Dear St. Joe’s parishioners,
The reflection for the 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time is offered by Donna Rietschlin. Reflecting on the readings and on our world this week, particularly the moving memorial to the 400,000 Americans who died during the pandemic and the inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, Donna shares:
“God’s light and love nurtures our capacity to create unity and healing. We are invited and called to reflect on our actions and how those actions create good for all – for other people, other beings, and for the planet. To do this is not to put on blinders. We need to remember, and it will be painful. God calls us to love one another, to be compassionate. Like Jonah, sometimes we are angry. We have been hurt by others, by what was done or not done. It is okay to be angry. And yet Jesus prayed for us. He prayed that ‘that they may be one as We are one’. (John 17:20)
Pope Francis reminds us of this in Fratelli Tutti as he exhorts us to work for the common good. I don’t think we can dismiss this call, this invitation to unity. If we accept it, it will change the way we live with one another. Will it be easy? No. It won’t be easy. It will be messy. We will have difficult conversations. We will hurt one another by our actions and our inactions. Yet the call remains.”
We invite you to watch the full video reflection below. You can also read the full text version here: 2021 01 24 3rd Sunday of Ordinary Time – Year B Reflection
Organ Music Performed by Tom Fagan
St. Joseph’s Parish History with Terry Byrne (Part 2)
Parish historian Terry Byrne shares about his work preserving the memories of St. Joseph’s Parish. This is Part 2 of a series.
Liturgical Resources
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time – January 24 2021 – Liturgy of the Word for use at home
READINGS FOR THE 3RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
READINGS FOR CHILDREN – 3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time
3rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2021 – Prayers of the Faithful
Parish Update
Announced Weekday Masses
The maximum capacity at all weekday Masses during the period of the stay-at-home order is 10, including Fr. Jim. Please register online for the Mass you would like to attend. Registration is automatically closed once capacity is reached. (Weekend Masses remain suspended until further notice.)
Wed., January 27, 2021 Noon: Joseph Strader (Requested by Julie McLaughlin) – Register here.
Thurs., January 28, 2021 Noon: Joseph Strader (Requested by Nancy Strader) – Register here.
Fri., January 29, 2021 Noon: Stanley and Edith Zaluski (Requested by Jodi and David Inglis) – Register here.
***
Rod Bourgeois (1933-2021)
BOURGEOIS, Warrant Officer Jean Rodrigue CD (retired)
April 6, 1933 – January 17, 2021
It is with great sadness the family announces the passing of Rod Bourgeois, aged 87. Beloved husband of Jean Marion (Towler) Bourgeois and devoted father of Suzanne Bourgeois (Alan Riccardi) and Michèle Bourgeois-Doyle (Dick) of Ottawa. Proud step-grandfather to Rebecca (Adam) Batstone, Jonathon Doyle, Jenny Riccardi and Lauren Gravelle (Mike). He is survived by his brother Conrad of Orangeville, ON and his sister Mercia of Moncton, NB. Predeceased by his brothers Ronald, Ulysse and Bernard.
Rod was born in Cocagne, New Brunswick, fourth son of Wilfrid Bourgeois and Domethilde (Leger) Bourgeois. He died peacefully at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre with his family by his side. Rod joined the 2nd Regiment Royal Canadian Horse Artillery (2RCHA) in 1954. Over three decades of proud military service, Rod served in Winnipeg, MB; the International Commission for Supervision and Control (ICSC) in Vietnam; Deilinghofen, Germany; Shawinigan, QC; Lahr, Germany; and Ottawa. He and his family enjoyed their travels and adventures throughout Canada, England and Europe on his overseas postings.
Rod was known and loved for his dry wit and sense of humour, his kindness, patience, and generosity – a true and proud family man. He was a member of St. Joseph’s parish in Ottawa, where he played a regular role in weekly liturgies. He also volunteered for several years with St. Joe’s Supper Table where he helped serve meals to the less fortunate.
The family would like to thank the staff at the Ottawa Hospital General Campus for their care, and all the staff at the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre for their kindness, consideration and respectful care of Rod during his last days. We are so grateful. Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic situation, there will be no immediate funeral or service. There will be a celebration of life at some point in the future when we can gather in community to remember the joy Rod brought to all our lives.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Joe’s Supper Table or the Perley Rideau Veterans Health Centre Foundation. Condolences at www.kellyfh.ca .
***
St. Joseph’s Church COVID Wellness Series:
Join us for a series of discussions/Reflections with Dr. Phil Ritchie, Clinical Psychologist. Click on links below the poster to register.
- 7 PM Feb 1 Fostering Hope and Meaning during the Pandemic: Skills for Getting Through
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZErf-uvqjMsHtbEeFIbFTMTI-VcetZjK6FI
- 7 PM Feb 8 Finding Meaning in the Pandemic: Gaining Resilience – For Parents of children ages 4-14
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZMlduihrT0oHNwnHIcPG7jO2AT0H2taiJGX
- 5:30PM Feb 15 (Family Day) Helping Kids Find Meaning in the Pandemic (for kids aged 6 – 12 with their parents)
https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZAqc–srTgoGtABJIdQ1qr8dDuosyjZOkbZ
***
Lectio Divina over Zoom each Sunday at 1:30PM
Lectio Divina is a reflective exercise centered around the reading of scripture. We will be meeting virtually over Zoom to reflect on the Sunday’s Gospel and share with each other our insights and what the scriptures are calling us to look at in our lives and where they are leading us. Please join us by using the following link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2906781332?pwd=VWUvMUtXVlFzUjlSME9velZHRWcrZz09
***
The Fratelli Tutti Discussion series continues
Our Zoom discussion series of the Papal Encyclical continues. Please see here for more information or contact Eleanor Rabnett if you would like to receive the video link to the recording of the first session: rabnete@gmail.com.
***
Church Offering for January 17, 2021: $4,493. Thank you for your continued generosity, including during this period of lockdown. We are grateful for your support, especially as most of our expenses continue during the lockdown. If you would like to continue giving in this period, you can mail in your offering envelopes/cheques to the parish front office, donate through Canada Helps or call us at 613-233-4095, ext. 251 to donate through credit card.
***
Thank you to the Parkdale Food Centre!
The St. Joe’s Supper Table received a grant of $13,300 from the Parkdale Food Centre. Thank you for this generous support of our community meal programme!
***
Pastoral Visiting Ministry
Although we cannot visit with you in person, our pastoral care volunteers are wondering if they could call you to see how you are doing. If you or a loved one would like a phone call – to check-in, chat and see how you are doing – please reach out. You can contact Andrew at ext. 235 or apump@st-josephs.ca, who will then forward your information to our ministry. Our prayers are with you all at this time.
***
Zoom and See: The Courage to Walk in the Footsteps of the Apostles
Hearing and answering God’s call is not always easy. The OMI Lacombe Canada Vocation Team is ready to accompany inquirers and discerners as they search for how Christ is inviting them to follow Him. If you are a young Catholic man (18-40 years of age), who is a Canadian resident and are interested in Oblate religious and missionary life, we invite you to “Zoom and See” on January 25, 2021 at 7:00pm – 8:30pm Eastern Time. More info and registration: https://omilacombe.ca/january-25-2021-zoom-see-courage-walk-footsteps-apostles/
Participants will have an opportunity to meet our Vocation Team, to learn about the mission and charism of the Oblates, especially from the Canadian perspective. There will be also some time for virtual fellowship and Q&A.
***
Vocation Reflection: “God’s Favoured Ones”
By Serena Shaw – Oblate Vocation Team
“I believe we often don’t understand that by doing what is best for our community, we will make the best decision for ourselves. This is how we will be most fulfilled; by using our gifts and talents to serve our brother and sisters. I truly believe we are all God’s favoured ones, maybe not in the way that Mary was, in that she could carry the Son of God, but favored in how he loves us unconditionally. And so, my hope is that we can quit ignoring what we are called to, and that we take the time to hear what is being asking of us so that we can find our vocation and say yes to God.” Read the reflection here: https://omilacombe.ca/become-an-oblate/
***
“Racism is real – but what has it to do with us?”
St. Basil’s Mission and Social Justice Committee will be hosting a free Zoom presentation and discussion with American scholar Howard J. Ross, a lifelong social justice advocate and author, considered one of the world’s experts on racism and cultural bias. Jan. 24, 2:30 p.m. Please contact the St. Basil’s Parish Office (613-729-5149) for Zoom information.
Thank you for staying connected with our Parish during this period. To share ministry news, please contact me using the email address below.
Peace,
Chris
..
Christopher Adam
email: cadam@st-josephs.ca