February 2011 A Section of Anglican Journal
Historic Covenant Signed between Roman Catholic Ar chdiocese of Regina and Diocese of Qu'Appelle staff REGINA "This is a great day for the Church," said a woman arriving at St. Paul's Cathedral for a special service on January 23. She was one of the many Roman Catholic lay people who came together with Anglican laity and clergy of both denominations to witness an historic event in the developing relationship between the Anglican Diocese of Qu'Appelle and the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Regina. Many other lay people also spoke enthusiastically about the new relationship, and said how optimistic they were for the future of both Churches. The formal agreement commits the two dioceses to specific initiatives, including annual shared services with the two bishops, keeping and upholding each Church and its leaders in prayer, working together on various issues, and jointly working with First Nations elders to promote reconciliation and healing. The bishops commit to maintaining communications, especially when new developments in one Church may present challenges for the other. Anglican and Roman Catholic parishes are encouraged to undertake joint activities in worship, mission, education and social justice. The signing of the Covenant by Roman Catholic Archbishop Daniel Bohan and Anglican Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson marked the culmination of a two-year process. The joint committee included Joan Galvin of Holy Rosary Roman Catholic Cathedral and Deacon Michael Jackson of St. Paul's Anglican Cathedral and under the leadership of Dean of Qu'Appelle James Merrett and then-Monsignor and Vicar-General Donald Bolen. Bolen, who has since become the Roman Catholic Bishop of Saskatoon, was not available to take part in the celebration.
photo - staff
photo - Frank Flegel
Deacons Susan Page of St. Luke's Regina (l) and Joe Lang of Resurrection Parish Regina (far right) flank Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson and Archbishop Daniel Bohan as they sign the Covenant between their respective dioceses on January 23.
Louisa Lacheur, senior server at Holy Rosary Cathedral, pours water into St. Paul's Cathedral font at the beginning of the service when the Covenant between the Diocese of Qu'Appelle and the Archdiocese of Regina was signed.
The Covenant, and the service which celebrated its signing, focused on the many areas which the two Churches hold in common. The furnishings in the cathedral chancel were rearranged, placing two cathedra (bishops' chairs) in front of the altar steps, each with a chair for the bishop's attending deacon. In the centre was a lectern in the shape of an eagle. Before the service officially began, Deacon Jackson welcomed the approximately 200 in the congregation, and gave a very brief history of the Cathedral building in both English and French. Then the participating clergy - the two bishops, two cathedral rectors (Dean James Merrett and Fr. Brian Meredith), four deacons (two from each diocese) and nine servers from both cathedrals - entered the cathedral and gathered around the font at the back of the nave for the renewal of the baptismal covenant. The co-celebrants, Archbishop Bohan and Bishop Kerr-Wilson, asked the questions and the congregation responded in the words of the Apostles' Creed. Water was poured into the font and blessed, and then the
bishops processed around the nave, using asperges to sprinkle the holy water on members of the congregation. The opening hymn was the very appropriate, The Church's One Foundation, led by St. Paul's choir. Scripture readings were Isaiah 61:1-9, Psalm 133 sung in plainsong by the choir, Galatians 3:23-29 and John 1:1-7, 19-20, 29-34. The complete text of the Covenant was then read by Dean James Merrett, Deacon Michael Jackson, both of St. Paul's, and Joan Galvin of Holy Rosary Cathedral, who are the remaining members of the original committee established by the bishops in 2009. The Covenant states that the bishops, "together with our people and responding to the call of the Holy Spirit, wish to enter into a covenantal relationship." It recognizes the common faith shared by the two denominations and recapped the 40-year ecumenical history of the dioceses. It commits the two dioceses to five specific activities and also encourages a further 14 initiatives by parishes.
Bishop Answers Questions in Big Country Parish by Susan Bornowsky KINDERSLEY (Qu'A) The Big Country Parish was blessed by an Advent visit from Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson. A turkey dinner was sponsored by St. Mary's ACW and parishioners in Kindersley on December 11, followed by an evening Eucharist service. The next morning, after the morning Eucharist at Church of the Holy Cross in Eston, a potluck brunch was served by the congregants. Bishop Kerr-Wilson spoke to both congregations about the meaning of the Advent season and also integrated a question and answer session around the meal
photos - Laurel Weinhandl
Bishop Greg Kerr-Wilson (far right) brought his guitar when he visited Big Country parish. Maxinne Donaldson (l) joined the music with her guitar, along with Rev. Del and Sue Bornowsky and Garth Weinhandl (behind the Bishop)
times. The questions covered a broad range of theological and practical topics. "What is fate?", "Do you believe in Mother God?", and "What plans are in place to ensure the growth of our diocese?" were answered skilfully by Bishop Kerr-Wilson. Good times of fellowship were enjoyed by both congregations. Parishioners were delighted that their Bishop agreed to make the 10-hour round trip from Regina in inclement weather to encourage them in their Christian journey. They experienced good hope for our future as a diocese.
The complete text of the Covenant and the letter from Archbishop Bohan and Bishop Kerr-Wilson is available on the diocesan website quappelle.anglican.ca, and from local parishes. It was also printed in the February issue of The Saskatchewan Anglican. In his homily, Bishop KerrWilson referred to the Epistle, "'in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith.' As a parent, I am always pleased to see my children playing well together, and I believe God rejoices in the new relationship between the two dioceses." He also quoted Ephesians 4, "There is one body and one spirit ... one lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and father of all..." The word, he pointed out, is "is" not "will be." This unity is a gift of God, and "today we pulled a bit more of the wrapping off that gift." Archbishop Bohan quoted Pope Benedict XVI when he joined in Evening Prayer with the Archbishop of Canterbury in Westminster Abbey, "what we share is greater than what divides us." He said that the Covenant is a cause of great hope for us, and said that Christian unity is essential for credible witness to the world. The service continued with a choir anthem and the Prayers of the People, read by Anglicans and Roman Catholics, in both English and French. Then both bishops moved to a table in front of the altar to both sign two copies of the Covenant. When this was completed they held up the completed documents, to enthusiastic applause. Copies of the Covenant will be given to each parish in both dioceses. Deacons Michael Jackson and Barry Wood (of Holy Rosary Cathedral) gave the dismissal, and invited the congregation to share refreshments, where people visited and rejoiced in the historic day.