From the RectorDear Parishioners and Friends, Since the Middle Ages, it has been the tradition of the Church that bishops can allow observances of local holy people who are not recognized as saints by the church at large. This practice still takes place in the Episcopal Church, and can lead to a person being deemed worthy to be placed on the calendar of the whole church. This involves a lot of research and legislation by the General Convention, and every few years, "Lesser Feasts and Fasts" gets updated to reflect changes in our shared calendar. Today we remembered someone local to our own diocese, Frances Perkins (1880-1965). She was most notably the first woman to serve as a member of the cabinet, but was for most of her life also a faithful Episcopalian and an advocate for industrial safety and reform of what she considered to be unjust labor laws. She had a major role in shaping the New Deal as well as the establishment of the Social Security program. In all her endeavors, Perkins was guided by her strong faith, intentionally taking time for regular spiritual retreats. She is an outstanding example of the ministry of the laity writing, "the special vocation of the laity is to conduct and carry on the worldly and secular affairs of modern society...in order that all men may be maintained in health and decency." She died in New York City on May 14, 1965. Blessings,
Father Rick
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