Jen's Ordination to the Priesthood May 3, 2009

There are many times as your children grow up that they do you proud…today was one of those incredible and momentous occasions. How many parents have the opportunity to attend the ordination of their daughter to the priesthood? As we sat together in Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Montreal, Pat and I were just a little awestruck at the ceremony unfolding before us. To quote the candidate herself, “Who knew”?!?

We were very disappointed to have missed Jen’s ordination to the Diaconate last summer so we knew we had to pull out all the stops in order to be in attendance for this special day. Fortunately Jen was able to give us the thumbs up early enough that we could cash in our Malaysia Airlines points and fly Business Class on April 29th from KL to Newark, N.J. where we rented a car to drive north to Montreal. We stayed at our favourite haunt in Old Montreal, the Auberge Bonaparte, and treated Jen, Ben and Ben’s mother, Laura Lee to dinner that first night. (Give that place 5 stars on your list of “Where to eat in Montreal”!)

Family and friends met for a get-together dinner at Steak Frites on rue St. Antoine on Saturday night where we toasted Jen’s success in her Ministry and wished her well in the future. She continues to enjoy her role as Honorary Assistant at St. Mark’s Dorval under Rev. Karen Chalk (the Church where she and Ben were married last July) and her full-time job as Chaplain at the Montreal Children’s Hospital.

The Ordination ceremony began at 4 p.m. on Sunday and was full of all the pomp and circumstance as is typical of such occasions in the Anglican Church. There were five candidates (one to the Diaconate and four to the Presbytere), two Bishops (from Montreal and Ottawa) and numerous clergy in support of the new members to their fold. There was a huge procession, each candidate flanked by his/her presenters, a full Church (the immediate family had only one pew reserved, everyone else had to take pot-luck!) and lots of hymns. Rev. Karen Chalk preached the sermon and during Eucharist, each of the newly ordained priests handed out the host. We found ourselves in Jen's "line"! Although her back was to us much of the service, we could see Jen at times beaming from ear to ear! She was truly in her element and appeared to be thoroughly enjoying herself. What an amazing day!

Afterwards we gathered in the Nave for pictures then enjoyed refreshments upstairs in the Church Hall. Those who were able to stay, went for dinner at Les Trois Brasseurs Pub nearby and celebrated some more! Below are some pictures of this wonderful weekend!

Saturday night dinner at Steak-Frites:

Michael, Janice, Amanda and Graham














Debbie, Georgie, Janna (21 mos.) and Julianne














Denise, Lindsay, Brad, Laura Lee and Ben














Jen, Erika, Joanna and Matt














Pat and Wendy



















Breakfast at the Auberge with Julianne and Janna (check out the boots!)















Ben and the Reverend Jen Bourque (there's that smile!)



















Jen with Bishop Barry Clarke














Jen and the Bishop with her presenters: Rev. Don Meloche, Rev. Karen Chalk, Matt Skafel



















Jen and the Bishop with Kathie, Ben and Pat



















Jen with Amanda and Meredith



















Gord, Barb, Kathie and Wendy in the Cathedral gardens

Celebration dinner at Les Trois Brasseurs after the Ordination:















Joanna, Erika, Michael, Janice and Matt from Burlington, ON














Eileen, Eleanor, Art, Beth, Pat, Stewart and Kathie














Georgie, Kathie, Denise and Laura Lee

Mother's Day, May 10, 2009: Jen celebrates her first Eucharist at St. Mark's Dorval







































Jen with Rev. Karen Chalk

During my three weeks in Montreal, Jen celebrated Eucharist on each Sunday! On May 17th, the long weekend, she joined Rev. Gordon Guy, interim in the Parish of Vaudreuil, to celebrate and preach at St. Mary's, Como. As the flowers on the altar were in memory of all the Shepherd Family, there were many of us in attendance, thanks to Eleanor spreading the word. Afterwards, we all enjoyed coffee hour at Greenwood and got caught up with one another. I impressed Emma, daughter of my 3rd cousin Di Bronson, that the woman who led the Church service was her 4th cousin! How many people can say that?!?

Jumpa lagi...