ABOUT THE MUSIC . . .The cantor at the Solemn Mass on Sunday morning is bass-baritone Jeremy Hirsch, who has sung regularly in the Saint Mary's Choir for over a year. During the ministration of Communion he will sing the aria Gott, sei mir gnädig from the oratorio Paulus by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). Mendelssohn's knowledge of the oratorios of Handel and devotion to the great Passion settings of J. S. Bach (1685-1750) are richly present in Paulus ("Saint Paul"), the first of his two signature choral masterpieces. The libretto for Paulus was devised by Mendelssohn in collaboration with pastor Julius Schubring, a friend of his from childhood. It draws its narrative heavily from the Acts of the Apostles. Additional biblical and chorale texts are woven into the narrative for reflection, much as Bach did in his Passions. Paulus was first performed in May 1836 in Düsseldorf, sung in the original German. The English premiere was less than five months later in Liverpool, translation having been accomplished by Mendelssohn's friend Karl Klingermann. In the aria Gott, sei mir gnädig, Paul, through the words of Psalm 51, repents and expresses his new Christian commitment in the wake of his dramatic experience on the road to Damascus.

Sunday's organ voluntaries conclude a series, initiated on August 13 of the eight "Little" Preludes and Fugues, traditionally attributed to J. S. Bach. These pieces are now widely believed to have been composed by one of Bach's pupils, possibly Johann Tobias Krebs (1690-1762), or his son Johann Ludwig Krebs (1713-1780). Of these eight preludes and fugues, four are in major keys of C, F, G, and B-flat, and the remaining four are in their relative minors of A, D, E, and G. The standard ordering of these eight pieces begins with BWV 553 in C Major and progresses up the scale to BWV 560 in B-flat. This morning's prelude will be BWV 558 in G minor, and the postlude will be BWV 560 in the relative major key of B-flat. BWV 558, for the prelude, begins with a clear harmonic plan, almost suggestive of a chaconne, simply and directly stated. Its accompanying fugue has a charmingly delicate quality. BWV 560, the last of the collection and played for the postlude, is probably the most extroverted of the eight preludes and fugues. Its prelude includes a distinctive pedal solo, and its fugue is angular and emphatic.-David Hurd

SAINT FRANCIS DAY ANIMAL BLESSING . . . Wednesday, October 4, 6:30-7:30 PM, following Evening Prayer, Father Jim Pace, officiant, exact location to be announced. Bring your pets, give thanks for the goodness of creation, spend some time with fellow Saint Marians, AND meet our neighbors. Treats provided for dogs and cats, though maybe not for turtles or snakes! All pets are welcome!

OKTOBERFEST . . . The annual Oktoberfest Potluck Supper and Hymn Sing will take place on Saturday, October 7, from 6:00 PM until 9:00 PM, in Saint Joseph's Hall and the Choir Loft. David Hurd, organist and music director, will play the organ at the Hymn Sing and will take requests from the assembled Saint Marians and their friends. Please join us. Bring a friend and a dish to share. All are welcome.