On the Fifth Sunday of Easter, Eleanor Rabnett offers the reflection.
Excerpt
“The Gospel again this week is very short, and we hear Jesus saying: “Now is the Son of Man glorified, and God is glorified in him.” When I first read it, I wondered what in the world am I supposed to do with this.
Today we are here together in a time of God’s glory. On the cross Jesus showed us glory – Not in coming down from the cross in a magnificent news-making spectacle – but rather, in a spectacular act of heart, of immense love as he forgives those who are killing him. Divine Glory is manifested in his forgiveness of the actions of others toward him, toward those who killed him.”
Reflection PDF
5th Sunday of Easter Reflection
Printable Bulletin
SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS
ROC BOOK LAUNCH: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions
Since the summer of 2019, St. Joe’s Refugee Outreach Committee (ROC) has been collaborating with a team at the University of Ottawa to document its history. On May 22, 2022 the book Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions: Refuge Through Activism At Ottawa’s St. Joe’s Parish, written by Stéfanie Morris, Karina Juma, Meredith Terretta, Patti Tamara Lenard, will be published by University of Ottawa Press.
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions tells the story of how the ROC has actively supported and advocated for numerous refuge-seekers and immigrants in Ottawa over the last thirty years. The ROC has provided support to a range of refuge-seekers, including for privately-sponsored refugees, refugees resettled by the government, and those who arrive as asylum seekers. In 2005, they also played an important role in Canada’s sanctuary movement, by providing protection and resources for basic needs and medical and legal assistance to a woman who was set to be deported to her country of persecution.
Faith groups like the ROC are the bedrock of Canada’s settlement sector and have faced challenges over the years including volunteer retention and burnout, donor fatigue, and institutional limitations. Yet the ROC is going strong today. Ordinary People, Extraordinary Actions explores their motivations, successes, and challenges, to examine how they accomplished what they have and maintained momentum.
The authors hope that the extraordinary but every-day activism recounted herein can serve as an inspiration for people and communities – young and old, secular and faith related – across Canada and beyond as they get involved in settlement.
The book will be available for free digitally and is available for pre-order directly from the press:
https://utpdistribution.com/9780776629698/ordinary-people-extraordinary-actions/
Refugee Outreach Committee (ROC) Furniture NEEDED
The Refugee Outreach Committee is seeking gently used living room, dining room and kitchen furniture and items for a woman moving into a 2 bedroom apartment this week. Please call 613-220-1811 or e-mail jhnwr99@yahoo.ca for more information.
St. Joe’s Supper Table
Hello! Kathleen Strader and I (Sue-Anne Hess) will be taking over as interim coordinators of the Supper Table. Now that COVID restrictions are easing, we are hoping to rebuild the volunteer base, and return to usual operations. So that we can start to think about moving forward, please send your name, best contact (phone or email) and availability to suppertable@st-josephs.ca. We will be in touch in the coming weeks to talk about our plans! Thank you once again for your support of this important ministry.
The St. Joe’s Supper Table received $2,420 in new funding this week from the Ottawa Food Bank to assist with our local fund bank operations, particularly with our use of the Link2Feed database. The funds can be used to purchase equipment related to the St. Joe’s food bank, as well as to help cover staffing costs. We are grateful for this contribution!
Update on the Reconciliation Discussion Series– Session Six
Our reconciliation discussion series met this past Monday, participating in a Blanket Exercise, facilitated by Kateri Native Ministry. As our first “in-person” event attendees reported a deeply moving and meaningful experience. Our seventh, and final Reconciliation Discussion Series event will be held on May 23rd at St Joe’s parish. Please keep an eye on your emails for RSVP information. Alternatively, if you have not attended any of the series but would like to join our final gathering, please feel welcome to email: reconciliation@st-josephs.ca to express your interest.
For any questions or comments, please contact reconciliation@st-josephs.ca or 613 233 4095 ext: 235.
Update on the Synodal Process of the People of God
May 15, 2022
Thank You
Although our report to the Archdiocese was to be done by Friday, May 6th we asked for an extension and will submit our summary to the Archdiocese on Thursday May 12th. It has proven to be an enlightening process for those of us working on this stage of listening, capturing, and noting the essence of all that was shared with us in March and April. We are almost at the end of this first piece of our synodal journey, which will be picked up again in the fall so that we can report back to you what the gift of your sharing looks like. Then we can begin to move forward together in working to realise our dreams and celebrate with each other.
This was not the work of one person but rather a team made up of many and I am taking this opportunity to name those who have given many hours of listening and trying to capture what was shared, those who facilitated the sessions, not just once but several times. Then they also spent time going over everything that was shared and grouping it so that could be summarized and shared with the Archdiocese and the Synod in 2023.
I want to acknowledge with much love and gratitude the parishioners who stepped up and made this process possible. They are: Clair Cheesman, Kathy Crowe, Greg Forstell, Walter Hughes, Andrea MacWilliams, Patricia Malikail, Michael McBane, Norah McMahon, Joan O’Connell, Donna Rietschlin, John Rietschlin, Joy Umoafia, and Bob Zettel. I do not want to forget Kathleen Strader, who is on staff, but who went far beyond her job to remind me about posting these weekly messages, checking, and correcting my typos and making sure that we had all that we needed. Please remember each of these people in your prayers.
I will share some reminders in the coming months just so that you do not forget us and be ready to come together in the fall for the next stage of our journey together. Have a wonderful summer.
Eleanor Rabnett
Parish Updates
Financial Stewardship
Offering for Sunday May 8, 2022:$5,046
Obituary – Anne Young
Anne Young was a regular parishioner at the 5pm Mass, and a faithful lector. Anne passed away in Toronto. Her celebration of life will take place here at St Joe’s Friday May 27, 2022, at 12pm
Library News
May 15, 2022—NOVALIS titles recently added to the Library include – Indigenous Spirituality and Catholicism (E99.I65) 2018, Judaism and Catholicism (BM645.P7 K87) 2018, Other Christian traditions and Catholicism (BT990/O75) 2018.
Christian Meditation
Monday Christian Meditation Sessions have resumed in person at 9:30am in the Sacristy Library.
Wednesday Christian Meditation Sessions have resumed in person at 3pm in the Main Floor Meeting room. Please contact Chaplain Rick at 613-265-1652 for more information.
Friday Christian Meditation Sessions have resumed in person at 7pm in the Oblate Lounge. Please contact Beth at bborris59@gmail.com for more information.
English Conversation Circles
We hold Zoom and in person sessions each Wednesday from 7pm to 8:30 pm. We welcome any parishioners who would like to be a volunteer or a participant. For further info contact Michaelrichard2008@hotmail.com
Community News
Pastoral Volunteers wanted: Garry J. Armstrong Home, 200 Island Lodge Rd
The pandemic is slowing down, and our residents are looking forward to returning to some sense of normalcy. We are looking for Pastoral Volunteers that would be interested in visiting our Roman Catholic residents and enrich their spirituality.
Join our volunteer team here at Garry J. Armstrong Home and help make a difference in the lives of the residents! Orientation/training opportunities will be provided. Please contact Julien Roberge at 613 580 2424 ext. 22950 or Julien.roberge@ottawa.ca for more information.
Canadian Christian Meditation Community 2022 National Conference
The Canadian Christian Meditation Community 2022 National Conference with Dom Laurence Freeman, OSB, is taking place the 10th & 11th June 2022 at Saint Paul University, 110 Hazel Street, Ottawa. For more information and Registration: National Conference Registration.
Front Office
If you have questions or require, 2021 Tax Receipts, 2022 Church Envelopes, or 2022 Missals, [please contact the Front Office at 613-233-4095 or frontdesk@st-josephs.ca.
Prayers for those who have died: Anne Young, Jake Kutarna, Louis Gascon, Dan Leeman, Lucille Muldoon, Donna Andrew, Kwesi Baffoe
Mass Intentions
Wed. May 18th, 2022: Available
Thur. May 19th, 2022: Available
Fri. May 20th, 2022: Kaitlyn Roth
Please contact Kathleen in the Front office (kstrader@st-josephs.ca) for questions, bulletin submissions or to add a name to the prayers for the sick & deceased.
