On Wednesday, September 8, 2021 at Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal, Fresia Saborio and Susan Searle were ordained to the priesthood and Benjamin Stuchberty was ordained to the diaconate.
There was a joyful congregation with as many present at the Cathedral as permitted given pandemic restrictions. In addition, a good-sized congregation watched the proceedings on Youtube live.
Bishop Mary presided and the Rev Canon William Blizzard preached. Dean Bertrand Olivier, Archdeacon Robert Camara and the Cathedral staff, musicians, choir and servers were thanked by the Bishop for their roles in creating a memorable celebration.
I asked the recent ordinands to answer a few questions – some serious, others not – so that we can get to know them better. As you’ll see, they graciously cooperated… for the most part.
We welcome Fresia, Susan and Benjamin as they take on new roles in the diocese.
The Rev Fresia Saborio is Deacon in Charge at St George, Granby and Assistant Curate in the Regional Ministry of Brome-Shefford
What are your hopes for ministry in this post-pandemic world?
My hopes are turned towards a new sense of togetherness and of the importance we may give to walking our spiritual journey together.
My hopes are turned towards a new understanding of our need to experience meaning, purpose, connectedness and transcendence.
I believe firmly that through the gift and grace of the sacraments, by the presence of God amongst us, we are participating with the church at large in being the reflection of God’s love to the world, building a society that is more compassionate, forgiving and just.
What song would you sing if persuaded to participate in karoke?
Gracias a la vida – Violeta Parra
What is your favorite junk food? Chocolate – and more chocolate!
What is your pet peeve? Definitely pretentiousness and arrogance
The Rev Susan Searle is Assistant Curate at St John the Evangelist and Associate Priest at St George’s, Place du Canada
What are your hopes for ministry in this post-pandemic world?
That we will see and use this as an opportunity to NOT go back to “normal”
What inspired you to pursue ordination?
Acombination of a desire to serve God and make sense of my own life (what a priest-friend referred to as “redeeming the time”)
What song would you sing if persuaded to participate in karaoke?
Boulder to Birmingham by Emmylou Harris
What is your favorite book or movie?…Chocolat (movie) Outlander series (books)
What is your favorite junk food? Mac and cheese
What is your pet peeve? Time! It either moves too slowly or too quickly. Too easy to get stuck in ”kronos”.
The Rev Deacon Benjamin Stuchbery is Assistant Curate at the Parish of Vaudreuil
What are your hopes for ministry in this post-pandemic world?
My deepest hope for ministry in a post-pandemic world is that all of us in the church come to a deeper understanding of our need for one another. God made us for one another. We are all beloved children of God. In my mind, ministry describes the quality of relationship to which all God’s children are called, that is, mutual loving service. This is the way of being exemplified in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a way of being that can only be lived out in community.
What inspired you to pursue ordination?
This way of being, as it is embodied in my particular life, revealed itself as a call to ordained to ministry. My ordination is my response to God’s loving initiative in my life. It is my response to the love of the church. And it is my response – my ‘yes’ – to all those who pointed to this vocation and said to me, “Ben, become who you are.” Like all sacraments, ordination reveals what is already true. My ordination continues to reveal its truth to me, each day when I choose to assent anew to God’s activity in my life.
When pressed, Benjamin admitted to enjoying salt & vinegar chips
