God for them, for one another and for God's gift of the ministry we share in Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. The Prayer of the Day for this coming Sunday says all of this best:
O God, form the minds of your faithful people into your one will. Makes us love what you command and desire you what you promise, that, amid all the changes of this world, our hearts may be fixed where true joy is found, your Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen
The Sunday assistants sheets for the entire summer are now available on the Intersection.
Peace and Joy,
Amandus J. Derr
Senior Pastor
PS: It looks like work on the Sion Center will begin on Monday, June 1!!!