St. Catherine's Church | Anglican Church in North Vancouver, BC

Dear family of Christ,

Yesterday, Anglicans marked the 447^th anniversary of the first Anglican Eucharist held in territory that we now know as Canada. In 1578 on board the ship “Judith” near Baffin Island, the Rev. Robert Wolfall celebrated the Eucharist with captain and crew on Frobisher’s third expedition. The captain’s journal records that “we did receive the Communion altogether, continuing that day in prayer and thanksgiving to God.” Not long after, Frobisher abandoned the idea of permanent settlement and pointed his fleet homeward, and almost 100 years would pass before the next “Canadian” Anglican Holy Communion.

I wonder what that first shipboard service was like. Was it rustic or with silver brought from England? Were there stale wafers or hardtack or a homely loaf from the galley? And what did the various participants actually believe about the Eucharist in that strange century when English Christianity swung back and forth between Catholic and Protestant, finally settling on a blend of both under Elizabeth I?

Today, what do we believe about the Eucharist at St. Catherine’s, and how should this shape our practice? We’re thrilled to return to a weekly pattern of Communion this Sunday, but why? As a community, what do we believe actually happens in the Eucharist? Anglican theology leaves room for a breadth of meanings: memorial act, transubstantiation, or an unexplained Real Presence are all possibilities. That diary from 1578 notes particularly the fellowship, prayer, and gratitude of Communion, perhaps focusing more on the Real Presence manifested in the gathering of the faithful than in the bread and wine.

I’m curious to know your beliefs about the Eucharist, either by email or in coffee hour conversation. We’ll also delve into the question in our book study discussions of Take This Bread. Ultimately, I believe that our parish’s liturgical practices – whether “low church”, “high church”, innovative, or in-between – should reflect and symbolize our convictions and convey them in symbols. All liturgy is the “work of the people”, so please chime in and let me know as we shape liturgy together!

In Christ and in community,

Rev. Sarah

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This Sunday September 7, 2025

we will share a Service of Holy Communion

Here is the link to the downloadable bulletin:
Sunday September 7, 2025

To access the livestream, click on the button below.
Previous livestreamed services and sermon notes can be found on the website here.