Dear Friend of the Cathedral
This will be an exciting weekend at the cathedral when we participate in the city-wide Journées de la culture. There will be an art exhibition, a display of some the fascinating items found in our archives, a display of vestments and a full programme of concerts. Come and hear Patrick playing virtuoso Toccatas on the organ at 1 pm on Friday. After the recital you can go up into the organ loft while Patrick demonstrates the instrument. There are 3 concerts at 6, 7 and 8 o’clock, all involving cathedral musicians – a sing-along, a performance from the Armenian ensemble directed by Sam, and a guitar ensemble led by Jonathan Stuchbery.
On Saturday the exhibitions continue all day. In the afternoon there is a special opportunity to paint to music – unleash your inner creative spirit – I can’t wait! There is a special oasis concert at 4 pm when members of the cathedral community will offer music and poetry that are special to them. Punch and popcorn will be served on the forecourt at the end of the concert. After a breather two fabulous Montreal choirs will rock the rafters of the Cathedral , the Gay Men’s Choir at 7, and the Intercultural Choir at 8.
The weekend will end with Evensong on Sunday and a traditional English cream tea featuring home-made scones and jam and fair trade tea. It would be lovely if lots of people came to Evensong and stayed for tea. Evensong is probably the most beautiful of the Anglican liturgies, but our excellent choir sings every week to a virtually empty church, comforting themselves that there are hundreds listening on the radio. Let’s come out in droves this Sunday to visibly support Patrick and the choir and make visitors welcome.
We will be welcoming many people this weekend, some from other Anglican churches, some, particularly Francophones, who were brought up as catholics, and some who seldom set foot inside a church. Vivian has suggested an appropriate spiritual practice. She asks, whether we know that “hospitality and hostility are both derived from the same word root”? That’s what Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat write on their blog, Spirituality and Practice. A wonderful invitation to explore the difference, yes? And to extend welcome to those who are not our intimates.
Vivian has also been managing the cathedral’s Facebook page. If you cannot come in person to Les journées de la culture, you might want to check in with the Cathedral’s Facebook page to see updates and photos during the weekend.
It’s time for the annual winter coat project organised by the McGill Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. Each year, this multi-faith chaplaincy collects and distributes winter jackets, hats, mittens, and boots free of charge to university students new to Canada, to help them get through the long Montreal winter. Drop-offs can be made at the Newman Catholic Centre at 3484 Peel Street between 10:00am and 2:00pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. There is free parking for short periods of time in their parking lot during these time slots. Simply mark all bags clearly as “Winter Coat Project” and deposit them in the lobby. Alternatively, Jean-Daniel has kindly agreed to deliver coats dropped off at the cathedral on Sunday. Please put the coat in a bag labelled McGill Winter Coat Project and hand to the verger or stewards on duty on Sunday morning.
After the 10:00 Eucharist this Sunday, members of SJAG will be making a brief presentation about the Leap Manifesto to which the Anglican Church of Canada is a signatory as a member of Kairos. If you are not familiar with this document, join us in the St John’s Chapel, and see what we’ve signed on to. You can also find out more at https://leapmanifesto.org/en/the-leap-manifesto/
The summer series of Wednesday Oasis concerts has wrapped up for this year. Saturday concerts continue. For details of all Oasis Musicale concerts visit http ://www.oasismusicale.blogspot.ca/
The theme for the October Lunch n Chat will be Thanksgiving ; so potluck contributions could be directed accordingly. All welcome at noon till 2 pm on Tuesday October 4. Please call the office on or before October 3 so that we know how many places to set.
The Cathedral Reading Group will meet on Sunday October 23 at 7pm to discuss The Housekeeper and the Professor by Yoko Ogawa. All are welcome. Speak to Donna or Diana for details.
Reminder: there will be a Public Lecture: The Scriptures in the Church on Friday, October 28, at 7pm in Fulford Hall Despite Jesus’ admonition to his disciples to love one another, the Bible today often serves as a source of disunity. Reverend Bill Countryman will explore the historical origins of this situation and suggest a future more life-giving course. The evening is sponsored by the Montreal Diocesan Theological College.
Sunday, November 5 will be celebrated as Remembrance Day. We will be welcoming the Grenadier Guards, many of whom have served Canada overseas.
November 11, the actual date of Remembrance Day, is the day of the annual fund raising concert organised by the music committee. The concert will celebrate Shakespeare in words and music. . If you know of anyone who would be interested in purchasing an ad in the programme or making a financial gift, please contact Benjamin Stuchbery or the office. Tickets will soon be on sale.
The Ven Bill Gray, Executive Archdeacon is asking for our prayers for the bishop as we celebrate the first anniversary of the consecration of Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson. His letter to the diocese is attached.
Special Notice Bishop Mary is convening a Special General Vestry meeting
on Tuesday, October 18, 2016 in the Cathedral at 6:30pm
to elect a Parish Search Committee.This meeting is open to all who have attended the Cathedral regularly for 6 months or more.
Happy “culture days”
Ann Elbourne