Weekly Update from Fr. van Dooren 5.1.26
Dear members and friends of our parish family,
Blessings to you on this Friday and the feast of The Apostles Saint Philip and Saint James. Click here to read more.
And this is also the night of our annual Music Benefit supporting the ministry of our boys and girls choirs. Thank you all who have supported this ministry. Indeed, by our very presence on Sundays, we offer support and affirmation to generations of boys and girls learning the art and beauty of sacred music.
This upcoming fifth Sunday of Easter presents us with one of the most beloved passages of the Bible (John 14:1-14), especially in the time of hardship. Indeed, it is the most chosen of Gospel passages for funeral masses. It takes place at the Last Supper, the day before our Lord’s death, when he is comforting his disciples with what have become words of balm to our souls: “Let not your hearts be troubled…”
Why is it that Jesus begins so many of his conversations with such phrases, “Let not your hearts be troubled,” “Peace be with you,” “Fear not,” “Be not afraid,” Be not Anxious?” Perhaps it is because we are an anxious people, and we must be reminded time and time again that God is with us even when everything seems to be shaking and collapsing.
And could this passage be more timely than now, in our present world? Here in this beloved chapter of St. John, we are called to gallantry of spirit by our Savior who promises to make such a call doable, and even joy-filled! Once again, I am honored to be the preacher.
The music this week is led by the alto, tenor, and bass voices of the choir. What used to be the Gentlemen of the Choir is now also the Gentlewomen of the Choir! We will offer a rich selection of sacred music including the Renaissance Mass for 3 Voices by William Byrd. Choir and congregation will sing the Hymn Come My Way, My Truth, My Life by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The music is set to the Mystical Renaissance poetry of George Herbert. The choir will also offer another text by George Herbert, Love Bade Me Welcome. The esteemed Anglican composer David Hurd, who currently is Organist/choirmaster down the street at St. Mary the Virgin, composed the music which is a beautiful lush harmonic interpretation of the text. We end with a new hymn by Carl Haywood, I Hope My Mother Will Be There. It was included in the 1992 edition of The Haywood Collection of Negro Spirituals.
Our "One West / One East” Midday Music series is a collaboration with Marble Collegiate Church. This spring, the theme is "The French Connection". At this week’s concert on Wednesday, May 6 at 1 pm, John Runion will be performing Organ Music of the French Baroque here at the Little Church. Suggested Donation is $10 per concert. For the full schedule, please click here.
The Holy Rosary will be prayed in the Family chapel at 9:30am. We will pray the Glorious mysteries throughout the fifty days of Easter.
We continue to live-stream each Sunday’s mass at 11:00am, and a link is sent out each Sunday morning at 8:00am. We live-stream on Facebook and YouTube. Click here to email the parish office if you would like to pray the morning and evening offices with us by Zoom.
Thank you for your continued faith, support, and love for the parish.
Fides Opera
With loving wishes,
Fr. van Dooren