Spirit of the Eagle – September 2019
Spirit of the Eagle
St. John the Evangelist ACC
Spiritual Tidbits & Rector’s Reflections for
September 2019 from Father Tim
The month of September includes the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary and is commemorated this year by the Holy Church on Sunday, the 15th. Other notable feast days this month are St. Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist on the 21st, St. Michael & All Angels on the 29th (known as Michaelmas in Anglican Churches), and the Fall Ember Days beginning the 18th. The September Ember Days were particularly focused on the end of the harvest season and thanksgiving to God for the harvest. Ember Days were three days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday) set aside by the Church for prayer, fasting, and almsgiving at the beginning of each of the four seasons of the year. Gregory the Great (540-604 A.D.) is supposed to have fixed the Ember Days to fall after the 13th of December, the feast of St. Lucy (winter), after the First Sunday of Lent (spring), after Pentecost Sunday (summer), and after the 14th of September, the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross (fall). These weeks were known as the quattor tempora, the “four seasons”. Since the late 5th century, the Ember Days were also the preferred dates for ordination of priests. So during these times the Church had a threefold focus: (1) sanctifying each new season by turning to God through prayer, fasting and almsgiving; (2) giving thanks to God for the various harvests of each season; and (3) praying for the newly ordained and for future vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Man is both a spiritual and physical being, thus the Holy Church provides for the needs of man in his everyday life. Our liturgy and feasts tend to reflect the four seasons of the year. I pray that each of you have a bountiful harvest of blessings this month. ~ Father Tim
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When we lose one blessing, another is often, most unexpectedly, given in its place. ~ C. S. Lewis
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Is there someone in your life who could use a blessing or two? Are they feeling down and out, empty, struggling and could use a few helpings of kindness? September is a wonderful month to invite someone to visit St. John’s, possibly to our End of Summer Picnic on the 22nd? Could this September bring a bountiful harvest of hope to someone you know? The experience must come from a true commitment by each person as they begin their own personal pilgrimage which leads to the Holy Cross. ~ Father Tim
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When you attack the roots of sin, fix your thought more on the God you desire than on the sin you abhor. ~ Walter Hilton, 14th Century English Augustinian Mystic
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September Spirituality Class
In September we will be continuing our transitional class with both Spirituality and Bible Study. The class in September will cover Acts chapter 10: Cornelius – Peter’s First Gentile Convert. The study of God’s word is central to the life and mission of our parish church of St. John the Evangelist. Please join us after Holy Mass on the 15th of September for an engaging, dynamic, and informative exploration of the Holy Scriptures. All are welcome, but be warned: continued exposure to God’s word will change your life.
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St. John September Ordo Kalendar
Sunday, the 1st of Sept. at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Trinity XI, Vestry Meeting
Sunday, the 8th of September at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Trinity XII
Sunday, the 15th of Sept. at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Trinity XIII, Bible Study
Sunday, the 22nd of September at 10:30 AM, we celebrate Trinity XIV, End of Summer Picnic
Sunday, the 29th of Sept. at 10:30 AM, we celebrate St. Michael & All Angels
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September Birthdays & Anniversaries
Joanna & Jim Barnett – Anniversary – September 5
Robert Kleven – Birthday – September 12
Micheal Fraser – Birthday – September 26
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The Angel ended, and in Adam’s ear So charming left his voice, that he awhile Thought him still speaking, still stood fix’d to hear. ~ John Milton, Paradise Lost
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The priesthood of Melchisedec was fulfilled in our Lord. In the Psalms, He is described as a “priest forever after the order of Melchisedec.” In the Epistle to the Hebrews, He is five times spoken of by the same title. When our Lord came, He took upon himself for our salvation the threefold office of prophet, priest, and king. He was anointed by the Holy Spirit in his incarnation, and at his baptism, to be — The prophet, who should teach man about God. The priest, who should reconcile man to God. The king, who should subdue man to God.
These three offices were summed up in his own person : and were bestowed upon him never to be taken from him. Now, in heaven, at the Father’s right hand, Jesus Christ is still the prophet, the priest, and the king of his Church. He no longer exercises these offices towards the Church on earth in visible presence, but through a divinely-appointed ministry. He has been pleased to choose and to set apart a certain order of men, to represent him in his Church below.
The first of this long series of representatives to whom He gave authority to act for him, were the twelve apostles whom He chose out of the body of believers. Our Lord gave them the title of ‘apostles,’ i.e., those who are sent forth. The twelve apostles were men sent forth by Christ to be the prophets, or teachers, priests, and rulers of his Church. To the twelve our Lord said, — ” As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.” Jesus chose these men to be with him, and so trained them to take, in some sense, his place when He should leave the earth. ~ Vernon Staley, The Catholic Religion, A Manual of Instruction for Members of the Anglican Church
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St. John church family End of Summer Picnic coming up on Sunday, the 22nd of September. Mark your calendars now! Invite family and friends! We will have the usual 10:30 Mass at St. John’s, and then head out to the Highland Heights City Park. Please come along for fellowship and fun!
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The Psalm Festival will take place at Gil-Lynn Park on Saturday, the 21st of September. There will be Christian music, games and face painting for small children, and other treats. It is a great event for some fun family time.
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The seeking of Jesus Christ, and the quest for chivalry combined, lead directly to one place only: Anglican-Catholicism. Courage, honor, courtesy, justice, and a readiness to help and defend the weak and the poor. Welcome to the Anglican Catholic Church. ~ Father Timothy Butler