Spring Ember Days

From the Daily Offices for the Week of the First Sunday in Lent in the Book of Divine Worship.

Collect for the First Sunday in Lent.

Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan; Make speed to help thy servants who are assaulted by manifold temptations; and, as thou knowest their several infirmities, let each one find thee mighty to save; through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of this week are the traditional spring Ember Days on which one or more of these collects are read at Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer:

I. For those to be ordained.

Almighty God, the giver of all good gifts, who of thy divine providence hast appointed various orders in thy Church: Give thy grace, we humbly beseech thee, to all who are [now] called to any office and ministry for thy people; and so fill them with the truth of thy doctrine and clothe them with holiness of life, that they may faithfully serve before thee, to the glory of thy great Name and for the benefit of thy holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

II. For the choice of fit persons for the ministry.

O God, who didst lead thy holy apostles to ordain ministers in every place: Grant that thy Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, may choose suitable persons for the ministry of Word and Sacrament, and may uphold them in their work for the extension of thy kingdom; through him who is the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls, Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

III. For all Christians in their vocation.

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of thy faithful people is governed and sanctified: Receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before thee for all members of thy holy Church, that in their vocation and ministry they may truly and devoutly serve thee; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Advent

From the Daily Offices for the Week of the Fourth Sunday of Advent (Book of Divine Worship):

We beseech thee, Almighty God, to purify our consciences by thy daily visitation, that when thy Son our Lord cometh he may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Collect for the Third Sunday of Advent

Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen. -- from the Anglican Use Roman Catholic Book of Divine Worship

Solemn Anglican Evensong

SOLEMN EVENSONG & SERMON
Sunday, September 25, 2011 at 4:00 p.m.

Chapel of Mary, Stonehill College, North Easton, Mass.

This is the joint annual service of the Congregation of St. Athanasius
A Congregation of the Pastoral Provision of Pope John Paul II for the Anglican Usage of the Roman Rite with St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Brockton, observed on the Sunday nearest the memorial of Our Lady of Walsingham. A reception will follow this service

John Henry Newman Symposium and Evensong at Cathedral of the Holy Cross

IN OCTOBER SYMPOSIUM & SOLEMN EVENSONG
Sunday, October 9, 2011
Commemoration of Blessed John Henry Newman

A symposium at 3:00 p.m. -- “Newman as preacher, educator, poet, and convert”

followed by refreshments and Evensong, Father Peter M. J. Stravinskas,
preacher.

Cathedral of the Holy Cross
1400 Washington St., Boston

Sponsored jointly by The Cathedral of the Holy Cross and The Congregation of St. Athanasius.

...increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works...

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Sunday closest to August 31 in the Book of Divine Worship -- Collect for the Week of the Sunday closest to August 31 (Proper 17):

Lord of all power and might, who art the author and giver of all good things: Graft in our hearts the love of thy Name; increase in us true religion; nourish us with all goodness; and bring forth in us the fruit of good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Saint Peter and Saint Paul (June 29)

Collect for Saint Peter and Saint Paul (June 29):

Almighty God, whose blessed apostles Peter and Paul glorified thee by their martyrdom: Grant that thy Church, instructed by their teaching and example, and knit together in unity by thy Spirit, may ever stand firm upon the one foundation, which is Jesus Christ our Lord; who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee.

Collect for the Week of the Sunday closest to June 29 (Proper 8):

O Almighty God, who hast built thy Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their doctrine, that we may be made an holy temple acceptable unto thee; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

June 24th: Nativity of Saint John the Baptist

Collect for the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist:

Almighty God, by whose providence thy servant John the Baptist was wonderfully born, and sent to prepare the way of thy Son our Savior by preaching repentance: Make us so to follow his doctrine and holy life, that we may truly repent according to his preaching; and after his example constantly speak the truth, boldly rebuke vice, and patiently suffer for the truth’s sake; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

O Lord, we beseech thee, make us have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name...

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Sunday closest to June 22 in the Book of Divine Worship.
Collect for the Week of the Sunday closest to June 22 (Proper 7):

O Lord, we beseech thee, make us have a perpetual fear and love of thy holy Name, for thou never failest to help and govern those whom thou hast set upon the sure foundation of thy loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pentecost

From the Daily Offices for Pentecost in the Book of Divine Worship.

Collect for Pentecost.

Almighty God, who on this day didst open the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of thy Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

or this

O God, who on this day didst teach the hearts of thy faithful people by sending to them the light of thy Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Savior, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the same Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless, but send us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us to the same place where our Savior Christ is gone.

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Seventh Sunday of Easter in the Book of Divine Worship.

Collect for the Seventh Sunday of Easter.

O God, the King of glory, who hast exalted thine only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph unto thy kingdom in heaven: We beseech thee, leave us not comfortless, but send us thine Holy Ghost to comfort us, and exalt us to the same place where our Savior Christ is gone before; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the same Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

A Important Letter, and Follow-up Note, from the Rev. Mr. Jürgen Liias

April 21, 2011

Dear Friends,

On Saturday, April 3, we concluded our most recent series. The question we were
addressing:

IS GOD RAISING UP AN ANGLICAN USE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH AT CTR TO BE PART OF THE NEW ANGLICAN ORDINARIATE THAT POPE BENEDICT HAS ESTABLISHED?

We explored the questions: What is an Anglican use Catholic church? And what is the Ordinariate? We were instructed by Dr. Tal Howard on the ecumenical developments in the Roman Catholic Church which have led to this remarkable gesture. Fr. Sam Keyes led us in some reflections on Anglican Patrimony. We heard some personal stories of ecclesiastical journeys from Dr. Agnes Howard and from myself. Fr. Richard Bradford, an old friend, former Episcopal priest, and now Rector of St. Athanasius Anglican Use Catholic Church, with two of his parishioners, shared the story of their parish. Bishop Bill Murdoch came and addressed his support for such an ecumenical experimental project in his diocese.

Though attendance was not as substantial as in our fall series, the 10-15 participants answered the question with a solid yes and encouraged me to continue the exploration of the idea.

Recently I received some forms from the Rev. Scott Hurd, a former Episcopal priest and now a Roman Catholic who is responsible for the application process for the Anglican Ordinariate.

I would like to begin the process of application.

What I need for the next step in the journey is:

• Twelve individuals who feel called to be part of this application process and to become, God willing, a founding community of an Anglican Ordinariate Catholic Church.
  
  
• To meet regularly with me for prayer, catechetical instruction, and further personal and corporate discernment.
  
  
• To explore the practical and logistical challenges of the application process and the starting of a new church, i.e., staff, location, worship, ministry, mission, finances, etc.

Do pray about this. If it would be helpful to discuss things further with me, do not hesitate to connect with me. If and when I have twelve folk, we will gather again and begin this newest stage in this search for God’s will. I will keep you informed as to the response.

A Blessed Pascha,

Fr. Jürgen Liias
Christ the Redeemer Anglican Church, Danvers, Massachusetts

* * *

May 11, 2011

Dear Anglican Roman Catholic Conversations friends,

In my last letter, I mentioned that I am waiting on the lord for 12 folk to come forward who would like to explore further with me the birthing of an Anglican Ordinariate church at CTR. As of today, May 11, nine folk have stepped forward. Keep praying, God willing, for his spirit to move three more!

Fr. Jürgen Liias

Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abideth with his Church on earth, even unto the end of the ages.

From the Daily Offices for Ascension Day in the Book of Divine Worship.

Collect for Ascension Day.

O Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that he might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to his promise, he abideth with his Church on earth, even unto the end of the ages; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Or this:

Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God; that like as we do believe thy only-begotten Son our Lord, Jesus Christ to have ascended into the heavens, so we may also in heart and mind thither ascend, and with him continually dwell; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.

May 31st, Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Collect for the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

Father in heaven, by whose grace the virgin mother of thy incarnate Son was blessed in bearing him, but still more blessed in keeping thy word: Grant us who honor the exaltation of her lowliness to follow the example of her devotion to thy will; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Rogation Days

The Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week are the traditional Rogation Days.

Rogation Day Collect

I. For fruitful seasons

Almighty God, Lord of heaven and earth: We humbly pray that thy gracious providence may give and preserve to our use the harvests of the land and of the seas, and may prosper all who labor to gather them, that we, who constantly receive good things from thy hand, may always give thee thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

II. For Commerce and Industry

Almighty God, whose Son Jesus Christ in his earthly life shared our toil and hallowed our labor: Be present with thy people where they work; make those who carry on the industries and commerce of this land responsive to thy will; and give to us all a pride in what we do, and a just return for our labor; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

III. For stewardship of creation

O merciful Creator, thy hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us, we beseech thee, ever thankful for thy loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Pour into our hearts such love towards thee, that we, loving thee in all things and above all things, may obtain thy promises...

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Sixth Sunday of Easter in the Book of Divine Worship.

Collect for the Sixth Sunday of Easter.

O God, who hast prepared for those who love thee such good things as pass man's understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards thee, that we, loving thee in all things and above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Note, the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of this week are the traditional Rogation Days.

We thank you for thy servant Augustine, whom you called to preach the Gospel to the people of England...

Collect for the Memorial of Saint Augustine of Canterbury (May 27).

Almighty and everlasting God, we thank thee for thy servant Augustine, whom thou didst call to preach the Gospel to the people of England. Raise up, we beseech thee, in this and every land evangelists and heralds of thy kingdom, that thy Church may proclaim the unsearchable riches of our Savior Jesus Christ; who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life...

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Fifth Sunday of Easter in the Book of Divine Worship.Collect for the Fifth Sunday of Easter.

O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calleth us each by name, and follow where he doth lead.

From the Daily Offices for Week of the Fourth Sunday of Easter in the Book of Divine Worship.

Collect for the Fourth Sunday of Easter:

O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of thy people;
Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calleth us each by name, and follow where he doth lead; who, with thee and the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen