Thought and Prayer of the Day
by Deacon Gary Gannon

April 10, 2025

In February, my wife and I took our first Caribbean cruise – Debbie had been to the Bahamas with her family before we were married, but for me it was my first trip to a region I had avoided, not being a fan of very hot and humid weather and strong sun. I found throughout this ten-day experience, that it was not too hot, nor humid, but I still had to watch my time in the sun – getting a sunburn on my face on the very first day! I will also remember this trip for three “jewels” found along the way.

Being accomplished sea cruisers, Debbie and I have long since preferred a room with a balcony. This not only permits us to retreat from the madding crowd that inevitably gets to one on a large cruise ship, but for me it provided the first jewel on our voyage – an unobstructed, quiet view of the ocean. We also now book our room to be about one-third of the way from the front of the ship. This allows the sea to be displaced during sailing to create that lovely, gently-breaking wave sound right outside our balcony door. I woke up early one morning and went out on our balcony to observe the sunrise and a distant band of showers gently falling near the coast of our next destination. The breaking light of day, the distant rain shower and a relatively calm sea reminded me of the opening verses in Genesis, as the gathered waters revealed approaching dry land and just as God did, I looked out at the scene before my eyes – and said to myself that it was good.

In planning this trip, Debbie told me we must take time looking around the shops in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands. We purposely did not book shore excursions on this vacation to avoid the hustle and bustle of getting on and off tour shuttle boats and coaches. But shopping? Really; I thought!  Her motivation to go shopping, which is a very rare occurrence, was driven by a desire to visit jewellery stores where prices were reportedly a good buy.  My dear wife’s quest focused on a present for me to buy for her in recognition of our upcoming 50^th wedding anniversary later this spring. While I was a bit hesitant about this plan, thinking it would take several hours and visits to many jewellery stores, I was surprised that the first shop we entered had a very knowledgeable salesman, a well-stocked display case of diamond rings, and a sharp-eyed woman who knows what she likes. I barely had warmed up the chair I was relegated to for waiting purposes when the perfect ring had been viewed, sized and selected in about twenty minutes! We exited the shop with the second jewel of the trip – (actually several diamonds on the chosen ring) – placed on Debbie’s finger along with a satisfied smile on her face.

Our final visited island was Antigua, and its capital city St. John’s. From where our ship docked, we could see a very large white church set on a raised hill in the downtown. We had decided to visit it on our own. It turned out to be my third jewel on the trip. The church’s formal name is the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. Many of you will immediately recognize the connection here, in name only, to the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine, a religious community of Anglican nuns founded in Toronto in 1884. The present cathedral, with its imposing two white towers, was built on a fossilized reef in 1845, and is now in its third incarnation, as earthquakes in 1683 and 1745 destroyed the previous structures. Debbie and I climbed up the hill to the cathedral, and then way up a long flight of steps to the church entrance to be greeted by welcoming volunteers. The cathedral is a two-story structure. The pulpit is much, much higher than the one at All Saints’ as it must afford all worshippers, gathered on the main and second floors of the nave, a view of the preacher. The entire interior of the church is made of dark wooden timbers that had a very calming effect on me. Our half-hour visit allowed me to light a candle for my mother and offer a prayer of thanks to God for a safe and wonderful trip, filled with calming seas, great weather, very good food plus a chance to refresh and recharge ourselves after a very busy year.

You may look at the Cathedral’s website, noting that references and photos to do with “recent” renovations have now been mostly completed.

A Lenten Prayer
I will lean in, retreat from the pressures I face,
and move closer and deeper into your love.
I will breathe out, refrain from the distractions I seek,
and become open and receiving of your grace.
I will linger, encircled by the depth of your care,
and receive the endless nature of your mercy.  Amen.

from  Living Prayers. Contemporary Prayers for Today.  www.living-prayers.com

Share in a light meal and learn the significance of the dream catcher and how to make one at a May 9, 6pm workshop led by Kathy Morgan, member of The Metis Nation of Ontario.

Space is limited to 25 households.

Please register by emailing office@nullallsaintswhitby.org