|
Ian,
his wife Carol and their eighteen-month-old daughter Jennifer
were welcomed at a reception following the service.
Some weeks later parishioners were sorry to say good-bye to
the Reverend John Chapman who had been Honorary Assistant
for six years.
The 1970 Annual Report recorded a number of new groups including
the Planning Committee. During the year that group organized
the first Parish Life seminar held at the home of Doreen and
Brian Brady. The aim was for a greater lay involvement and
a renewed interest in the pastoral affairs of the parish.
Mary Pellatt's job as parish worker changed with the arrival
of Ian Grant. After a six-month period during which they both
examined her role Ian felt there was more of a need for a
parish and rector's secretary. Mary readily admits that her
secretarial skill left something to be desired and volunteered
to take a typing brush-up course at night school. Ian recalls
that the decision to respond to the changing needs was typical
of Mary Pellatt. She now chuckles when she remembers her frustration
with a new electric typewriter. "The Sunday bulletin
was full of semi-colons!"
In August that year the parish welcomed a brand-new member
when the Grants' son Jamie was born.
In 1970 Archbishop Godfrey Gower retired and Bishop David
Somerville succeeded him as sixth bishop of the Diocese of
New Westminster.
Following the decision in 1969 to allow laymen and women to
administer the chalice at the Eucharist, Bishop Somerville
gave permission for Mary Pellatt to assist the rector when
required. She believes she was among the first, if not the
first woman to do so.
In 1971 Ian Grant was appointed Regional Dean of North Vancouver,
a position he would hold for two consecutive terms. Also in
1971 Mrs. Elspeth Alley became seminarian assistant to the
rector. On May 21, 1972 she was the first woman to be ordained
a deacon in the Western Canadian Church and only the seventh
in the Anglican Church of Canada. On June 1st she joined the
staff of St. Catherine's on a half-time basis.
In his November 1972 pastoral letter Bishop Somerville urged
Anglicans in the diocese to re-examine their views on baptism
and participation of children in the Eucharist. Ian Grant
voiced his concern in his 1972 Annual Report that for many
parents baptism was a "pleasant family social custom"
and that they had minimal, if any commitment to the ongoing
life of the Church. Bishop Somerville recommended that all
baptisms should take place in the midst of the congregation,
so that the new Christians would be welcomed by all, and that
baptisms be preceded by proper instruction for parents and
godparents. Further, he hoped that before long the church
would include baptism and laying on of hands in the context
of the Eucharist. In an unprecedented move, Bishop Somerville
stated that he would give permission for baptised children
to receive communion under the following conditions:
-
That the children be old enough to receive the sacrament
and this will vary from one child to another.
-
That parents are in agreement with the practice and preferably
bring the children with them to the altar rail.
- That
parents understand that other parishes may have other customs
and that differences must be respected.
- That
the parish, clergy and people together are prepared to move
into what would be a new custom for many parishes.
It
was not long before it was the custom for baptised children
at St. Catherine's to receive communion with the whole family
of Christ's church in that place.
1973 marked the 25th anniversary of the beginnings of St.
Catherine's as a parish community. Bishop Somerville celebrated
the Family Eucharist on the Feast of St. Catherine, November
21st, which was followed by a dinner and attended by many
who had been involved in the development of the parish, including
the Reverend and Mrs. Charles Bishop, the Reverend and Mrs.
Campbell Daniel, Mrs. Wade and Mrs. Greig.
The
Reverend David Holeton, who had been ordained earlier in 1973,
assisted at St. Catherine's during that summer and part-time
during the year. While at St Catherine's he concentrated on
all aspects of Christian Education and youth work~ In September
1974, following the death of her husband, Elspeth Alley resigned
and moved to Vancouver. That year David was appointed rector
of St Richard's, Norgate Park. He continued to work part-time
at St. Catherine's as St Richard's was a mission church of
the Capilano parish.
Cause for celebration in 1974 was the retirement of the capital
debt on the present Church building.
During the week of October 27, 1974 the parish Program and
Mission committees coordinated a memorable Parish Mission
led by Brother William and Father John Baldwin of the Order
of the Holy Cross. The mission culminated in a banquet and
service on All Saints' Day, November 1st.
At the end of 1974 organist Peter Chappell described the realization
of a dream. On December 22, "During the singing of the
anthem, "0 Come, Ye Servants of the Lord, and Praise
his Holy Name", the Bishop, the Recto1; and the Reverend
Elspeth Alley proceeded to the gallery for the official dedication
of our new Casavant pipe organ. It was an exciting and emotional
occasion..." After years of fund-raising parishioners
had every right to be proud of their new organ.
|
