Bishop James’ Visit

St. John the Evangelist was blessed with a visit from the Right Reverend James Almasi, Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Masasi in Tanzania, during his two-week visit to the Diocese of Montreal in October. The High Altar, the choir loft, and the nave were all full this Harvest Thanksgiving, when Bishop James preached a sermon on the occasion of the Canonization of John Henry Newman, an event jointly celebrated by Roman Catholics and Anglicans in Rome, and around the world.

The Diocese of Masasi is a companion to that of the Diocese of Montreal, a relationship going back more than a decade, and spanning the tenure of two bishops in each diocese. The Anglican Church in Masasi, located in southern Tanzania, dates back to the late 19th century when the area was first evangelized by freed slaves from Zanzibar, who brought with them the Anglo-Catholic tradition that had been bequeathed to them by Oxford Movement missionaries. This shared Anglo-Catholic heritage made St. John the Evangelist a natural place for Bishop James to commemorate John Henry Newman, a founder of the Oxford Movement.

During his visit to St. John’s, Bishop James was presented with a chalice and paten, a book of the Anglican sermons of John Henry Newman, and a gift of nearly $3000 from the parish, as a contribution toward the construction of The St. Catherine Girls Secondary School in the town of Namasakata, located in the western part of the Diocese of Masasi. Though we missed the Most Reverend Thomas Dowd, Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Montreal, who was originally scheduled to attend, the service was nonetheless beautiful and uplifting. The lunch reception following allowed Bishop James to spend some time getting to know members of our congregation.

I, as the Rector’s Warden, have visited the Diocese of Masasi twice, in 2015 and 2018, and was particularly pleased that St. John’s could repay the hospitality I received there with such a special service and reception. Thanks for the successful visit are due to the liturgy and music planning committee, the Servers, the choir, the hospitality crew, and to all those who donated so generously to the collection for the St. Catherine school.

Beth

Above: Bishop Mary Irwin-Gibson receives a copy of the plan for The St. Catherine School in Namasaka, as Bishop James Almasi and local offcials look on. Girls from the rural villages of Tanzania often have to leave home to attend day secondary schools in the larger towns. They must find places to board in the towns, away from family, and without a network of guidance and support. As a boarding school, The St. Catherine School will provide a safe and supportive place for girls to live and receive a quality secondary education.