On May 24, 1981 the Reverend Regina Puckett
died. Since 1976 among its Outreach projects Sl Catherine's
parish had supported the work of the Venerable John Rye in the
diocese of Sunyami- Tamale in Northern Ghana and the relationship
was further strengthened when he visited the parish and preached
at a morning service in July 1978. The donations helped to build
St. Catherine's House in Ghana and Ian Grant was invited to
dedicate the building in 1981. During his visit he covered some
1800 miles, traveling from Bolgatanga in the north to the capital
of Accra in the south.
In September 1981 St. Catherine's began to use the Third Canadian
Rite Holy Eucharist. Since the introduction of Rite II in 1978
there had been increased lay involvement in the services. Parishioners
were readers and led the Prayers of the People. For a number
of years wardens and former wardens had assisted in the administration
of Holy Communion.
In her will, the late Reverend Gina Puckett left to St. Catherine's
over 300 books that, together with monetary gifts from Floretta
Redstone and Arthur Brown, facilitated the establishment in
1981 of a church library. The collection was later augmented
by a number of gifts including memorials to Robert Jenkins and
Doug Mansfield. Lois Thompson, the first librarian, was to serve
in that capacity for eleven years. A new parish newsletter -
The Spokesman - was published during the year, edited by Don
Mowatt. The summer months were highlighted by the Vacation Bible
School organized by Heather Luccock and Gaye McCance. Eighty-six
children, ages three to twelve, came from St. Catherine's and
the surrounding community and together they presented a musical
program entitled Noah and the Ark. The school was the first
of five successful summer programs at the church.
The stained glass window which beautifies the church today was
designed and created by artist Terry Burnett from Surrey. The
theme was in response to Ian Grant's suggestion of the opening
words from the 19th Psalm: "The heavens declare the glory
of God and the firmament showeth his handiwork." The window
was a gift from a number of parishioners and was dedicated on
Sunday, June 20, 1982.
Another memorable event in 1982 was the November parish retreat
with Sister Rosemary Anne of the Winnipeg-based Order of St.
John The Divine.
Anglicans in Mission that commenced in 1981 was accepted at
St. Catherine's as a challenge to foster a renewed commitment
to the mission of the church. Ian Grant was asked by Archbishop
Hambidge to chair the diocesan coordinating committee for A.I.M.
During 1982 Parish Council endorsed the signing by the Rector
of a covenant committing members of the parish to raise $109,000
over the next five years. At the Administration and Finance
Committee meeting November 1983 A.I.M. Chairman John Waite reported
that over $160,000 had been collected in pledges at St. Catherine's.
The diocese raised some three and a half million dollars.
The church was faced with a major expense during 1983 when the
roof shingles were in urgent need of replacement. Also, before
work commenced dry rot had to be repaired. Money was raised
within the parish to pay off the diocesan loan obtained for
the new roof.
Paul Mitchell resigned his position of Pastoral Musician in
August 1983 and the parish welcomed his successor, Myron Patterson.
An important addition to the life of St. Catherine's in 1983
was the formation of the Youth Council under the chairmanship
of Bruce Alexander. The council took direct responsibility for
coordination of all youth programs in the parish.
Another new and much-needed group was the Fellowship of the
Concerned, later to be re-named the Friendship Circle. Members
were responsible for keeping in touch with the sick, shut-ins
and those in long-term care facilities. Teas were held during
the year to which those people were invited. The fellowship
also held services at United and Evergreen Lodges once a month
and a monthly Bible study at Inglewood Lodge.
At the Fredericton, New Brunswick General Synod in 1983 Ian
was re-elected to the Doctrine and Worship Committee and appointed
its secretary.
A significant and historic gathering took place during the summer
of 1983 when the sixth assembly of the World Council of Churches
met on the U.B.C. campus.
Parishioner Gail McCance was responsible for much of the planning
for the opening celebration at the Coliseum. Among the letters
of thanks he received were words of praise from the Reverend
James McCullum who expressed the gratitude of the planning committee
and acknowledged Gail's "imagination, experience, insight
and skill." St Catherine's was further represented by Laurie
Dye and John McGie who were two of four readers at the service.
A number of parishioners opened their homes to host visitors
from many parts of the world.
1983 was a busy year for the youth of the parish. In September
the Servers, Youth and College and Careers groups traveled to
Lutherwood Camp outside Bellingham for a retreat conducted by
Sister Christian Anne of the Order of St. Helena.
In October 1983 the Deanery of North Vancouver hosted the provincial
Anglican Youth Movement conference. All the parishes in the
deanery were involved but St. Catherine's was the central location
for the conference activities. With 300 young visitors in the
congregation, passing the peace at the Sunday service was exuberant,
to say the least. In November the parish invited Brother Jay
Launt of the Order of the Holy Cross in Santa Barbara to lead
a weekend workshop on prayer at St. Catherine's church.
During their first year of 9peration the Fellowship Unit assumed
responsibility for the Supper Club, Shrove Tuesday pancake supper,
Maundy Thursday supper, greeters, fellowship nights and the
coffee hour after church on Sundays. They also co-operated with
other parish groups to arrange a number of programs.
During 1984 the Reverend Philip Townshend-Carter became Honorary
Deacon Assistant to work on a half-time basis and his ministry
was focused in the areas of parish visiting, Bible studies and
other discussion groups in the parish.
On Good Friday 1984 a number of parishioners presented the passion
play, In Three Days which spanned the time from immediately
after the Crucifixion to the discovery of the empty tomb on
Easter morning.
The
drama was very moving for both congregation and participants.
There were several comings and goings during 1984 and 1985.
Myron Patterson had left and Mrs. Jerry McDonald replaced
him as Acting Pastoral Musician until Kathy Edge arrived in
September 1985 to assume the duties of organist and choir
director. Philip Townshend-Carter resigned and returned to
his home in Ontario.
In the Spring of 1985 Archbishop Hambidge announced the establishment
of four territorial archdeaconries to assist him in the pastoral
and administrative care of the Diocese. He appointed Ian Grant
as Archdeacon of Capilano with responsibilities for the Deaneries
of North Vancouver and Capilano-Kingcome. The four archdeacons
were installed at the Diocesan Synod service at Christ Church
Cathedral.
If one could name the most significant event in 1985, it would
surely be the publication of the new Book of Alternative Services.
The book was enthusiastically received at St. Catherine's
and parishioners generously contributed to the purchase of
sufficient copies for both the church and chapel. As Archdeacon
Grant observed in his report to the parish "...(it is)
the culmination of years of liturgical experimentation and
renewal on the part of our Church in Canada.
A Youth Ministry Support program was established in 1985 by
the Diocese of New Westminster and St. Catherine's parish
was among the first to become actively involved. The group
of interested adults provided an ongoing base for youth ministry
and attempted to provide for the needs of the young people
in the parish.
After the tragic fire at St. John the Evangelist, North Vancouver
in 1985 St Catherine's welcomed the opportunity to serve that
parish by providing assistance and a location for weddings
and funerals, etc.
In 1985 Pastoral Associate Heather Luccock gathered together
a group of people to create the 1986 Lenten program. The thrust
of the series was to involve as many people as possible. The
program achieved its goal in parish participation and was
the catalyst for the formation of the Christian Education
Committee that was established in 1986. During that year organist
Kathy Edge left and once again Jerry McDonald stepped in to
perform the duties of organist and choir director.
A book about the history of St. Catherine's would be incomplete
without a word about the Holly Fair. Truly a cooperative event,
the annual Christmas fair is a major source of revenue for
the parish. The total net profit of the 1992 fair was $14,749.53
and the annual increase has been constant since the first
Fall Fair in 1952 raised $1,000. The Parish Guild, Anglican
Church Women, Sunday School, Youth Group and many individuals
within the parish combine time and talents to provide one
of the most enjoyable events of the year. For a number of
years the fair spanned two days with supper provided, but
now it is a one-day afternoon event with a tea to refresh
guests after they have shopped at the many and varied stalls.
Until 1986 the pre-teens of the parish had had little or no
Church social contact other than seeing each other on Sundays.
When the Cool Cats first met in January they were told to
bring their friends, Anglican or not, and were encouraged
to think of St. Catherine's as a "fun place" during
the week as well as a place for Sunday worship. With that
age group it is not surprising that the program had its ups
and downs but members would agree that the fun and fellowship
they enjoyed during that time did, indeed, make St. Catherine's
a "cool" place.
In Winnipeg that year, St. Catherine's Rector was elected
to the General Synod Organization Committee for a three-year
term.
Colin Hoath, the Diocesan Stewardship Coordinator, conducted
a one-day parish workshop in September 1986 from which the
following statement of parish vision was developed:
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