A Message from the Dean & Wardens (January 7)

WHAT IS SPIRITUAL COMMUNION?

During the first lockdown, Anglicans across Ontario observed what the bishops of the province called a “Eucharistic fast”. Now that we are in a second and more troubling wave, that fast has been lifted. As your Rector and Dean, I wanted to fast with you; if you could not take the sacrament, neither would I. Now that COVID-19 appears to be with us for much of the year ahead, a new way of understanding the sacrament has come to light. As it turns out, it is not so new after all. Below is a portion of the last Q & A published by the Diocese in 2020. It succinctly describes what is called “Spiritual Communion”, including the history and theology behind it and the rationale for moving in this direction and leaving the Eucharistic fast behind. The prayer for Spiritual Communion is also below. I pray that each of you will draw near to Christ in this way week by week, and know that you evermore dwell in him and he in you. Blessings from all of us at St. James Cathedral for a Happy 2021 for you and those whom you love.

Dean Stephen Vail+

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

I worship and adore you, Lord Jesus Christ, present in the Holy Sacrament and in your people, who are gathered in spirit. In this moment I join with them to receive you in my heart, and in our community. May you, enthroned on the altar, be now enthroned in my heart; may you, present in bread and wine, feed and renew my soul; may you, who give yourself to us again, fill us with grace, and heavenly blessing. Even as I am fed, may my hunger for you and for your reign of justice and peace increase, that I may, with your Spirit, work for that day when your reign shall come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

Q:  I am no longer hearing about a “Eucharistic Fast”; can the Eucharist be celebrated even if only 10 persons are in the gathering, and if all other guidelines for Eucharist are observed? Can it be livestreamed?

A:  Absolutely. Neither the Ecclesiastical Province nor the Diocese of Toronto is calling for a Eucharistic Fast at this time. We believe that we are in a different place than we were in the spring, and our guidelines allow for the safe celebration of the Eucharist, whether your parish is operating under the Amber Stage or the Red Stage guidelines.

In these extraordinary times, although we have lifted the Eucharistic Fast, many parts of the Diocese are still necessarily limited in their access to Holy Communion due to gathering restrictions, and out of an abundance of care for our neighbour. We believe however that the presence of Christ is available to us in a real, albeit different, way through our participation in livestreamed worship.

‘Spiritual Communion’ has a long tradition in the Anglican Church, and indeed in the larger Christian tradition. In the Middle Ages, Saint Thomas Aquinas wrote that ‘Some eat this sacrament spiritually ere they receive it sacramentally . . . from desire of receiving the sacrament itself’. The practice of spiritual communion is found in the office of the Communion of the Sick in our 1962 Book of Common Prayer (p. 584), a rubric retained from the Archbishop Cranmer’s first Prayer Book (1549) and subsequent revisions. We believe that this current Covid-19 global pandemic, and the governmental and health restrictions that we are currently experiencing, would certainly constitute a “just impediment” to receiving the sacrament “by mouth”.

May the Christ-child be born anew in us, as we welcome Him at the altar of our hearts this Epiphanytide.

PASTORAL CARE

Lockdown can be a lonely experience for many members of the Cathedral. Not only does it take away the opportunity for in-person worship, it adds the burdens of isolation and disconnectedness to so many who live alone. If you know anyone who would benefit from a call from our pastoral care team, please be in touch with Canon Beth Benson at bbenson@stjamescathedral.ca.

SUNDAY SERVICES

In-person services are currently suspended but you can watch the live-stream of the 11:00am service here.

CHILDREN’S BULLETINS AVAILABLE ONLINE

A note to families: St. James Cathedral subscribes to the Sunday Paper, a wonderful weekly Children’s Bulletin. It includes notes on the readings for each Sunday, and lots of fun drawings. The bulletins are available on our website, and you are welcome to print them off for the children in your household as a way of engaging them in worship.

VIRTUAL HYMN SING

Do you miss singing together at church? Please join us for our next Virtual Hymn Sing on Wednesday, January 13 at 4:00pm. We will use Zoom and sing from home. To receive a link, please email irenecourage105@gmail.com.

FAITH FORMATION: INTRODUCTION TO THE BEATITUDES 

Interested in learning more about what Jesus taught, and what it means for how we live our lives? Beginning on January 13, the Cathedral will be offering a 4-week virtual course on the Beatitudes, following the “Pilgrim” series. It will be co-led by the Dean and Claire, and take place over Zoom on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. There are still a few places left, so please let Claire know if you’d like to join and you can come pick up a workbook. They each cost $15, but we don’t want cost to prevent anyone from participating, and have bursaries available. You can email Claire at clatimerdennis@stjamescathedral.ca to register or with any questions, or leave a message on the clergy line at 416-364-7865, ext *232.

SPECIAL VESTRY MEETING

A Special Vestry of St. James Cathedral Church is being called for January 17, 2021 at 1:30pm to take place on Zoom. In keeping with the Canons of the Church this will be a single agenda meeting to seek Approval in Principle for the Replacement of the Retorts at St. James Cemetery and Crematorium and the required funding for this project.

In accordance with the Canon on Vestries of the Diocese of Toronto, persons sixteen years of age and over who have been members of and worshippers with this congregation for at least three months, prior to the meeting of the Vestry, and have not voted as a member of any other Vestry during the previous three months, nor intend on voting in any other Vestry during the ensuing year, are parish members. If you wish to confirm your status as a parish member please email info@stjamescathedral.ca.

You can register to attend the Special Vestry meeting here or by email to info@stjamescathedral.ca or leave a message at 416-364-7865, ext. *229. Details of how to connect to the Zoom meeting will be sent to registered members closer to the meeting date.

Please register to attend the Special Vestry Meeting no later than Friday, January 15 at 3:00pm.

The following motions will be considered:

It is moved and seconded that St. James Cathedral approves proceeding with the replacement of the two retorts at St. James Cemetery and Crematorium at a cost of no more than two million dollars.

It is moved and seconded that St. James Cathedral give permission to its wardens to seek funding for the replacement of the two retorts at St. James Cemetery and Crematorium from the Diocese of Toronto, through a Financial Institution loan, internal sources or some combination.

For more information about this Special Vestry Meeting, please visit our website here.

A REQUEST FOR VOLUNTEER CAMERA AND SOUND OPERATORS FOR LIVE-STREAMING: Training provided

We are grateful to the Toronto Diocese for purchasing and installing permanent cameras in the Cathedral’s Nave. Going forward, the cameras will be used for live-streaming our 11:00am and special services. This is a wonderful opportunity for members of our parish to volunteer and train as camera and sound operators on a rotating basis for live-streaming our services. If you are interested in taking on this role, please contact Jim Kotsifas at jkotsifas@stjamescathedral.ca .

A MESSAGE OF THANKS FROM OUR DROP-IN GUESTS

Our guests wish to express their gratitude to the volunteers who assist at St. James Drop-In. Many of them had conveyed how grateful they are for the Drop-In, the services and, especially now, being able to access healthy food throughout the year. Some of our guests had left some presents and a lovely card to thank our volunteers who served on Christmas Day. Our Drop-In also served a take-away meal on New Year’s Day. They wish one and all a Happy and healthy New Year.

FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP 

We are exceedingly grateful to those of you who continue to support us financially. If you would like to make a donation, here are the ways to do that:

• Mail a cheque to 65 Church Street, Toronto, Ontario, M5C 2E9.
• Use the ‘Donate’ button on our website.
• You can now hand-deliver your offerings to the Cathedral Centre: A secure mailbox has been mounted in the Church Street vestibule at the entrance of the doors at 65 Church Street. The doors are open from 9:00am – 4:00pm, Monday – Friday.
• Sign up for Pre-Authorized monthly giving, thus ensuring a vital stream of income for the Cathedral. Please note that at any time you can stop or change the PAG amount by emailing the office.
• Make a gift of securities (see details here).
• We are delighted to have a QR code for donating electronically which you will find in all bulletins. Simply scan with your phone camera and donate! You can also donate here.

STAYING CONNECTED

We invite you to continue to link to the Cathedral’s website or Facebook page for updates, Morning Prayer, service listings and inspirational messages. Thank you for your love and support during this period in the life of St. James. Please remember, you are not alone.

Blessings and peace to you all,

The Very Reverend Stephen Vail, Rector of St. James Cathedral & Dean of Toronto
Don Solomon & Jayne Hobbs, Wardens
svail@stjamescathedral.ca
wardens@stjamescathedral.ca