Good day,
Please see attached the Parish Bulletin and the Supper Table Newsletter.
Category Archives: News
Parish Bulletin for the 13th Sunday in Ordinary Time
Hello, and happy Canada Day Long Weekend!
Please see attached this week’s bulletin. As many of you may know, the entire parish facility has experienced extensive flooding which resulted in much of our space unusable (Women’s Centre, Chapel, washroom, and part of the Supper Table, notably). The sacristy is one of the few spaces left untouched, so we are running masses/church services as usual. There is currently no known timeline on repairs.
Should you wish to support our financial efforts to repair the parish, please consider contributing to our Step Up Building Fund. Simply select “Building Campaign” at the following link: https://www.st-josephs.ca/donations/
Your support assists us to repair the facilities and restore vital community support while continuing operations despite this major setback.
ORYC: Creation
The Ottawa Regional Youth Choir presents their final concert of the season this Sunday, May 5 at 3pm.
Hard at work in the St. Joe’s Supper Table!
This morning Kathleen Strader, Christina de Simone and Paul Dansereau are working hard to serve a healthy breakfast to the many people who visit us at the St. Joe’s Supper Table seeking a hot meal and support at a time when food prices are rising exponentially. We’re offering homemade Frittata, fresh strawberries, oranges, apples, toast, tea and coffee. Each weekday, we serve close to 100 people in downtown Ottawa — offering breakfast, dinner and a weekly food bank programme. St. Joseph’s Parish is grateful for the support that the Supper Table has received from so many and the Parish is inspired by the dedication of volunteers, friends, staff and supporters. If you’re able to help contribute to our mission, please visit our page on Canada Helps and select “St. Joe’s Supper Table” from the drop down menu:
We also invite you to contact Sue-Anne Hess, the Supper Table’s interim coordinator, to connect with this poverty relief programme: suppertable@st-josephs.ca
Fr. Jim’s homily & liturgical resources for the Baptism of the Lord
Fr. Jim has prepared a video homily for the Baptsim of the of the Lord and we are also sharing with you resources for this Sunday.
”This epiphany which was so vital for Jesus’ life and mission is the gift every baptized person received as they affirm God’s presence, word and love abiding within their hearts. An affirmation and identity we only recognize when we allow the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us to what is right and good.
Too often when people talk about the reasons for baptism, they often focus so much on the need for a fallen people to make themselves worthy by washing away original sin that they fail to recognize the affirmation and identity God gives when people receive this sacrament.
Often when I was preparing parents to share the Sacrament of Baptism with their young children, I would begin by asking the following questions. Why are you here? What gift do you want to share with your children? What are you asking of the Church?”
Continue reading Fr. Jim’s homily & liturgical resources for the Baptism of the Lord
A Reflection from the St. Joe’s Refugee Outreach Committee and a Parish Update
On World Refugee Day, the reflection at our weekend liturgies is offered by members of the St. Joe’s Refugee Outreach Committee. The Committee shares:
“Perhaps we do have power to calm the seas and winds that drive people from their homes, as well as to provide a more welcoming place to those who make it here safely. Whether as a country, as a community, or one to one, we need to stay awake, to care for and support one another…” Continue reading A Reflection from the St. Joe’s Refugee Outreach Committee and a Parish Update
A message from the Chair of Parish Pastoral Council
Good evening. My name is Donna Rietschlin; I am the Chair of St. Joe’s Parish Pastoral Council.
Thank you for being part of this evening of prayer, silence and reflection. We have come together for so may reasons and with so many thoughts, feelings and intentions. Some of us are angry, some of us want immediate action, some of us are confused, some of us are sad, some of us are ashamed . . . when we are faced with the pain of our indigenous sisters and brothers, we respond in many ways. Ways that often reflect our own pain and past hurts. Since May 27th I have spoken with many of you and received your emails, Chris Adam and Fr Jim have heard from you, too. Thank you for reaching out and for sharing your stories, your frustrations, your anger, and your ideas about how to move forward as a parish community.
Last night the parish pastoral council met to pray, to listen to some of the responses and reflections available online from our indigenous sisters and brothers, and to listen to one another. Our listening and conversations have begun again. The harm done to the first peoples of this land began more than 400 years ago with the arrival of European explorers and settlers. The harm continues today, much of it caused by institutions and cultures of which we are a part. Many of the indigenous people speaking today are asking us to listen to them, to learn their history and ensure justice prevails. They will lead the way forward.
Our indigenous sisters and brothers ask that we become educated. Continue reading A message from the Chair of Parish Pastoral Council
Questions & Answers: Indian Residential Schools and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
The following questions and answers regarding Indian residential schools and the role of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate are provided by OMI Lacombe Canada, the Province that administers St. Joseph’s Parish. Continue reading Questions & Answers: Indian Residential Schools and the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate
A Gathering for Reflection and Prayer in Light of the News from the Kamloops Residential School
On Wednesday, June 9th, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. St. Joseph’s Parish will host a gathering for reflection and prayer in light of the discovery of the remains of 215 children on the site of the former residential school in Kamloops, BC. All are welcome to join this Zoom gathering. Please register here. Oblates will be joining us in prayer, along with parishioners from our sister Oblate parish, Holy Canadian Martyrs. Continue reading A Gathering for Reflection and Prayer in Light of the News from the Kamloops Residential School
Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update on Ascension Sunday
On Sunday, May 16, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. we once again invite you to attend our Liturgy of the Word service on Zoom. Please register here. Eleanor Rabnett offers the reflection for Ascension Sunday in video format, as well as in full-text version here: Ascension Sunday May 15, 16 2021. In her reflection. Eleanor shares:
“Paul’s letter to the Ephesians reminds us how we have been called to live and maintain a new relationship of peace; by invoking the qualities of deep humility, gentleness, enduring patience, and love. He speaks of the unity of the Christian community with Christ as the head and the Church as the body. One God, one faith, one baptism. Different gifts are given to different people; some are to be apostles, prophets, preachers, pastors, teachers, parents just to name a few: all to build up the Body of Christ. All to serve God, the Church and each other.” Continue reading Eleanor Rabnett’s Reflection, Zoom Liturgy of the Word and a Parish Update on Ascension Sunday
