Patrick’s Bach recitals begin Saturday, Jan 6 – Epiphany carol service Jan 7 – celebrating Patrick and Rob Sunday evening – 20+C+M+B+18, New Year blessing on the Cathedral and on your house – reminders and notices – news about Cathedral members Catherine, Natasha and Beth – a message from Constance Middleton-Hope – a prayer for the new year

Dear Friend of the Cathedral

After the glorious Christmas music produced by Patrick Wedd and the choirs, we might expect our Cathedral musicians to take a well-earned holiday – but not a bit of it. Patrick will be performing the first in a series of Bach organ recitals this Saturday and he, with the choir, will present a service of readings and carols for Epiphany at 4 pm on Sunday.

As one of his farewell gifts to the Cathedral Patrick will give six concerts of organ music by Bach one on the first Saturday of each month in the Oasis Musicale series. Here’s the link to see this Saturday’s programme.

Sunday’s carol service will be very special, being the last Christmas music Patrick will direct before his retirement in the summer. He and Rob invite all members of the congregation to come first to the service and then to a reception in Fulford Hall celebrating Patrick’s 70th birthday and Rob and Patrick’s 45th anniversary. Both the service and the party will be memorable. Memo for guests: your presence at the celebration will be gift enough.

The Sunday morning’s Epiphany service will also be interesting. Amy will chalk the big red entrance door in a tradition of blessing the house which dates from the middle ages. This is also something we can do at home. Using chalk which has been blessed in the Cathedral, we mark our doorways with the inscription 20+C+M+B+18, calling to mind the magi, traditionally named Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, who journeyed far from their homes to Bethlehem in search of Jesus.  The letters also stand for Christus Mansionem Benedicat, i.e., May Christ bless this house. A form of prayer to use during this blessing is attached. It’s also printed on the back page of Sunday’s bulletin.

Here are reminders about meetings, a notice about confirmation. and a request for flower sponsors

1. Sunday, Jan 7, Pain, partage et prière, the French Bible study and prayer group, will meet at 2:00 pm in the Hollis Lounge.
2. Hungry Minds, our Cathedral young adult group gathers for Bible study, meals, and social and service events on Wednesdays at 6 pm in the Undercroft. To learn more talk to Rev. Jean-Daniel or by email jdwilliams@montreal.anglican.ca.  Next meeting January 10th.
3. Lunch n Chat will meet on January 9th. Potluck lunch and fellowship, noon till 2 pm in the Bishop Hollis Lounge (on the 2nd floor at 1444 Union Ave.). Everyone is welcome. Speak to Janet King for more information.
4. Cathedral Forum Tuesday, January 16 at 6:30 pm. The sounding board of the community. All congregation members are invited. Please let Jeffrey Mackie know if you have an item for the agenda.
5. Flower sponsors needed: Please consider sponsoring flowers to beautify the Cathedral in thanksgiving, in memory of a loved one, or for the joy of offering flowers to the glory of God. Suggested donation: $60-$80 or more. Please speak to Rob Wells. Sponsors needed for Sundays in January and February.
6. Confirmation or reception If you would like to be confirmed or received as an Anglican at the Easter Vigil next spring, please speak with Rev’d Amy Hamilton as soon as possible.

Finally, news about parishioners:

Catherine Riley turned 97 at Christmas and is an inspiration to all of us. Happy birthday Catherine!

Natasha Henderson is exhibiting some of her cat paintings at BBAM gallery 3255 St Jacques, (Lionel Groulx metro). “Meow miaou” consists of pictures of cats inspired by two things: “The Naming of Cats” (a poetry collection by T.S. Eliot) and Natasha’s experiences in being friends with, and looking after, cats. Her exhibition finishes Jan 10 so do hurry along to see her delightful paintings. Natasha has generously donated three of her cat paintings for a silent auction with all proceeds going to Refuge Pour Chats Verdun. More information https://www.facebook.com/events/377207756054633/ Bidding ends this Saturday.

We are blessed in having many artistic and creative people in our congregation. Beth Adams, a member of the choir, is a graphic designer, writer, painter, and the founder of Phoenicia Publishing. She is delighted to announce that in March 2018 she will publish a new book of poems by Luisa A. Igloria, The Buddha Wonders if She is Having a Mid-life Crisis. This is a collection of 53 “Buddha poems” that Luisa wrote in early 2016. The author says these poems began from the premise that “if the Buddha in me can greet the Buddha in you,” then the aspiration to transcendence is a daily work in progress. Take a look at http://www.phoeniciapublishing.com/ to read more about these poems and see other beautifully designed books in the catalogue of this small independent press.

Please let me know if you have an item of interest about a member of our congregation.

We were very sorry to hear about the deaths recently of Jane Walker, a former parishioner and member of Corporation, and of Henri Gauthier, father of David and Robert and ex-husband of Elizabeth Robertson. Our condolences to the families and friends.

I will finish with a prayer and a lovely message to us all from Constance Middleton-Hope, our lay reader emeritus who now lives too far away to worship with us regularly, but maintains her affectionate ties to the Cathedral. After commenting on the services for All Saints and All Souls Days, Constance recently wrote “To you and all the saints at the Cathedral my best wishes for Christmas and the New Year, et le Paradis a la fin de vos jours”

What better wish could there be!

Lord, You make all things new
You bring hope alive in our hearts
And cause our Spirits to be born again.
Thank you for this new year
For all the potential it holds.
Come and kindle in us
A mighty flame
So that in our time, many will see the wonders of God
And live forever to praise Your glorious name.

Click on this link to find other prayer resources for the New Year.

Ann Elbourne

To receive this Newsletter earlier by email, and with it, additions like the Forum agenda, financial updates, minutes and reports, posters, photos, etc., simply send your coordinates to the Cathedral office…  the failsafe method is to email both Newsletter author and parish volunteer Ann Elbourne cath_communication@bellnet.ca and Parish Administrator Elizabeth Shama  cathoff@bellnet.ca.