Parish Pulse

THE VAUDREUIL PARISH PULSE

March, 2006

>From the Rector

February has been a month of contrasts.

As noted on the home page of the parish website, fresh from their weekend away, the
Confirmation Class: Natalie Davis, Lauren Smith, Megan MacGregor, Ariane Thifault,
Grant Harris, Jeremy Thibodeau, along with Lynn Bookalam were confirmed by Bishop
Barry. (They named it CCCE - Coolest Confirmation Class Ever!) There are thoughts
of them having another getaway again soon.

Thanks to Elizabeth McCrudden for creative organization, and to St Mary's Sewing
Circle for the reception.

A week earlier, there were two funerals. Stevie's funeral was extremely sad, and we
responded as a parish and as a community. People were there early preparing the
large hall and the food for the reception. Security was extensive, and we thank the
Hudson Community Patrol for being there, as well as parishioners at the doors, and
everyone organizing the parking. Ushering, including setting up the Small Hall for
the overflow, was wonderfully done. The choir, as always, was there in force, and
members of other denominations joined them. (Did you know they have matching gowns
just for that reason?) People stepped in as they saw need. Christine kept
communication open with the hall, Eleanor helped the family, Vern rang the bell, and
Douglas didn't just play the organ, he also cued and played the three CDs. I saw us
responding as a parish. Congratulations to everyone in a difficult moment.

Just the day before, there had been another parish funeral! (see the article "Thank
You")

Lent is upon us. And we will have our Ash Wednesday Communion at 7:30 on March 1st,
(at St James) complete with ashes. Then the next five Wednesday evenings, in the
small hall at St. James at 7:30 p.m., there will be a time of prayer and discussion
about the Church's local mission with invited guests. The Rev'd Marsha Mundy has
been planning this with me, and will preach March 1st.

As always, I am at 458-5372. I will visit, or bring Communion or a prayer to the
shut-in, or the sick; or bless your home; or prepare you for Baptism, Confirmation,
Marriage, a memorial, or simply chat! Please do call.

God bless you. Fr John

ONE MAN'S VIEW: I still can't believe it. I mean, why did he do it? Why did he
take my place? It just doesn't make sense.

I guess I'd better introduce myself. Barabbas is the name. I'm not really the most
popular man in these parts. My band and I are rather notorious actually. You may
have heard of the Jericho uprising. A group of us held a protest rally against the
Roman occupation and it turned into quite a scuffle. Well, I was the ringleader in
that one. And the road between Jerusalem and Jericho has not been a safe place to
travel ever since my men and I took up residence there. I'm sorry to say now that
we were responsible for quite a number of robberies along that stretch of road.
Killed men once or twice, too. We tried to just target those supporting the Romans
but nevertheless. So I guess it's really no surprise that two of my accomplices and
I eventually got caught. They threw the book at us - said we deserved the very
worst punishment they could think of. So they sentenced us to die on a cross - a
slow and agonizing death. A nail through each hand, one in the feet and left to
hang until finally. yeah, well I guess you get the picture. It

was decided that this would all happen just before Passover. Everybody was going to
be in town so it was a good time to show them all what the authorities do to rebels
like us.

Well, on the day of the execution the three of us were in a holding cell near
Pilate's palace. While we were there this new prisoner was thrown in with us. He
had been treated quite badly - he had bruises all over him from a pretty hefty
beating he had taken. I heard the soldiers were responsible which doesn't surprise
me. It was quite ironic but he was accused of leading an uprising just like I was
but he certainly wasn't like me. I could tell just by looking at him that he had
never done anything wrong. There was no way he was capable of doing any of the
rotten things I had done. The most incredible thing was that he didn't speak a word
to defend himself - as if he was resigned to taking whatever was coming.

I had heard a bit of the rabble outside so I began to throw a few taunts myself.
"If you are indeed the Son of God, why don't you just burst your way out here? And
while you're at it - let us out at the same time," I chortled. He didn't respond
in any way but somehow it just didn't seem right to continue. Seems though that
this man was causing quite a stir - both Pilate and Herod seemed unconvinced of his
guilt - but the crowd wasn't going to let him go easily. I had heard the roar of
the crowd earlier as they let up this chant of "Crucify Him! Crucify Him!" You'd
have thought it was me outside - not him.

Eventually both he and I were led out before the crowd. It was Pilate's custom on
important occasions to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd, you see, and Pilate
wanted them to choose between us. Well, it was a one man contest as far as I was
concerned with me most definitely the loser. There was no way, you'd think, they'd
let me out to roam the countryside again and I guess that is what Pilate thought
too. But when he asked, "Which of the two do you want me to release to you?", a
unanimous roar of "Barabbas" filled the streets below. I was nearly knocked
backwards by it all - I just couldn't believe it. I mean, it was obvious who the
guilty one was and it certainly wasn't him.

Then Pilate asked the crowd, "What shall I do then, with the one you call the King
of the Jews?" "Crucify Him!", they shouted back and there was no way you could
doubt their conviction.

So here I am - released. And hanging on a cross between my two mates is this man.
He's there in my place. The nails that should have been hammered into my hands and
feet were hammered into his. And a sign "The King of the Jews" placed where it
should have said "King of the Robbers". I can't understand it - I don't think I
ever will. It certainly wasn't fair but this man Jesus died in my place

PARISH FAMILY: Milestones of recent weeks

WEDDINGS:

Elizabeth Crosby and Patrick Jones were married at St. James on 18 February 2006.

Tim Lawrence and Kathryn Porter (son of Pam & Don Maguire) will be married in
Australia on 25 February. They will reside in Melbourne

DEATHS:

Ronald G. Power, Father of Sharon Ilaqua, grandfather to Kate and Kevin Ilaqua, died
December 20, 2005. The funeral was held in Lancaster, Ontario on December 22, 2005
and there will be a memorial service in the spring.

Stevie Reilly died on February 6th and her Memorial Eucharist was held at St. James
on Sunday, February 12th, and her body was committed to St. James Cemetery following
the service.

THANK YOU: She was the last of our four parents to go and there are many waves of
"Sad" that could be overwhelming. Yet..

So many calls, cards with special messages, donations in Traudi's name, flowers,
hugs and kind words! A beautiful service in which so many participated and the
sweet reception afterwards! We continue to be surrounded by this loving parish
family and we feel truly blessed.

With deep appreciation and affection,

Karen and John

MEMORIALS: According to tradition there are no flowers placed at the altar during
Lent. If you would like a memorial to loved ones during Lent a candle will be
placed at the altar and lit during the Sunday service. Please call Sherrill Gordon
at St. James (458-5010) or Bernice Hall at St. Mary's (458-7913).

ST. JAMES CHURCH WOMEN NEWS: Last Monday the 20th the small hall at St. James was
the rendez-vous point for more than forty ladies where they enjoyed a relaxing
evening and a delicious dinner prepared by Linda Cobbett anf Margaret Lagimodière.
Many thanks to the chef's-well done!!!!!

On Friday March 3rd at 1:00 pm the St. James Church Women will host The World Day of
Prayer. The theme is Signs of the Times and is written by the women of South
Africa. This is a day, worldwide, when women of many traditions come together to
observe a common day of prayer. Everyone welcome. Refreshments will be served.

PLEASE HELP: It has come to the St. James Wardens' attention that certain members
of the congregation are adversely affected by strong perfume which can provoke
asthma attacks, respiratory distress and sinus pain in affected individuals. We are
thus following the lead of several other parishes and requesting that you please
refrain from wearing perfume, aftershave or similar scented products to church.
After all we are a "pleasing offering to the Lord" without such adornments. We
thank you for your understanding and cooperation in this matter."

UPCOMING EVENTS:

St. Mary's Pancake Supper: Tuesday 28 February from 5:00 pm on..

RSVP:
Elizabeth
Dempsey
458-4380

Parish Ash Wednesday Service: Wednesday, 1 March at St. James at 7:30 pm.

St. James Advisory Board: Thursday 16 March 7:30 pm

Holy Communion at Manoir Cavagnal Friday 31 March at 10:00 am

PULSE" CONTACT INFORMATION:

The Parish Pulse Editorial Team is actively looking for your articles. Please feel
free to contact any of them with your ideas or suggestions for an article. (Patti
Ann Gannon, 613-674-1376, pattiann@sympatico.ca; Paul Brierley, 450-458-1750,
paul.brierley@future.ca; Wilf Hall, 450-458-7913, wghall@sympatico.ca). The
deadline for the next issue is Wednesday, March 22nd, 2006. The publication will be
Friday, March 31st, 2006.

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.

WEB LINKS RECOMMENDED BY THE EDITORS:

http://www.montreal.anglican.org/index-01.shtml

http://www.alphacanada.org/

http://www.podm.net/po_how.htm