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HARK
Remember that dust thou art and to dust shalt thou return.
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Lent is the time in our church when we prepare to celebrate Easter. Our Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday
when we come humbly before God, acknowledging our sin and brokenness, and have ashes placed on our forehead as
a sign of our mortality.
During Lent, we take time for self-reflection and we think about those things that separate us from God. It is a traditional
practice to „give up‟ something for Lent. We may think about giving up something that has control over us—such as
coffee, sweets, cigarettes, etc. I would suggest that we also think about taking something up for Lent.
There are traditionally three practices associated with Lent: prayer, fasting, and almsgiving.
Lent is a time when we can resolve to dedicate more time to prayer. Like any friendship, the quality of the relationship
depends on the time we spend working on it. Prayer draws us into a deeper and more meaningful relationship with God.
This season is also associated with fasting. Fasting means abstaining or reducing our intake of food. It is a means by
which we can deny ourselves and our own physical needs, and focus on God . This small act of self-denial also helps us
to identify with the sufferings of Christ on the cross.
The third traditional discipline of Lent is almsgiving. It is important that we take time to think about those less fortunate
than us. Our Christian life must reach beyond ourselves and out to our brothers and sisters. As our Lord says,
“whatsoever you did unto one of the least, you did unto me.”
Vicar’s Voice
As we seek come closer to our Lord this Lent, let us consider what we might take up. The Church offers us the
opportunity to increase our participation in worship and prayer during this season. Please take time to consult the
worship schedule and consider what the Lord might be calling you to „take up‟ this Lent.
Every Blessing,
Paul+
Every blessing,
Lent 2011
Fr. Paul Rideout Priest-in-Charge
The Crucifixion window over the Altar at St. Luke’s
The Stations of the Cross will be made each Friday during Lent, 10 a.m. at St. Luke‟s Church
9 March – Ash Wednesday 7 p.m. St. Mark‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
13 March – First Sunday in Lent
11 a.m. St. Luke‟s Holy Eucharist (BAS)
3 p.m. St. George‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
7 p.m. St. Mark‟s Evensong
15 March – Compline (with Sermon) 7 p.m. St. Luke‟s
20 March – Second Sunday in Lent
11 a.m. St. George‟s Holy Eucharist (BAS)
3 p.m. St. Mark‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
7 p.m. St. Luke‟s Evensong
22 March – Compline (with Sermon) 7 p.m. St. George‟s
27 March – Third Sunday in Lent
11 a.m. St. Luke‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
3 p.m. St. George‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
7 p.m. St. Mark‟s Evensong
29 March – Compline (with Sermon) 7 p.m. St. Mark‟s
3 April – Fourth Sunday in Lent (Mothering Sunday)
11 a.m. St. Mark‟s Parish Service
5 April – Compline (with Sermon) 7 p.m. St. Luke‟s
10 April – Fifth Sunday in Lent
11 a.m. St. Luke‟s Holy Eucharist (BAS)
3 p.m. St. George‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
7 p.m. St. Mark‟s Evensong
12 April – Compline (with Sermon) 7 p.m. St. George‟s
Worship Schedule
After Jesus‟ death, resurrection and ascension into heaven, many Christians reflected on His passion as He made His
way to Golgotha for our salvation. Pilgrims began to make trips to the Holy Land and walk in His footsteps. As
Christianity spread throughout the known world and distance made it nearly impossible to make the pilgrimage to
Jerusalem, Christians replicated the sites, and there developed the "Stations of the Cross" devotion (also known as
"Way of the Cross," "Via Dolorosa," or "Via Crucis").
The devotion consists of meditating on 14 events which took place during Christ's Passion, from His being condemned
to His burial. Franciscans popularized the devotion, which was originally made outside, often along roads to shrines or
churches. The Way of the Cross can be made any time, but it is often made on Fridays throughout the year, especially
during the Season of Lent and particularly on Good Friday.
The Stations of the Cross will be prayed every Friday during Lent, 10 a.m., at St. Luke’s Church.
17 April – Palm Sunday
11 a.m. St. Luke‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
3 p.m. St. Mark‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
7 p.m. St. George‟s Evensong
18 April – Monday in Holy Week 7 p.m. St. Luke‟s
19 April – Tuesday in Holy Week 7 p.m. St. George‟s
20 April – Wednesday in Holy Week 7 p.m. St. Mark‟s
21 April – Maundy Thursday 7 p.m. St. Luke‟s
22 April – Good Friday 10 a.m. St. Luke‟s Stations of the Cross (led by children of the Parish)
12 p.m. St. Luke‟s The Three Hour Devotion 24 April – Easter Day
6 a.m. St. Luke‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
11 a.m. St. Mark‟s Holy Communion (BCP)
3 p.m. St. George‟s Holy Eucharist (BAS)
7 p.m. St. Luke‟s Evensong
Lent / Holy Week / Easter
The Stations of the Cross
Faith Q & A
Q. Why do we use ashes on Ash Wednesday?
A. In the Church, we sign with the sign of the cross to show that we belong to Christ. On Ash Wednesday, this signing is
done with ashes because they are a biblical symbol of mourning and penance. In Bible times the custom was to fast,
wear sackcloth, sit in dust and ashes, and put dust and ashes on one's head. Ashes also symbolize death and therefore
remind us of our mortality. When the priest uses his thumb to sign one of the faithful with the ashes and says,
"Remember, man, that thou art dust and unto dust thou shalt return," he is echoing God's address to Adam. This phrase
also echoes the words at a Christian burial, "Ashes to ashes; dust to dust," which is based on God's words to Adam in
Genesis 3. We are not required to have our foreheads signed with ashes. It is, though, strongly advised as a visible
spiritual reminder that encourages us to adopt an attitude of prayer, repentance, and humility.
Q. Most ordained people and a lot of those in training claim, some very mysteriously, to have had a „calling‟ to work in
the Church. I doubt very much that a person would hear a Hollywood-style big booming voice in the middle of the night.
But if it is not confidential, I would like to know exactly how a „calling‟ takes place.
A. The voice of God rarely comes to people in a loud, booming manner. Listening to God‟s voice and understanding his
plan for our life is known as „discernment.‟ Discernment is best described as a process of spiritual exploration - a time in
which a man or woman acknowledges God's call to serve Him in a particular vocation. Discernment reaches beyond the
realm of ordained ministry. Oftentimes, people will spend some serious time with our Lord when a new job opportunity or
the possibly of a promotion becomes available. The process of discernment is needed in order to make a spiritually
sound decision. The grace of the Holy Spirit is essential to this process, and we look for signs from our Lord which will
help guide us in our decision. God speaks to all of us every day of our lives if we are attentive to Him. First, God speaks
to us through his Word. We are told that the Word of God is living and active. It continues to impart wisdom to us when
we read it and apply its message to our lives. Through reading and meditating on His Word, God can bring us to
understand what His plan is for our lives. Second, God speaks through impressions, events, and thoughts. God allows
events to occur in our lives to direct us, change us, and help us to grow spiritually. Finally, God can speak to us through
other people. The encouraging word or action of another can affirm our vocation. Rarely does God speak in a loud,
audible way, but we come to hear and understand God‟s call through this process of discernment. It is through this
process that the ordained (and all Christians) come to know what God‟s plan is for their lives.
Q. In Mark 3 it says that “people can be forgiven all their sins and every slander they utter, but whoever blasphemes
against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven.” What is blasphemy against the Holy Spirit and why can‟t it be forgiven?
A. For those who are truly sorry, there is no sin that cannot be forgiven. The so-called „unforgivable sin‟ is the refusal to
ask for forgiveness, a refusal to repent. It is the Holy Spirit who convinces us of our sins for the purpose of repentance.
So if he makes us aware of sin and we refuse to repent, then it becomes an unforgivable sin. This hardness of heart can
result in the loss of the soul to God.
Q. Is there such a thing as Confession in the Anglican Church?
A. Confession, also known as the Sacrament of Reconciliation, is indeed a part of the Anglican tradition. The biblical
basis of this sacrament comes from the gospels, where Christ gives authority to his disciples, and in turn to their
successors to forgive sin saying “if you forgive the sins of any they are forgiven, and if you retain the sins of any they
are retained.” Also, in the Letter of James, we are told that it is a commendable thing to confess our sins to one another.
(James 5:16) While it is not frequently celebrated in the Anglican Church it is nonetheless available for those who wish
to avail of it. When a penitent person has confessed the sin(s) troubling their conscience, they are absolved by the
priest who acts in the person of Christ. There is no set time for confessions to take place, but they can be scheduled by
making an appointment with the priest. The rite can be found page 167 in the BAS.
From the Parish Registers
Baptisms:
Ethan Morley Mark Earle Claire Elizabeth Fowlow Hunter Thomas George Hiscock Molly Jane Winsor Amber Marie Dawe
Brooke Jodie Anthony
Marriages:
James Sellens & Gina Morgan
Howard Morgan & Elsie Dawe
Deaths:
Winnie McCabe Charles Henry Stevens Kevin Ross Snow Stanley Freeman Petten Melba V. Batten
Lenten Quiet Day
Parishes of Port-de-Grave / Bay Roberts / Resurrection
There will be a Lenten Quiet day held at St. Luke‟s on March 19th, 10 a.m. —2 p.m.
Our schedule will be as follows:
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist & 1st Meditation
11:45 Midday Prayer & 2nd Meditation
12:15 Lunch
1:00 3rd Meditation
2:00 Vespers
The retreat leader will be Rev‟d Dr. Peter Barnes, a pastoral counsellor specialist with Eastern Health.
After the Eucharist, and before midday prayer (and between each of the meditations), you can find a quiet place in the
church to sit, and silently reflect on the meditation that was given; or you could read your bible, a spiritual book, write in
a journal, or go for a silent reflective walk.
Between meditations, Dr. Barnes will be available for anyone who wishes to discuss their spiritual life, or to receive the
sacrament of reconciliation. The Lenten Quiet Day is meant to be a day for spiritual renewal, spent in an atmosphere of
silence and in the Presence of our Lord. We do encourage all of you to participate in this Lenten practice. Confirm
attendance with the Parish Office for lunch purposes or for more information: 786-7433 by 12 March 2011.
Holy Humour
Contact Information
Fr. Paul Rideout Priest-in-Charge
Office: 786-7433 Home: 786-1978
Email: pdganglican@gmail.com
Web: www.pdganglicanparish.com
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