Launch of the capital campaign – the story of the spire – congratulations to David – SJAG – information about mining companies – End of the month lunch – Cathedral picnic – inter-community French Eucharist & picnic – ordination – reading group – lunch ‘n chat – PPP –Love from Heine to Neruda
Dear Friend of the Cathedral
The excitement is building about the launch of the Capital Campaign on Tuesday, May 30. We hope that with God’s blessing enough money will be raised to save the spire and do other necessary restoration in and around the cathedral building. The first spire was erected in 1859, but proved too heavy for the soft clay ground under the cathedral. By 1927 it was leaning two feet towards St Catherine Street and had to be dismantled at a cost of $10,000. A new spire was built in 1940. Its steel frame was covered with aluminum plates made to resemble stone. The $100,000 needed to pay for the construction was covered by one anonymous donor — a mind-blowing gift. Unfortunately, the steel frame has rusted, and so once again the spire has to come down and be rebuilt, this time costing millions rather than thousands of dollars. If you can come to the launch you will hear about the progress of fundraising so far and news about restoration plans. Paul Kennington will be present to give one of the keynote speeches. Please RSVP if you plan to attend. Details were in last week’s newsletter and are posted as an attachment this week.
We are delighted to be able to congratulate David Searle on passing his bar exam. He will now spend six months articling and hopes eventually to work for Legal Aid.
The Social Justice Action Group (SJAG) is mulling over ideas for promoting social justice in a number of areas of concern. Look for more information on the sad fact that many people, even here in Canada, do not have access to clean water, a right we tend to take for granted in Montreal. The group is also concerned about the unscrupulous practices of mining companies. They have been in dialogue with a group of visitors from the Philippines who have suffered human rights violations, water and soil contamination and violence against aboriginal peoples. SJAG hopes to bring a speaker to the cathedral in the fall.
Some Cathedral members joined a demonstration outside Complex Guy Favreau at noon yesterday, part of a month-long campaign by many social justice groups to remind the federal government of their election commitment to create an ombudsman to hear complaints against Canadian mining companies abroad. To learn more about the problems created by some mining companies please visit http://cnca-rcrce.ca/campaigns-justice/ombudsperson/ There is some excellent information here on a topic about which I for one knew very little. Also, please remember in your prayers Bishop Morales of the Philippines, who is currently in detention for objecting to the violence and threats associated with Canadian mining projects in his country.
May 28 events
This Sunday (May 28) the Social Service Society will offer lunch to 200 hungry people. Adrian King-Edwards writes that he will need 10 volunteers this Sunday to help out. It is not a big time commitment: 11:30-1. People can email him at The lunch is being sponsored by a Selwyn House parent who wishes to remain anonymous. Many thanks for your support.
Also this Sunday, le groupe « Pain partage et prière » se réunira à 14h00 au salon Hollis pour prière, étude biblique et rencontre.
Picnic June 11 & Contemporary communion service in the evening
On Sunday, June 11, there will be a picnic in the Cathedral grounds between the English and French services. This is always a fun community event, especially if the weather is kind. Later that day, at 6 pm, there will be a bilingual communion service with contemporary music, and of course the usual choral evensong at 4 pm. Accordingly, it is possible to experience 5 very different Anglican liturgies during that one Sunday with a very Anglican picnic in between! Let’s thank God for the rich liturgical life we enjoy at the cathedral.
Concert May 27
We also enjoy rich musical offerings. This Saturday, at 4:30 pm, L’Oasis musicale presents Love from Heine to Neruda with Àlvaro Zambrano, tenor and Felipe Verduga, piano. Great poems on the tragedy and the mystery of love translated into vocal masterpieces by Schumann, Turina and Lieberson. For details visit this website http://www.oasismusicale.ca/
June 4 events including Ordination/Confirmation
Sunday, June 4, the Day of Pentecost, is an important and joyful date on the cathedral’s calendar, particularly because there will be an ordination and confirmation at 4 pm. Jean-Daniel Williams will be ordained priest and several members of the Hungry Minds group will be confirmed.
That evening the reading group meets to talk about A Constellation of Vital Phenomena by Anthony Marra. All are welcome. For more information please see Jane or Ann.
June 6 and looking towards September
On Tuesday, June 6, there will be the usual first Tuesday of the month get-together for “Lunch ‘n Chat” in the Hollis Lounge. Potluck. Speak to Janet King for more information. Janet is also asking people to reserve September 5 between 3 pm and 5 pm for the annual Dorie Cummings tea party. Dorie’s daughter Robyn plans to attend and would love to meet people who remember her mother. If you would like to receive one of the invitations to be sent out in August, please contact the office.
June 18
On June 18 there will be a great opportunity to meet with Francophone friends from other churches who will be coming to the cathedral for an inter-community French Eucharist followed by a picnic.
Célébration de la Parole et de l’Eucharistie multi-paroissiale, suivie d’un repas pour fraterniser.
Date : dimanche, le 18 juin 2017
Heure : 12h45
Endroit : Cathédrale Christ Church
Repas communautaire dont le plat principal sera fourni par la Cathédrale. Apportez salade ou dessert, et breuvage.
S.V.P. confirmer votre présence auprès du secrétariat de la Cathédrale avant le 9 juin 2017, par courriel à l’adresse : , ou par téléphone : 514-843-6577.
With all good wishes,
Ann Elbourne
If you would like to receive this Newsletter weekly with the attachments (posters, minutes, etc.) simply send your email address to the church office… cathoff [at] bellnet.ca