The Rev. Jagdutt Singh

Greetings from The Rev. Jagdutt Singh                

I was born in the Fiji Islands into a Hindu home. During my teenage years I became an Anglican Christian. Upon my Scottish Godmother’s insistence my name remained Jagdutt Singh, (I did not take on an English name.) After completing High School I entered Auckland University and then went on to St. John The Evangelist Theological College, in Auckland, New Zealand.               

On  November 30, 1973, St. Andrew’s Day, I was made a Deacon. On December 1, 1974, Advent 1, I was Ordained a Priest.  Both of these events took place at the Cathedral Church of Holy Trinity, Suva, Fiji.                 

I served in the Cathedral Parish under The Very Reverend Duncan McQueen, an American priest. My primary responsibilities included Sunday School, Youth Programmes, Prison and Hospital Chaplaincy.                

In 1975 I married the love of my life, Moni, who worked at Revenue Fiji. Our first son, Avinaash was born in 1976.        

In 1977 I was posted to Labasa, on the second biggest Island in Fiji to be an Assistant at St. Thomas Church, under The Venerable Viliame Hala api api. Here my responsibility was Christian Education at the Anglican High School as well as leading Prayer meetings at the various villages in the evenings during the week .                

In 1978 our second son,  Pavan was born.                

I resigned on Ascension Day 1980 and at the end of the month we headed for Edmonton, Canada. In September of 1980 I served as an Assistant to The Venerable Murray Starr at the parish of St. John The Evangelist. My responsibilities included a programme of Confirmation Classes, Sunday School and Youth.                

In 1982 I was asked by the Bishop to begin a new Mission Parish in the West end of Edmonton. After a successful amalgamation of St. Philip’s and St. Barnabas we became St. Matthias Mission. We completed a new Church building in the early part of 1992.                

In June of 1992 I was called to be the Incumbent of Holy Nativity, Calgary.                

In February 2006 I was called to be the Incumbent of St. Barnabas, Calgary.                

In May of 2015 I retired from full time active Parish ministry. We enjoy our three grandchildren - Aaliyah 16, Milla 8 and Jag 6. (present ages).  

We cannot live independently as isolated Christians, without this community, God’s Church; where turning to one another, working and rejoicing with one another is a way of life. A way of life God chose for us, a gift God gave to us, a mission that we share with each other  amidst all the injustices, disappointments, grievances as well as life - enhancing hope.  Let us celebrate the Church of Jesus Christ where the wonderful wildness of God breaks through common clay pots and fills us with the Holy Spirit that overflows and we begin to see light in pitch darkness and every dawn is a festival of faith. September 1,2019 marks a new beginning for all of us at St. Peter’s. I am very happy to be with you as we serve God and explore where and how is God calling us to move forward.