Celebration of New Ministry at St. Stephen’s

During the summer of 2020, in the middle of Covid, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church of Westborough began the daunting task of finding a new rector. As is standard, yet a small miracle given the pandemic, we were able to find an interim priest named Mo. Mary Rosendale.

Mo. Mary grew-up in Colorado, and attended Colorado Mesa University, after which she was a missionary at an orphanage in Misindi, Uganda. She went to the Virginia Theological Seminary, in Alexandria, VA.  Previous to coming to St. Stephen’s, Mary was the rector of Trinity Episcopal Church in Ware, MA for 4 years. While at Trinity she worked as one of 4 Domestic Violence Chaplains for the region and oversaw the ministries that the church ran. Mary did CPE (Clinical Pastoral Education) at Bellevue Hospital in NY, NY where she worked as an intern chaplain for the hospital. Her Husband, Fr. José Reyes currently serves at St. Mark’s/San Marco’s, Worcester, together they have two young children.

As soon as Mo. Mary joined us at St. Stephen’s, even as we worshipped outside during Covid, we all felt a strong connection. Many were heard whispering, “Can’t she just stay?” which isn’t normal protocol for a search process. However, God not only blessed us with us finding Mary, He also had more, what we like to call “Godwinks” in store.

In March of 2021, the vestry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Hopkinton contacted the vestry of St. Stephen’s. They had read an article in a small community newspaper about Mo. Mary joining us as our interim, and they had an idea. They proposed that St. Paul’s and St. Stephen’s enter into a collaboration, with Mo. Mary as the Priest in Charge for both churches, one-quarter time at St. Paul’s, and three-quarter time with St. Stephen’s.  This was unheard of, since St. Paul’s is in a completely separate diocese from St. Stephen’s, but it was definitely something in which the vestries and parishioners of both churches were interested. In the fall of 2021, the Bishops of the Diocese of Western MA and the Diocese of Massachusetts each gave their blessing for this new collaboration.

As time passed, the collaboration between our two churches blossomed into more than anyone could have ever imagined. In addition, our love and appreciation for Mo. Mary’s leadership, compassion, friendship and service grew as well. As our initial contract with her came to a close, it was unanimous that we wished to call her as our next rector.

On Saturday, September 7th we held a Celebration of New Ministry to officially install Mo. Mary Rosendale as St. Stephen’s 13th rector.  The service was presided over by our Bishop, Douglas Fisher and was full of meaningful liturgy, ceremony and beautiful music. During the service Mo. Mary was presented with symbolic gifts from members of St. Stephen’s. Mo. Mary first received a Bible from Peter Kite, which led the service into the Liturgy of the Word. Mo. Mary read from the Gospel of John 15:9-16, in which Jesus teaches us to “love one another.” Bishop Fisher then addressed the congregation with a heartwarming sermon speaking of the blessings of this new beginning for Mo. Mary, St. Stephen’s and St. Paul’s, and also of how our faith in God and each other will enable us to help each other through the “seasons” that all churches go through.

The service then continued with a renewal of our Baptismal Vows. Simon Fricker then presented Mary with a Book of Common Prayer, after which we together prayed the Prayers of the People. Mary was then presented with a stole and healing oil as Symbols of Ministry from Diane Barrett and Diana Michele. Sharon Philcox, Senior Warden of St. Stephen’s and Sue Ramsley, Senior Warden of St. Paul’s then jointly gave Mary a copy of the Covenant of Understanding for Collaboration between St. Stephen’s and St. Paul’s.

Finally, Mo. Mary was presented with the bread and wine for communion by Bob Deysher and Laura Theil. This led the service into the celebration of the Eucharist, led by Bishop Fisher, and assisted by Mo. Mary.  The service was filled with St. Stephen’s congregants, priests from across our Diocese and friends and family of Mo. Mary, with everyone signing joyously in celebration of the event.  The service concluded with the recessional, “Lift High the Cross,” and then was followed by a catered dinner in Fay Hall.  Mo. Mary was presented with 3 additional gifts from the congregation after dinner:  A handmade blanket, crafted by Diana Michel, a photo collage of St. Stephen’s and St. Paul’s sanctuaries blended together, created by Erika Lundberg and a rendering of vestments to be crafted by Sharon Philcox (after Mary helps choose the fabric).

It was truly a beautiful event, and we are grateful for all who planned, assisted and attended.  It will long live in all of our memories.

You can view excerpts from the service here: https://www.ststeph.com/sermons/celebration-of-new-ministry