Parish supper – George, our hero – Invitation from Capital Campaign cabinet –Music heroes -Advent Procession & Carols Dec 3 – Quiet Day Dec 2 – Feeding on the Word Bible Study – Forum – FairTrade chocolate Advent calendars – Stewards needed December – Our Lay Readers – Betty Jaques died Nov 12, aged 101
Dear Friend of the Cathedral
Pentecost always seems to stretch forever – 25 Sundays this year, to be exact. However, this Sunday is the last Sunday after Pentecost, and is also a celebration of the Reign of Christ and so a special day for Christ Church Cathedral. This Saturday, November 18, come to Fulford Hall for an excellent meal, fellowship, and surprises as we celebrate Christ the King at our annual parish supper. Tickets are $10 per adult, $2 per child under 12 (accompanied by adult), with cash bar available. Doors open at 6 pm, meal at 6:30 pm. Tickets available at the door.
George Deare dropped by the office this morning (Thursday) to let us know that he has been shopping, not only for the hot chocolate to be served in the cathedral during the Santa Claus Parade Saturday morning but also for the delicious food to be served at the parish supper later that day. He has enough for people who want second helpings and has provided for vegetarians. George will be in the Cathedral or Fulford Hall all day Saturday, and back to be a server on Sunday. He is truly a faithful servant of Christ and a pillar of the cathedral.
Speaking of cathedral pillars I am repeating the invitation from the Capital Campaign Cabinet team which appeared in the newsletter last week. This team, along with the other people working on the campaign have been both indefatigable and imaginative. We owe them our thanks and all the support we can give – money of course, but also our prayers, encouragement and help spreading the word about the campaign. If you haven’t yet attended one of the information sessions about the campaign and are curious to know more, there will be an opportunity to meet with some members of the team on Sunday, November 26, at noon in the Undercroft. Donna Riley writes “If you are able to attend this session, please let the presenters know in advance by contacting the office () so that we can ensure we have personalized information packages for everyone planning to attend. Other sessions will be planned in the coming weeks. Our goal is to meet personally with all parishioners. Those who are unable to attend a session will be contacted to arrange person-to-person interviews. If you prefer a personal meeting, please let us know through the office.”
Corporation wants you all to know that there is now a website for the Capital Campaign at https://campaign.montrealcathedral.ca where you’ll find informative videos and interviews on the progress of the project. Please also share the link with friends and anyone who may be interested in the Cathedral.
The choir’s concert, “De Profundis” performed last Friday was beautiful and so were the Sunday services on Remembrance Day. Director Patrick Wedd, the organists and singers must all have been exhausted by the end of the weekend, but they have immediately moved into rehearsing music for the traditional Advent Procession and Carol Service on Sunday evening, December 3. In the forty years I’ve been at the cathedral this service has always been a spiritual highlight, a moment of quiet contemplation before the frenzy of Christmas. The bidding prayer at the beginning of the service expresses the joy and serenity of this liturgy well:
My brothers and sisters in Christ, as we meet to celebrate anew the coming of God’s kingdom, we hear revealed the mystery of God’s loving purpose for us – how that when we were far off, God met us in Jesus and brought us home; humbling himself to take our human nature, that we might share the divine glory.
The day before Advent Sunday, Saturday, December 2, there will be a Quiet Day with the theme “Godly Work: What Are We Waiting For?” 9:00 – 4:00. Lunch and snacks provided. Please register with Rev. Jennifer Bourque Space is limited. More information here.
Feeding on the Word Bible Study (English) will start next week (Nov 26) following the 10 am service. There will be 4 weekly sessions. Please read this bulletin insert to see the Scripture references and discussion questions.
Here’s a link to the list of Advent and Christmas events, including a notice about the annual Sing-Along Messiah on Dec 9th. If you are old-fashioned like me you will print the schedule and put it on your fridge. If you’re tech-savvy, please share the information about Advent Carols and other events on social media, and invite your friends.
The email version of this newsletter also contained documents relating to next week’s Forum meeting, Tuesday, Nov 21 at 6:30. Simple refreshments are served at 6 pm. All parishioners are invited to attend and to share their ideas. Elected members, please send your regrets to the office if you can’t be there.
The Fair Trade Boutique this Sunday will be selling some Christmas items along with the usual coffees, teas, etc. There are some lovely Advent calendars stuffed with fair trade chocolate – a great gift for the child in your life.
Stewards are needed for the extra services over the holidays. A sign-up list will be at the back of the church, and in the baptistery during coffee. Please volunteer for one or two services – no experience is necessary.
Good news about parishioners: Two of our three Lay Readers will be licensed on Saturday, November 19. Sam Keuchguerian will receive his first-year license, and Vivian Lewin will receive her three-year license and Reader’s Scarf. Marian Dagher received her three-year license and scarf last November. More information about Lay Readers here.
Finally, some sad news about a former much-loved parishioner, Betty Jaques.
Betty died this past Sunday, November 12th aged 101. She had been living in the Maxwell residence in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue during the past few years but before that, she was a long time faithful member of the cathedral and of the Social service Society. Marjorie Sharp and Janet King recall that she was the go-to person on the Chancel Guild when they needed advice about special embroidery on the altar linens. Marjorie recalls, “We will remember Betty for her robust common sense, humour and immense generosity, and for her hospitality, especially at her country home, Applecroft, in the Eastern Townships. She was born in Toronto where she sang in the choir of St Mary Magdalene under the direction of Healey Willan. However, most of her life was spent in Quebec as an artist, teaching art in the Education Department at McGill. Many of us have happy memories of picking redcurrants and gooseberries in the dark in her garden and helping make fruit jelly which she donated to the church to sell.”
A funeral service for Betty Jaques will be held on Thursday, November 23, at St George’s Church in Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, 23 Perrot. Parking on the street can be difficult, so people planning to go to the service should try to car-pool.
Ann Elbourne
To receive this Newsletter earlier by email, and with it, additions like the Forum agenda, minutes and reports, posters, photos, etc., just send your coordinates to the Cathedral office… the failsafe method is to email both Newsletter author and parish volunteer Ann Elbourne and Parish Administrator Elizabeth Shama .