Necrology
May the Angels lead thee into Paradise: at thy coming, may the Martyrs receive thee, and bring thee into the holy city Jerusalem. May the Choirs of Angels receive thee. And with Lazarus, once poor, mayest thou have eternal rest. Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord; and let light perpetual shine upon them. May they rest in peace. Amen.
Fr Michael Birch (1940-2016)
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FATHER MICHAEL BIRCH was born on 19 January 1940 in Vancouver. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of British Columbia in 1967 and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Theology from the Theological College of British Columbia in 1970. He worked as a bank teller and a municipal clerk for the City of Vancouver before discerning a call to Holy Orders.
Fr Birch was ordained a deacon for the Anglican Church of Canada in 1970 and a priest of the same jurisdiction on 23 May 1971. His years of priestly ministry included service as Rector of St John the Evangelist in Calgary (1974-1984); Rector of St Mark’s in Calgary (1992-2003); and founding pastor of Christ the King Anglican Catholic Church of Canada parish in Calgary (2003-2006). |
In a 2014 edition of the Diocesan Messenger, a publication of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Victoria, Fr Birch composed a column on vocations, writing: ‘I love being a priest, for it is what God wants me to do… And may he call you, young men, to that ministry, and you, young women, to the consecrated life of prayer and action, that he will not be without witness in this, your generation. And when you hear or feel that call, may you add your “yes” to that of Our Lady. By her “yes” the Saviour was born; by your yes, His continued presence is assured. Then we shall understand St Paul’s statement about his ministry, “Not I, but Christ in me.”’
Fr Birch married his wife, Noella Ann, in May 1967. He is survived by his wife and their son and daughter.
Fr Birch married his wife, Noella Ann, in May 1967. He is survived by his wife and their son and daughter.
with Bishop Morse Goodman, Calgary, 1980s
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Imparting First Blessings, 2013
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with Noella, following First Mass, 2013
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at Fr Colin O’Rourke’s Ordination, Calgary, 2014
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at Bishop Lopes’ consecration, Houston, Texas, 2016
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The Birch Memorial Cross
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In honour of Fr Michael’s long service and ministry, both Anglican and Catholic, and with his wife Noella’s blessing, a beautiful antique English brass and enamel processional cross was blessed and dedicated on Advent Sunday 2021, to mark the fifth anniversary of his death. The Birch Memorial Cross first led the way as we recited the Great Litany in procession. This gift serves as a treasured memory of Fr Michael Birch’s legacy and also as a testament to the affection in which he was held.
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