From across the Ordinariate

Today the Church gives thanks for the life and witness of Florence Nightingale, whose vocation transformed not only the practice of nursing but also the Church’s understanding of compassionate service. While history remembers her as “The Lady with the Lamp,” we remember her as a faithful Christian who answered God’s call with courage, discipline, and unwavering love for those entrusted to her care.

Florence Nightingale understood that caring for the sick was not simply an occupation—it was a holy vocation. She believed that every person bore the image of God and deserved dignity, compassion, and competent care. In an age when medicine was often inadequate and hospitals were places of despair, she brought order where there was chaos, hope where there was fear, and the light of Christ into places overshadowed by suffering.

Her ministry reminds us that healing is central to the Gospel. Throughout His earthly ministry, our Lord Jesus Christ healed the sick, comforted the afflicted, and restored those whom society had forgotten. He touched lepers, welcomed the outcast, and stood beside the dying. He demonstrated that true greatness is found not in power but in humble service.

The ministry of healing continues today through physicians, nurses, therapists, chaplains, emergency responders, aides, technicians, researchers, caregivers, and countless others who dedicate their lives to the care of their neighbors. Many serve under extraordinary pressures, carrying physical, emotional, and spiritual burdens that few fully understand. They deserve not only our gratitude but also our prayers and support.

As Christians, we are all called to participate in this ministry of compassion. Most of us will never establish hospitals or reform healthcare systems as Florence Nightingale did, yet every one of us can visit the lonely, encourage the discouraged, pray with the suffering, prepare a meal for someone in need, or simply remain present with those who are hurting. These seemingly ordinary acts become extraordinary when offered in the name of Christ.

In our own time, healthcare continues to face profound challenges. Questions of access, ethics, technology, and human dignity confront us daily. As followers of Christ, we must never allow efficiency to eclipse compassion or innovation to diminish the sacred worth of every human life. Florence Nightingale understood that statistics and science were invaluable tools, but they always existed to serve people—not the other way around. Her example calls us to pursue excellence without losing sight of mercy.

To those within our churches who serve in healthcare, I offer my heartfelt thanks. Whether you work in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, hospice, public health, military medicine, emergency services, or in the homes of those you care for, your work is holy. You stand at bedsides during moments of profound vulnerability. You celebrate recoveries, comfort grieving families, and often carry unseen burdens home with you. Know that your Church honors your ministry and prays that God will sustain you with strength, wisdom, and peace.

To those who are ill, suffering, or caring for loved ones, remember that Christ walks beside you. You are never forgotten. The Good Shepherd remains present in every hospital room, every rehabilitation center, every hospice bedside, and every home where quiet acts of caregiving unfold day after day. His promise remains certain: “I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

On this Feast of Florence Nightingale, let us renew our own commitment to lives of compassion, mercy, and faithful service. May we become bearers of Christ’s light in a world that often longs for hope. Whether our calling leads us to the bedside, the altar, the classroom, the workplace, or the family table, may we serve with humility, excellence, and love.

Let us pray:

“Almighty God, whose servant Florence Nightingale followed the example of your Son by ministering to the sick and suffering, grant that we, inspired by her faith and dedication, may faithfully serve those in need with compassion, wisdom, and steadfast love; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.”

May Almighty God bless you, preserve you in His grace, strengthen all who care for the sick, comfort all who suffer, and fill us with the light of Christ, that we may faithfully serve Him in one another.

Faithfully yours in Christ,

I. Suppression of the Mission Effective August 31, 2026, the Anglican Mission of Lake Erie is hereby suppressed and ceases to exist as a distinct ecclesiastical mission of the Ordinariate. This decision has been made after careful discernment and in the interest of strengthening the ministry and common life of the Ordinariate by concentrating our clergy, resources, and faithful within a unified parish community.

II. Transfer of the Faithful Beginning September 1, 2026, all members, communicants, catechumens, and those regularly worshipping with the Anglican Mission of Lake Erie shall become members of the Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George, where they will continue to receive the full sacramental and pastoral ministry of the Church. The clergy of the Pro-Cathedral are charged with ensuring a warm welcome and a seamless pastoral transition for all who are received into the life of the parish.

III. Sacramental Registers and Records All sacramental registers, membership rolls, financial records, historical documents, and other official records of the Anglican Mission of Lake Erie shall be transferred to the archives of the Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George, where they shall be preserved in accordance with the canons and policies of the Ordinariate.

IV. Property and Assets Any property, furnishings, liturgical items, equipment, financial assets, or other goods belonging to the Anglican Mission of Lake Erie shall become the responsibility of the Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George, to be administered in accordance with the laws and policies of the Ordinariate.

V. Thanksgiving I give thanks to Almighty God for all who have faithfully worshipped, served, and proclaimed the Gospel through the Anglican Mission of Lake Erie. The ministry accomplished through this mission has borne witness to Christ and has helped lay the foundation for the continued growth of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George. As we enter this new chapter, we do so with confidence that our shared ministry will be strengthened through our common worship and fellowship at the Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George, the spiritual heart of our Ordinariate. This decree shall take effect on the date specified above and shall be entered into the official records of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George.

Given under my hand and seal this 25th day of July, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six.

The Right Reverend Brent Edward Whetstone Bishop Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George

Therefore, by the authority entrusted to me as Bishop of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George, and after prayerful discernment for the good order and mission of the Church, I hereby decree the following:

I. Erection of the Pro-Cathedral Effective September 1, 2026, the church known as The Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George is hereby erected as the Pro-Cathedral of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George.

The Pro-Cathedral shall serve as the episcopal church of the Ordinariate and, until such time as a permanent cathedral may be established, shall possess all the dignity, responsibilities, and liturgical functions proper to a cathedral church.

II. Episcopal Seat The Cathedra of the Bishop shall be established within the Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George as the visible sign of the Bishop’s ministry of teaching, sanctifying, and pastoral oversight throughout the Ordinariate.

From this church the Bishop shall ordinarily celebrate the principal liturgies of the Christian year, conduct ordinations and confirmations, gather the clergy and faithful for diocesan worship, and exercise the ministry entrusted to him for the building up of Christ’s Church.

III. Mission of the Pro-Cathedral

The Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George shall serve as: • the principal church of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George; • the center for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the Divine Office; • the home of the Bishop and his liturgical ministry; • a place of prayer, pilgrimage, Christian formation, and evangelism; • a center for the formation of clergy, chaplains, and lay leaders; and • a visible witness to the Anglican Catholic faith and tradition.

IV. Governance The Pro-Cathedral shall be governed according to the Constitution and Canons of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George and such statutes and policies as may from time to time be promulgated by the Bishop.

The Dean of the Pro-Cathedral, together with the clergy and lay officers appointed according to the canons, shall assist in the administration and ministry of the church.

V. Thanksgiving

With gratitude to Almighty God, we commend this new chapter in the life of the Ordinariate to His gracious care. We pray that the Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George may always be a place where the Gospel is faithfully preached, the Sacraments rightly administered, the poor are served, the faithful are nurtured, and all people are invited into the saving love of Jesus Christ.

May Saint George, our patron, inspire us to steadfast faith, courageous witness, and joyful service, that Christ may be glorified in all things.

This decree shall be entered into the permanent records of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George and shall take effect on the date specified herein.

Given under my hand and episcopal seal this 25th day of July, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six.

✠ The Right Reverend Brent Edward Whetstone Bishop Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George

In addition to his diaconal ministry, Deacon John has been appointed to serve as Liaison to the United States Department of War, strengthening relationships between the Church and those who serve our nation while advancing the Ordinariate's growing chaplaincy mission. He has also been assigned to the Pro-Cathedral Church of Saint George, where he will assist in the life and ministry of the cathedral community under the leadership of the Very Rev. Liam Helms, Dean of the Pro-Cathedral.

Bishop Whetstone reflected on the occasion:

"Today we give thanks to Almighty God for Deacon John's faithful response to the call of Christ. The diaconate is a ministry of service, charity, and proclamation, modeled after our Lord who came not to be served but to serve. We rejoice in his ordination and look forward to the many ways God will use his gifts for the building up of Christ's Church."

The Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George asks the faithful to remember Deacon John in their prayers as he begins this new chapter of ordained ministry, that he may remain steadfast in faith, joyful in service, and faithful to the Gospel entrusted to him.

Ad multos annos, Deacon John!

In this capacity, Deacon Kalajian will serve as the principal ecclesiastical representative responsible for fostering communication and cooperation between the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George and the Department of War on matters pertaining to chaplaincy, pastoral ministry, religious accommodation, and the spiritual care of members of the Armed Forces and those who support the nation's defense.

Deacon Kalajian brings to this appointment a steadfast commitment to faithful ministry, pastoral sensitivity, and a deep appreciation for the unique vocation of those who serve their country. His leadership will assist in strengthening relationships with military institutions while ensuring that the Church remains a faithful presence among those called to military service.

Announcing the appointment, The Right Reverend Brent Edward Whetstone, Bishop of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George, said:

“The ministry of the Church extends wherever God's people are found, including among those entrusted with the defense of our nation. Deacon John Kalajian has demonstrated both pastoral wisdom and faithful service, and I am confident he will represent this Ordinariate with dignity, integrity, and compassion in this important role.”

The Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George asks the faithful to join in prayer for Deacon Kalajian as he begins this ministry, that Almighty God would grant him wisdom, discernment, and strength as he serves both the Church and those entrusted with the nation's defense.

On the ninth anniversary of my ordination to the Sacred Priesthood, my heart is filled with gratitude. This anniversary is not simply a remembrance of a day in my own life, but an opportunity to give thanks for the faithfulness of God, whose mercy continues to sustain those whom He calls into His service.

When the time came to choose the day of my ordination, I intentionally selected the Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene. It was not because she was among the most powerful of the saints, nor because she held earthly prominence, but because her story is one of grace. She reminds us that God delights in taking imperfect people and making them instruments of His perfect love.

Mary Magdalene knew both brokenness and redemption. She encountered the transforming mercy of Jesus Christ, remained faithful even at the foot of the Cross when many had fled, and was entrusted with the first proclamation of the Resurrection. The Church has long honored her as the Apostle to the Apostles, not because of her perfection, but because of the perfect work of Christ within her.

That truth has remained close to my heart throughout these nine years of priestly ministry.

I have never believed that God calls only the flawless or the exceptionally gifted. Rather, the history of salvation teaches us that the Lord calls ordinary men and women, each bearing their own weaknesses, failures, fears, and scars. The miracle is not the worthiness of the servant but the faithfulness of the Master.

As I reflect upon these years, I am keenly aware of my own imperfections. There have been moments of joy and moments of sorrow, seasons of confidence and seasons of uncertainty. There have been successes that could only be attributed to God's grace and failures that have become opportunities for repentance, growth, and deeper dependence upon Him. Through every triumph and every trial, Christ has remained faithful.

Priesthood is not a reward for holiness already attained. It is a lifelong invitation to be continually transformed into the likeness of Christ while serving His people with humility, compassion, and love. Every celebration of the Holy Eucharist, every baptism, every bedside prayer, every funeral, every confession heard, every sermon preached, and every soul entrusted to my care has reminded me that this ministry belongs first and foremost to Christ Himself. I have simply been privileged to share in His work.

No one answers God's call in isolation, and I have been continually reminded that my priesthood has never been mine alone. My family has walked this journey beside me every step of the way. They have shared in the joys of ministry and quietly borne its sacrifices—late-night hospital visits, interrupted family gatherings, countless miles traveled, seasons of uncertainty, and the many unseen demands that accompany the care of Christ's flock. They have celebrated with me in moments of great blessing and have stood beside me through seasons of disappointment, grief, and challenge.

To my beloved wife, Heather, thank you for your steadfast love, unwavering encouragement, and faithful partnership in the Gospel. Your strength, wisdom, and sacrifice have sustained me more times than I can count. Whether in moments of celebration or seasons of trial, you have faithfully walked beside me, reminding me daily of God's grace and faithfulness.

To our children—Caitlyn, Isabella, Noah, Madeline, and Abigail—thank you for sharing your husband and father with the Church. You have accepted the unique rhythms of ministry with remarkable grace, often making sacrifices that few ever see. Your patience, understanding, laughter, and unconditional love have been among God's greatest gifts to me. Each of you has taught me something profound about the love of our Heavenly Father.

The priesthood is often described as a personal vocation, yet it is also a vocation lived within the embrace of a family. Whatever good has been accomplished during these nine years has been supported by their prayers, their encouragement, their sacrifices, and their enduring love. I thank Almighty God for each of them and pray that He will continue to bless our home as together we seek to follow Christ wherever He leads.

These nine years have also taught me that ministry is never undertaken alone. I have been blessed by faithful clergy who labor alongside me, by devoted lay faithful whose prayers sustain me, by mentors who have guided me, by friends who have encouraged me, and by countless individuals whose faith has strengthened my own. To each of you, I offer my deepest gratitude.

As Bishop, I have witnessed our Ordinariate grow in ways I could scarcely have imagined. New ministries have begun, new clergy have answered God's call, new communities of faith have been planted, and new opportunities to proclaim the Gospel continue to unfold before us. We remain far from finished, yet every step reminds me that the Church belongs to Christ, and He continues to lead His people with wisdom and mercy.

The witness of Saint Mary Magdalene continues to shape my own prayer. She teaches us that our past does not define our future; Christ does. Our failures are never greater than His mercy. Our weakness is never stronger than His grace. What God accomplished in her life, He continues to accomplish in all who surrender themselves to His loving will.

As I enter another year of priestly ministry, I pray not for greater recognition or accomplishment, but for greater faithfulness. May I love Christ more deeply, serve His people more generously, preach His Gospel more boldly, and reflect His compassion more completely. If my ministry points others toward Jesus rather than toward myself, then it will have fulfilled its purpose.

I ask your continued prayers for me, as I assure you of mine for each of you. Pray that I may remain faithful to the vows I made before God and His Church. Pray that I may always be a shepherd after the heart of Christ. And pray that together we may continue to proclaim the hope of the Gospel to a world longing for truth, mercy, and redemption.

On this anniversary, I give thanks not for what I have accomplished, but for what God has accomplished through imperfect hands surrendered to His perfect will. Like Saint Mary Magdalene, I stand only because of the grace of Christ. If these nine years have taught me anything, it is that God's call is always accompanied by His grace. He does not wait for us to become perfect before He invites us into His service; rather, He perfects us day by day through His mercy. My prayer is that I may continue to be shaped by that grace until the day I stand before Him, and that my life and ministry will always bear witness not to my own strength, but to the redeeming power of Jesus Christ.

May Almighty God bless you, keep you, and fill you with His peace. And may the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

Faithfully in Christ,

The Right Reverend Brent Edward Whetstone Bishop Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George

Grace and peace to you in the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

As we gather to celebrate Independence Day, we do so during a truly historic year, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. This remarkable milestone invites us to pause with gratitude, humility, and hope as we reflect upon the blessings of liberty, the sacrifices of those who came before us, and the responsibilities entrusted to every generation.

For two and a half centuries, countless Americans have labored to build, defend, and strengthen this nation. We remember with gratitude the courage of our founders, the sacrifice of those who have worn the uniform of our armed forces, the dedication of first responders, healthcare professionals, chaplains, public servants, educators, and all who have worked quietly and faithfully for the common good.

As Christians, however, we recognize that freedom is far more than political independence. Holy Scripture reminds us:

"For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become servants of one another." — Galatians 5:13

True liberty is found not merely in our rights, but in our willingness to love God and serve our neighbor. The freedoms we celebrate today are sustained not only by laws and constitutions, but by virtue, justice, mercy, and a people committed to the common good.

This anniversary also calls us to humility. Like every nation throughout history, ours has known moments of extraordinary courage and moments that call for repentance and renewal. Yet we trust that God continues to guide those who seek His wisdom and walk in His ways. As followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers, to pursue justice, to defend the dignity of every human person, and to pray faithfully for all who exercise authority.

As Anglicans, we have long prayed for our nation and its leaders. I invite every member of the Anglican Province of North America to join me in praying:

For the President of the United States, members of Congress, governors, judges, and all entrusted with public office.

For the men and women of our Armed Forces, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, healthcare workers, and chaplains.

For our churches, our families, our communities, and our neighbors.

For peace, justice, reconciliation, and unity throughout our nation.

That Almighty God would continue to bless America and guide us in the paths of righteousness.

As we commemorate 250 years of American independence, I am reminded of the beloved hymn I Vow to Thee, My Country. It captures a truth that has long resonated with Christians: we may rightly love and faithfully serve our earthly nation with gratitude and sacrifice, yet our highest allegiance belongs to another Kingdom—one whose King is Christ Himself.

That is the balance to which we are called.

We honor our nation without making it our idol.

We cherish our freedoms while remembering that they are gifts entrusted to us for the service of others.

We love our country most faithfully when we seek justice, show mercy, walk humbly with God, and strive to leave our communities better than we found them.

As we celebrate this historic anniversary, may we recommit ourselves not only to being faithful Americans but, above all, faithful disciples of Jesus Christ. May our lives reflect the hope of the Gospel, our service reflect the love of Christ, and our witness remind the world that no earthly kingdom, however great, can compare to the everlasting Kingdom of God.

May Almighty God bless the United States of America as we celebrate this 250th year of our national story.

May He grant wisdom to those who govern, courage to those who serve, comfort to those who mourn, healing to those who suffer, and hope to every generation yet to come.

And may He ever remind us that while we give thanks for the nation entrusted to our care, we journey toward that eternal Kingdom where righteousness, peace, and love shall reign forever.

May God bless you, your families, and our beloved nation.

Happy Independence Day.

Faithfully in Christ,

"If my people, who are called by my Name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." — 2 Chronicles 7:14

By the Grace of God

The Right Reverend Brent E. Whetstone, Ordinary, The Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George

To the Reverend Clergy, Religious, Chaplains, and all the Faithful of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George: Grace, Mercy, and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Beloved in Christ,

In the good providence of Almighty God, our Nation has reached a singular moment in its history as we commemorate the Two Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Such anniversaries are not merely civic observances, but occasions for the Church to offer thanksgiving to Almighty God, to confess her dependence upon His mercy, and to renew her vocation as a people of constant prayer.

Holy Scripture reminds us:

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." — Psalm 33:12

And again,

"Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people." — Proverbs 14:34

From the earliest centuries, the Church has understood that no kingdom, republic, or commonwealth endures by human wisdom alone. Every nation stands beneath the providence, judgment, and mercy of Almighty God.

Therefore, while we rightly give thanks for the blessings of liberty, the sacrifices of those who have defended our freedoms, and the institutions that have served this Republic for two and a half centuries, we acknowledge that our first duty is not celebration, but prayer.

Episcopal Declaration

Wherefore, by virtue of the Office entrusted unto Us as Ordinary of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George, and relying wholly upon the grace and mercy of Almighty God,

We do hereby declare and appoint the period beginning on the Fourth Day of July in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six and continuing until the Fourth Day of July in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Seven to be observed throughout the Anglican Ordinariate of George as

The Year of Prayer for Our Nation

During this holy observance, We earnestly call upon every parish, mission, chaplaincy, religious community, ministry, household, and member of the Ordinariate to unite in continual prayer for the spiritual renewal of our Nation and for the peace of the whole world.

The Duty of the Church

The Church of Jesus Christ is not established to advance the interests of earthly kingdoms, political parties, or temporal ambitions.

Her citizenship is in Heaven. Her King is Christ. Her mission is the proclamation of the Gospel. Her greatest labor is prayer.

Therefore this declaration is made not to encourage political activity, but to renew the apostolic practice commanded by Saint Paul:

"I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority…" — 1 Timothy 2:1–2

The Intention of Our Prayers

Throughout this Year of Prayer, let continual intercession be offered before Almighty God for: The President of the United States; Members of Congress; the Judiciary; Governors, legislators, and local officials; Members of the Armed Forces; Veterans; Law enforcement officers; Firefighters; Emergency medical personnel; Physicians, nurses, and healthcare workers; Chaplains serving throughout our Nation; Teachers and educators; Families and children; the unborn and their mothers; the elderly and those approaching the end of earthly life; the poor and forgotten; those burdened by illness, addiction, or despair; peace among nations; justice within our communities; the unity of Christ's Holy Church; the conversion of sinners; an increase in holy vocations; and the advancement of Christ's Kingdom.

Our Exhortation to the Clergy

We direct the clergy of the Ordinariate, insofar as it is pastorally possible, to: include prayers for our Nation at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist; offer the Daily Office faithfully; observe Ember Days and other traditional days of fasting and prayer; hold parish Holy Hours, Vigils, and Services of Intercession; encourage regular reception of the Sacrament of Reconciliation where available; teach concerning the Christian duty of prayer for those in authority; and encourage works of mercy within every parish.

May every parish become a house of prayer.

Our Exhortation to the Faithful

Beloved children in Christ, pray daily. Read the Holy Scriptures. Receive the Blessed Sacrament frequently. Love your neighbors. Forgive your enemies. Honor lawful authority. Serve the poor. Comfort the afflicted. Defend the dignity of every human person from conception until natural death. Live lives worthy of the Gospel entrusted to you.

Our Hope

As we commemorate the Two Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of our Nation, We are reminded of the beloved hymn I Vow to Thee, My Country, whose words beautifully express the proper ordering of Christian patriotism.

We rightly love our earthly homeland. We rightly give thanks for the blessings of liberty. Yet our supreme allegiance belongs to another Kingdom—one "whose King is God."

May our patriotism never become idolatry. May our love of country always be purified by charity. May our hope remain fixed not upon earthly powers but upon the eternal reign of Jesus Christ.

Episcopal Blessing

May Almighty God, Who rules over the nations of the earth and whose Kingdom hath no end, look with mercy upon this Nation.

May He grant wisdom to those entrusted with authority, courage to those who serve, comfort to those who suffer, peace to our communities, and renewal to His Holy Church.

And may the blessing of Almighty God, the Father, ✠ the Son, and the Holy Ghost, descend upon you and remain with you always. Amen.

Given under Our Hand and Episcopal Seal at the Chancery of the Anglican Ordinariate of Saint George, this Fourth Day of July, in the Year of Our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Six, being the Two Hundred Fiftieth Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.

The ordination marks the culmination of years of discernment, formation, study, and prayer, as Fr. Liam now enters a new season of ministry dedicated to the service of Christ and His Church through the preaching of the Gospel, the administration of the Sacraments, and the care of souls.

In his sermon, Bishop Brent Whetstone reflected upon the witness of the Oxford Martyrs, particularly Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley, whose steadfast faith in the face of persecution continues to inspire Anglicans around the world. Recalling Latimer's famous words spoken at the stake in Oxford, "We shall this day light such a candle, by God's grace, in England, as I trust shall never be put out," the Bishop reminded those gathered that priesthood is ultimately a ministry of faithful witness to Jesus Christ.

"The Church today places a candle into your hands. Guard it well. Feed it with prayer. Strengthen it with Scripture. Sustain it with the Sacraments. And may it burn brightly throughout your ministry."

The sermon emphasized that priesthood is not a position of privilege but a vocation of service, calling priests to stand beside God's people in moments of joy, grief, celebration, and loss. Drawing upon the example of the martyrs, the Bishop encouraged Fr. Liam to embrace a ministry marked by courage, compassion, humility, and faithfulness.

A particularly moving portion of the service recognized the role of Fr. Liam's husband, John, whose steadfast support has accompanied him throughout his journey toward ordination. The congregation gave thanks for the ways in which vocation is nurtured through faithful companionship, prayer, sacrifice, and love. The Bishop noted that while the Church ordains individuals, no vocation is lived alone, and that the support of family and loved ones remains an essential part of sustaining ministry.

As Fr. Liam begins this new chapter of priestly service, the Ordinariate gives thanks to Almighty God for His calling and prays that the same grace which strengthened the Apostles, the saints, and the martyrs will continue to guide and sustain him in the years ahead.

Please join us in praying for Fr. Liam, for John, and for all those entrusted with the sacred work of shepherding Christ's flock.

"Preach the Gospel faithfully. Celebrate the Sacraments reverently. Love the people generously. Pray constantly. Serve humbly."

What makes ministries like the Red Door Café so important is not simply the food placed on a table, but the reminder that every person is worthy of care, conversation, and compassion. In a world often marked by division and isolation, these moments of shared service become small but powerful signs of the Kingdom of God.

We are deeply grateful to the people of Saint John's for their continued friendship and witness, and we are proud of the members of the Anglican Mission of Lake Erie who gave their time and energy in service to others.

As Anglicans, we believe the Church is called not only to worship within sanctuary walls, but also to serve Christ in our neighbors. Ministries like the Red Door Café embody that calling beautifully.

"Let us not love in word or speech, but in truth and action." — 1 John 3:18

Today the Church stands once more in the upper room.

We gather again at the great feast of Pentecost, not merely to remember a moment in history, but to proclaim a living reality: the Holy Ghost still moves among the people of God. The same Spirit who descended upon the Apostles with wind and fire continues to breathe life into the Church, strengthen the weary, comfort the brokenhearted, and send ordinary men and women into extraordinary places bearing the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Pentecost reminds us that Christianity was never meant to be timid, performative, or hidden safely behind walls. The Church was born in public proclamation. She was born in courage. She was born in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Yet we live in an age of exhaustion.

Many are tired of shallow religion that confuses the Kingdom of God with political ideology. Others have grown weary of a world that offers endless outrage, endless noise, and no lasting hope. We see institutions crumbling, loneliness increasing, families struggling, and many wondering whether truth itself can still be trusted.

Into this confusion, Pentecost speaks clearly.

The answer to the chaos of the modern world is not a louder ideology. It is not retreat into bitterness. It is not surrender to every passing cultural current. The answer is the same today as it was in Jerusalem two thousand years ago: the presence of the Holy Spirit drawing humanity back to Jesus Christ.

The Spirit does not erase truth. The Spirit illuminates it.

The Spirit does not destroy the Church. The Spirit renews her.

The Spirit does not lead us away from Christ, but ever deeper into Him.

As Anglicans, we stand within that ancient and sacramental stream of the Christian faith — rooted in Scripture, shaped by the Creeds, nourished by Word and Sacrament, and called to be present among those who suffer, serve, and seek.

This is especially true for our chaplains, clergy, and ministers who stand daily at hospital bedsides, in military units, in prisons, shelters, schools, funeral homes, hospice rooms, and places of tragedy. Pentecost reminds us that ministry is not ultimately sustained by our own strength. It is sustained by the Spirit of God.

The world does not need chaplains who arrive with rehearsed slogans or partisan talking points. The world needs ministers filled with the Holy Ghost — ministers who can stand calmly in moments of chaos, speak truth with compassion, and embody the presence of Christ among the wounded.

In the Book of Acts, people from every nation heard the Gospel proclaimed in their own language. Pentecost is therefore not a celebration of division, but of unity through Christ. The Spirit gathers what sin has scattered. The Spirit makes one Body from many people.

In a fractured age, the Church must again become a place where human dignity is defended, where mercy is practiced, where repentance is proclaimed, and where Christ remains at the center.

My prayer for this Province, and for all entrusted to our care, is simple:

May we never become captive to the spirit of the age.

May we never mistake activism for holiness.

May we never lose the beauty of reverence, the courage of truth, or the tenderness of pastoral care.

And may the fire of Pentecost burn again within the Church.

Come, Holy Ghost.

Renew Your Church.

Strengthen Your people.

Send us again into the world.

Given under my hand this Feast of Pentecost, in the Year of Our Lord 2026.

Throughout the history of the Church, the people of God have remembered those whose lives bore witness to sacrificial love, courageous faith, and steadfast service in the face of death. Such remembrance is not merely historical reflection, but a sacred act by which the Church gives thanks to Almighty God for lives lived in profound imitation of Christ.

Therefore, with gratitude for their witness and mindful of the sacred vocation of chaplaincy, we hereby declare that February 3 shall be observed within the Ordinariate of Saint George for Chaplaincy as the Feast of the Four Chaplains.

On the night of February 3, 1943, the troop transport USAT Dorchester was struck by a German torpedo in the icy waters of the North Atlantic during the Second World War. Amid panic, darkness, and certain death, four United States Army chaplains — Lt. George L. Fox (Methodist), Lt. Alexander D. Goode (Jewish Rabbi), Lt. John P. Washington (Roman Catholic Priest), and Lt. Clark V. Poling (Dutch Reformed Minister) — moved calmly among the frightened soldiers, offering prayers, comfort, guidance, and hope. When the supply of life jackets was exhausted, each of the chaplains removed his own and gave it to another man. Survivors later testified that the four were last seen standing arm in arm in prayer as the ship slipped beneath the waters.

Their sacrifice transcended denominational boundaries and became a lasting witness to unity, courage, pastoral care, and selfless love. In a moment where fear might have overcome humanity, these chaplains chose instead to embody the words of Our Lord:

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”

For those called to chaplaincy ministry, the witness of the Four Chaplains remains especially sacred. They remind us that chaplains are called not merely to preach, but to stand in the midst of suffering; not merely to speak of hope, but to become instruments of hope in moments of terror, grief, loneliness, and death.

The Feast of the Four Chaplains shall therefore serve within the Ordinariate as a day of remembrance, prayer, and recommitment to the sacred ministry of presence. We encourage clergy and faithful alike to offer prayers on this day for military chaplains, healthcare chaplains, first responder chaplains, institutional chaplains, and all who minister in places of suffering and crisis.

May the memory of the Four Chaplains inspire us to lives of greater courage, deeper compassion, and unwavering devotion to Christ and His people.

Given under our hand and authority within the Ordinariate of Saint George for Chaplaincy.

It's not just poetry—it's a question every mariner, every chaplain, every mother standing by a silent phone has asked in the dark. It's the same question whispered at hospital bedsides, in waiting rooms, in sanctuaries half-lit by grief: Where is the love of God when the storm will not stop?

Fifty years ago, the Edmund Fitzgerald vanished beneath the furious gray of Lake Superior. No mayday. No survivors. Just silence, and the slow ache of minutes that turned into hours, and hours into half a century of wondering.

Those of us who serve along these inland seas—Lake Erie, Lake Huron, Lake Michigan—feel that story in our bones. Because the Great Lakes are not only deep in water; they are deep in memory. Every storm carries the echo of those 29 names. Every ship's whistle sounds a little like a prayer.

And yet—beneath all that loss, there is a truth the Church dares to proclaim: the love of God does not vanish in the storm. It is not capsized by tragedy. It does not drown in the depths.

When Lightfoot asked, Does anyone know where the love of God goes?—the answer, I think, is yes.

The love of God goes down with the ship. It is there in the final prayers of frightened men. It rides on the wind that carried their last breath home. It sits with the families who never got the call they prayed for. It weeps beside them, unseen but not absent.

The love of God goes to the bottom of the lake, to the bedside of the dying, to the lonely who wait for answers that will never come. It is the presence that abides even when there are no words left to speak.

Because the miracle of faith is not that God prevents every storm—it's that He joins us in the storm, and refuses to let the dark have the final word.

The same Christ who stilled the Sea of Galilee walks these waters still. He does not silence every wave, but He meets us amid them. And sometimes, faith means rowing on through the tempest, trusting that even when the compass spins, even when the radar fails, even when the shoreline disappears—God is not gone.

In the hours that feel like days, when grief stretches time beyond measure, the love of God does not go anywhere. It remains. It endures. It descends to the depths and rises again with the dawn.

So tonight, we toll the bells not only for the Edmund Fitzgerald and her crew, but for every life that has been swallowed by silence, every family left waiting for the wind to break.

We remember that to live by these lakes—to serve by them—is to stand where the sacred meets the unpredictable. It is to preach resurrection in a place that remembers wreckage.

And we proclaim this truth: Even here, even now— when the waves turn the minutes to hours, when the night will not end, when the lake keeps her secrets— the love of God goes nowhere. It remains, steady as the shoreline of eternity.

Christus in Omnibus Locis, Per Viam Anglicanam. Christ in all places—yes, even on the waters that never give up their dead.

Over the course of 126 years, the Communion has grown into seven provinces with over 200 churches around the world. Today, as Bishop of the Anglican Vicariate of Saint George, I believe it is both fitting and necessary to remember those who helped forge the path we now walk. With gratitude and reverence, I am formally establishing November 2nd as a Feast Day of the Founders, commemorating the lives and ministries of Bishop Leon Checkemian, Bishop James Martin, and Bishop Andrew Albert MacLaglen.

Their legacy is more than institutional. Through their vision, perseverance, and pastoral witness, they gave rise to a Communion where many of us have found our spiritual home—a home where the via media is not merely a theological ideal, but a way of being: Anglican, open-hearted, and missionally grounded.

As a jurisdiction charged with accompanying chaplains into places of suffering, service, and seeking, we in the Anglican Vicariate of Saint George are uniquely positioned to carry forward the spirit of our founders—bringing the light of Christ to the margins, the frontlines, and the forgotten corners of the world.

I therefore direct that November 2nd be observed annually within our Vicariate as a solemn feast in honor of our founders. I encourage all chaplains, clergy, and lay ministers to mark this day in their prayers, devotions, or liturgies as a reminder that we stand on the shoulders of faithful witnesses who went before us.

Liturgical guidelines and prayers for this observance are enclosed with this letter.

In Christ who sends us,