Wednesday, March 4, 2026

St. Andrew’s Musings
Rev. Wendy Paterson | Pastoral Care Coordinator

Last week, Scott and I went to an opera for the first time. It was wonderful so we went back again the next night! The draw for us was that three of the choral scholars from St. Andrew's were in the cast, Amanda, Meghan, and Olivia. It was a production of Opera Laurier called the Llandovery Castle, composed by Stephanie Martin with librettist Paul Ciufo. As first timers, we were pleased that this modern opera was in English and the words were projected on the side wall. 

Here is a quick summary of the story. The Llandovery Castle was a Canadian hospital ship that sailed between Halifax and Liverpool during the first World War. The story is a sad one, ending in the death of fourteen Canadian Nursing Sisters when their ship was deliberately torpedoed. This tragedy was worsened by the fact that these Sisters were caring for injured soldiers from both sides of the combat.

While there is mention of the horrors of war and the gruesome suffering and pain endured, the focus was more on the nurses themselves who worked selflessly and  tenderly offering care and understanding for both mind and body. My favourite part of the opera was a lively, joyful worship service that celebrated hope, faith, and the unity they shared, and ended with a song called “Dog from Algiers.”

All of the nurses had their own challenges and heartbreaks. 'Bird' couldn't wait to get back to the front, but the Matron knew she wasn't ready to handle that kind of trauma again yet.  She needed to be healed herself first. Another nurse, 'Kate,' whose father was a minister, was dealing with hopelessness and despair. She swore she would never nurse another day in her life when her six month's of service were up. It was by listening to the sad story that Bird told about her experience, that Kate was able to see the value of simply being there for someone in terrible pain and listening intently to them. Soon the despairing nurse was able to smile again and Bird was healed enough to be ready to return to the front.

What struck me most about the show, was the sense of hope that could be heard and even felt throughout the opera. It certainly was not a light and comical production but there was something deep and beautiful in that hope that kept them  going, supporting each other, and giving of themselves even under the worst of circumstances. They all died in the end, a terrible loss, to be sure. And yet they had experienced life in a most meaningful way. They had touched the very souls of dying soldiers and brought some peace to their misery. They mattered. They helped. They did what they were called to do.  They made a difference.

Perhaps in this season of Lent there is someone who needs you to listen to them carefully and prayerfully as they share their story. Or maybe there is someone who could learn and grow from hearing your story. Who might be coming to mind as you read this message? Could God be putting someone in your path who needs you this week? How will you respond? Will you share the hope that is in you and let them know they matter?

Thanks be to God.

Rev. Wendy Paterson
Pastoral Care Coordinator