Easter in North America comes in the spring—an eagerly awaited time. It is a pleasure to observe colour returning to the landscape, delicate buds on trees and flowering shrubs, and longer hours of light. Although spring’s new life happens every year our spirits are warmly touched by the gift of new life.

The Gospel narrative of Holy Week and Easter tells of God’s power to change the tragedy of the Crucifixion into a glorious new beginning for the disciples and other friends of Jesus. This change resulted in word and action making real the message that Christ the Word of God is alive and very present in the world.

Before Good Friday Jesus was the one who gave meaning and hope to the disciples. By the evening of Good Friday their hopes and dreams were destroyed. Holy Saturday must have been a time of sorrowful reflection. On the First Day of the week, the morning of the Resurrection, Jesus arose from death and appeared more radiant and alive than the disciples had ever known. The power of God’s new life began to work in the lives and hearts of those whom the Lord called as followers. In time they were transformed from despair to passionate love. Their transformation enabled others to experience the beauty of God’s creation, hope in place of despair, light in place of darkness, love in place of hate, and joy in place of sorrow.

Our Lord Jesus offers new life to us; the power to love again, to trust again when trust was betrayed, to hope again when hope had grown dim; and to smile again when tears have been spent.

“When our hearts are wintry, greiving, or in pain,
Christ’s touch can call us back to life again,
fields of our hearts that dead and bare have been:
love is come again like wheat that springeth green.”
— John Macleod Campbell Crum, Easter Hymn, ‘Now the Green Blade Riseth’

May we welcome the festival of the Resurrection as a celebration of new life, new hope, and new purpose.

Alleluia, Christ is risen; the Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.

Faithfully yours,
David Bryan Hoopes OHC
Prior.

• Download the full Eastertide 2020 newsletter here

The Annual Chapter Photo 2019, including guests from the men's Anglican Order of St. John the Evangelist (SSJD) in Boston.


Timothy Vickery was recieved by Br. Charles McMulkin, Director of Associates, as an Assoicate of Holy Cross, Canada, on May 24. Tim is a member of the ministry team at Sanctuary Toronto in the downtown core.


As usual in early June, we attended our Annual Chapter (A.G.M.) at Holy Cross Monestary in upstate New York along with members from our two houses in the USA and our African house. We prayed and spent time together; had fruitful discussions about our life together; and participated in a conference titled "Jesus as Sacrificial Victim", led by theologian James Alison. For fun we took a boat cruise up the Hudson River Valley. Fr. L- R: Br. Adrian, Br. David, Prior, and Mrs Suzette Cayles, Companion of the Order of the Holy Cross, wait to board "The Rip Van Winkle".


Br. Christian Swayne was celebrated at the Priory on May 24, the actual date of his Ordination 60 years ago. (His anniversary was recognized at St. James Cathedral in April.) From L-R: Christian's sister and Companion of the Order of the Holy Cross Patricia Brown, Br. Christian, Christian's Brother-in-Law Charlie Brown.


Our Priory community toasted The Rev. Br. Brian Youngward at dinner on May 16 - the anniversary of his Ordination. Br. Brian retired after a lengthy Incumbency at St. Paul's Rexdale, Toronto (among other parish appointments.) He was very much loved and respected at St. Paul's for his pastoral care and practical service.


Br. Brian in the Sanctuary at St. Paul's, Rexdale, Toronto

Our Brother Christian Swayne has celebrated 60 years as a Priest. He was honoured by The Rt. Rev. Andrew Asbil, Bishop of Toronto, who presented him with a “60 Year Stole” at the Chrism Service at St. James Cathedral. At that time Br. Christian renewed his vows alongside assembled diocesan clergy, including those also honoured for milestones of service. Here is Br. Christian (third from left) with Bishop Asbil, members of the Toronto Priory, and his sister, Patricia Brown, a Companion of the Order of the Holy Cross.

Holy Cross Priory hosted a retreat, led by The Rev Katy Waugh, for the Catechesis Group at Church of the Redeemer, Toronto. From left to right: Heather Steeves and Lynda Younge in conversation.


Nate Wall and Erika Bauder at Lunch


Karen Visser, Chase McMurren and Susan Graham Walker at lunch.

In the Priory’s Easter newsletter, Br. David Bryan writes:

Jesus’ death was not a final reality. After his resurrection Jesus appeared to his disciples, ate with them, and taught them how to be a holy community. All this mitigated against rational, ordered predictability.

The Jesus movement would become the Christian Church. From a small religious sect of Judaism, it evolved into a world religion and power. Sadly, with a rise in status came abuse, exclusivity, arrogance, and injustice. Yet that is not the whole story. Faithful followers of Jesus showed God’s grace in loving acts of healing, education, art, and care for the poor and the marginalized. The Jesus movement continues despite human sin and failures. The Lord comes in wonderful and unpredictable ways. Lives are changed from brokenness to wholeness and the good news of God’s love is carried out in every age.

God’s victory is love, compassion, and integrity. These shall not be annihilated by our sin and folly.

• Download the full Easter 2019 newsletter here