Good day,

Get Your Tickets!! The Robbie Burns Supper is coming quickly. Thursday, January 25, 6pm, at St. George in Echo Bay. Just $20 for a hearty meal plus dessert and lots of fun! Email or call me to reserve your tickets (only 45 will be sold). susan.montague2@gmail.com or 705-253-6456. More info on the poster here:

Scripture Study in Lent: Mark your calendars for Mondays through Lent (actually, beginning on Monday, Feb.12). I’m looking forward to more of those  interesting and inspiring discussions! See you in Lent…

Any other events? Let me know…

A Liturgical Note For You:

The End of the Christmas Season/Beginning of “Ordinary Time”: Yesterday, after Evening Prayer, the Christmas season came to an end. We are now in “Ordinary Time” which means the colour on the altar and other hangings will change from white to green.  A quick reminder: “ordinary” doesn’t mean “usual” or “normal” in church use. Ordinary comes from the Latin word meaning orderly or numbered.  (The Latin word ordinalis, which refers to numbers in a series, stems from the Latin word ordo, from which we get the English word order.) So, the Sundays in “Ordinary Time” are numbered after an important Sunday that has just passed – Sundays after the Epiphany and Sundays after Pentecost. It is the use of the word “after” that tells you they aren’t a part of the other seasons of the church (Christmas and Easter; and their times of preparation – Advent and Lent). Ordinary time is when we hear the teachings of Jesus as he lived his mission among us and, with this as our guide, it is our time to renew our focus on the mission of the Church under his Lordship.

For Your Devotions:

Wednesday, January 10th is the commemoration of William Laud, Archbishop of Canterbury, who died in 1645.   Laud, religious advisor to Charles I, was both brilliant and austere. He wasn’t well liked – even by those who agreed with him – but much of the way our church looks and functions is thanks to Laud’s innovations and adherence to the regulations of the church. I’ve mentioned this before but this is a fun one so… For example, it was Laud who introduced altar rails. Why? you may ask. Because the local dogs were wandering into the church and, well, um, you know. Also, clerics were using the Holy Table as a desk when it wasn’t in use for Holy Eucharist. Love him or hate him, Laud truly loved God and the Church.  He was eventually beheaded during the Civil War…his persecution of the Puritans came back to bite him. For more:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/William-Laud

Thursday, January 11th is the Holy Day of The Holy Innocents. You may have celebrated this already on December 28th since this is the alternate date. Regardless, here is the low-down once again…

This is the remembrance of the innocent children slaughtered in Bethlehem on the order of King Herod the Great in his attempt to kill Jesus. This feast most likely originally shared the day of The Epiphany but eventually was designated its own day of observance.  It was a day of fasting and mourning. In fact, in medieval England, children were reminded of the solemnity of the day by being whipped in bed.  What a way to start your day!  For more info:  https://www.britannica.com/topic/Feast-of-the-Holy-Innocents

Friday, January 12th is the commemoration of Marguerite Bourgeoys, Educator in New France, who died in 1700.  It is also the commemoration of John Horden, Bishop of Moosonee, a missionary who died in 1893. Marguerite is a nun who sailed to Canada and is best known for two things – she opened schools for girls (French, Canadian, and Indigenous) and she refused to cloister her “sisters” (the young ladies helping her). This caused quite a kerfluffel – the bishop at the time would not allow them to take vows – but Marguerite pointed out that the Virgin Mary had remained secular. To read more:   http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/saints/ns_lit_doc_19821031_bourgeoys_en.html

John Horden and his fiancée volunteered for the Church Missionary Society in England. In 1851, John received a letter from the Society appointing him as school master at Moose Factory, Ontario, with the stipulation that he be married (It was quite convenient then that he already had a fiancée).  John learned several Indigenous languages and, for 40 years, preached and taught in the area in and around Moose Factory, building five Anglican Churches to help in his efforts. In December of 1872, he became the first Anglican Bishop of Moosonee. To read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Horden

Saturday, January 13th is the memorial of Hilary, Bishop of Poitiers, who died in 367.  Hilary started life as a pagan but, through reading the Scriptures, was converted to Christianity. He was married by this point but was elected as bishop anyway. Hilary defended the Church against the heresy of Arianism – which actually was winning out over orthodoxy for a while.  Arianism is the belief that Jesus was begotten by God the Father at a point in time, a creature distinct from the Father and therefore subordinate to him, although also a god. It was a bumpy road defending the faith…To read more:  https://catholicexchange.com/st-hilary-of-poitiers

In the hope of Christ,

Susan