Joanne Stanley, the verger, leads the processional at the beginning of the dedication service at St. Gregory’s, a traditional role that dates back centuries. Photo provided
St. Gregory’s Episcopal Church celebrated the dedication of its newly renovated sanctuary on April 21 with a special Choral Evensong concert. Construction on the $3.6 million renovation, which began in the summer of 2023, was completed by the end of the year, but this was the official Service of Rededication and Open House Celebration commemorating the church’s 70th anniversary as the cultural and sacred hub of arts and service in downtown Boca Raton.
The Right Rev. Peter Eaton, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, and Boca Raton Mayor Scott Singer kicked off the dedication. Then, led by Timothy Brumfield, the director of music ministry, organist and choirmaster, the performances in the acoustically exquisite space began. The choir and musicians, supported by the clergy, performed hymns, the Psalter, The Magnificat, The Lord’s Prayer, anthems, solos, Collects and prayers.
The festive evening wrapped with a party in the courtyard and Parish Hall and on the East Terrace, where Father Andrew Sherman led a prayer of thanksgiving topped with a champagne toast.
You can view St. Gregory’s Evensong Service of Rededication online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=8fzGyhYH8u8
14 seminarians being ordained as priests
Fourteen seminarians are being ordained to the priesthood after completing studies at St. Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary in Boynton Beach.
The men served as transitional deacons for the last year. Each of the candidates has completed at least seven years of study in the areas of human, spiritual, intellectual and pastoral formation, diving deeply into philosophy, Roman Catholic theology and pastoral practice.
Those being ordained in May and June are John Buonocore, Milton Martinez and David Zallocco for the Archdiocese of Miami; Serge Dubé and Joshua Martin for the Diocese of Palm Beach; Diego Vasquez and Cristian Vergara for the Diocese of St. Augustine; Michael Batista and Phillip Mills for the Diocese of Orlando; Arturo Merriman for the Archdiocese of Atlanta; Peter R. O’Steen for the Diocese of Charleston; Ross Williams for the Diocese of Raleigh; Francisco Gamboa-Felix for the Diocese of Savannah; and for the Diocese of St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, Ronan Sarmiento.
The two from the Palm Beach diocese were ordained by Bishop Gerald M. Barbarito May 4 at the Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola in Palm Beach Gardens. During the Mass, the men lay prostrate before the altar. They received the Laying of Hands as the prayer of consecration is prayed over them, were anointed with chrism oil, and received their vestments.
Music at St. Paul’s is a wrap
Music at St. Paul’s season wrapped up on May 5 with a performance by the Delray String Quartet, but this was not the end of the series as first expected. May 5 was to be the final concert because of increasing costs and decreasing attendance for a series that brought the best classical and chamber music to St. Paul’s for 35 seasons. But the church reached an agreement with the Delray String Quartet to continue as artists in residence.
The quartet plans a series of concerts in late 2024 and early 2025 with three shows featuring St. Paul’s Chancel Choir. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church is at 188 S. Swinton Ave., Delray Beach. Watch for updates at https://stpaulsdelray.org.
Saint Mark Greek Orthodox: Hi to Alexa
An adorable post on Saint Mark Greek Orthodox’s Facebook page announced a new way to stay in touch with the church in Boca Raton. If you have the Amazon Alexa app on your smartphone or an Amazon Alexa at home, you can listen to services at Saint Mark with Alexa’s help.
To teach Alexa this new skill, say “Alexa, ENABLE Saint Mark.” Then anytime you want to hear Saint Mark, say “Alexa, PLAY Saint Mark.” When the service is live, you’ll hear the current service. When there is no service going on in the church, you can listen to one of more than 1,400 recorded services.
Thanks, Alexa!
More Vacation Bible Schools registering
St. Vincent Ferrer Vacation Bible School meets from 9 a.m. to noon June 10-14 in the Family Life Center for kids who have completed kindergarten through fifth grade. The fee is $60. Scholarships are available. Teens interested in volunteering for service hours are welcomed. Call Amy Sexton at 561-654-8649 or email amy@sextons.net.
First Presbyterian Church of Delray Beach hosts Vacation Bible School from 9 a.m. to noon June 10-14. The theme of the event is “Hometown Nazareth: Where Jesus Was a Kid.” The church is at 33 Gleason St. VBS is free. Get more info and register online at https://firstdelray.com/upcoming-events.
— Janis Fontaine
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