Order of Niagara Honours Excellence in Ministry

As part of our commitment to excellence in ministry, the Order of Niagara seeks to honour lay people and their important contributions to ministry in the diocese. The first of two installation services for people nominated to the Order of Niagara in 2014 took place on October 19 at Christ's Church Cathedral in Hamilton.

The list of ministries undertaken by this year's recipients was extensive and covered all aspects of our diocesan vision. Among the many recipients at today's capacity-crowd service, was Mr. Maurice Moss who was recognized for his 35 years service as a lay reader at Holy Trinity in Hamilton. Ms. Alicia Archbell was also honoured for her outstanding contributions to diocesan youth ministry programs and to the prophetic social justice-making vision team. Alicia offered a light hearted moment during the service when she took a 'selfie' with Bishop Michael Bird after receiving her medal.

The Order of Niagara was created in 2000 as a way of celebrating lay ministry.  Parishes are invited annually to nominate a person who has given of themselves to the parish, diocese and the wider Church. The Bishop also makes direct appointments to the Order of Niagara.

The recipients installed at the October Service were:

Laurie Adamson, Epiphany, Oakville

Thomas Atterton, St.James, Dundas

Ted Aylan-Parker, St.Paul’s, Caledonia

Martha Bingham, St.Jude’s, Oakville

Helen Bittner, St.Luke’s, Burlington

Jessie-Ann Bradshaw, Resurrection, Hamilton

Bryon Brown, St.Paul’s, Glanford

Shirley Carson, Grace, Waterdown

Patty Costen, Nativity, Hamilton

Judy Dosser, St.John`s, Cheapside

Bruce DuPlessis, St.Cuthbert’s, Oakville

Jean Elliott, St.Michael`s, Hamilton

Eleanor Frost, St.John`s, Niagara Falls

Fred Grigsby, St.Christopher`s, Burlington

Cheryl Haycraft, St.Simon`s, Oakville

Catherine Horton, Transfiguration, St.Catharines

John Hunter, St.George`s, Lowville

Margaret Jarrett, St.Paul’s, Dunnville

Walter Langford  (2013 nomination from St. John, Elora)

Cathy McCann, Holy Trinity, Fonthill

Maurice Moss, Holy Trinity, Hamilton

Pat Payne, St.Paul`s, Jarvis

Cathy Perez, St.Aidan’s, Oakville

Meg Prichard, St.John’s, Elora

Joanne Raiser, St.Stephen-on-the-Mount, Hamilton

Bill Rivers, St.James and St.Brendan`s, Port Colborne

Patricia Schaefer, St.John`s, Ancaster

Jean Watson, St.Luke`s, Palermo

Bishop’s Appointees

Alicia Archbell 

Pamela Aylan-Parker

James Prichard 

Robert Rankin