November 6, 2005

High in the ranks of coincidence is this: Shakespeare was born and died on the Feast of St. George, April 23 (in 1564 and 1616). And another coincidence: This greatest of English writers died on the same day as the greatest of Spanish writers, Cervantes. The maxim, “The proof of the pudding is in the eating,” which is thought quintessentially English, is actually from Don Quixote. As far as the truth of Christianity, one proof is the saints. They are inexplicable apart from the grace of Jesus Christ.

This season of All Saints also ushers in the closing weeks of our parish’s fiftieth anniversary year. Now we can celebrate by completing the great art in our sanctuary. The major panels of the Pantocrator and the six large icons were blessed in All Saints tide last year. I had a wish list for finishing the blank spaces, but our other expenses sidelined this. Most providentially (not coincidentally), not long ago I received a modest legacy from a television viewer and friend in another part of the country whose life was dedicated to promoting ecclesiastical art, and the sum was equal to what we needed. After consulting with the Cardinal and the Building Commission of the Arch­diocese, whose representative came here to see the proposals, I was happily able to commission the rest of the work. Our splendid artist, Ken Jan Woo, has been working hard on six large icons of saints to fill in the spaces on the interior walls at the entrance to sanctuary: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, and Paul. A dozen smaller icons have been completed for the blank spaces flanking the great columns behind the altar. These will feature old and new saints of various continents representing the divers population of our parish: European, American, African, and Asian. As a finishing touch, the large panels of art moderne angels above the figure of Christ, which are faded and difficult to see, will be filled with two large angels in the Sienese style.

With all the blessings we have received, these works, which I am sure will rank among the finest in the city, are but small tokens of thanks to our immeasurably generous Lord. They should also inspire us to improve our stewardship in the great challenges ahead of us. I think our Saviour has favored these efforts, because He has also enabled us to give the largest sums in our parish history to charitable works for the poor and sick, for the restoration of our building, and for our new organ and other projects. And in this golden anniversary year, He has also blessed us with an unprecedented number of baptisms, weddings, and new parishioners.

I hope all will be in place before Christmas. For a few weeks there will be a minor inconvenience of scaffolding, carefully timed not to interfere with weddings.

Fr. George W. Rutler