Wednesday, September 28, 2016

PARISH NOTES
Sunday 2 October 2016

Jacob's Dream, Manuscript Illustration
World Chronicle of Rudolph von Elms, c. 1300

FROM THE RECTOR

By an ancient English law, it is permitted to celebrate the Anniversary of the Dedication of a Church on the first Sunday of October. The most usual reason for doing so is that many churches in England are so old no record exists of what day of the year they were actually dedicated and consecrated. In our case, it is fitting because the actual anniversary of our church building's consecration in 1862 often falls during Lent, when the appointed Sundays cannot be displaced.

It is even more fitting to welcome the Schola Cantorum to begin a new season of Solemn High Masses on this Feast of the Dedication: a splendid way to offer praise and thanks to Almighty God for the gift of this building set apart for worship and prayer. As Jacob put it in the appointed Old Testament reading: "How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven!" 
-- Fr. John D. Alexander

THIS SUNDAY’S READINGS

Feast of the Dedication
Genesis 28:10-17
Psalm 84:1-6
1 Peter 2:1-5, 9
Matthew 21:12-16

ANNOUNCEMENTS

James Alexander Wedding – We are delighted to announce the marriage of James Alexander to Cris Barros at 5 pm on Saturday 5 November 2016 at S. Stephen's. (Many parishioners will remember James (Fr. Alexander's son) attending S. Stephen's until he went off to college in Philadelphia in 2008.) All parishioners are cordially invited to attend. To assist with the planning, parishioners who would like to attend the reception, which will follow in the Great Hall, are asked to RSVP to Cory MacLean (either by email or at 401-421-6702, ext. 1) in the Parish Office no later than Friday 14 October.

Fall Programs – Our Sunday School program and student group (Episcopal Ministry at Brown and RISD: EMBR) are underway. If you have questions about Sunday School, please see Sunday School coordinator Alison Huff. For more information about EMBR, please see Fr. Yost after the service or contact him via email at Fr.Yost@sstephens.necoxmail.com.

Monthly Requiem – for the departed of this parish whose year’s mind falls during October will be offered on Monday 3 October at 6 pm (preceded by Evening Prayer at 5:30 pm.) If you have any names to add to the list of those remembered, please email Fr. Alexander or Fr. Yost.

Society of Mary – will meet this Saturday, 8 October for 9 am Morning Prayer, 9:30 Mass, then recitation of the Rosary. Everyone is invited.

Goodwill Industries – There is a clothing collection box in the Great Hall for the next few weeks on behalf of Goodwill Industries. One of their objectives is helping people in need to find employment, and to that end, they are accepting donations of clothing suitable for job interviews. If you have anything you can contribute, please bring it.

FOR YOUR PRAYERS

Prayers have been requested for: Martha, Donald, Townsend, Norman, John, Shannah, Peter, Sister Carolyn, Michael, Richard, Mark, Michael, Hannah, Kaitlyn, Mary, Gus, Stephanie, Harrington, John, Ed, Jan, Richard, Jerry, Joel, Sandra, Yolanda, Angela, Bobby, Sally, Carlos, Loretto, Rhoda, Ned, Michael, Henry, James, Weldon, Dianne, and Elizabeth.

Birthdays this week: James Busby (5 October), Devon Callanan (7 October).

The faithful departed: Year’s Mind: Daniel Webster Latham (4 October 1986), Madge Lillian Hover Holmes (4 October 1992), and Lawrence W. Seamans (5 October 1987).

Anglican and Diocesan Cycles of Prayer – In the Anglican Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the Church Church of the Province of West Africa: The Most Rev’d Dr. Daniel Sarfo, Primate & Metropolitan, CPWA, Archbishop of the Internal Province of Ghana and Bishop of Kumasi; and in the Diocesan Cycle of Prayer, please pray for the leadership and people of St. Francis, Coventry.

THE SUNDAY ROTA

Acolytes - MC R Noble; SD Z Painter; Thurifer R Armidon; Crucifer S Brazil; Torches G Benziger, C Sylvia
Lector – E Alexander
Ushers – J Steiny, G Ryan
Coffee Hour – Sunday School

THIS WEEK AT S. STEPHEN’S

PARISH PROGRAMS, EVENTS & MEETINGS

Saturday 8 October
Society of Mary (following Mass & Recitation of the Rosary)

EXTRA-PAROCHIAL EVENTS HOSTED AT S. STEPHEN’S

Sunday 2 October
Episcopal Ministry at Brown/RISD 5:30 pm

Saturday 8 October
Epiphany Soup Kitchen 2:30 pm

LITURGICAL CALENDAR & SERVICE SCHEDULE

Sunday 2 October
THE FEAST OF THE DEDICATION (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

Weekday Office and Mass Lectionary: Proper 22, Year Two

Monday 3 October
Feria
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Requiem Mass 6 pm (Black)

Tuesday 4 October
Francis of Assisi, Friar, Deacon, Founder of the Friars Minor, 1226 (W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Wednesday 5 October
Feria (G)
Evening Prayer 5:30 pm
Low Mass 6 pm

Thursday 6 October
Bruno, Founder of the Carthusian Order, 1101 (G or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Friday 7 October
Our Lady of the Rosary (Blue or W)
Angelus 12 noon
Low Mass 12:10 pm

Saturday 8 October
Feria (G)
Morning Prayer 9 am
Low Mass 9:30 am

Sunday 9 October
TWENTY-FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST (W)
Morning Prayer 7:30 am
Low Mass 8 am
Solemn Mass 10 am
Evening Prayer with EMBR* 5:30 pm

NEXT SUNDAY'S READINGS (9 October)

Proper 23, Year C
2 Kings 5:1-3, 7-15c
Psalm 111
2 Timothy 2:8-15
Luke 17:11-19