THE VENERABLE THE ARCHDEACON OF SAINT ANDREWS
EASTER LETTER TO CHRIST CHURCH RAWDON 2007
As many of you already know, my kidneys unexpectedly and painfully began to shut down two weeks ago. I took the morning service, although brutally shortened (including my shortest ever sermon of 2:22), before going to the emergency room. I was hospitalized for about a week and told to take a week to recover my strength. I am sure that most find not working relaxing but for a workaholic it is more than just a wee bit difficult. I am now fully recovered with full kidney functioning, although still a little tired. Although a definite cause was not found it is highly probable that I had a serious reaction to an antiviral drug I take three or four times a year for cold sores. As a result this letter is late, rushed and short.
At the Annual Vestry meeting it was decided to change the regular time of the Sunday Morning Eucharist to 10:00am. This will take effect as of the 17th of June. The Sunday before, the 10th of June, there will be no service here in Rawdon as we will be joining the Anglican Parish of Mascouche for their rededication service at 11am. The Bishop will be present and there will be a celebratory lunch afterwards. We will arrange carpooling closer to the date. I hope you will all attend. Have a blessed Holy Week and Easter.
Yours in Christ,
Edward OGS
Holy Week & Easter
Holy Week begins on Palm Sunday, in the Church Hall with the Blessing of Palms, and continues with Eucharistic services at 12pm on Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday and Holy Wednesday. On Holy Wednesday evening at 7pm is the service of Tenebrae, the service of shadows, in anticipation of the three great days that follow. On Maundy Thursday there will be the Chrism Mass at the Cathedral at 12pm. We will celebrate the institution of the Holy Eucharist, the washing of feet, the stripping of the altars and the vigil in the garden starting at 7pm the same evening. The ecumenical walk on Good Friday begins at the Roman Catholic church at 9:30am. Our own liturgy for Good Friday is at 2pm. In the evening at 7pm there will be a short service commemorating the Harrowing of Hell. The Easter Vigil, the most solemn and important service in the church’s year, begins at 10pm on Saturday evening. The Easter morning Eucharist is at the normal time of 10:30.
The Venerable M. Edward Simonton OGS
M.A.(Hons), M.Th., FRAI, FRSAI, FSA Scot
CHRIST CHURCH, THE RECTORY, 3365 THIRD AVENUE, RAWDON, QUEBEC J0K 1S0