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The New Year 2006
-- We are in the process of updating our website, please check back frequently --
Schedule for week of January 1st
The New Year 2006 -- We are in the process of updating our website, please check back frequently -- Schedule for week of January 1st
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The Parish Messenger November 1999
Ghosties and Ghoulies and Things that go Bump in the Night This edition of the Messenger is reaching you on Halloween, that once-innocuous preparation for the feast of All Saints which, thanks to the merchandising moguls, now vies for decorative prominence with Christmas. Like most of the Church’s festivals which have been taken over by secular minds, the underlying messages of the day have been lost in the external observances. Perhaps a short look at some of the trappings of the day will serve to put the observance of Halloween back into its proper perspective within its proper venue, the life of the Church Catholic. Let us first remember the origin of the title itself: Halloween. All major feasts of the Church year were given a special set of prayers for the evening before. All Hallows Day, or All Saints Day had its special observances on the eve, or e’en. Thus, All Hallows eve became commonly referred to as Halloween. The secular customs to which we are accustomed all have their basis in this preparation for the feast of All Saints.Costumes- The first intent of dressing in costumes for this occasion was to have the faithful clothe themselves in the manner of their favorite or patron saints. Dressing as the saints helped the revelers to focus on the lives of holiness led by those gone before. As time went on, costumes changed from the heroes of the day to the villains or evil spirits. Nothing black or demonic was intended by dressing as these evil spirits, just as nothing is intended when children play cops and robbers. To play out the drama, both sides are necessary. Today, the evil beasties are the most popular costumes, though some children will dress in the costumes of their favorite cartoon or movie heroes. While these may not be saints, at least there is a subconscious desire to emulate those who do good and who "fight for the right." Trick or Treat- A common feature of many religious occasions is processing from place to place, often asking for and receiving food at designated spots. The Christmas "Posada" among the Hispanics or caroling among the English are examples of this practice. At this harvest time of the year, it seems a natural inclination to go from house to house seeking blessings in the form of foodstuffs. Ghosties and Ghoulies- As mentioned above, there are two sets of players involved in the commemoration of the day. On All Saints the heroes of the faith are remembered; not only those who have their own feastdays assigned to them, but all those who have "fought the good fight, who have finished the course, who have kept the faith." Then, on All Souls Day, we will pray for those souls who have struggled on their course to holiness and who may be struggling yet. Not to be forgotten are the unholy souls who died unshriven. These lost souls are commemorated in the revelries of Halloween as ghosts and goblins. But the underlying message is that they need not stay in this state of misery. Redemption reaches even beyond the grave. By the prayers of the faithful even these lost spirits can be released from the bondage of sin and join the ranks of the saints in light. As the Church Year winds to a close, we find ourselves focusing more and more on the events that will close the Age. As the days grow ever shorter we feel a natural dread of the night and the coming winter. The message behind these two great feasts, celebrated as November begins, is that the darkness has been conquered by the Light; the terrors of night are overcome by the Daystar rising gloriously, breaking the shadows of night and death.But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day,
Daughters of the King This venerable parish organization has grown by one new member. Mary Illig was installed as a Daughter at the High Mass on October 25th. She was invested with the "habit" of the order at that time: a simple silver cross which bears the inscription, "Magnanimiter Crucem Sustine," "Uphold and bear the Cross." Daughters of the King are women who have pledged themselves to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ’s Kingdom and the strengthening of spiritual life within the parish. Congratulations to Mary and to all the Daughters.
For Faithfulness in Service O Lord, Jesus Christ, head of the mystical Body of the Church; cleanse our eyes to see thee, quicken our ears to hear thee, open our lips to show forth thy praise, give our hands the skill to do thy bidding and make our feet swift to go where thou dost guide, that thy heavenly Kingdom may come and thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven, and all for thy dear sake. Amen
from the DOK Handbook
Devotional Societies St. B’s has been blessed with the presence of several devotional societies in its 130 year history. Among these are The Confraternity of the Blessed Sacrament, The Guild of All Souls, The Order of St. Vincent and The Society of Mary. I take it as a welcome sign of the spiritual health of this parish that these organizations are again becoming active. Today’s Church is very much in need of the witness of these groups. Not only do they bind people of common interest together, but the spiritual energy that they engender spreads throughout the entire community of the Church. If you are interested in the life and work of any of these societies, contact the Rector or representatives of the Society.
Clean-Up Day on October 16 We had a wonderful turn-out for this occasion! If your pew is a little shinier, or the kitchen floor is a lot less sticky or bushes aren’t hitting you in the face as you come in the front door of the church, take time and thank those who gave of their most valuable commodity, Saturday time, to come and clean the church and tidy up the grounds. A heartfelt thanks to all those who participated from your Rector and your family at St. B’s.
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