On Sunday our Centennial Service of Worship was an occasion for former members to join with us in fellowship and prayer. We give thanks to all who travelled to be with us for our anniversary celebrations and for time spent together.
The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, The Most Reverend Michael Peers was guest preacher. Many parishes in Canada would be joyous to acknowledge a visit from the Primate. We venture to say that we are amongst the few that have had two visits for the Primate during his tenure. As Bishop Andrew could not be with us due to a previous commitment we welcomed The Right Reverend Russell Hatton Assistant Bishop of Montreal who presided at the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist.
Our Sunday Anniversary Service featured the Centennial Anthem, "Weave For Us A Garment of Brightness", (see Our Commissioned Works). Our Centennial Banner was crafted by Enid Page; a Sanctuary Chair was also dedicated in memory of Dorothy and Russell Read. These contributions were recognized and dedicated during the service.
We have also received notes from all across the country from those wishing us well on our 100th Anniversary some of these came from, former parishioners now residing in: Surrey British Columbia, Glenwood Newfoundland, Cornwall, Grand Bend, and Toronto Ontario. We also received best wishes from The Anglican Parish of Bay of Islands Newfoundland where one of their two churches, St. James Lark Harbour, are also celebrating their centennial this year.
Kola Owolabi is the Assistant Organist at The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul, Montreal. Born in 1977, Kola has lived most of his life in Toronto, Ontario. Between 1982 and 1987 he and his family lived in Nigeria, West Africa.
Kola began studies in piano and music theory at the age of seven. Upon his return to Toronto, he enrolled in St. Michael's Choir School, where he studied violin and organ. At age 15, he was appointed Acting Organist at St. Michael's Cathedral, a post he held for four years. Kola has composed much sacred music. In 1993 his double choir motet Hodie Christus natus est was published by Gordon V. Thompson Music. It has since appeared on three Christmas recordings by Canadian Choirs. This year a new work Star Carol was published. Mr. Owolabi has received Associateship Diplomas in Organ and Piano performance from The Royal Conservatory of Music, Toronto. His latest composition, A Christmas Fanfare will be heard at the annual CBC Christmas Sing-In from The Church of St. Andrew and St. Paul.
In September 1996 Kola began the Bachelor of Music Program in Organ Performance at McGill University. He studied with Bruce Wheatcroft in his first year, and now is a student of John Grew. He hopes to pursue a career as a church musician, performer and music educator.
In June 1997 Kola received his ARCCO degree from The Royal Canadian College of Organists winning the Willan Prize for highest marks in performance and the Rollinson Prize for highest marks in paper work.
In 1998 Mr. Owolabi won first prize in The Florence and Stanley Osborne Organ Playing Competition in Oshawa, Ontario and second place in the prestigious John Robb Organ Competition held in Montreal on November 25, 1998.
Denis Bédard who was born in Quebec city in 1950, first studied music at the Conservatoire de musique de Québec, graduating with first class honours in organ, harpsichord, chamber music, counterpoint and fugue. He continued his studies in Paris and Montreal, as well as in Amsterdam with Gustav Leonhardt, and was laureate of the Prix d'Europe in 1975 and of the CBC Radio Talent Competition in 1978. A professor at the Conservatoire de musique de Québec from 1981 until 1989, Denis Bédard was organist at St-Coeur-de-Marie church in Quebec City for 19 years and then became organist at St-Roch church, also in Quebec City, in September 1997. He is a very active concert artist and has given recitals across Canada and in the United States. Denis Bédard's compositions include fifteen chamber music works as well as orchestral and vocal music and several organ works. He has received commissions from Radio-Canada, the CBC, the Québec Symphony Orchestra and various professional musicians in Canada, England and the U.S.. Several of his works have been performed internationally, particularly at international organ and saxophone conventions, and some have been recorded on CD. His music, essentially tonal and melodic, is characterized by a concern for formal clarity and immediate communication with as vast a public as possible.
Variations sur 'Sine Nomine', will now become part of the vast repertoire of organ music available to organists.
As part of our Centennial Year Celebrations, we had a concert featuring the Protestant School Board of Greater Montreal Senior Choral. A Service of Compline, was sung by the men of the choirs of: St. Andrew and St. Mark, Dorval, St. Phillip’s, Montreal West and St. Andrew and St. Paul Montreal.
On Sunday, June 21, we celebrated a special Observance of the National Aboriginal Day of Prayer with a special liturgy including readings and prayers. The Celebrants were The Venerable Gordon Guy and The Reverend Canon Dr. Donald Meloche. We were fortunate to have with us Mr. Bevan Skerratt a Councellor with Waseskan House, a Community Residential Centre along with Mrs. Barbara Malloch, a member of Christ Church Cathedral, Montreal. The liturgy included special readings and prayers, led by Mrs. Malloch, along with a Native Blessing and the Smudge Ceremony performed by Mr. Skerratt.. The Focus of the celebration had the theme "Our Journey of Spiritual Renewal" "Towards a New Partnership - A Call to Unity"
In October and November we welcomed back, The Rev. Alan Perry, now serving as Rector of the Parish of Lachute, The Reverend Joyce Sanchez now serving at the Mile-End Community Mission, The Reverend Linda Borden-Taylor now serving as Program Officer of the Diocese, and Assistant at the Church of St. Columba, N.D.G. and The Reverend Ralph Leavitt now serving as Rector of the Parish of Knowlton. Each spoke of their time spent at St. Mark's, their feelings about returning and their present position.
The new Anglican Hymn Book Common Praise was received in December just in time for Christmas. Over eighty percent of the books have been given as memorial tributes or as thank offerings. There is still time to financially support the introduction of the new hymn book. Early in the new year, a date will be chosen to bless and to dedicate these special offerings along with other memorial gifts given over the year.
The final month of the Anniversary year was filled with the music of Christmas. The Service of Nine Lessons and Carols featured featured some of the lesser known French carols, sung in French. This service was also memorable due to the fact that we used our new hymn book Common Praise for the first time. On December 17th the choir sang for the Annual Festival of Lights Service at the Royal Victoria Hospital.