Note from the Rector

For the last few weeks, our faithful music director Margaret has been helping us learn a new Sanctus for use on Sunday mornings.  This week we will be using it in the service for the first time.  You may be wondering why I have asked Margaret to help teach us this piece of music, as I know that many of you love the ‘Worthy is the Lamb’ piece that has been done for years.  Well, the Sanctus is an integral part of the Eucharistic prayer as a whole, as it is the moment where the people present get to offer their thanks and praise to God, and acknowledge Jesus as the Messiah.  

The words that are recited or sung here are generally of two parts which together combine old and new into an unending proclamation of faith.  While there are various renditions of the language over the years, the words have always held true to form.  So, the first half comes from Isaiah 6:1-3, and is based on the song of the seraphim as recorded in Isaiah's vision of God as the first person of the trinity; here we hear “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of thy glory”. Then next half of the Sanctus brings in Jesus as the Messiah, with words we recite on Palm Sunday, “Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is He that cometh in the name of the Lord, Hosanna in the highest.”  

When combined, these words mark a point of transition in the service, and are meant to be a cheer, a joyful shout of thanks and praise to God.  You see, everything in the liturgy up to this point has taken place on the earth so to speak, and now we are moving into the holy time, preparing ourselves to come to the table with open hearts and open hands to receive what only God can give, through Jesus Christ.  With the words of the Sanctus. Those worshipping are mysteriously collected up into a “thin place” where heaven and earth meet in the humble offerings of bread, water, and prayer as our voices join together in praise.  

So – this is why we are learning a new Sanctus; so that we as community here at St. Mary’s can come to know a few different tunes to these ancient and mysterious words that help us prepare ourselves to come as one body, and enter into God’s holy presence at the table.  If you have a favourite tune to the Sanctus that you would like us to learn, do let me know! And we can continue to build our repertoire as a community of faith.  

Library Books and Den Furniture Move

As we all know, this is the summer of change as we prepare to welcome the Thinking Garden into our midst in September.  Because of this our spaces at St. Mary’s are going to be re-shaped a little over the coming weeks.  We will start to see the library move into the hall one shelf at a time over the coming weeks.  The NCS room will become a multipurpose space with a lounge-type area, and even the children’s area in the back of the church will be reimagined to become safer and tidier for church use by our children on Sundays.  While we are going to try and repurpose as much of the furniture as we can, the fact of the matter is -  some will need to find a new home.  So on Sunday July, 30th at coffee hour, the items needing new homes will be in the hall for anyone in the parish who might want them to have a chance to take them before we list them online.  

Musical Instrument Lending Program

Do you have an old musical instrument collecting dust in a closet at home?  This last week I discovered Oceanside Classical Concerts Society, and saw an ad requesting instruments for their instrument lending library.  This group takes old musical instruments and gives them new life – having them reconditioned and repaired to then be lent out to deserving music students in the area who might not otherwise be able to afford an instrument.  I (Kirsten), just donated an old trumpet and clarinet to the cause and met Joe Straka, one of the coordinators, who was overjoyed to receive them!  This is just another unique way we can support the community around us, so if you have an instrument to donate or would like more information, check out the website for details! https://oceansideclassicalconcerts.ca/instrument-lending  

2023 FUN at St. Mary’s 

at St. Mary’s 

St. Mary’s Matronal Day is August 13.  Stay tuned for more details.


Some recipes from our past . . . from the St. Mary’s cookbook of June 1990, courtesy of Shirley Greenwood.  We will be treating you to some delectable recipe offerings in the summer months' Notices.  Here are some famous, or infamous, jellied salads!