Pride Mass—Message about Community Day & Parade from Jean-Jacques Goulet – Greeting visitors – Apology to Jeffrey Mackie – Hymn for Peace – Two Oasis concerts – Cathedral organisations stir back to life in September – Collation of The Ven. Robert Camara on September 17 – Flowers beautify the cathedral, needed for October]
Dear Friend of the Cathedral
Many of us participated in the beautiful Pride Mass last Sunday evening. We were moved by the words and music and touched by Jean-Jacques’ homily. There were about 150 people present, many of whom stayed to enjoy the delicious Pride cupcakes!
Now we are gearing up for participation in community day on Saturday [UPDATE: PHOTO from the actual event taken by Natasha Henderson] and the parade on Sunday. Here is a message from Jean-Jacques about these two events:
“Greetings friends/bonjour les ami(e)s
Après le succès de notre messe de la Fierté, nous nous préparons pour la journée communautaire et la Parade.
Community day: to let people know that we are a welcoming Church! Saturday, 11-5 p.m., the Cathedral will again have its own kiosk on St Catherine Street East, between Panet and De La Visitation. I’ll be there all day but would definitely appreciate some company! If you can join me for an hour, please call the office and let them know when you can make it. 514-843-6577
Journée communautaire : pour informer les gens que nous sommes une église ouverte à tous et toutes! Samedi, de 11:00 à 17:00: venez passer du temps à notre kiosque que vous trouverez sur Ste-Catherine est, entre Panet et de la Visitation. J’y serai mais j’aimerais bien avoir de la compagnie! Appelez le bureau au 514-843-6577 pour les informer de votre disponibilité
Parade – the more the merrier midi à 15:00, noon to 3 pm. Join our group on St Mathieu, south of St Catherine St West at 11:30. We are in the red section, so wear red, if you can. If you cannot make it till later, join us on René-Lévesque as we march by.
Parade – c’est le party! Joignez-vous à notre contingent de la Cathédrale que vous trouverez sur St Mathieu, au sud de Ste Catherine à 11:30. Nous serons dans la section ROUGE, alors portez du rouge si vous en avez! Si vous ne pouvez être là pour le départ, joignez-vous à nous sur René-Lévesque quand nous passerons! »
The summer season is not yet over and visitors are still flocking into the cathedral despite the construction taking place in the forecourt. For many years now we’ve arranged a rota of visitors to greet tourists and the many groups and families who come to the Cathedral, curious about what they see. There are still openings for some morning and afternoon Greeter slots so Vivian Lewin hopes you might be free to volunteer. Contact the office or Vivian (vivian.lewin [at] gmail.com) to reserve a spot and receive simple instructions for morning (11-2) or afternoon (2-5) spots.
I owe an apology to Jeffrey Mackie. Last week I said that he will no longer be part of the verger staff when he begins his studies at McGill in September. Happily, this is not true. He is cutting back on his hours, but we will still see him on Saturdays and perhaps at other times. It is true that the cathedral is looking to hire a new part-time verger as posted last week.
In the world of politics the past two weeks have been very unsettling and most of us must have felt an urgent need to pray for peace. Our Spiritual practice this week – suggested by Yevgeniya Amis – is to explore and pray for peace as you enjoy a beautiful new choral setting of the Prayer of Saint Francis, composed by Elizabeth Eckholm, a member of the Cathedral Singers. This composition, sung here by our Cathedral Singers, won the 2016 Debbie Fleming Prize for Choral Competition, sponsored by the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. The words of the prayer are visible on the video, and also here.
Music is a great healer and community builder, as the many people who attend the regular Oasis concerts in the cathedral know. This Saturday, August 19th at 4:30pm you can enjoy A pastiche of colour and lyricism performed by the Sundance Trio—Geralyn Giovannetti, oboe, Christian Smith, bassoon, and Jed Moss, piano. They will present a Suite of Six French Songs of the 15th Century by Willard Elliot (1927-2000). http://www.oasismusicale.ca/
Next week, August 26th at 4:30 pm, Olive Murray, soprano, and Louise Pelletier, piano will perform Réflexions sur le cours de la vie, works by Bach, Cherubini, Mozart, Schubert, Mendelssohn, Fauré, Berlioz, Rachmaninoff and Weber.. This concert starts with the jubilant exultation of God, through to hope in despair, dreams that fly on wings towards the comfort of the homeland, awakenings and beating hearts of love.
As you might expect, Cathedral organisations are stirring back to life after a summer hiatus.
Sunday school starts again on September 3,
Hungry Minds will resume regular meetings (If you are a young adult interested in a group which meets each Wednesday for Bible study, discussion and a meal, please talk to Jean-Daniel Williams or email him jdwilliams@ montreal.anglican.ca )
Pain, partage et prière, the French Bible study and prayer group will next meet on September 10th at 2:00 pm in the Hollis Lounge. Pain, partage et prière : Le groupe de prière, étude biblique et rencontre se réunira le 10 septembre à 14h00 au salon Hollis.
The annual Dorie Cuming Tea Party will be held on Tuesday September 5th from 3to 5 pm in Fulford Hall, ending in time for Evensong at 5:15. Ladies are urged to wear hats in keeping with the dainty tea being served to guests. RSVP before August 31 to Janet King or to the Cathedral office. (Please do not answer by doing a “reply” to this newsletter)
The Cathedral Reading Group is looking forward to discussing George Elliot’s Middlemarch on September 7th at 7:30
Forum reconvenes on September 19 after a two month holiday. There will be lots to discuss, so do plan to come (meeting in Cathedral Place at 6:30pm, refreshments at 6).
There will be a special evening Eucharist on September 17 at 4 pm when Robert Camara will be collated as Vicar General and Executive Archdeacon. The bishop will preside, and Peter Hannen will preach. Robert will preach this Sunday (August 21) at the 8 am and 10 am services in the cathedral.
The cathedral building looks beautiful each Sunday because it is so well cared for by the vergers and members of the chancel guild. The flowers donated each week and arranged by members of the chancel guild always uplift my spirits. Rob Wells seeks sponsors flowers during Sundays in October, in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for something special. You can speak to Rob or email the office.
This will be the last Thursday newsletter until September 21. I will be visiting family in England some of that time. I will send out a brief letter next Tuesday with some information about September Forum and about help needed for the weekend of les journées de la culture, Sept 29 – Oct 1.
Enjoy the rest of the summer!
Ann Elbourne
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