THE VAUDREUIL PARISH PULSE
January 30 th , 2004 (2004-1) Welcome to the Vaudreuil Parish Pulse. This is the first edition of what is to become a monthly newsletter for the members of the Parish of Vaudreuil, and others who wish to be in its distribution list. Its goal is to inform you, share with you, and stimulate your Christian journey. Its "pulse" will be a direct reflection of the parish members, as this is your newsletter, built with information provided by you. Please read through this first edition, and take the time to fill in the contact information near the end.
A TRIBUTE TO BILL FOX:
While living in Como , Bill and Wendy Fox were members at St. Mary's and continued their worship at St. James' after moving west to Hudson Heights . Wendy was a Choir Member there for many years, and Bill served on St. James' Corporation and Advisory Board, and later on the Parish Stewardship, Worship and Liturgy Committees. His wealth of business experience and knowledge of the sensitivities of both congregations enabled him to contribute immeasurably to the well being of our Churches and Community.
Bill was a professional writer, and this leads us to believe the task closest to his heart was his role as Editor of the “Gleanings”. He was amazing and worked very hard to put together a truly professional product. His patience was incredible as he pushed and cajoled to obtain articles and also obtain help to fold, staple and mail the “Gleanings” out on time. We don't believe he ever failed.
Your Communications Committee doesn't believe that this newsletter can replace the “Gleanings”, which was so well done by Bill, but rather we feel that it is a way to utilize the communication opportunity that e-mail offers us, in addition to traditional methods.
Thank you Bill for all your devotion, amazing skill, hard work, and your commitment to the Parish over the years. You and Wendy are sorely missed. You are, indeed, a “Tough Act to Follow”!
The Parish of Vaudreuil Communications Committee
FROM THE RECTOR
It is exciting to think of all the energy in (now) five parish committees working together at the same time. When we gathered together some time ago on a Saturday morning to think about our parish, we came up with several conclusions. We needed better adult learning opportunities. We needed better communication within the parish and among the community. And we needed to know more about ourselves in worship. The two existing committees, Stewardship and Worship are at work on community and parish engagement. A new Pastoral Committee has begun to take active responsibility for our caring for each other as a family. A Youth Committee has begun the work needed to intelligently introduce Christian Youth program. And the new Communications Committee is obviously at work, with this new Parish Pulse , a new bulletin, and more! Thanks to the Chairs for their leadership: Albert Shellard – Worship; Frank Royle – Stewardship; Ann Cruikshank - Pastoral; Marcus Owen – Youth; and Larry Smith – Communications. Thanks to all the committee members for all your hard work. We are becoming an even better parish!
Sometimes people ask me what priests do. Apart from services, and the administration of the parish churches (responsibility for health of Christian Community), priests are available to visit the sick (please ask me, so I'll know!) to bless new homes (one so far in the parish) to take Communion to the shut-ins, to talk to anyone about the faith or anything else in confidentiality. We teach the faith – in bible study, courses on the faith itself, prayer workshops. We prepare people for baptism (interviews with the parents or candidate to review the promises and the faith and more) for marriage (three or more sessions to understand Christian Marriage and the Wedding) for funerals and the whole time of grief and loss. Confirmation classes for adults and children review the faith in about twenty parts. I would like to hear from you. Call me! (458-5372) Just to chat! Ask me to come, or arrange to meet me privately in the rectory office. God bless you.
John E
COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE: There has been a communications committee working hard for the last couple months. Their goal is to identify areas of communication within the parish and the community. Then to brainstorm what can be accomplished in each area, and how to maximize results. This newsletter is just one of the initiatives by this committee. Watch for implementation of other initiatives in the coming weeks and months. If you are interested in more details, please contact Larry Smith through the parish office (450-458-5897).
PARISH FAMILY:
As we grow in our own personal journey with God, let us remember in our prayers those who have chosen our parish to mark their milestones this past year. For those who have died this past year, let us remember them in our prayers, their families and those whose lives they touched.
Baptisms of 2003:
Dierdre Ellis , daughter of Julia Ralph and Anthony Ellis
Greyson Ratcliffe, son of Shannon Brown and Tony Ratcliffe
Jordon Kuzniak-Lewis, son of Nancy Kuzniak and Steven Lewis
Lauren Eusanio , daughter of Kimberley Norris and Peter Eusanio
Claire Belson , daughter of Ruth deGruchy and Andrew Belson
Sofia Galletti , daughter of Kathryn Reichman and Rodney Galletti
Zoe Kofmehl, daughter of Elizabeth Vipond and Wilfried Kofmehl
John Taylor, son of Marianne Jort and William Taylor
Kyle Collins, son of Dionne Collins and Emile Saintcloud
Kimberley Mason, daughter of Christine Woods and Anthony Mason
Maximus Guntner, son of Fabi Lajoie and Michael Guntner
Abigail Paniccia, daughter of Diana Sanderson and Rocco Paniccia
Confirmations of 2003:
Miranda Gannon; Lily Sargent; Sydney Franklin-Thorpe; Andrew Davis; Emmett Mathieu; Michael Casselman; Steven Casselman; Wayne Casselman; Tracy Gallacher.
Marriages of 2003:
Melinda Epps and Denis Daoust
Shauna Makin and Nicholas Kerridge
Natalie Kisil and Cameron Nielsen
Rebecca Ford and Michael Dymond
Nathalie Guèrard and Michael Sisk
Kirsten Kushner and Steven Foerster
Deaths of 2003:
Shirley Elliott (nee Balcom); Margaret Fergie (nee Bonney); Susan Routledge (nee Hughes); Katharine Routledge; Eva Findlay (nee Holland); Kenneth Griggs; Kenneth Graham; Beverley Couston (nee Bilkey); William Hodgson; Douglas Hodgson; Evelyn Graham; Albert (Brent) Wilson; Gladys Adam; Dorothy Richardson; Mabel Reid (nee Collins); Elsie “Babe” Sorensen (nee Horne); Donald Chamberlin; Lore Schulz (nee Scherz); Eleanor Collins (nee Gibson); Robert Mercer; Enid Robinson (nee Nicolla); Bill Boden; Liane Wallace (nee Roberts); Leslie Berridge; Clark Middleton-Hope; James Lauritsen; Victor Koenka; Robert Gardiner; Margaret Peyton; Rudy Nielsen.
THANK YOU WORKER BEES OF 2003 : This past year has seen many successful activities in the parish. A special thank you to all who contributed.
THOUGHTS TO SHARE : Have you ever sat down and enjoyed a good jigsaw puzzle? Have you marveled at the intricacy of each piece with its own shape? How they connect together making a most beautiful picture, anchored by a most perfect centre piece? We live in a world of individuals, each with his or her own special needs, abilities and gifts. We all fit together in a complicity called life. Our lives are centered around one perfect piece, or peace. God's Word explains this PEACE.
HOW TO SUBMIT ITEMS FOR THIS NEWSLETTER : This newsletter is published for you, and your submissions are welcome at any time. In fact, one goal of this newsletter is to reflect the “Pulse” of the members of our Christian community. The deadline for the next issue is Thursday, February 12 th , 2004 . The publication will be February 29 th , 2004 . Submissions should be directed to Patti Ann Gannon through: pattiann@sympatico.ca , parishvaudreuil@ca.inter.net , drop off at the Parish Office, fax to the Parish Office at 450-458-8802, or mail to The Parish of Vaudreuil, 642 Main Road, Hudson Heights, Quebec, J0P 1J0.
HOW WOULD YOU LIKE TO RECEIVE YOUR NEWSLETTER? : Please take the time to answer the following and submit your answers to the attention of Patti Ann Gannon at pattiann@sympatico.ca , or through the parish office via parishvaudreuil@ca.inter.net , drop off, fax 450-458-8802, or mail The Parish of Vaudreuil, 642 Main Road, Hudson Heights, Quebec, J0P 1J0.
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SCHEDULE FOR THE NEXT MONTH:
Sunday, February 1 st : Presentation of Christ (Candlemass)
7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
9:00 a.m. Morning Prayer St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. Morning Prayer & Praise Evergreen, St. Lazare
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
Readings : Malachi 3:1-4; Hebrews 2:14-18; Luke 2:22-40
Sunday, February 8 th : 5 th After Epiphany
7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
9:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Evergreen, St. Lazare
11:00 a.m. Morning Prayer St. James
Readings : Isaiah 6:1-8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-11; Luke 5:1-11
Thursday, February 12 th : Deadline for submissions for the next issue of the Parish Pulse.
Sunday, February 15 th : 6 th After Epiphany
7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
9:00 a.m. Family Service St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. Family Service Evergreen, St. Lazare
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
Readings : Jeremiah 17:5-10; 1 Corinthians 15:12-20; Luke 6:17-26
Sunday, February 22 nd : Transfiguration
7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
9:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Evergreen, St. Lazare
11:00 a.m. Family Service St. James
Readings : Exodus 34:29-35; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9: 28-36
Wednesday, February 25 th : Ash Wednesday
Service schedule to be determined, see bulletins, calendar boards or contact office
Readings : Joel 2:1-2,12-17; 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6,10; Matthew 6:1-6,16-21
Sunday, February 29 th : Lent 1
7:45 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
9:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. Mary's
10:00 a.m. Holy Communion Evergreen, St. Lazare
11:00 a.m. Holy Communion St. James
Readings : Deuteronomy 26;1-11; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13