MINDEMOYA—The pews of St. Francis of Assisi Anglican Church in Mindemoya were filled with colleagues, parishioners and ecumenical supporters to bear witness to the ordination of the Reverend Catherine Mary Hazlitt to the Sacred Order of Priests on Friday, July 12.
In a solemn ceremony, Rev. Hazlitt was elevated to the Anglican priesthood by Anglican Archbishop of the Diocese of Algoma the Most Reverend Anne Germond. With the laying on of hands and the presentation of a symbolic bible, chalice and paten Rev. Hazlitt becomes Manitoulin’s newest Anglican priest.
Rev. Hazlitt was presented for ordination by Rev. Canon Diane Hilpert-McIlroy, Susan Reimer Amontides and John Amontides and clothed in her vestments by two of Ms. Hazlitt’s daughters—Rebecca and Elizabeth.
Through the presentation and examination Rev. Hazlitt fielded a number of exhortations to serve and remain loyal to the doctrine, discipline and worship of Christ and his church, obey the bishop and ministers who may have authority over her and her work.
The archbishop then turned to the congregation assembled in the church to ask if there is any impediment to her ordination and if they would support her in her ministry. The responses were all positive.
Officiants at the ordination service included archbishop’s chaplain Heather Niven, crucifer Brenda Kanaanpaa, litanist Rev. Dr. Elizabeth Green, the Rev. Paul Baskcomb who proclaimed the Gospel, cantor Nancy Mann, preacher Rev. Canon Diane Hilpert-McIlroy, Eucharistic assistants Rev. Joyce Foster and Lynda Peever, greeters Robert Mann and Nancy Mann and organist Dorothy Anstice.
Rev. Hazlitt will be serving in St. Paul’s in Manitowaning, St. Francis of Assisi in Mindemoya, Holy Trinity in Little Current, All Saints in Gore Bay and St. John the Evangelist in Kagawong where she has been serving as a deacon.
A reception was held following the ordination ceremonies at the Freshwater Community Church in Mindemoya.
