From Deacon Ron Reno:
Pray for all of our Bishops. Pray especially for Bishop Ashman who has landed in the hospital again because of Covid. It reminded me of the need to pray for all of our clergy because the Devil is real and he attacks our clergy however he can. We must pray for mercy, the grace of God and His love to combat the Devil. The Devil is not omnipresent but he and his minions do try to destroy the people who bring the truth of God. That is especially true of God’s clergy and His Bishops.
We had a lovely External Solemnity of Candlemas along with the collect for Sexigesima. Candlemas is important to us because its ancient origins go back to the early church about 354AD. For the prelude, the choir did the Antiphons from the Candlemas rite. We chanted the Litany and the offertory anthem of “When Mary to the Temple Went” by Johannes Eccard was especially appropriate. A MUST read is Father Andrew’s attached homily. Father put a wonderful historical narrative to this ancient custom. Thank you Father!
ALMIGHTY, and everlasting God, we humbly beseech thy Majesty, that’s thy only-begotten Son was this day presented in the temple in substance pf our flesh, we may be presented unto thee with pure and clean hearts, by the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen “Collect for Candlemas”
O LORD God, who sees that we put not our trust in anything we do; Mercifully grant that thy power we may be defended against all adversity; through Jesus Christ our Lord.Amen
“Collect for Sexigesima”