REGINA — Bishop Helen Kennedy officiated at the service that officially inducted and installed Rev. Michael Lyons as incumbent priest of St. Mary the Virgin on Aug. 13. About 120 people attended the celebration of new ministry and showed their support for their new priest.
Lyons came to the Diocese of Qu’Appelle from Nipawin in the Diocese of Saskatchewan. Ven. Andrew Hoskins, the Emeritus Archdeacon of Prince Albert, travelled from the Diocese of Saskatchewan to preach at the service in Regina.
Many members of St. Mary’s parish participated in parts of the service. Judy Packwood read the Old Testament lesson, Jeremiah 1:4-9, and Andrew Davis read the New Testament, Ephesians 4:7, 11-16. In addition, Archdeacon Dr. Jonathan Bauer read Psalm 84.
Seven items that symbolize aspects of priestly ministry were presented: the Bible by Josh Ortman, water for baptism by John and Roberta McGregor, holy oils for healing and strengthening for service by Rev. Nathaniel Deng (honorary assistant at St. Mary) and his family, the canons (diocesan set of rules) by the Schemenauer family, the church keys by Warden Mike Hauser, the Book of Common Prayer and Book of Alternative Services by Mervyn Crozier-Smith, and bread and wine for Eucharist by Derek and Li Elliot.
With files from Mike Hauser.