At 9:40am on Wednesday morning, September 21st, 2011, Citizenship Judge, the Honorable Robert Watt (who also happens to be a parishioner at St. Catherine’s, Capilano) administered the Oath of Canadian Citizenship to 79 candidates representing 26 different countries of origin. Two of the 79 were Priests of the Diocese of New Westminster, the Venerable Dr. Ellen Clark-King, Archdeacon of Burrard and Priest Associate of Christ Church Cathedral and the Rev’d Jeremy Clark-King, Priest-in-Charge of St. Christopher’s, West Vancouver.
Judge Watt began his address by welcoming the candidates and congratulating them on meeting the various challenges that brought them to this day. More specifically he congratulated them on learning a new language (languages) and some basic but essential information about Canadian history and geography.
He urged them to remember this day by celebrating two birthdays, with two cakes, their own date of birth and September 21st the day they became Canadian Citizens. He went on to explain that the cake could be any flavour but the icing should be made with a favourite recipe: icing sugar, vanilla, butter etc. with an added special ingredient, a generous helping of Maple Syrup. He then advised the candidates to proudly display the national colours of red and white on the cake’s exterior, reminding everyone that red and white have been Canada’s official national colours since 1921. For year one, September 21, 2012, white icing and one red candle or vice versa.
In the next part of his address, Judge Watt’s tone was more serious as he stressed to the candidates that Canada is a place where men and women are equal, women do not walk behind men in Canada but beside them. He reminded everyone that Canada is governed by Rule of Law, we do not just obey some laws, but all laws.
Before administering the Oath he said “Take the time to get to know other Canadian citizens as you now share a common destiny.”
Ellen and Jeremy were supported by many friends who attended the ceremony and then all adjourned to the Park Room of Christ Church Cathedral for a celebratory breakfast.
At the breakfast, the newly “Canadianized” couple sported cowboy hats and good-natured smiles as is evidenced in the accompanying image.
Congratulations Ellen and Jeremy we are so glad you chose Canada!
Judge Watt began his address by welcoming the candidates and congratulating them on meeting the various challenges that brought them to this day. More specifically he congratulated them on learning a new language (languages) and some basic but essential information about Canadian history and geography.
He urged them to remember this day by celebrating two birthdays, with two cakes, their own date of birth and September 21st the day they became Canadian Citizens. He went on to explain that the cake could be any flavour but the icing should be made with a favourite recipe: icing sugar, vanilla, butter etc. with an added special ingredient, a generous helping of Maple Syrup. He then advised the candidates to proudly display the national colours of red and white on the cake’s exterior, reminding everyone that red and white have been Canada’s official national colours since 1921. For year one, September 21, 2012, white icing and one red candle or vice versa.
In the next part of his address, Judge Watt’s tone was more serious as he stressed to the candidates that Canada is a place where men and women are equal, women do not walk behind men in Canada but beside them. He reminded everyone that Canada is governed by Rule of Law, we do not just obey some laws, but all laws.
Before administering the Oath he said “Take the time to get to know other Canadian citizens as you now share a common destiny.”
Ellen and Jeremy were supported by many friends who attended the ceremony and then all adjourned to the Park Room of Christ Church Cathedral for a celebratory breakfast.
At the breakfast, the newly “Canadianized” couple sported cowboy hats and good-natured smiles as is evidenced in the accompanying image.
Congratulations Ellen and Jeremy we are so glad you chose Canada!