St. CHL Picnic    August 2007
Black History Celebrations 2007, 2008, 2009
Rogation Sunday 2008 Blessing the Gardens
Celebrating birthdays - Barbara Fournier carrying the cake
In 1998, Lolita Sandiford suggested we have a parish picnic. A site was chosen - Raimbeault Park on Gouin Blvd. Great fun was had by all. We continued at Raimbeault Park for three years. Lolita became ill, and we didn't have a picnic for several years. Then, because we had enjoyed it so much, and to honour Lolita, we began again. At church, at Evelyn Rudman's suggestion.
Lolita died in December 2007. Our picnics are dedicated to her. Thanks, Lolita.
Our next picnic is Saturday, August 9th, 2008 at 6341 deLorimier. Bring some food to share.
You might want to practise watermelon seed spitting, as each year we try to dethrone our champion, Celestine Cyrus. So far, we have been unsuccessful, and Celestine reigns.
Keyon and Thalia, two of Champion Celestine's grandchildren, in the watermelon seed spitting contest.
Young and old paired up for games.
Irene and Keyon
Keeping balloons in the air
St. Hilda's, founded in 1907 largely by workers from CPR Angus Shops and their families, was a white parish. In the 1950's, immigration increased from the caribbean Islands to Montreal. Some were settled in the central and eastern part of Montreal, and attended Church of the AScension, St. Cuthbert's, and St. Luke's. When all churches merged to form our present parish, conscious effort needed to be made to integrate and create a single parish represented by all of our people.
Our parish is composed of big-hearted and committed people. INtegratoin of all members into one community has not come easily. We have worked hard together to address issues of racism, of insiders and outsiders, of valuing the gifts and contributions of every member of our parish.
In addition to discussions, Bible studies, and workshops on anti-racism, inclusion, and celebrating our gifts and differences, we began an annual Black History Celebration in February each year. The liturgy
is creative and has sometimes been bilingual or even tri-lingual, including Haitian Creole.
Each year, our dedicated lay reader, Livingstone (Livie) Lowe invited a guest preacher of African descent. The only 'instruction' was: please don't deny racism in order to protect white people. We're strong enough, and are committed, to understanding the truth.
Following the worship, we share a Caribbean feast - mmm - fried plantain anyone? (Thanks, Louise!)
Livie Lowe died suddenly on November 11th, 2007. We miss him. But we continued our Black History celebration - a bittersweet time in 2008. Livie would have approved.
2009 - Dr. Ivan Harding was our guest preacher. the church was packed with visitors from other parishes including St. Ignatius, Montreal North, Trinity United, Rosemount, St. Paul's, St. Lawrence's, St. James ... Keyon Cyrus read the lesson from Nelson mandela and Thalia Cyrus was crucifer for the first time. (see photo) Deanis Moore sang "Amazing Grace" after the sermon. Thank you, everyone.


Part of our Lent program, 2008, Akiko Edith Sakai, a longtime parishioner, invited Jackie to speak to us about on the theme of racism, about the experiences of Japanese Canadians since the first wave of immigration in the 1800’s to today.
Edith was interned with her family in the interior of british Columbia, after the government took everything from them. Jackie Stevens was interned in a camp in Northern Ontario that was shared with German prisoners of war.
We were shocked to learn that Pearl Harbor was simply an excuse to intensify systemic racism against Japanese Canadians.
The first Japanese immigrant to Canada was Mr. Manzo Nagano in 1877. The first generation of immigrants is called the Issei, the second generation Nisei, and the third generation Sansei. Most of those still living, like Akiko Edith, who endured the internment camps are of the Nisei generation.
In 1941, Edith’s father was a fisherman near Prince Rupert, BC. The government confiscated all that they owned and they were relocated from the BC coast to an internment camp of tarpaper shacks in the interior of BC. Living conditions were horrific. Jackie and her parents (all of whom were born in Canada) were interned in northern Ontario with German prisoners of war. We were shocked to hear that Pearl Harbour was simply an excuse to intensify systemic racist government policies towards Japanese Canadians. When redress was sought – and eventually gained (though many of the victims had already died) –the standpoint taken was: this was a Canadian issue affecting Canadian citizens – who were naturalized or born in Canada whose civil liberties were ignored and denied. Canadian citizens were interned and their property disposed of. Canadian citizens had been imprisoned.
If you are interested in knowing more, please contact the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre of Montreal at (514)728-1996. You could also access information at the McGill University Archives: the Japanese Canadian History Collection. JCCCM

Our beautiful gardens are maintained by A. Edith Sakai with help from her brother, John
Bertha Patterson,
Barbara's mother, at 97
At the end of our worship on Sundays, we song Happy Birthday to parishioners,
and add a second verse jazzily,
taught to us by Gloria Bradshaw :

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
May God's many blessings
keep falling on you.

During the last two lines, we gently wave our hands and arms as if God's blessings are descending on each person.
Racism towards Japanese Canadians
Amazing Grace Project - ACC - Churches across Canada sang on November 23rd in suupport of the Churches of the North - each singer bringing a toonie.

Work crew clearing up after Strawberry Luncheon, June 08

Shannon and Paul, extremely talented grandchildren of Mavis Chapman, visited from New Zealand. They performed magical dances for us at our Talent Show, December 2008.
Youth talent - Singing catmas carols with enthusiasm
Mavis Chapman reciting from memory, "If" by Rudyard Kipling
Hester Kerr at Christmas Bazaar
Odds and Ends
Carol Service, Supper, and Talent Show
December 2008
Family Epiphany Service
January 2009
STAR OF WONDER
Oliver and Haylee light the Epiphany Candle. Keyon and Jacob look on.
Reading and listening to the Epiphany Gospel.
Haylee holds Baby Jesus.