Donald, an update – Dennis Drainville – Annual General Vestry – Cathedral Forum – Nuit blanche – Pancake Supper – Lent book study – St Valentine’s Day, spiritual practice and concert by Caterine – Invitation to attend Adrian Foster’s doctoral lecture/recital – prison ministry – restorative practices retreat – notices & reminders (including emergency pastoral phone number)
Dear Friend of the Cathedral
We have been holding Donald in our hearts this past week. Last Friday he underwent major back surgery, lasting 7 hours. He is now at home recuperating and sends his thanks for our prayers, and caring messages. We send him our love and continued prayers for healing.
We are also being asked to pray for Dennis Drainville, Bishop of Quebec and former Associate Priest at our Cathedral and Anglican Chaplain at McGill. He is currently on medical leave suffering from a degenerative illness.
An important reminder – Please try to attend the Annual General Vestry meeting in Fulford Hall on February 19 after the 10 am service. Light refreshments will be served and the Fair Trade Boutique will be offering its wares; both taking place in Fulford Hall, not in the Baptistry. There will not be a service at 12:45 that Sunday so that members of the French congregation can come to the meeting. The 10am service will be bi-lingual.
A new slate of Forum members will be elected at general Vestry. The next meeting of Forum is February 21 and all members of the congregation are invited to attend along with the elected and ex-officio members.
February always seems to fly past, bringing with it reminders of major events: Nuit blanche and Lent. Ben Stuchbery and I will be attending the press conference for Nuit blanche on Monday and after that we are permitted to unveil the details of our programme – so watch this space next week! I think it’s no secret that we will be serving hot chocolate. Thank you to the people who have volunteered to help. We can still do with more volunteers, especially people who like to stay up late!
Shrove Tuesday is February 28. George Deare and the servers will be cooking sausages and an enormous pile of pancakes. There will be a cash bar. Do plan to come if you can. The pancake supper is always a fun community event.
There will be a Lenten book study led by Gideon Strauss on 4 Sundays, March 12, 19, 26 and April 2 from 12:30 to 2pm. The book to be studied is Dethroning Mammon by Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. It will be available after February 20 at a cost of $20. Please contact the cathedral office if you want to reserve a copy and watch the newsletter and bulletins for information about registering.
However, we pass through St Valentine’s Day on our way to Lent, so here is a suggestion from Spiritual Director Vivian. “A timely spiritual practice this week might be to refresh your familiarity with the Song of Songs, one of the greatest love poems ever written—and /or the partly obscure story of Saint Valentine”
And then you might want to follow up the Song of Solomon by attending the oasis concert on Saturday, February 18 at 4:30 when Catherine St-Arnaud, lead soprano in our choir and coordinator of the Oasis concerts, will be giving a recital titled “Cesse, cruel amour”. Not long ago, Catherine was in New York taking part in the National Council auditions at the Metropolitan Opera. She was one of the New England regional finalists – congratulations to Catherine.
Adrian Foster, until recently the assistant organist at the cathedral, will be giving a lecture-recital on Friday, February 17th at 7:30 in L’Église Saintes-Anges de Lachine. This is his doctoral dissertation, a study of the recorded improvisations of Olivier Messiaen. Rob and Patrick are organising a car pool to take people out to Lachine. Please talk to Patrick if you want a ride or can give a ride. Adrian is a brilliant young organist and a leading authority on Messiaen so this will be a memorable evening.
Last week I mentioned the monthly newsletter from the Anglican Church of Canada and referred to some articles in it about prison ministry. Peter Huish, who is a member of Episkopé and a deacon at the cathedral, has a special ministry towards prisoners. He and Tim Smart are both featured in the 5-part series which makes it particularly interesting to Cathedral members.
http://www.anglican.ca/news/volunteers-future-prison-ministry/30017925/
Nicki Hronjak, the programme officer of the Diocese, is circulating information about a restorative practices retreat. Restorative Practices are techniques and approaches to conflict that foster healing and resolution in conflictual situations.
Finally some notices, mostly ongoing events or information, but you might need reminding.
Pastoral emergency number: For pastoral emergencies that happen after offices hours and on weekends please call 514 608 1754. This will connect you to a cell phone that will be with a member of the clergy team. Please use only for emergencies
Morning Prayer: Please note that, effective Monday, January 23rd, morning prayer is at 9:15. Evening prayer time remains unchanged at 5:15.
Sunday: Amnesty letter writing Sign a post card or write a letter to speak out against injustice after the 10am Eucharist.
Sunday, Pain, partage et prière : The French sharing and bible study group will meet at 2:00 p.m. in the Hollis Lounge.
Hungry Minds: Bible study and supper for students and young adults meets Wednesdays at 6pm. in the Undercroft.
The Cathedral Reading Group will meet on February 19 at 7 pm to discuss Our Souls at Night by Ken Haruf. Speak to Ann Elbourne for more details.
Flowers to beautify the Cathedral: Flower sponsors needed for Sundays in February. (Cost approx. $60). See Rob Wells.
L’Oasis Musicale Saturday 4:30 the Trio Cenacle’s recital: Divertissement viennois
Ann Elbourne