Spiritual Formation
2009 has been a year of exploring and deepening a number of spiritual practices in our Church life.
Worship of course is key to this. Thanks, as always, go to Siiri Rebane for leading our Music programme. As always this year’s music has been varied and Spirit filled. The Intergenerational services are becoming a regular feature of Church life and offer opportunities for the younger
members to participate and bring their gifts to the fore.
Regular weekly Bible Encounter has continued. Reading and breaking open the set lectionary lessons has been challenging and insightful. During Lent two groups studied “the 5 marks of mission”, both informative and inspiring. An excellent DVD, “The secret lives of the saints “, was part of the summer programme.
The Contemplative Eucharist has continued to bring a time of peace and quiet into the business of life. This is becoming a more frequent form for Wednesday services.
A highlight of 2009 was the advent “Antiphons” which were reproduced as images by 7 members of the Parish. The images were the focus of a quiet evening in December and were wonderful visual aids during the rest of the month, including a service attended by the Archbishop of Canada, Fred Hiltz!
Again I would like to express my thanks to both the Reverend Jeannette Stigger and Heather Luccock for all their contributions to Spirituality events during the year. We are blessed to have their creativity, guidance and energy.
There is much to build on for 2010.
Christine Rowe
St. Catherine's Mens' Group
During the last twelve months, a small group of St. Catherine's men have met for breakfast or lunch for fellowship and discussion. Along the way we have benefited from hearing three excellent speakers, one of whom is sadly with us no longer and who is sorely missed, the Reverend Fred Thirkell.
We have breakfasted with John Luccock as cook in the Mary Pellatt Room and lunched in such diverse places as Burgoo's, Eighties, and Chelsea's downtown. Evan Jennings has been our convenor.
Fred gave us a very informative talk on the history of Liturgy in the Anglican Church as only he could do and Anthony Brown followed up with a talk on Mission and the Church in the Community. Anthony is Pastoral Tutor at Regent College and Education Director at Forge Ministries; he was recently a guest speaker at a Diocesan Workshop on the "Missional
Church". Lastly, in December, Dr. Dennis Venema who is Professor of Genetics at Trinity Western University gave a talk on Evolution in relation to some elements of the Evangelical movement.
We welcome men of St. Catherine's (and friends) to attend our meetings, the dates of which are generally announced in church or through contact with Evan or our regular attendees and we hope to continue with the occasional interesting speaker.
Derek Barratt and Evan Jennings
ST CATHERINE'S WOMEN'S GROUP
Following the closure of the Anglican Church Women, our rector, the Rev. Christine Rowe started the Women's Group in 2009, not to replace the ACW but to give the women of St. Catherine's a further opportunity to spend social time together.
In 2009 we enjoyed a number of evenings, including a pot-luck dinner and a dessert party for St. Catherine's pre school parents. Often we have guest speakers and video evenings. Also, our members assembled a basket for the Silent Auction.
We meet from 7:30-9:30 on the 4th Thursday of the month.
Contact: Phyllis Mittlestead 604 985 6548
