Tuesday, February 24, 2026

 

A 27 year-old newly ordained Rev. Gerald Steele serves communion.
Toronto’s Church of the Redeemer, October 1954 

Daily Lectionary

 

Every high priest is selected from among the people and is appointed to represent the people in matters related to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness. This is why he has to offer sacrifices for his own sins, as well as for the sins of the people. And no one takes this honour on himself, but he receives it when called by God, just as Aaron was. Hebrews 5:1-4

This day in the church calendar is the commemoration of Philip Lindel Tsen, Bishop of Honan, and/or Paul Shinji Sasaki, Bishop of Mid-Japan & Tokyo, a day of discipline and self-denial.

Gerald Arthur Steele was born March 4, 1926. In a week and one day, that would be 100 years ago. He received a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical Engineering before heeding the call and received a Licentiate in Sacred Theology from Wycliffe in 1954. 

 

Canon Cyril Goodier, Gerald's childhood priest, when asked to provide a letter of recommendation to Wycliffe wrote:

 

"God moves in mysterious way His wonders to perform. When I left Sturgeon Falls, I felt that I had been something of a failure in that I had not won you over to the thought ordination, as I felt then, that you had a vocation. God often gives us much rope, but he never lets go, and when the time comes, He gives it a tug, and sometimes several, before we realize that He has the other end firmly in His grasp. … It in interesting to find how step by step, you have been lead to the conclusion you have reached and I am sure you will grow in grace and go forward till you become a Minister of Christ and a steward of the mysteries of God."

 

Gerald then began a 30-year career as a priest and pastor, ending only when dementia stole his brilliant mind but never dimmed his spirit. His eldest son said, comparing his University of Toronto yearbook photos between his B.Eng and LST, that the sense of peace in the latter was palpable, as if he had come home.

The call, the life of a priest is one of discernment, dedication, discipline, self-denial, walking in mission. It is one of sacrifice, one of weakness, one of strength, one of stumbles, one of carrying on. Is it one of trust, one of gentleness, one of grace, one which is virtually impossible without faith, trust, forgiveness, and assurance through and from our loving God.

The life of a Christian is the similar. A journey of faith, stumbles, perseverance, gentleness and grace. At St. Augustine’s, we are incredibly blessed with not only the clergy listed in the bulletin, but the people in our pews (and choir stalls) who have served the Lord and His people through faithful ministry, ordained or otherwise. We see their passion for the Lord and for their brothers and sisters in faith.

Gerald Arthur Steele was my father. His last words to me, his sobbing daughter, distraught at the situation were, "We serve a loving God." 

 

Toward the end of his life, Gerald went from living in the Spirit, to dying in the Spirit. I thank God for his witness, sacrifice, discipline, dedication, faith, perseverance and humility.  Bishop Tom Morgan, in his sermon at Dad’s funeral started it by saying "Gerry would be horrified that any of this service was about him and not the Gospel."

Almighty and everlasting God, by whose Spirit the whole body of your faithful people is governed and sanctified, receive our supplications and prayers, which we offer before you for all members of your holy Church, that in vocation and ministry we may truly and devoutly serve you; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 

Sylvia Besplug

 

 

Be Thou My Vision  Kings Return