Dear Friend of the Cathedral
So here we are on the edge of the most sacred week in the year when we remember the events of Holy Week which begin with Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Those of us in church on Sunday will hear the priest say
“My brothers and sisters in Christ, during Lent we have been preparing by works of love, prayer and self-sacrifice for the celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with Christians throughout the world. Christ enters his own city to complete his work as our Saviour, to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us go with him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings, we may share his risen life”.
This is our opportunity to travel the way of the cross with Christ so that we can more meaningfully rejoice in the resurrection with its promise of eternal life. Chocolate tastes so much better when it is a reward for a good Lent and solemn Holy Week.
There are some wonderful services in the coming week. The 10 o’clock Eucharist on Palm Sunday will be a service which explores both joy and sorrow. It will start with a joyful procession round the outside of the church (if the weather is kind). Palm crosses will be distributed and blessed. Rosemary is directing a dramatic presentation of the Passion story bringing the trial and crucifixion of Jesus powerfully and sorrowfully to life. This will be followed by Paul’s sermon.
The schedule of services for Holy Week and Easter is here.
We are urgently in need of stewards for some of these services, particularly Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday evenings, arriving at 7,
Thursday for the noon Eucharist presided over by the bishop (Be there at 11:45)
On Good Friday, 2 more stewards are needed between 12 and 2pm.
The same is true for the Easter Vigil (be there at 7 pm on Saturday).
On Easter day we could do with at least one more steward.Finally, stewards are also needed for 4 pm Festival Evensong on Easter Day.
There will be a sign-up sheet in the church on Sunday. Don’t worry if you’ve never been a steward before. There will be experienced people to guide you. You can also sign up to be part of the Gethsemane Watch for an hour (or more if you want) Thursday evening at 10 pm to Friday morning at 8. David will be on duty at the side door leading to the Chapter House to let you in.
Many people find it important to take communion at Easter. Parishioners who are sick or shut-in and would like to receive Communion should contact the church office.
Would you like to help beautify the church for Easter? Rob Wells is still happy to receive donations in memory of someone or in thanksgiving. Tania will need names as soon as possible for the bulletin. Volunteers are needed to help decorate the church on Saturday, March 26, starting at 10 am.
Music in the Cathedral
Ø Patrick is promising an amazing choral mass specially written for Easter at the cathedral by Jason Noble, a member of the Cathedral Singers. Forum was very impressed by their look at the score during the last meeting.
Ø Saturday, March 19 at 4:30 pm: L’Oasis Musicale presents The Last Leaf. This concert features Schubert`s Grand Duo. With Hato piano duo: Tomoko Inui and Haruyo Yoshino-Platt. For details visit the Oasis websitehttp://loasismusicale2.blogspot.ca/ Please note that there will be no concert on Holy Saturday, March 26
Ø Also On Saturday, March 19, but from 8:15 to 9:30 CBC Montreal and the Choeur des enfants de Montréal are teaming up to present the 3rd annual Earth Hour concert. Five youth choirs will perform in the hopes of raising awareness for this global event. In keeping with the essential concept of Earth Hour, all of the Cathedral’s lights will be extinguished and candles will be lit. Ø http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/events/cbc-montreal-and-cem-celebrate-earth-hour-1.3491799
Upcoming events
Ø There will be a Fair Trade Kiosque Sunday March 20 from 11:30 – 12:30 in the baptistery supporting justice for producers and farmers.
Ø There will not be a Last Sunday of the Month Lunch in March. Instead there will be a lunch on the first Sunday in April at noon in Fulford Hall. Volunteers are always welcome to serve a hot lunch to people in need. Sponsored this month by Selwyn House School.
Ø The Cathedral Reading Group will meet on Sunday, April 10 at 7pm to discuss A Preparation for the Next Life, a novel by Atticus Lish set in New York. All are welcome to join the group.
Ø The Lunch’n Chat group will meet for a pot luck lunch as usual on the first Tuesday in April, the 5th, at noon in the Hollis Lounge. Contact Janet King.
Ø April 30, 10 am to 3 pm. Keep the date free, more information to follow: SJAG is planning a seminar involving representatives of the first Nations and educators responsible for planning and delivering curriculum. They will discuss Call 62, the recommendation of the TRC concerning education which will be the focus of SJAG’s outreach this year.
Requests
Ø Two McGill students from the Sheldon memory lab in the Department of Psychology are looking for participants aged 65 – 80 in a study assessing memory for past life events and real-world problem solving. There is a payment of $10 an hour for participation! If interested please contact memps.study@gmail.com with your name, age and availability.
Ø The Cathedral is looking for a new person or persons to co-ordinate the Journées de la culture this fall (September 30 – Oct 2). Much more on this after Easter, but please think about this exciting opportunity. A lot of the spadework has been done in the last 2 years so there is plenty of helpful information available. Contact Ann for more information.
Ø Women are requested to make sure that the Cathedral office has a record of their maiden name so that they can be visited in hospital if they happen to get ill. As you know, your married name is not recognized by the government.
There will not be a newsletter next week as I will be having a cataract operation – under my maiden name of course – on Thursday.
So, this is my chance to wish you all a very happy and blessed Easter.
Ann Elbourne