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On August 25, 2021, the Feast of St. Bartholomew (transferred) there was a Celebration of a New Ministry Eucharist at St. Mark, Ocean Park. The Reverend Billy Isenor, OSF was inducted Rector of the Parish. Presiding at the induction and the Eucharist was the Right Reverend John Stephens, Bishop of the Diocese of New Westminster.

Rev. Isenor succeeded the Reverend Craig Tanksley whose last service as rector of the parish was January 18, 2020.

Brother Billy, his wife Dana and their four children including a new baby arrived by car in Ocean Park from Spruce Grove, Alberta on July 2. The Reverend Isenor is one of several priests from the Diocese of Edmonton now in ministry in the Diocese of New Westminster.

A large congregation was on hand including a number of vested clergy and a contingent of members of St. Mark’s neighbouring parish, Church of the Holy Trinity, White Rock. The liturgy was also available online.

There was lots of music in worship led by Music Director, Elizabeth Gilchrist and her team and the Bishop’s Chaplain was Brian Walks, ODNW.   

Returning to the parish where he was deacon for several years was the Reverend Steve Bailey, now deacon at St. Aidan and St. Bartholomew (St. Bart’s), Gibsons. 

Archdeacon of Fraser, the Venerable Luisito (Fr. Louie) Engnan, Vicar of St. Michael's and Christ the Redeemer, Surrey was on hand to welcome the new priest to the archdeaconry. Regional Dean of Peace Arch and Rector of St. Helen's, Surrey, the Reverend Stephen Laskey welcomed Rev. Isenor to the deanery. Ironically, Rev. Laskey has resigned his ministry posts in the diocese and will retire October 15, his last service as rector of St. Helen's will be September 26, so their time as deanery colleagues will be very brief.

Preacher, the Reverend Armand Mercier, recently installed as Vicar of St. Alban's, Richmond and also in ministry as Pastoral Assistant at Christ Church Cathedral has been a colleague of Rev. Isenor for many years in their former diocese, the Diocese of Edmonton.  

Rev. Mercier in the opening remarks of his homily shared that August 25, 2021 was the one year anniversary of the death of the new rector’s father, Bill Isenor, Senior. Rev. Mercier then explained that he has been friends with St. Mark’s new rector for the 15 years that he had been resident in the Diocese of Edmonton and “that after all this time that he has spent in Alberta’s beautiful capitol city, he still cheers for the Canuck’s and the BC Lions. Talk about misguided faith!”

(Rev. Mercier's sermon is available here on this website)

IMAGES

  • Warden Barb Walks presents the keys to the buildings
  • Preacher, the Reverend Armand Mercier
  • Archdeacon Fenton with the wardens and new priest begins the Covenant in Ministry
  • Bishop John Stephens asks the new priest, "Do you, in the presence of this congregation, commit yourself to the responsibilities entrusted to you?"
  • Presentation of the Bread, the Body of Christ during the Presentation of the Symbols of Ministry  
  • The Reverend Billy Isenor smiles as the congregation greets him with applause
  • Sanctus
  • Holy Communion
  • A very rare Double Deacon Dismissal
  • The unmasked, posed archival shot of rector and bishop.

(Many more photos with captions available in a photo album posted to Anglican Conversation, the Facebook Page of the Diocese of New Westminster)