Parishes, dioceses, and Anglican-affiliated organizations are invited to register by April 1, 2026, at: www.anglicanfoundation.org/apply/sytk.

Now in its sixth year, Say Yes! to Kids equips local ministry partners with fundraising tools, matching incentives, and communications support to help strengthen programs that serve children, youth, and young people in their own communities. Campaign teams will fundraise locally in the spring, with Say Yes! to Kids Sunday taking place on Sunday, June 14, 2026.

“At the point of registration, we simply ask teams to tell us what the focus of their Say Yes! to Kids fundraiser will be and to share any background information they feel will help us support them and develop a strong team marketing kit,” says Michelle Hauser, AFC’s Development & Communications Officer.

Since its launch in 2021, Say Yes! to Kids has raised nearly $1 million in support for youth-focused ministry nationwide, funding initiatives in areas such as faith formation, mental health, food security, arts and music, outdoor education, and leadership development.

To support teams who are new to the campaign—or those who would like to learn more before registering—AFC will host a series of Say Yes! to Kids Info Sessions via ZOOM throughout February. These sessions will take place on Wednesdays at 12p.m. (EST) on February 4, 11, 18, and 25.

“The info sessions are ideal for newcomers to the campaign or for anyone who is interested but unsure and would like to hear more about how Say Yes! to Kids works,” says Hauser.
Participants can register for a ZOOM Info Session at: www.anglicanfoundation.org/sytkinfosession.

Participation in the 2026 campaign is limited. Teams are encouraged to register early.
For questions or more information, please contact:
Michelle Hauser | Development & Communications Officer, Anglican Foundation of Canada.
Home office: Toll-free at 1-877-354-6387 or text 613-305-8876 | mhauser@anglicanfoundation.org.
www.anglicanfoundation.org | Facebook | YouTube

The post AFC’s Say Yes to Kids 2026 appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

Grace and peace to you my brothers and sisters in Christ.

I am writing this message to you as I have just begun my episcopal ministry among you. Roughly two months have passed. These months, as indeed my entire first year will be, have been a time of adjustment filled with anxiety, fear, and concern about how I should respond to the call.

The truth is that being a Christian has never been a guarantee of a comfortable life. On the contrary, it’s about a never-ending struggle to live in accordance with our Christian identity or in coherence with the Gospel of Christ. Since real life is made up of both happy and unhappy events, or more unhappy events than happy ones, our faith is often challenged and questioned, because it doesn’t provide us with the answers we’re looking for. In addition to this, we are tormented by everything that is happening around us: endless wars, growing social injustices, financial hardships and lack of resources in our societies and in the Church, etc.

But I am happy to tell you that the anxiety, fear, and concern about being up to the task have given way to joy and determination to throw myself into the Lord’s vineyard. I had the privilege of meeting the Bishop’s Staff, some clergy colleagues and churchwardens; I have been lucky enough to discreetly worship with some communities and visited others more formally; I attended the Mile-End Mission 17th Annual Thanksgiving Benefit Dinner. All of this foreshadows how exciting our work together will be. The foundation of this my repositioning is indeed hope, this value which nurtures our Christian life like gas for an engine.

In view of all this, what is the meaning of Christian hope? Is it reasonable to be hopeful?

Once again, we have the opportunity to enjoy the Advent Season, a four-week liturgical season during which we will be called upon to train ourselves to welcome and hold on to hope. So, brothers and sisters, let us embrace hope with Jesus Christ.

In fact, the period leading up to Jesus’ birth was one of joyful expectation of the Saviour. Every year, we have the opportunity to relive this expectation in faith. Reflecting on the Word of God and practicing prayer are activities that will nourish our hope and grow our faith in the God who never abandons his children, and who always fulfills his promises. As a diocese, we have the opportunity to reimagine the best way to fulfill our mission. I have suggested that we be a co-responsible missionary church, caring for one another, respecting our diversity, and working toward our sustainability.

All of this can only be possible if we keep hope alive in trusting one another and, above all, in trusting the Lord, the Owner of the harvest.

So let us be watchful as we look forward to the annual celebration of Jesus’ birth, a reminder of what happened two thousands of years ago, and a commitment to witness the liberating visit God made to the world, and continues to do so every day of our lives. This is the essence of our hope today. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. (Romans 5 :5)

Wishing you and yours a fruitful Advent Season with every blessing!

+Victor-David Mbuyi Bipungu

The post Pastoral Letter, December 2025 appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

What fun!
When I was a summer student in Cowansville long ago, Bishop Mary was the rector in Dunham. She told me she considered going shopping with parishioners to be ministry. What fun! This idea freed me into creative outreach like shopping and strawberry picking with Cowansville women, taking 90+ year old Hester Kerr and other parishioners to visit the Sisters of St. Margaret in New Hartford, New York and much more. I am thankful.
– Ros Macgregor

Generosity and clarity
I join other deacons in paying tribute to Mary in whose episcopacy there have been steady advances in the restoration of the diaconate in Montreal and greater visibility and support for their collegial life and expression. My tribute has more personal dimensions as they encompass the decades of my own vocational discernment, formation and diaconal ministry in prison and community chaplaincy, spanning the years of Mary’s own path through studies, ordination, parish ministry and episcopacy, all followed in deeply prayerful and pastoral generosity and clarity about our discipleship.
– Deacon Peter Huish

Memories from decades past
Many of us will be adding thoughts and connections for Bishop Mary to call back up and remember. Mine go back a year or two with family connections. Bishop Mary’s Mom and my Mom became good friends during the charismatic movement that rose in our Diocese during the 1970’s. My first remembrance of Bishop Mary was sitting cross legged, on a table, playing guitar with a friend of mine at Champlain CEGEP, St-Lambert. The second was as being a server at her wedding at St-Barnabas, St-Lambert. Many memories, fun and glorious times.
Blessings on your retirement.
– Rev. Deacon Dave Blizard

And then… I nodded off
Dear Bishop Mary, congratulations and sincere best wishes on your retirement. You will be missed, the warmth of your smile, the peace you brought everywhere you went. If I am correct, the parish of St. Thomas’ in Noyan and St. George in Clarenceville were your first as priest in charge. At a confirmation ceremony years later you presided over the confirmation of my six grandchildren. What a memorable happy day. On another occasion as your crozier bearer, I nodded off at an inopportune moment. I spent the previous night caring for a cow having her first calf and had little sleep. You shared the news with the congregation to the delight of all in attendance. God bless you, Mary.
– Fred Wallet

“For such a time as this…” you were called Mary to be our bishop. Thank you for answering the call. Thank you for your support, your guidance and your prayers over the years. May God bless you and Mark richly as you begin this next step in your lives.
– Jean-Jacques Goulet

Grace
Bishop Mary has worked dedicatedly and with grace to serve this diocese and its many individual parishes. I know that I join many
others in wishing her a fulfilling retirement.
– Hilliard Goldfarb

Come visit!
Congratulations on your retirement. May you have many happy, healthy years ahead in your new home. Thank you for your support to our community. Now that you’re closer, we hope you visit us. All the best,

– Grace Church, Arundel

Now… relax
On behalf of the family of St-Paul’s Church in Dunany, we wish you a wonderful retirement. You have served with a great faith, always under the guidance of our Lord. You gave so much to so many, and we thank you. May you have good health and blessed adventures in this next chapter of your life. Take some time to relax and enjoy the beautiful nature all around you. And continue to share your Christ guided thoughts with all who you will meet.
Love and blessings from
– Wendy Crooks, Robert Percy, June Parker

The post FINAL BLESSINGS FOR BISHOP MARY appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

Just a young woman with a guitar
It was 50 years ago when I met a young lady named Mary Irwin. She was the eldest sister and music director of Irwin siblings and friends called The Joyful Noise. At that time the Rev. Garth Bulmer was priest in Trinity Church, Ste. Agathe Des Monts. Garth invited The Joyful Noise to visit for a summer weekend of worship and song. I have vivid memories of this wonderful visit, with a sung Eucharist on the church lawn, picnics and laughter, and a young woman with a guitar who shared her faith through music and story-telling. This new experience of church was a gift to the Trinity community and was a glimpse into God’s calling to an extraordinary young woman. Over the years I have been privileged to work alongside Mary Irwin-Gibson in many capacities as a friend and colleague. I give God thanks for her strong faith
and devotion shared generously throughout every stage of her journey. God’s blessings always dear Mary!
– Sue Winn

Kindness
Thank you for your service and ministry as our Bishop of Montreal. On your visits to the Townships and on other occasions, I want to thank you for your kindness and your presence. You make everyone feel at ease and included. God bless you on your retirement.
– Deacon Judith Ball

Welcomed by name
You had a vision for your episcopal ministry in this time and place, and worked tirelessly to pursue it, no doubt also experiencing some challenges of being the first woman to serve in this office. You welcomed me as an ecumenical partner at Diocesan Council and Synod, and always remembered my name and some of the things I am interested in. I trust that in retirement you and Mark will enjoy some of the things that were postponed during your years of faithful service.
– Jim Slack Retired Dean of the Montreal Ministry Area

From ministry to Quebec cooking
‘When I arrived in Montreal to take up the position of Rector of the Cathedral and Dean of the Diocese, Bishop Mary provided such a different model of Episcopacy that it took me a while to adjust to her hospitality, care as well as general advice on anything from ministry to Quebec cooking. In these past seven years, it has been a pleasure and privilege to work closely with +Mary, and I pray for a restful and creative retirement for both her and Mark.’ Well done faithful servant’!.
– Bertrand Olivier

Impact on our ministry
We are filled with gratitude and countless memories of our time with Bishop Mary. Her warm smile, her care and concern, her faithful prayers and patience all have shaped the ministry of the Synod office in profound ways. Bishop Mary, thank you for leading with love, humility, and grace. Your impact on each of us and on this ministry will be felt for years to come.
– The Synod Staff

Courage
For your warm welcome, constant encouragement, and for your courage in embracing the difficult work of healing and reconciliation, I give thanks. There are not words.
– Deborah Meister

Lapsed Methodist to active lay reader
I was a lapsed Methodist when I met Mary in 1997 for marriage preparation. She encouraged me to explore whether there was something more to being a Christian than I remembered from my childhood. I was baptized the following year and gladly attended services each week. Two years later she suggested I might like to become a lay reader, and so I did. Over the past 25 years I’ve gone from leading a few
services a year to two alternative services a month. Mary helped me recognize my leadership skills in helping others find their faith. Her greatest gift to my ministry was allowing me to experience God in my own fashion, leave behind the judgmental impressions I had from my childhood and share God’s love and support with others.
God bless Mary!
– Pamela Erskine-Layton

Holy Spirit
Overall I thank God for Bishop Mary’s very prayerful way of proceeding and alway asking the Holy Spirit to guide us. I have appreciated how Bishop Mary has encouraged Spiritual Direction in the Diocese.
– Ralph Leavitt

Energy and enthusiasm
Smiling, welcoming and encouraging – three words that speak about Bishop Mary’s ministry amongst us. Wherever she went, she embraced people and the congregations she was a pastor to. Uplifting in her sermons, she spoke from her heart about God’s love for us and our calling to love one another as Jesus loves us. Her energy and enthusiasm lifted us all with a sense of hope and purpose about our Christian ministry. She truly practised hospitality, welcoming everyone as Christ welcomes us all.
– Tim Smart

The post MORE BLESSINGS FOR BISHOP MARY appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

Listening to the Holy Spirit
As chair of our Board of Governors, Bishop Mary rightly sensed that the college was a place that could benefit from her energy and determination. Mary has given me space for my leadership while backing me up and supporting our ministry here. At several key instances, Mary made decisive interventions that have allowed us to make necessary progress. What I will always remember is how, when I have come to her with questions, she has invariably responded, “What do you think the Holy Spirit is saying about this?” I confess that I have sometimes found this response unsatisfying. But what Mary understands and what I have come to learn, is that when we actually spend time with that question, the answer becomes clear and I can sense the Spirit working in ways I never could have imagined.
– Jesse Zink, Principal
Montreal Diocesan Theological College

Rooted in people, faith and ministry
In April 2022, my wife, child, and I arrived in Montreal. As an active Anglican, I connected with the diocese and was introduced to Bishop Mary. She responded quickly and kindly, meeting me for lunch and helping us feel welcomed. Soon after, clergy from her diocese reached out, offering pastoral care. Weeks later, we saw her joyfully serving cotton candy at a family event. We thank God for pastors like Bishop Mary—rooted in people, faith, and ministry more than structure. Her warmth and support in our early days here will always be a blessing we remember with gratitude.
– Jeroham Meléndez

An honour and blessing
Having worked alongside Bishop Mary has been an absolute honour and blessing. Her prayerful and spirit-filled oversight of our diocese has supported and enabled my ministry and the ministries of countless other clergy and lay people in our diocese. She has gently questioned and encouraged us along the way so that we might be able to hear and understand what the Holy Spirit is leading us into – for her strong leadership of the Diocese and for her friendship I am thankful! Gabe and I wish you, and Mark, a wonderful and restful retirement in the Laurentians filled with many adventures — but you know just how helpful and supporting having a retired bishop in our diocese can be to our bishop-elect and to the church!
– Robert Camara, Vicar General

We’ve been blessed
We have been blessed by your ministry and your leadership as our Bishop. We wish you happiness and peace for your well-deserved retirement. May you and Mark enjoy your new life and new home in the country.

-The congregation of St. Hilda in Montreal

Fiercely in favor
Although I was initially fiercely opposed to the ordination of women as Priests, I am now equally as fiercely in favor. I want to thank Bishop Mary for her understanding and constant support over the years.
– Peter Hannen

Meaningful support
I have felt nothing but support from Bishop Mary in all the ministries I am involved in: Education for Ministry, Mile End Community Mission, and Action Réfugiés Montréal. Thank you Mary, for your confidence in me and your prayers.
– Nancy Greene Gregoire

Open Arms
I went into a Presbyterian church and asked to be baptised. They were kind of non-plussed, so I went to Christ Church Cathedral. Bishop Mary welcomed me with open arms. I was baptised and confirmed in the same year. After being at the cathedral for a while, I changed parishes to CCB. Thank you Bishop Mary for all your hard work for the Diocese.
– John Matheson, Christ Church Beaurepaire

A grateful deacon
I would like to thank Bishop Mary for her presence and her ongoing encouragement as my Bishop over the last few years. Her support was instrumental in helping me achieve one of my life goals; in answering God’s call to the Diaconate. I am realizing and living a life in service, much to her support and guidance, and for that I will always be grateful. May God Bless her and keep her close to Him as she continues her journey.
– Randy Gates

The Best
Mary was the best bishop I can remember. She was always so thoughtful, hard working and very friendly to all of us. I hope her future will be a happy one.
– Tom Burpee

A welcoming gesture
When I arrived in the diocese in 1991, Mary alone sent me a welcome card. I have never forgotten that gesture, nor the many other ways in which she has extended her gift of hospitality to me, and to others! I’m not sure how my PhD comps and dissertation would have gone, had she not encouraged members of the congregation of Holy Trinity Church in Sainte-Agathe to open their doors to an itinerant student in
the early 2000s! She and those parishioners remain dear friends to this day! More recently, I observe that Bishop Mary has moved this diocese along substantially in anti-bias and anti-racism awareness, of becoming more conscious of the urgency of embracing diversity and of actively working toward reconciliation with our Indigenous and Inuit brothers and sisters.
Well done, good and faithful servant!
– The Rev’d Dr Holly Ratcliffe

The post BLESSINGS FOR BISHOP MARY appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

“This is the last Pride service at which Bishop Mary is officiating and I think it’s right that we should acknowledge her support over her many years of ministry here in this Diocese. So Bishop Mary, we want to thank you from the depth of our hearts for your support and the work that we can all do together here at this cathedral and in a diocese… Let’s give a round of applause to the bishop.”

To which Bishop Mary replied “More, Lord. More, Lord.”

The post Pride Mass 2025 appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

We are searching for someone to proofread the Anglican Montreal, starting in February 2026. The committment includes reviewing and correcting the paper (typically 12 pages) approximately one month prior to publication dates: the first of March, June, September and December. Fluency in written French is appreciated.

If interested, please contact Nicki Hronjak at editor@montreal.anglican.ca.

Thank you!

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All are invited; please sign up at https://cccmtl.breezechms.com/form/FredAnderson.

The post Civil Rights Activist Fred Anderson to speak at the Cathedral September 17th.  appeared first on Montreal Anglican.

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DENIS, Peter A. – Died March 7, 2025 in Montreal at age 85. Son of the late Frank Denis and Elizabeth Kennedy. Beloved husband of Loy Mackie for 59 years. Father of Richard (Deirdre) of Toronto, Frank (Christine) of Halifax, and Bruce (Vicki) of Terrace, BC. Big Dad to Lauren, Evan, Adrienne, Richard, Cameron, and Camilla. Brother of John Denis (Paule) of Ottawa.
Peter’s life was celebrated at St. Matthias’ Church, 131 Cote St. Antoine Road, Westmount on Saturday, March 29th. Donations may be made to St. Matthias’ Memorial Fund or Fondation de Centraide du Grand Montreal.

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