Welcome From the Chair

Dearest Fathers, and brothers and sisters. Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!

Deacon Gregory ScratchDeacon Gregory Scratch
Chair of STAS Vision CommitteeIt was about three or four years ago that a number of people from around the Archdiocese got together to talk about the future of the Church here in Canada, especially in relationship to its administration.

Mention administration and vision together and most people go numb, which is generally how the whole process and institution at that level was considered.

But as a group, the objective was to give the administration a sense of relevancy, through stewardship at the ground level by the faithful, from people like you!

The opportunity for this has now come in the form of the St. Tikhon Archdiocesan Stewards.

In the same way that each of you have an opportunity to contribute in the support of your parish, raising high of the message of the cross in your city or town. There is now an opportunity for each of you to contribute to the support of this message though out this country. And by this support, continue to raise high the cross planted in North America by Sts. Herman and Innocent, the host of the saints who laboured here. By our blessed Sts. Arseny and Tikhon, and along side the teacher in Halifax, the widow in Ottawa, the Priest in Saskatoon, the family in Edmonton, and the student in Victoria etc.

STAS is a tangible way to directly support the work of the Bishop to be a shepherd and not a paper pusher, a way to directly support Missions to be communities and not just a Sunday event, and a way to directly support Seminarians being engaged in the life of learning, and not just part time students.

STAS has the potential to positively affect so many aspects of each person in this community. Real needs, with the potential of real assistance in STAS.

And for this I ask that you all pray fully consider your participation as being a vocation, as being an icon of what is “normal” in the context of living in the fullness of the faith in this country. Contribute what you can, and with joy. If you cannot, I ask you to work towards a time that you can. But in all things be thankful to the Lord that in His mercy, He has blessed this country with the memory and active intercessions of his saints.

Dn. Gregory Scratch
Chair of the STAS Vision committee.

STAS Membership