I was a stranger, and you welcomed me Matthew 25:35
When I arrived in the Diocese to begin an Interim ministry in the Parish of Morin Heights and St. Sauveur, Mary was the Archdeacon of St. Lawrence and welcomed me most kindly, the first of many indications that she is of the blessed of God. Her kindness continued after she returned from her sojourn in my home Diocese of Ontario as Dean of St. George’s Cathedral (where I had been a boy chorister and much later a Canon) when she quite unexpectedly made me a Canon of this Diocese. Among her many gifts, it is that essential kindness that I will treasure always. May her retirement be as long and happy as has mine!
– Canon David Sinclair
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
