A service is held at St. James Cathedral on April 28 to express gratitude for the ministry and witness of the Order of the Holy Cross in the diocese as the brothers prepare to close their Toronto priory. The brothers established the priory in 1973 and served the diocese in many ways over the following 51 years, including as parish priests, spiritual counsellors and diocesan volunteers helping with parish selection committees, retreats, quiet days and anti-bias and anti-racism initiatives. The brothers also offered hospitality for people from all over the world staying in the priory’s guest rooms. The order made the difficult decision to sell the priory after the three brothers in residence felt they couldn’t continue to effectively manage it. Brother Reginald Martin-Crenshaw gave the homily at the service, which was attended by sisters from the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine and the Community of the Sisters of the Church. After the service, a reception was held in Snell Hall, during which Dean Stephan Hance presented the brothers with a painting of the cathedral.
Balancing priorities