Good day,

Yet another glorious day lies ahead! Today is the National Day For Truth and Reconciliation and I will be heading to Algoma University to be involved in their “reflective events” that they have planned today at the Shingwauk Residential Schools Centre (the main building of the university).  Here is a prayer for today that you may wish to include in your devotional time:

Creator God, from you every family in heaven and earth takes its name. You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love, and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness. Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership, may be strengthened and guided to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ, who is our light and our life. Amen. 

The Lay Readers’ Conference begins this coming Friday, October 4. Remember…it’s not just for Lay Readers! Anyone who is interested can join in. Please contact me (susan.montague2@gmail.com) for the Zoom Invitation if you are unable to travel to be at this weekend in person:

Here is the schedule of events so that you will know when to spend your time in front of your computer. 

Other Happenings:

For those involved, the next deanery of Algoma clericus is on Saturday, October 26 at the Trinity Centre. Welcome at 9:30am (i.e. the coffee will be ready!) with a 10am start. 

Emmaus is having a turkey dinner and a rummage sale. Below are the posters for more information. 

All Saints’ Day Holy Eucharist Friday, November 1, 7pm, in the Trinity Centre (i.e. Holy Trinity Anglican Church). 

Zoom Bible Studies: beginning Wednesday, November 20, 7pm and continuing each Wednesday until (and including) December 18.

Advent Retreat: Saturday, November 23, 9am – noon, at the Trinity Centre.

Holy Trinity Sault Ste Marie Christmas Market: Saturday, November 30 in the Trinity Centre. More detail will follow later.

A Liturgical Note For You: Marking the memorial of St. Francis of Assisi (below) with a blessing of animals is very popular.  It is important to remember, as I’ve mentioned a number of times , the usual Sunday feast of our Lord Jesus Christ does not get bumped for others except on a very few occasions throughout the year (and only those connected with Jesus’ life and ministry). So, although it may be tempting, saints’ days are never transferred to a Sunday. In fact, they are almost always transferred off of a Sunday.  Perhaps this doesn’t seem like a big deal to switch up the usual Sunday service for a minor saint or for a secular occasion but, over time, this instills a mindset into the congregation that other things are more important than the paschal mystery of Christ.  This year, having a service right on the day of the saint, is the way to go.

For Your Devotions:

Monday, September 30th is the memorial of Jerome, Teacher of the Faith, who died in 420. Jerome is known as one of the most learned of all of the Latin Church Fathers. You may have heard of his Latin translation of the bible which is called the Vulgate. Jerome was born into a wealthy Christian family and was well-educated. He tried his hand at being a hermit for a couple of years then agreed to be ordained – as long as no priestly functions were forced on him. Hmm… He spent many years travelling and learning from various greats (like Gregory of Nazianzus) then ended up in Rome as secretary to Pope Damasus I.  However, his fiery preaching – reprimanding Roman clergy, lax monks, and hypocritical virgins – created such controversy that he left for the Holy Land. He spent the remainder of his life living in a monastery he’d formed in Bethlehem.  To read more:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Jerome 

Friday, October 4th is the memorial of Francis of Assisi, a friar who died in 1226. Francis gave up a life of luxury (you must read about him throwing money out a window and standing naked in front of his astonished father and Bishop) to found the Franciscan Order as well as The Poor Clares for women. To think of Francis only as an animal lover is to do him a serious injustice. His goal in life was to become like Christ by conforming completely in mind and heart to the teachings of Jesus (and remember, this is what Paul tells us that all of us must do [Philippians 2:4-5]). After experiencing a vision of a crucified seraph, witnesses say Francis was marked by the five wounds of the crucified Christ. Apparently, this was the first recorded case of stigmata. To read about this and the other fascinating details of his life, please go here:  https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Francis-of-Assisi

In the joy of Christ,

Susan