St. Catherine's volunteer honoured

Camp Artaban, including the Rev. Jeremy Clark-King and the Rev. Lynne McNaughton (in foreground). The day was led by Bishop Michael Ingham, and was attended as well by a number of lay people and the Artaban board of directors

Bernie Poitras of St. Catherine's, Port Coquitlam, the chief cook and organizer of the parish's community meal that takes place twice a month, was recognized by the City of Port Coquitlam at its annual Volunteer Recognition Awards and Tribute.

Twice a month, under his guidance, the parish serves up a hearty meal to up to 120 less fortunate people in the community. Poitras spends countless hours making sure "Paul's Place Soup Kitchen"--as the community meal is called--is a welcoming and safe respite for those in need, right down to selecting the menu and shopping for ingredients.

At the ceremony, Poitras was cited by Mayor Scott Young and the community for "the unselfish dedication of one individual, who asks nothing for himself but gives from the heart, with a loving and caring attitude to all who enter the door in need."

When the Cold Wet Weather Shelter Program was set up last winter, Poitras was at the church every night cooking to make sure everyone had a hot meal before settling down for the night. A 27-year volunteer for St. Catherine's Anglican Church, he shares his artistic and woodworking talents to support its fundraisers and programs. The community event was held at Terry Fox Secondary on April 29. It honoured local volunteers in six categories and was sponsored by Terasen Gas.

Primate on official visit

The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, the Most Rev. Fred Hiltz, will be back in the diocese on an official visit this month. The Sunday he arrives, June 22, he will preach and ordain four deacons at Christ Church Cathedral at 7 pm. Bishop Michael Ingham will preside at the Eucharist. They are Janice Lowell, who will become a curate at St. Andrew's, Langley, and Patrick Blaney, who will be a curate at Christ Church Cathedral. Vocational deacons to be ordained are Wally Shea of St. Laurence, Coquitlam, and Douglas Peterson of St. David's, Vancouver. Archbishop Hiltz was last in the diocese in March to publicize the forthcoming work of the Indian Residntial Schools Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

Mary McIntyre of All Saints, Mission, is becoming the new president of the diocesan Anglican Church Women, succeeding Judy Bueschkens of St. George, Maple Ridge, who has served for the past three years in that post.

 

The Rev. Craig Tanksley greets parishioners after being installed as priest-in-charge at St. Mark's Ocean Park on May 14 by Archdeacon Stephen Rowe

The Rev. Paul Bowie, formerly rector of St. David and St. Paul, Powell River, will move to St. John's Burnaby on August 1. Bowie has been the regional dean for Capilano-Kingcome. At St. John the Apostle, Port Moody, the bishop has appointed the Rev. Grant Rodgers as rector. Rodgers comes from St. Peter's in Calgary.