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Participating in Worship

Anglicans around the world number about 85 million in 44 different national churches in communion with the Archbishop of Canterbury. All of us  worship using liturgies that find their roots in the English Book of Common Prayer, of which the first edition was published in 1549. Through the creation of this book, the church ensured that lay people could actively participate in  services in their own language, instead of clergy conducting them in Latin. We continue in that tradition of lay involvement, using either the 1985 Book of Alternative Service or the 1962 Canadian Book of Common Prayer, which offer both contemporary and traditional language services. We invite you to join with us at any of our services. We encourage everyone to take home their bulletins so that they can keep track of upcoming dates on their calendars[2].

On the last Wednesday and Thursday of the month respectively, the parish provides services of Holy Communion at the Mariann Home and the Hilltop and Brookside Seniors’ Residences in Richmond Hill.

At Saint Mary’s, all of these services are led by men and women, ordained and lay. In the Anglican Church, our ordained ministers are referred to as bishops, priests and deacons. The priest in charge of a parish is often called the Rector or the Incumbent. We also commission lay readers and eucharistic ministers to assist  priests and deacons. The Rector generally preaches and presides, occasionally alternating with guest or supply ministers. At all services of Communion, we offer the sacrament to all  Christians, regardless of their denominational background or their current status in that denomination. We also welcome  children to receive Communion (at the discretion of their parents) as full members of the family of Christ.

Stations Of The Cross

On Sunday, September 16 2018, St. Mary’s dedicated it’s new set of the 14 Stations of the cross.  The Main Church when it was built in 1964 was built to include some ancient designs from medieval churches.  Around the entire outer perimeter of the pews and altar you will find a pilgrims way.  A path that can be walked around the the entire church.  We have installed our new Stations of the cross on this path as a devotional journey, that can be undertaken by any who wish to walk the 14 Stations.  When people arrive at the church, they are welcome to pick-up a Stations service leaflet and enjoy a meditative walk contemplating the mysteries and messages of the Crucifixion.

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