Festival of Faith at St George Anglican church

Festival of Faith at St George Anglican church in Oshawa on February 15, 2025.

Pastor of St. George’s Memorial Church in Oshawa, Rev. Dr. Alvardo Adderley invited Pastor and Parishioners of St. Gregory the Great Catholic Church, and other Catholic and Anglican churches in Oshawa to mark the 1700th anniversary of the Nicene Creed. The event was titled, “A Festival of Faith for Christian Unity:  A Journey through the Nicene Creed”. In addition to several parishioners and Pastor from St. Gregory’s Parish, Pastor Fr. Michael Hughes and some Parishioners of St. Gertrude’s Parish also joined us on a snowy morning in Oshawa, on February 15, 2025. There were about 40 people present at this opening ecumenical event of the 1700th anniversary of the Ecumenical Council of Nicaea.

The hospitality team at St. George welcomed us with smiles, cookies, hot coffee and tea. Rev. Fr. Adderley extended a welcome to all, as well as the Ecumenical Officer for the Anglican Diocese of Toronto, Rev. Canon Philip Hobson. The Pastor of St. Gregory’s spoke on the history and significance of the Council of Nicaea and the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed. Orthodox and Catholic Churches, Anglican Communion, and many Protestant communities share this profession of faith. The Pastor invited the gathered to ask God to help us model our lives faithfully by the Nicene Creed. Following the presentation, we reflected in small groups on the questions on God the Father’s ‘fatherly care and motherly compassion’ for all of us (St. Clement of Alexandria, Which Rich Man Will be Saved? 37:1-2). As small group discussions concluded, we shared our group insights by which we were encouraged to follow the Lord Jesus and share the good news. Rev. Adderley concluded with prayers, and we had snacks together.

In conclusion, this ecumenical event left a positive and joyful impression on all participants. Some expressed a desire to have more such good events. In settings like this, the members of different Churches and ecclesial communities could reflect, as Rev. Adderley commented, on ‘many things that we share in common.’ May God bring us all closer to Himself and each other! 

Photos of the event