The Cathedral and Diocesan offices need you to pray for the still small voice of calm to be heard this coming week.

There are 4 wonderful and joyful days coming up, starting on Friday with the first of 3 days celebrating Les journées de la culture and finishing with the consecration of Mary Irwin-Gibson and her installation as the twelfth bishop of Montreal on Tuesday evening. Please offer a prayer, blessing everyone’s hard work and lifting up Mary that she may be filled with the Holy Spirit.

There are many wonderful things to do and see during Les journées – archive displays, movies, workshops and concerts.

If you have fond memories of The Sound of Music, Schindler’s list, A Room With a View … and other great movies … you should take a look at the Saturday concert programme. Actually, all the concerts have terrific programmes featuring the cathedral’s own talented musicians. I am particularly intrigued by the group playing medieval Armenian music on Friday evening which has been put together by Sam. The half hour concert is followed by two more short concerts featuring Jonathan Stuchbery playing classical guitar, and the Jarry Flute Ensemble of Jonathan Bailey, Ben Stuchbery and Cécile Poirier. Again, take a look at the programme. Not on the programme, because it is not a concert, but also full of beautiful music is the choral evensong on Sunday which closes our celebrations. The service will be followed by an English cream tea on the forecourt

 A horn quartet will entertain us on the forecourt after the Saturday Music from the Movies concert while we sip punch and munch popcorn.

Click here for all the details.

Last Sunday was a busy day.

An excellent General Vestry meeting approved the financial statements and people listened with some excitement (possibly mixed with apprehension) to a presentation about the urgent need to replace the rusting spire and repair the leaking roof and the fact that the Cathedral is about to launch a major capital campaign, raising the needed millions of dollars. We also heard about the plans for an every member visitation and stewardship campaign to be launched very soon. A powerful metaphor was used to highlight the difference between the two types of fundraising: if you are given a new fridge you make sure it’s well-stocked with food.

After the vestry meeting a large group gathered for lunch and an informal meeting with Gustavo and Salvador, Mexican fair trade avocado farmers from the fair trade cooperative PRAGOR. They spoke to a group of our Sunday School children during the vestry meeting, and then over the meal gave a presentation and answered questions. Thanks to Jennie Coleman from Equifruit for coordinating the visit. Our congregation looks forward to setting up a system to order PRAGOR’s delicious fair trade avocados later in the year!
Find out more about PRAGOR’s work here.

Please take note of some up-coming events.

This Sunday help is needed with the Last Sunday of the Month Lunch at noon in Fulford Hall, a hot lunch for people in need.

Monday, September 28th from 6-7:30 pm in the Undercroft: Join the Public Theology Working Group and help shape this year’s program.

Sunday, October 4th

at 4pm – Evensong and Installation of the Rev’d Dr. Donald Boisvert as Principal of Diocesan College
and at 6 pm the monthly Evening Eucharist, this month celebrating the Feast of St Francis.

Lunch’n Chat on the first Tuesday of each month which is Bay day for seniors, at 12 pm in the Hollis Lounge. The next gathering is Oct 6.

Conference Synod 2015 October 16-17 at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Lachine.  Join Synod delegates for this time of learning and diocesan community building. The convening circular for synod is now available online http://www.montreal.anglican.ca/synod/

Cathedral Day, Saturday, October 31st  The Cathedral is a busy place full of wonderful people with many ministries but only one mission.   Whether you are new to the community or have been a member for decades, this day is for you!  Details to follow soon.

And lastly – happening next year, but now is the time to enroll.

Pilgrimage: Exploring Anglican Heritage: From Augustine to Aidan – the English saints. 20 April to 3 May 2016, led by Paul Kennington. Leaflets available in the church.