St. Mary's Church, Roslyn: Pastor's Page

Dear Friends:

With the start of Advent and a new liturgical year, I am delighted to announce an exciting development in the life of St. Mary’s: the reconstitution of our choir, and a renewed music program, under the direction of our own Dr. Mary McCleary. As you know, we are blessed with a wonderful staff of organists and singers led by Dr. Paula Berardinelli, Mrs. Susan Olsen, and Mrs. Donna Brown. Our parish has a tradition of excellent liturgy, in which music plays an integral—not merely decorative—role. The impact of liturgical music on a congregation, both in selection and execution, is incalculable, and I have searched for months to find just the right person. Although she would eschew any attention directed at her, it is important to recognize the gifts that Dr. McCleary brings to her position: as a classically trained singer, composer, and academic, with vast performing experience both in the U.S. and Europe.

Music is the Church’s art form par excellence, for it best reflects the human condition, which is both sensitive (the body) and spiritual (the soul); so too, music is both “sensual” and incorporeal (that is, there is no “material” component to it). What’s more, just as human beings who search for God, come into the world, live, grow, and die, so too music lives in time, as it commences, develops, and concludes. Josef Pieper (German Catholic philosopher) points out that the goal of sacred music is not that of secular music: it seeks neither to soothe nor entertain nor intoxicate; to do so is to distract from, instead of enhancing, the encounter between God and the soul. Sacred music expresses and deepens the holy desire for God, “by whose grace our inner yearning finds fulfillment…” (Only the Lover Sings) Likewise, Pope Benedict suggests that music “draws us to what is above…and leads us out of individualism into the communion of saints spanning all times and places.” Like all true art, music “is an assimilation to the artist, to the mind of the Creator (The Spirit of the Liturgy).” Through music, God “woos” the soul.

A music program driven by this aesthetic may at first seem a “tall order” for St. Mary’s, but my thoughts are a hope, not an immediate expectation. Our first steps are therefore small but important. We will publish a Mass program with all printed music in the bulletin, and gradually expand our repertoire to include music from a variety of styles and periods. Our choir will perform at the 11AM Sunday Liturgy, and will be enhanced from time to time with appropriate instruments and ensembles. Although we need new members to supplement all sections—sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses—we have a particular need for male vocalists. No experience is required, and Dr. McCleary will announce upcoming auditions and rehearsals. Our work may be noble, but I assure you that people will have an awful lot of fun as well.

The worship of almighty God and the call to holiness are the first order of business at any Catholic parish. With our newly trained and expanded corps of Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, ushers, and altar servers, Mass at St. Mary’s will, by the grace of God, be celebrated ever more beautifully and prayerfully.

Faithfully,

Fr. Valentine

Dear Friends:

Christianity is an historical religion; we profess that the Lord reveals his wisdom, power, and goodness to real people in concrete circumstances: something we call “salvation history.” At the same time, we American Catholics belong to a national family with its own, civil history, one that has been shaped by Christian principles. Even a cursory review of President George Washington’s writings affirms his conviction that our country, founded upon human equality and dignity, came to be by God’s direct intervention. Part of America’s strength is the tolerance of our citizens to welcome people from other traditions, while being true to principles that have honed our collective character for over two centuries. Thus our national motto: e pluribus unum.

We American Catholics do well to discern the activity of God in our national family, perfecting what is good, correcting was isn’t, and forging new paths for greater understanding, compassion, and justice. Recognizing the manifold ways in which God steered our country through the horrors of the Civil War, President Lincoln declared a holiday in 1863 for the purpose of thanking him for bringing injustice to an end, and establishing a new basis for peace. Like Washington before him, Lincoln interprets the gradual resolution of the War (as yet to be resolved) as nothing less than an act of God:

“No human counsel hath devised nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy. It has seemed to me fit and proper that they should be solemnly, reverently and gratefully acknowledged as with one heart and one voice by the whole American People.”

It would be difficult to imagine a human activity more effective in binding hearts and minds than a meal, which is why we make such a big deal over our Thanksgiving celebrations. For this week’s bulletin cover, I tried to find an example of the Holy Family at table (a surprisingly unusual scene), and found this lovely 15th –century painting by the Dutch artist Jan Mostaert. Notice St. Joseph slicing a piece of bread while the Blessed Mother feeds Baby Jesus from a bowl of porridge. Not exactly a turkey dinner with all the trimmings, of course, but it is all the more beautiful for its joyful simplicity, its delicate tranquility. Who is it who said: “A loaf of bread, shared in love, is a banquet”?

With that in mind, I urge you, amid the stuffing and cranberry sauce, the Irish Bread and the pumpkin pie, to savor the real gift of God, namely, the presence of your family and friends gathering in a moment of love. Instead of pointing out the “lumpy” potatoes, let’s remember how good it is to be together. Instead of “talking politics,” let us declare without embarrassment our gratitude for being part of a national family blessed with freedom and peace. May we American Catholics prove to be the best citizens of our earthly city by setting our eyes on its heavenly counterpart. Happy Thanksgiving.

Faithfully,
Fr. Valentine