From the Rector

Dear Parishioners and Friends,

This coming Sunday, we will be observing the Feast of St. Michael and All Angels, also known as Michaelmas. This is a shortening of "Michael's Mass," in the same way that Christmas is a shortening of "Christ's Mass." St. Michael is considered the greatest of all the angels, having defeated Satan in the war in heaven--which we will hear about on Sunday.

The celebration of this feast dates back to the fifth century and gained prominence, not surprisingly, in the high middle ages, when it became a holy day of obligation. This was dropped in the eighteenth century. Because the feast falls near the autumnal equinox, it became associated with various seasonal activities involving everything from agriculture, to rents, to academia. Even today, universities and seminaries hold their ceremonies of matriculation on this day. There is personal significance for me, as it was twenty years ago that I "signed the book" and joined the great cloud of witnesses at the General Theological Seminary in New York City at evensong on Michaelmas.

May St. Michael, and of the guardian angels, guard, cherish, defend, and protect us.

O everlasting God, who hast ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and men in a wonderful order: Mercifully grant that, as thy holy angels always serve and worship thee in heaven, so by thy appointment they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Blessings,
Father Rick

Progressive Dinner

All seats for the Progressive Dinner are sold out. Thank you for your support! If you would like to come to the cocktails and/or dessert portion of the evening on Saturday, October 5th, you may still make a donation.

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