The Bishop's Award 2006

Herman Cole has been a member of St. Andrew and St. Mark’s for over fifty years, and throughout that time, he has been a dedicated, and inspired disciple of Christ. Herman was born into a faithful downtown Anglican family. He and his dear sister Alison share a long tradition of service to the church.

When Herman joined St. Mark’s, his own children were small, and he took on being the Superintendent of a very large Sunday school, which he managed with grace, efficiency and his own characteristic quiet compassion. His service to the community also extended into the community of Dorval in many ways, including working with children in the organization of bicycle rodeos, and other safety oriented activities.

As his children grew older, he took on other practical tasks within the church, serving on Property and Finance committees, as well as Membership Committees. Throughout, he served as a greeter, and sidesperson, and always a very able reader and then later, a dedicated Lay Pastoral Visitor. Herman also served as a warden in the parish from 2001 to 2004.

Herman’s dedication in his role as the Coordinator of Lay Pastoral Visitors is truly inspiring. It is evident that vibrancy of the pastoral visiting group in this parish is largely due to his diligent, forward looking and compassionate leadership. And now, although well into his nineties, he continues to visit many of our shut-ins, and is a source of inspiration for others. All of the shut-ins that he currently visits look forward to his time with them, and one even tells of her delight when only this past summer, he dropped by to take her out to the pier for an old-fashioned ice cream treat.

When his own wife Connie died, Herman organized informal suppers for a group of widowers in the parish who met weekly to share food and fellowship. He gave others a welcome place to come and share during some difficult times in their life, while keeping up a hopeful spirit of camaraderie and love.

We are grateful for Herman’s ministry undertaken with quiet diligence and faithful determination to spread the Gospel of love throughout his own parish. Indeed he is a model not only to the Parish of St. Andrew & St. Mark but also for the diocese as a whole.

We proudly acknowledge that Herman’s service and fellowship with us has always been an encouragement to us, and has served to make us more faithful and loving disciples of Christ, and for this we thank you Herman.

The Right Reverend Barry B. Clarke, Bishop of Montreal and Mr. Herman Cole at the reception	Mr. Herman Cole and The Reverend Karen Chalk of the Parish of St. Andrew and St. Mark
Mr. Herman Cole cutting the cake	The Right Reverend Barry B. Clarke, Bishop of Montreal and Mr. Herman Cole during the ceremony