Our God is a god of resurrection. Whether it is the promise spoken through Isaiah of a new thing unfolding before us (Isaiah 43:19), the dramatic scene of Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones restored to new vitality (Ezekiel 37), or the empty tomb on the morning of the Resurrection (John 20), God is always breathing new life into what was thought to be dead and gone.
This happens in ways great and small. We hear the stories of the Bible, and we live with sure and certain hope in the promise of the Resurrection. But we also see signs of renewal and God’s work making new things, restoring old treasures in our lives and individuals and in our communities. Anglicanism, with its commitment to holding together a breadth of practices, is a beautiful example of God’s good, restoring work, taking many shapes and forms, but joined in a common point of origin.
The breadth of liturgical, spiritual, and aesthetic diversity is one of the treasures of Anglicanism. Wrought through conflict, mutual discernment, and God’s grace to unite us across difference, Anglicanism thrives when this balance is respected and celebrated. A small group of priests from the Dioceses of Huron and Niagara feel called to explore and enrich this diversity in our dioceses through the resurrection of a chapter of the Society of Catholic Priests (SCP). The SCP is an Anglo-Catholic confraternity that prioritizes inclusive priestly formation and catholic evangelism, with chapters in Australian, European, and North American provinces. In the North American province, membership is available to professed religious, deacons, priests, and bishops serving in the Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Church in Mexico, Anglican Church of Central America, and the Church of the Provinces of the West Indies.
There was a chapter in the region which operated in years past, providing opportunities for formation, spiritual growth, prayerful support, and witness. The chapter even hosted a North American conference in Toronto some years ago. Over time, as happens in such organizations, participation in the chapter declined, and it rested dormant for several years.
The resurrected chapter, named for the Feast of the Annunciation, was created following the attendance of Huron and Niagara clerics at the 2024 North American conference. Our purpose is to promote catholic evangelism and spirituality, offer collegial support to clergy serving in our dioceses, to pray for the Church and its work in the world, and to serve the needs of all of the people of God through faith formation and developing resources to support prayer, sacramental participation, and loving service to our neighbours.
The Annunciation Chapter will host our first chapter conference on May 14th and 15th, 2026, to honour this mandate. Teach Us to Pray: Exploring Prayer in the Catholic Tradition of Anglicanism will be held at Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton and feature Brother James Koester of the Society of St John the Evangelist as the keynote speaker.
Everyone interested in the life of prayer, laity and clergy alike, is welcome to join us for two days of prayer, conversations with Br Koester, and fellowship. Solemn high mass for the Feast of the Ascension—Bishop Susan preaching and presiding—and mass for the Feast of St Matthias (transferred) will be celebrated alongside the Daily Office. Registration details and further information about the chapter and its activities may be found at annunciationscp.org.
This is only one example of God’s activity in our midst, making new what was once old. The diversity of life and ways of good and holy living are all around us, especially evident in these Eastertide days. I hope and pray that we can see and share signs of new life, renewal, and resurrection in all of our communities, ministries, and families in this holy season of celebration.
Chapter Reborn: A Resurrection Story in Niagara and Huron
Our God is a god of resurrection. Whether it is the promise spoken through Isaiah of a new thing unfolding before us (Isaiah 43:19), the dramatic scene of Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones restored to new vitality (Ezekiel 37), or the empty tomb on the morning of the Resurrection (John 20), God is always breathing new life into what was thought to be dead and gone.
This happens in ways great and small. We hear the stories of the Bible, and we live with sure and certain hope in the promise of the Resurrection. But we also see signs of renewal and God’s work making new things, restoring old treasures in our lives and individuals and in our communities. Anglicanism, with its commitment to holding together a breadth of practices, is a beautiful example of God’s good, restoring work, taking many shapes and forms, but joined in a common point of origin.
The breadth of liturgical, spiritual, and aesthetic diversity is one of the treasures of Anglicanism. Wrought through conflict, mutual discernment, and God’s grace to unite us across difference, Anglicanism thrives when this balance is respected and celebrated. A small group of priests from the Dioceses of Huron and Niagara feel called to explore and enrich this diversity in our dioceses through the resurrection of a chapter of the Society of Catholic Priests (SCP). The SCP is an Anglo-Catholic confraternity that prioritizes inclusive priestly formation and catholic evangelism, with chapters in Australian, European, and North American provinces. In the North American province, membership is available to professed religious, deacons, priests, and bishops serving in the Episcopal Church, Anglican Church of Canada, Anglican Church in Mexico, Anglican Church of Central America, and the Church of the Provinces of the West Indies.
There was a chapter in the region which operated in years past, providing opportunities for formation, spiritual growth, prayerful support, and witness. The chapter even hosted a North American conference in Toronto some years ago. Over time, as happens in such organizations, participation in the chapter declined, and it rested dormant for several years.
The resurrected chapter, named for the Feast of the Annunciation, was created following the attendance of Huron and Niagara clerics at the 2024 North American conference. Our purpose is to promote catholic evangelism and spirituality, offer collegial support to clergy serving in our dioceses, to pray for the Church and its work in the world, and to serve the needs of all of the people of God through faith formation and developing resources to support prayer, sacramental participation, and loving service to our neighbours.
The Annunciation Chapter will host our first chapter conference on May 14th and 15th, 2026, to honour this mandate. Teach Us to Pray: Exploring Prayer in the Catholic Tradition of Anglicanism will be held at Christ’s Church Cathedral in Hamilton and feature Brother James Koester of the Society of St John the Evangelist as the keynote speaker.
Everyone interested in the life of prayer, laity and clergy alike, is welcome to join us for two days of prayer, conversations with Br Koester, and fellowship. Solemn high mass for the Feast of the Ascension—Bishop Susan preaching and presiding—and mass for the Feast of St Matthias (transferred) will be celebrated alongside the Daily Office. Registration details and further information about the chapter and its activities may be found at annunciationscp.org.
This is only one example of God’s activity in our midst, making new what was once old. The diversity of life and ways of good and holy living are all around us, especially evident in these Eastertide days. I hope and pray that we can see and share signs of new life, renewal, and resurrection in all of our communities, ministries, and families in this holy season of celebration.
Can I add something here.
Keep on reading
Sent Beyond the Walls: The Emerging Vocation of the Commissioned Lay Missioner
Holding Things and Letting Go
Passing from Darkness to Light: Keeping the Easter Vigil
Bypassing the Watchful Dragons
The Evolving Spirit at Holy Trinity Fonthill
Facing Antisemitism: A Christian Call to Listen