Whether or not you have recently been on retreat, you might enjoy reading about Thomas Merton’s experience of the life in the busy city when he came to Louisville, Ky., from the monastery of Gesthemane where he had lived for many years. He credits the discipline of solitude for his ability to be conscious of his huge delight in being one member of humanity “in which God Himself became incarnate… now I realize what we all are. And if only everybody could realize this! But it cannot be explained. There is no way of telling people that they are all walking around shining like the sun.” A more in-depth discussion on this topic can be found in this week’s Spiritual Practice post.
Some quick notes about services and events around the Cathedral and diocese during the next 3 weeks in chronological order for your convenience:
Saturday, May 16, a concert with baritone Jean-Philippe McLish and pianist Sanaz Sotoudeh. Jean Philippe has been heralded as the next great Canadian singer so catch him before he becomes famous. The concert, Journey Through Love and Death includes music by Schubert, Schumann, Butterworth, Duparc & Vaughan Williams.
Sunday, May 17. The 10 am service includes a blessing of graduating students. After the service the Fair Trade Boutique will be selling ceramic and terracotta planters from Bangladesh, the usual range of delicious fair trade food, and a wide new range of teas. At 2 pm Pain, partage et prière, the French Bible study group will meet in the Hollis Lounge.
Tuesday, May 19, Forum meets to discuss a variety of topics concerning the Cathedral parish. The agenda this month will include issues related to the future of Cathedral Place. All congregation members are invited for refreshments at 6 pm, followed by the meeting at 6:30. Elected members please send regrets to the Cathedral office.
Also on Tuesday, at 5:45, there will be an Ignatian meditation in the Meditation Chapel.
Wednesday May 20, a plethora of events, starting with an Oasis Musicale concert at 6:15 in the cathedral, closely followed by a panel discussion Diverse Voices Respond to War from 7 – 9 pm in Fulford Hall. Overlapping the panel discussion is a concert given by the Three Cantors in St George’s, Place du Canada, starting at 7:30. Jonathan writes “A Three Cantors Concert is a celebration of the power of music to bring joy, hope and faith in Christ to bear on the challenges of a world of people in need… and to have a great time doing it!” The Oasis Concert, Tales for Strings explores folklore and storytelling for strings, and includes Janacek’s Podhaka, inspired by a Russian fairytale of love, sorrow, passion, adventure, and celebration. Music or war – a difficult choice – “Had we worlds enough and time…”
Sunday, May 24 is the Feast of Pentecost.
The Most Rev’d Fred Hiltz, the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, will preside at the 10am Eucharist at the Cathedral.
That afternoon at 4 pm Bishop Barry will ordain 6 people to the diaconate, including Cathedral members, James Duckett, Josée Lemoine and Jean-Jacques Goulet. The service will be followed by a reception in Fulford Hall.
The Book Group meets at 8 pm that evening to discuss Life After Life by Kate Atkinson. Even if you can’t come to the discussion do read the book. Titles of books read by the group since it was founded in the 1980s can be seen here. Almost all the books on the list are highly recommended.
May 31st after the 10 am service, Jeffrey Mackie and Ben Stuchbery will share their reflections following their participation in the Green Church Conference in Quebec City.
Moving into June, make a note of the parish BBQ following the evening Eucharist both of which will be held outside on June 7, starting at 6 pm. Rhonda would love some offers of help.
A new bishop will be elected by Synod on June 6, but Bishop Barry will be with us until August and will be front and centre of the first annual Bishop’s Bowling Bash, a diocesan fundraising party which will be held at Rose-Bowl Lanes on St Jacques in Montreal from 2pm-5pm on June 14th. There will be games, food, prizes and a silent auction! The cost is $50 per person (half price for kids under 12), which includes bowling, shoe rental, light dinner and tax receipt. All proceeds go to the mission work of the diocese.
A more formal event will be the farewell supper honouring Bishop Barry on Sunday, June 21. Cost is $100, covering meal, wine and gift for Barry Clarke. To reserve your seat (by June 11th please!) email bishops.office@montreal.anglican.ca or call Mary at 514-843-6577 xt 235
Flowers sponsors are needed for Sundays in June. Please speak to Rob Wells or contact the Cathedral office if you would like to donate flowers in thanksgiving, in the memory of a loved one, or to mark a special occasion etc. (Cost approx. $60.00)
I recently took a look at the Anglican Church of Canada News from General Synod, May edition, and found it very interesting. There is information about Jerusalem Sunday (this Sunday, May 17) and two interesting initiatives are described – pollination gardens to encourage bees and butterflies as part of our stewardship of creation, and an article about the church’s follow-up to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission which finishes its mandate May 31