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January 22nd,
2006 - Post No. 2
The Quebec Cathedral community gathered today to give a fabulous send-off to
the Dean of the Cathedral (yours truly). Tomorrow morning, January 23, I begin
my journey to the Middle East and a four month sabbatical leave (see earlier
posting, below.)
Pictured here, Pastor Christian Schreiner (left) — whom the Lord Archbishop of Quebec, the Most Revd A. Bruce Stavert commissioned to serve as “Pastor-in-charge pro tem” during the Dean’s absence. Beside him, left to right: le chanoine Pierre Voyer, Pastor of the francophone parish at the Cathedral; Archbishop Stavert; and the Dean. (Photo: Fr Bruce Myers, Rector of the Magdalen Islands, flight home cancelled, Jan 21 blizzard.) Archbishop Bruce composed prayers for a “Commissioning for Sabbatical” which also took place during a well attended Sunday morning choral service at the Cathedral. I was pleased to preach, reflecting on a relationship of seven years with the Cathedral parish; the Choir and Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, Cathedral Organist ,provided wonderful music for the occasion, and Mrs Diana Meredith organised (or, as she put it, “Got the ball rolling” for) a very cheerful reception following. Commissioning for Sabbatical
Walter, you now go out from amongst us — on a sabbatical
study leave and an important ecumenical visitation. You go with the prayers of
your Cathedral community. May your days be blessed, your travel safe, your
strength renewed, your faith refreshed and may you return to share with us your
experience.
Prayer of commissioning
We bless you, O God, and we praise your name. Look kindly on
Walter whom we send forth to visit brothers and sisters in another part of your
holy church. Guide his steps, and with the power of your grace strengthen him in
spirit. Bless the communities in which he becomes a guest and learner. May his
presence there strengthen the bonds of communion between our churches and grant
that he may return to us refreshed and with a new sense of your presence in the
lives of us all, in the name of Christ, our Lord, we pray.
Amen. |
