Holy Week & Easter 2019

Thank you Archbishop Fred Hiltz

It is hard to find the words that can convey how deeply we appreciate having Archbishop Fred Hiltz with us during Holy Week and Easter Day in this our  250th anniversary year as a Parish.

We are grateful to him for spending this Holy time with us; for his care and love; for the wisdom he shared with us in sermons and in conversation. We wish him and Lynne joy in their live after the Primacy and we know that the his “beloved” Anglican Church of Canada is grateful for his ministry as Primate.

Our hope is that he and Lynne will continue to think of PEI as home and that St. Paul’s Parish will receive frequent visits. 

A Message from the Primate

I look forward to spending Holy Week and Easter Day with all of you at St Paul's Church in Charlottetown. The drama of our redemption begins with the waving of palms and the singing of Hosannas! It continues with anointings and prayers for the Church and the World. ‎Then we wash feet and break bread and contemplate the new commandment to love one another as Christ has loved us. We watch with Him. Through his agony in Gethsemane. Then we make our way to Calvary. We take our place beneath ‎Christ's Cross knowing once again that in love and mercy he turns his gaze upon us and all the world. In memory of his death and burial we keep silence for a time… and then with great joy we gather in Vigil awaiting the message of the angel "He has risen!" 

It is quite a week, this Holy Week, this week of love so amazing, so divine. Let us keep it well… with and in Christ!

The Most Reverend Fred Hiltz

Primate of Canada

Archbishop Fred Hiltz

A Message from the Rector

This year marks the 250th anniversary of the Parish of Charlotte and the founding of the congregation that became St. Paul’s (Anglican) Parish. We can celebrate many things from our past because they help inform who we are today.

      The Island of St John was formally ceded by the French to the British and annexed to the Government of Nova Scotia in 1763. The Church of England thereby became its’ recognized form of religion. In 1769, an Order in Council established the separate government for the Island of St John and His Majesty, King George III, ordered that 100 pounds be apportioned for the stipend of a “clergyman,” and that services to be conducted according to the Book of Common Prayer each Sunday and Holiday.

Several years ago, we took the initiative to invite the Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Most Reverend Fred Hiltz to join us at some point during our anniversary year. We were happily surprised that he chose to spend Holy Week with us. It is interesting to note that in 2007, we had the honour of having the Diocesan Bishop join us for Holy Week and Easter Day, who just happened to be Fred Hiltz. It was later that year he was elected as the 13th Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. It’s been a ministry that has allowed him to travel the world and to see nearly every part of Canada. Fred has worked tirelessly for the Church, which he, more often than not, calls, “our beloved Church.”

Our beloved Church has seen its fair share of challenges and transitions during Fred’s time as Primate. And at the next meeting of the General Synod in Vancouver (July 10-16) he will retire as Primate and his successor will be elected. 

We are filled with joy that Fred has come for Holy Week and Easter Day (the biggest day in the Christian calendar) and to celebrate our anniversary. This is a great honour for the Parish and the Island. Please everyone, take advantage of this great opportunity for celebration and spiritual growth.

Archdeacon John Clarke 

Everyone Welcome!

At our worship services that include the Holy Eucharist, we extend the hospitality of the Lord’s Table to all. Everyone is welcome to join us for communion.

Palm Sunday

April 14

Palm Sunday is the Sunday before Easter when we commemorate the triumphant entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four Gospels. We will give out palm branches and crosses. We will sing, “Hosanna!” and prepare ourselves for the most holy of times in our year. Archbishop Fred Hiltz will preach.

All Anglicans and our friends are invited to St. Paul’s Church to hear Archbishop Fred Hiltz speak about his 12 years as Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada. A reception will follow.

Monday in Holy Week

April 15

September 2018 marked the 125th anniversary of the formation of the General Synod of our beloved Church. In recognition of this milestone, Archbishop Fred Hiltz has invited the Church to listen to its heartbeat through conversation circles. This time of sharing in conversation circles will lead us to consider our “heartfelt” prayers for the Church, and to share our prayers with our sisters and brothers across the country.

Tuesday in Holy Week

April 16

A Quiet Morning: A clericus is a gathering of Anglican clergy in a region. The Anglican clergy will gather in a Quiet Morning in the midst of this Holy Week to reflect on some of the themes of Holy Week and Easter. The meditations will be guided by Archbishop Fred Hiltz. 

Everyone is welcome to the church for Holy Eucharist when we will recall the anointing of Jesus just a few days before his arrest. 

“Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair.” John 12:3

Wednesday in Holy Week

April 17

Everyone, including the people of the Prince Street Churches, is invited to this worship time and there will be a reception following the service.

John 13:1-17 Now before the festival of the Passover, Jesus knew that his hour had come to depart from this world… during supper Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going to God, got up from the table, took off his outer robe, and tied a towel around himself. Then he poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel that was tied around him. 

Maundy Thursday

April 18

The Maundy Thursday worship service is an ancient tradition in our Church. The word, “maundy,” come from the Latin phrase, “I command you,” which itself comes from John’s Gospel as Jesus gives his followers one more commandment: “to love one another.” It is also the service when we recall the institution of the Lord’s Supper (Holy Eucharist). Often, the washing of the disciple’s feet is also commemorated, however, we’ve transferred that to our Wednesday evening gathering with our fellow Christian’s on Prince Street.

The worship ends in silence after the altar has been stripped of all decorations.

Good Friday

April 19

A contemporary Tenebrae cantata, featuring moving choral music that incorporates pieces of well-loved hymns. The narration tells about the week of Jesus' passion. Tenebrae is the traditional 'service of darkness' for Holy Week. The mood is meditative, but the music is sweetly lyrical and ultimately positive. This is the best-known work of composer Lloyd Larson.

Inspired by Natkirke, a contemplative initiative in Denmark, the hour of music will flow from one piece to the next without pause or applause. Sarah Hagen has performed in concert halls and has been heard on broadcasts throughout North America and Europe.

Holy Saturday

April 20

Traditionally, this service was held as the first celebration of the Resurrection. In the Early Church, and more commonly today, this is the service when people are baptized and when adults are received into communion with the Church. 

Just as we stripped the altar of all its decoration on Maundy Thursday, we will dress the altar and church during this worship time.

We will follow our celebration with a Resurrection Party in the Parish Hall. 

Easter Day

April 21

One BIG Sunday. Easter Day and the celebration of the Resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is one BIG day in the year.

It is a day of celebration, a day to sing and dance like no other, a day to give thanks for this good thing that God accomplishes in Jesus Christ—that by God’s grace alone we are redeemed, made fit as one of God’s partners to bring the Good News of salvation to the world.