Christmas Toy Drive

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, St. Catherine's is unable to have flowers in the church this year or put our crèche in The Outlet, so Parish Council has decided to ask our congregation to support Share’s Christmas Toy Drive as community outreach project. Parishioners and friends can donate in various ways: 

 1. Put money or a cheque in an envelope and drop it in the collection plate at the Sunday or Wednesday service. Remember to mark your donation “Christmas Toys” and include your pad or envelope number, as these donations will be tax deductible. 

 2. Donate through our church website on Canada Helps. That's the "Donate Now" button at the upper right. Use the message field to designate your donation to Christmas Toys. Canada Helps will email you a receipt immediately. 

Our parish treasurer will tally all donations and write one cheque to Share.

Please donate before November 30. 

Bruce Middleton, ODNW

 The Citation as recorded in the Permanent Register of the Order of the Diocese of New Westminster

 Born into an Anglican family, Bruce spent most of his first 19 years attending church services or Sunday Schools in Vancouver, Victoria, CFB Borden and CFB Petawawa. After leaving the church for a few years, he and his family began attending St. Catherine of Alexandria at the beginning of the 1980s. Bruce has been an integral part of the parish ministry since his arrival. Bruce has two passions that ingrain him to the parish: Christian education for young people and Bible study. Bruce’s patient approach to bringing the bible to life and making the stories relevant has been appreciated by his students from the 1980’s to now. Bruce has attended nearly all the parish Bible studies, Lenten and Advent programs (and has also led several), and Disciple 1 and 2. As study leader, he quietly presents his thoughts and nudges people along, moving forward together on their spiritual journeys. Bruce’s stability, grounding in the Anglican faith and dependability make him a respected parish leader. He has a quiet voice and thinks of others and how any actions may impact them. He has served on Parish Council as Warden, Synod Delegate and Member-at-large where his reflective approach to the discussion is appreciated, as are the times when he speaks his mind, usually reflecting the views of the many ‘silent’ parishioners in the pews. Bruce has also worked with the Diocese on the Stewards in Action project and an Evangelism project in the late 1990s through 2005. Bruce is caring and compassionate as is evident on Wednesdays where he helps serve coffee and befriends the guests at the food bank and Paul’s Place. In addition, he visits shut-ins and has been a member of the parish’s pastoral care and prayer teams. Bruce models his concern for the life of the parish, its parishioners and visitors through participating in worship and parish life. Bruce continues or has been Lay Administrator, reader, intercessor and greeter. Bruce shares in the preparation of Sunday morning coffee, and was an early member and now leads the book club and helped decorate May Day parade floats. Through all these ministries Bruce models a sense of caring and worth of each member of the parish. And he is able to identify gifts in individuals to encourage them to get involved in more of the life of the parish. Bruce seldom says no to giving a hand to support parish activities or assist a parishioner. Also, Bruce identifies where work or ministry is needed and gathers the resources needed to complete the task. Apart from his active involvement in parish life, Bruce enjoys walking with his wife Nancy, searching for geocaching treasure, gardening, watching hockey and reading.

In-Person Worship Resumes

In-person services will begin this Sunday, September 27 at 8:30 a.m.  We look forward to seeing those of you who will be attending and keep in mind that not all of us are ready for this step. 

When you arrive on Sunday, a greeter will mark off your name on the register for contact tracing purposes.  You will be asked to use hand sanitizer and wear a mask.  A greeter will take you to a pew and you are not to move to another space.  All seating will be clearly marked.  Service begins at 8:30; please be punctual because no one will be seated after the service begins.  All health and safety protocols will be followed.  The wardens and our Deacon have done our best to prepare for this challenging time.

Once the church service is over, everyone will be directed on how to exit the building while maintaining social distancing.  There will be no gathering or coffee time after the service just yet. 

Continue to pray for St. Catherine’s Church as we regather, remembering those people attending in person and those worshipping from home. 

For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.  Matthew 18:20 

Caring and Social Distancing

In this time of social distancing we are temporarily unable to meet together as a congregation.  That doesn't mean that we stop caring about our church activities or each other - quite the contrary.  Our member Ann Blue sent the following message today:

The palm strips have arrived and due to self-distancing and staying home, I am making it my mission to make a cross for each of you.  You will have to celebrate Palm Sunday and the Passion of our Lord from home online this year.  As soon as we meet again in community we will have the palms blessed, and once again you will have one to grace your home.  We will gather them once more next year to make the ash for Ash Wednesday.

Keep well, stay safe, and “May God hold you in the Palm of his hand”