This week we will focus on three very important topics: Lent, Reconciliation and the Cathedral’s participation in Nuit blanche on February 27.
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday next week, February 10th. There will be three Eucharists, each including the imposition of ashes emphasizing the words spoken by the priest “Dust thou art and unto dust thou shalt return.” Services are at 7:30 am (said), 12 15 pm (choral) and 7:30 pm (choral).
The evening before, February 9th, you are all invited to the pancake supper in Fulford Hall (1440 Union) at 6 pm. If you don’t know many people in the cathedral congregation this is a great opportunity to make new friends. $5 at the door.
At the end of Lent, the great Easter Vigil includes baptisms, confirmations and reception into the Anglican Church. If you are interested in participating in one of these solemn acts of committal please speak to one of the priests as soon as possible.
Last year I joined in a lighter on-line Lent devotion called Lent Madness. If you like reading about the lives of saints, obscure as well as well-known, this is quite fun. Each week you are sent short biographies of two Saints and are asked to choose which one deserves your vote. Saints – 32 in all – move up the ladder towards the golden halo award which is decided by your voting preferences. Last year St Francis won. Visit the website for more details and to sign up.
A more serious Lent study course, “From Lent to Easter”, will take place in Fulford Hall on Monday evenings from 6 to 9 pm Feb. 15-March 14 & April 4. The $40 cost includes a book and suppers. To register contact Rhonda – rhonda.m.waters@gmail.com – or call the office.
Now to Reconciliation
The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has given us a wonderful opportunity to heal wounds and build a new relationship with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. On Feb 7, SJAG will be inviting members of the congregation to help them choose one of the TRC’s 94 Calls to Action to be a focus of our attention for the coming year. Please join SJAG in doing our part to make the promise of the TRC a reality. A sub-group of SJAG members has helpfully picked out 10 calls to action which seem to be of particular interest to our community and which are possible to do. Please take a look at the attached list and be ready to cast a vote on Sunday. If you won’t be in church on Sunday you can cast your vote here http://doodle.com/poll/xw8b8crhgdtacpiv
Commissioner Justice Murray Sinclair suggested “If you’re looking for something to do, I challenge you to do this: Read the Calls to Action. Listen to what it is we have said that needs to be done. Pick one. Make sure it happens. That’s what I ask of you. You don’t have to try them all. Pick one and make it happen.”
Meanwhile, we can pray. On its web site the Anglican Church of Canada has posted Prayers for the Four Directions of Reconciliation.
Nuit blanche à Montréal will soon be here and of course helpers will be needed the evening of Saturday, February 27, to count, to greet and to serve hot chocolate to the expected 3000 visitors. There will be 4 two-hour shifts, starting at 6 pm and finishing at 2 am. Please speak to Ann or contact the office. Night owls are especially needed!
Also please come yourself to enjoy the concerts, the art display and the bell ringing workshop. The liturgy of compline, lit by candles and sung to Gregorian chant, was very moving last year. It will be at 11 pm this year. Please try to join us to lead the visitors unfamiliar with this service. We will be publicising the full programme after the Press Conference next Tuesday. Until then it is supposed to be kept secret! We are also presenting three short concerts for the Eve of Nuit blanche. Again details will come later. Nuit blanche is a wonderful chance to reach out to the people of Montreal and showcase our amazing community.
Some dates for your diary:
Ø This Sunday at 7 pm the Cathedral Reading Group will discuss All My Puny Sorrows by Miriam Toews” We will meet on March 6 to discuss Mister Pip by Lloyd Jones. If you like reading and talking about books, please join us. Speak to Ann, Jane, Diana, Donna or Helen.
Ø Sunday School & Friends Potluck Breakfast – Sunday, Feb 14th at 8:30am in the Undercroft
Ø Amnesty letter writing for the love of justice and human rights Sunday February 14 after the 10am Eucharist; write letters or sign postcards to speak out against injustice.
Ø Cathedral Forum, the sounding board of the community, will meet at 6:30pm on Tuesday, February 16. All congregation members are invited.
Rhonda’s Farewell: Rhonda’s last Sunday with us will be on February 21st. If you would like to contribute to a farewell gift for her, please put your contribution in the offertory, marked “Rhonda Waters Farewell” or hand it to Robert King.