September 2007 A Section of Anglican Journal
Renewal of Wedding Vows a Celebration Within a Celebration By: Peter R. Coolen --SASKATOON--In April, as part of the celebration of the centennial of Christ Church, Saskatoon nine couples who had been married in the church took the opportunity to renew their vows and say “I do� again. Among them were a retired Bishop, Ken Genge and his wife Ruth and a couple who were married in the church 51 years ago, Albert and Lois Morrison. For the renewal ceremony Lois wore her original wedding dress.
Photo by Ian Roach
Nine couples renewed their marriage vows as part of the Christ Church, Saskatoon centennial celebration.
Mystery Uncovered at St. Alban's Cathedral by Fred Payton PRINCE ALBERT (Sask) - Cathedrals and mysteries, as any reader of British detective fiction will tell you, go hand in hand. And now the people of St. Alban's Cathedral, in the Diocese of Saskatchewan, have a mystery of their very own. But, Photo by Ian Roach fortunately for the clergy and people of St. Alban's, this mystery does not include dead bodies littering the sanctuary. Rather, Lois Morrison renewing her wedding vows this mystery centres on a painting, a painting about which little has been known by the present day congregation until relawith Albert, her husband of 51 years, wearing tively recently. her original wedding dress. Alban the Martyr, has hung on its walls for nearly eighty years. The painting, a depiction of the Cathedral's patron saint, Only within the past five years has there been much interest displayed in the painting and its history. There has been hearsay information suggesting that the cross which Alban is holding had originally been a crucifix. Allegedly, an earlier rector of the Cathedral, or a Bishop if the Diocese, had determined a crucifix to be unacceptable in an Anglican church, so had had the body of Christ painted over, leaving simply a cross in his hand. Other than that, little attention was paid to the painting. A relative of the presumed artist, Kate Bunce, initiated some inquiry into the painting about five years ago, when Ms. Bunce's work as a woman pre-Raphaelite painter was being documented in Britain. At that time, it was determined that Ms. Bunce had wanted to donate a painting of Alban to the Bishop of Saskatchewan, an acquaintance of her family. It was further determined that the painting, which was unfinished at the time of her death, had been completed and shipped to Prince Albert to fulfill the wishes expressed in her Last Will and Testament. Nothing further was adduced with respect to the painting until July of this year. Dr. Jan Marsh, a staff member of the National Portrait Gallery in London, England, and an expert on women pre-Raphaelite painters, was brought to Saskatoon to address the opening of an exhibition of pre-Raphaelite painting at the Mendel Art Gallery. Dr. Marsh arranged to travel to Prince Albert to view the Alban painting. When she arrived, Dr. Marsh expressed confidence in the origin of the painting as a Kate Bunce. But she also imparted information which came as a surprise to members of the congregation. Based upon information reported as being taken from the will of Kate Bunce, Dr. Marsh suggested that the Alban portrait was only one third of what was supposed to be an altar triptych. The other two boards, she explained, were to be of Christ and of St. Patrick. As for the story of the crucifix being overpainted, that was a possibility. For certainly, the cross had been repainted, but whether it was a crucifix overpainted or merely some early damage being rudely repaired is impossible to determine with the naked eye. As for the triptych, do panels of Christ and of St. Patrick exist somewhere, perhaps propping up a shed door as Dr. Marsh suggested? Or did Ms. Bunce begin her triptych with St. Alban and never live to start on the other two panels which she had planned? To the mystery of the crucifix, Dr. Marsh added another mystery for the people of the Cathedral in Prince Albert.
photo Robert Kleiwer
l to r: front row: Carol Kleiwer, Rita Brann, Bob Brann back row: Paula and Michael Brann
Rita Brann Ordained a Deacon by Ivan Millard REGINA - On June 29 the Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul, Rita Brann was ordained a permanent deacon by Bishop Gregory Kerr-Wilson. The ordination took place at Living Spirit Centre. Presenters were Robert Brann, Carol Kliewer, Rosemary James, Bill Dodge, Ivan Millard and Archdeacon Helena Houldcroft, who also preached. Honorary presenters from Living Spirit Centre were the Reverend Dawn Rolke, Eastside United, who also read the Gospel and retired Pastor Jerry Borkowski, Bread of Life Lutheran. Grandson Michael Brann was Bishop's Chaplain and Crucifer and granddaughter Paula Brann presented the elements.