Dear St. Joe’s parishioners,

On the 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, parishioner Raphael Amato offers us a video, written and live reflection at Mass on being beloved. Raphael shares: “Not only am I beloved but I believe that God’s word calls me to help others live and accept this reality; to know that they too are the “beloved”. It has taken me so long to learn this; to accept that my worth comes from being a child of God…”

See Raphael’s video reflection below, read it here or hear it live at Mass this weekend.

Reflection:

Liturgical Resources:

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 12 2020 – Liturgy of the Word for use at home

READINGS FOR THE 15TH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS FOR CHILDREN – 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2020 – Prayers of the Faithful

Mission Prayer

Mass Registration for July 18/19, 2020:

Thank you for continuing to register for Masses. To register for next weekend, please use the links below:

• Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 5:00 p.m.
• Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 9:30 a.m.
• Sunday, July 19, 2020 at 11:30 a.m.

You can still register to attend Mass THIS weekend (July 11-12). Please click here.

Parish Update:

• Please read the new parish mask policy, which is in response to the Ottawa Public Health directive and is based on the policy template provided to parishes by the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall. It’s worth noting as well, for further clarity, that based on the directive we have received the reflector, lector, and presider may choose to not wear a mask as they are positioned in a “religious space that is separate from the public” attending the mass.  (This space is our sanctuary, which is marked by a green line.) The reflector and lector should, along with the cantor, eucharistic minister, and pianist, wear a mask when they are not proclaiming the Word.
• Upcoming Baptisms at St. Joe’s: Our parish community welcomes Zachary Jack Keyes, son of David and Chelsea Keyes, who will be baptised on July 18th in our church. We also welcome Kingsley Scott Clarke, son of Leah Hubbard and Delroy Clarke, who will be baptised on August 7th. While these will be private baptisms celebrated in our church, we hold the families in our prayers as a community.
• News from the St. Joe’s Women’s Centre:  Leading up to reopening services was more challenging than I had anticipated. Under the guidelines of our funder, the City of Ottawa, a video of all our rooms had to be submitted to Ottawa Public Health, who guided us through the protocols associated with reopening. They enabled us to offer a safe environment in more ways than one. On June 3^rd we launched with limited services and hours of operation; the women who often refer to the Centre as their “Home Away From Home” were very appreciative to be back. They were grateful to see staff, their friends and foremost be in an a air-conditioning environment.  Even though we are working with limited services and hours of operation, the women have access to foodbank, toiletries, a meal-to-go and wellness checks. Even though our annual summer outing with the women and families is cancelled, we are sponsoring a teenager, and young children for Camp. One will be heading off to Equestrian Camp and the other to a Special Needs Camp for one-on-one support.  As we move forward, our services will only be adjusted once the Provincial Government announces Phase 3. In closing I want to thank you for your prayers and monetary support. God Bless! –Marsha Wilson

  

• An Update & Request from the Refugee Outreach Committee: The 17 members of the Refugee Outreach Committee and its Settlement Support Group continue to share the Parish’s “time, talent and treasure” with our new neighbours – 9 adults and 10 children. During this Covid-19 time some of us have gained expertise in using virtual tutoring with children and their parents over Zoom. We have acquired bicycles for all the children and some adults and have engaged them in CanBike safety workshops. Some children have also been enrolled in summer camps at their community centres. We are striving to assist a family of a special needs child with the registration fees for a 5 week specialized summer camp. With their limited and changeable income, the family can afford only 1 week. The fees are unusually high this year due to the high level of supervision and experienced staff and covid-19 safety requirements. Fortunately 80% of the funds have been raised. We welcome tax receiptable donations from parishioners to ensure the child is able to attend the full program offered. Please contact Dona Bowers at dona-bob@rogers.com or 613-299-9789 for more information.

• Breakfast/snack kits available for school age children in the Parish: The Ottawa Network for Education has once again provided our Parish with 60 breakfast/snack kits available to families with school age children. If you would like to receive a box, please come by the front office Monday to Friday, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. and we will be happy to provide you with one.
• Monday morning meditation resumes on July 13th at 9:30 a.m. Please enter through the 151 Laurier Avenue East entrance. The meditation will be held in the church.
• Friday evening meditation continues. Please arrive by 6:45 p.m. and enter through 151 Laurier Avenue East. The meditation group meets in the church.
• St. Joseph’s Parish is now on Twitter! The Parish is excited to announce we are now live on twitter! We hope to keep all of you informed and up-to-date on what’s happening at our Parish and within our community. Thank you to young adults Jenny and Joey who made this possible! See us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/stjosephlaurier 
• We are still looking for a donation of an old or used tablet or laptop for an elderly parishioner. If you can help with this, please contact Andrew Pump: apump@st-josephs.ca
• Parishioner Eleanor Rabnett is sharing this poem entitled I Have Found You by Chiara Lubich with the St. Joe’s community. Please click here: Chiara-Lubich.
• Sunday Offering for July 5, 2020: $4,454. Thank you for your continued generosity! If you are attending Mass this weekend and would like to make a donation, you will find a Sunday offering basket near the main entrance of the church. You can leave your donation here at either the beginning or the end of Mass.  If you are not yet returning to St. Joe’s for Mass this weekend or will be away, please consider using Canada Helps. You may choose the Parish fund of your choice through this form: http://www.st-josephs.ca/about/donations/.

Thank you for your continued patience this summer as we learn new things each week on how to keep our doors open while maintaining a safe, healthy environment for all.

Peace,

Chris

..

Christopher Adam
email: cadam@st-josephs.ca