THE VAUDREUIL PARISH PULSE
March 2007 (2007-03)

FROM THE RECTOR:

Lent is upon us, and Christians everywhere remind ourselves that we are not subject to the world, to just pursue the riches of the world. We are able to put the world into perspective. It is the creation of God, and it is good. But we are called to reach beyond its limitations, and to do the love of God. Rather than being subject to the world, we are called to responsibility for it. A time to take stock, to reset the priorities for our lives. Confession is traditionally part of Lent, and I am available to help you in this. Confession in the presence of a priest is sometimes an important route to personal healing. Planning a review of your spiritual standards is important. Personal prayer and meditation are the way many are called closer to God. Spiritual friendship, music, art, even dance are another way. Spiritual study - biblical, historical and philosophical are another. Different people are called to different ways. Don’t let your spiritual life slide, any more than any other part of your life.

A time for a new look at our vision for the parish! Alison Bentley’s article introduces this. It is vital to know what we are called to do and be as a parish.

Call me! (458-5372); email me (jbradley@parishofvaudreuil.com) and let me know what I can do for you or someone you know.

I wish you a holy Lent.

John +

PARISH FAMILY: Milestones of recent weeks

WEDDINGS:
Andrea Cockburn married Miguel Rioux at St. James on February 3rd, 2007.
Susan Pike married André Frederic at St. James on February 10th, 2007

DEATHS:
Gerald Kendall died on January 13th and his Memorial Service was held at St. James
on Saturday February 10th.

WORLD DAY OF PRAYER: Sunday 4 March at St. Mary’s Church at 4:00 pm

World Day of Prayer was begun by women in Canada and the United States in 1922 and is observed in more than 170 countries today. This year’s theme “United Under God’s Tent” was prepared by the women of Paraguay. As we gather together to celebrate the 2007 World Day of Prayer, we reflect on this theme that in Christ we are one body within God’s sheltering tent, covered by God’s protective cloak.

Everyone is invited to this bilingual Service at St. Mary’s Church on Sunday 4 March. Refreshments will be served.

PARISH VISIONING DAY : Saturday 24 March St. James Church Halls

It is important that as a Parish we have a clear vision as to what it is God is calling us to do. We are blessed with abundant resources and talents and already undertake significant ministries, many of them stemming from our last View and Vision Day. Now it is time to take stock and prayerfully consider what God’s will is for the Parish of Vaudreuil.

On Saturday March 24th we aim to:

1. Confirm or reevaluate our Parish Mission Statement
2. Identify the key areas of ministry in our parish
3. Develop a description for each of these ministries, detailing what exactly is being accomplished and what it is we feel we are being called to do
4. Initiate the development of an action plan revolving around these key ministries such that we can move forward as a faith community into God’s future

We anticipate starting at around 8:30 a.m. with breakfast (and of course coffee!) but further details will be published in the bulletin and put on the website. It is very important that everyone has a chance to contribute to the visioning process. We would invite you all to join us on the 24th to be a vital part of developing our parish vision. If you are unable to come we would encourage you to send us your thoughts by email to parishvaudreuil@ca.inter.net; drop a note off at the parish office or speak to any of the wardens. Looking forward to seeing you there!

CHURCH CHUCKLE:

At the height of the annual “Post-Christmas Slump”, we are pleased to announce a special “No Excuse Sunday” next week to help make it possible for everyone to attend worship:

1. There will be sleeping bags in the porch for those who say “Sunday is my only day to sleep-in.”
2. Eye lotion will be available for those who have red eyes from watching television late on Saturday night.
3. Blankets will be furnished for those who say “the church is too cold.” Fans will be available for those who find it “too stuffy.”
4. There will be hearing aids for those who say “the rector speaks too softly” and ear plugs for any who find him “far too loud.”
5. Personalized score cards will be on hand for those who wish to list all the hypocrites present.
6. Some relatives and friends will be present for those who “must go visiting on Sunday.”
7. There will be TV dinners and microwaves for those who can’t go to church and cook the family Sunday dinner on the same day.
8. One section of the church will be laid-out with an arrangement of trees and grass for those who like to see God in Nature.
9. A certain number of windows will be left open during a snow storm for the benefit of weekend skiers.
10. Finally, the sanctuary will be decorated with both Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies for those who have never seen the inside of the church without them.

UPCOMING MEETINGS & EVENTS:

St. James Church Women Executive: Monday, March 5th 9:30 am
St. Mary’s Sewing Circle: Wednesday, March 7th 2:30 pm
St. James Advisory Board: Thursday, March 15th 7:30 pm
Communion at Manoir Cavagnal Friday, March 30th 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 Tuesday, March 20th, 2007. The publication will be Tuesday, March 27th, 2007.

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
www.parishofvaudreuil.com