Those of us on the capital campaign committee, especially Archbishop Fred Hiltz (co-chair of the committee with Sister Connie), Archbishop Colin Johnson and the Very Rev. Peter Wall, encouraged Sister Connie to go ahead. Nathan Hiltz, a jazz guitarist, offered to provide a jazz concert with three of his friends: Chris Banks on bass, Alex George on fiddle/violin and Tim Shia on drums. They were terrific. I heard only rave reviews at the intermission.

After the intermission, during which wine, soft drinks and nibblies were served in the library, we had the radio play of Still Life, directed by the Rev. Canon Michael Burgess, who has considerable experience in the many aspects of theatre production. He put together a wonderful cast, including several clergy: the Rev. Canon Geoff Sangwine, the Rev. Margaret Rodrigues, the Rev. Michael Coren, the Very Rev. Peter Wall and Archbishop Colin Johnson. Canon Burgess was the narrator. Everyone there seemed to be fully engaged and thoroughly enjoying the performance.

Besides the entertainment, the sisters also had a few silent auction items, including finger labyrinths designed with Zentangles by our associate Nancy Haughton in Bala, Ont. Other items included three guitar lessons at any level from Nathan Hiltz; lessons in breadmaking by Sister Elizabeth Ann; and spa weekends in the newly renovated Guest House – some for couples and some for singles. All in all, we netted over $18,000, and everyone who attended or participated in the evening really enjoyed the event.

Thank you all for your support of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine. Construction is expected to begin before the end of May.

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The Sisters have spent countless hours with the architects and the capital campaign committee. In the summer, we agreed to take $2 million from our investments for the capital campaign, leaving us to raise $4 million. Our capital campaign committee, chaired by Archbishop Fred Hiltz and Sr. Constance Joanna, together with several of our associates and oblates, have worked extremely hard over the past year. On Feb. 9, 2024 – the Feast of Mother Hannah, our Mother Foundress – we had a service of thanksgiving for all those who had helped us and donated to the campaign, including the Diocese of Toronto. The total raised is now $4,945,000.

We still need to raise another $1 million. We are having a major fundraiser on April 13 in Snell Hall at St. James Cathedral. It will begin with live music provided by jazz musician Nathan Hiltz and his quartet and will be followed by a radio play. Many of the Sisters love reading mysteries and one of the most popular series is by Louise Penny, a Canadian author who writes about a small, hidden village in the Eastern Townships of Quebec called Three Pines. Eric Alexandre has written a radio play based on Louise Penny’s first book, Still Life, which the Sisterhood has been given permission to present at the fundraiser. Ms. Penny is sending us a brief recording of herself that will be heard before the play begins. The play is directed by the Rev. Canon Michael Burgess and the cast includes the Very Rev. Peter Wall as Chief Inspector Armand Gamache, Archbishop Colin Johnson as Inspector Jean-Guy Beauvoir, and the Rev. Michael Coren as Ben. The evening includes a wine and cheese reception. All are invited. For details, visit the SSJD website, www.ssjd.ca.

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