As Fr. Jim reflects on the readings for the 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time, he shares:
“When Jesus repeats the statement by saying that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God” the disciples experience the alarm felt by the rich young man as they realize that total renunciation is humanly impossible. No wonder the disciples asked one another “then who can be saved? ” Their fear and disappointment had Jesus remind them that everything is possible for God. In a world where people treasure earthly things, Jesus invites his followers to focus on the goodness of God in order to help them understand that this dispossession on all levels is the way into fulness of life. In a culture where wealth and possessions are so highly valued, we need to experience a different way of life to be receptive to Jesus’ life-giving message.”
Liturgical Resources
- Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time – October 10 2021 – Liturgy of the Word for use at home
- READINGS FOR THE TWENTY-EIGHTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME – 2021
- READINGS FOR CHILDREN – 28th Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2021
- Twenty-Eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time 2021 – Prayers of the Faithful
Eleanor Rabnett and Terry Byrne — St. Joseph’s Parish History Series (Part 23)
In Part 23 of our St. Joseph’s Parish History Series, Eleanor Rabnett speaks with Terry Byrne about the history of the Parish Singles’ Group, the Oblate community and memories of the past decades in our Parish.
Parish Update
The beginning of the Synodal Process in Ottawa
The Synodal process opens in our Archdiocese on October 17th at 5 p.m. with a bilingual Mass at the Notre-Dame Cathedral where Archbishop Marcel Damphousse will preside. The purpose of the current synod in the worldwide Catholic community is to listen, as people of God, to what the Holy Spirit is saying to the Church. We are invited to join in prayer with Catholics throughout the Archdiocese of Ottawa-Cornwall and beyond so that “the Synodal Process may lead us ever deeper into the communion of the Church, foster our participation in it, and equip us to go out on mission.”
The Synodal process is one of listening and collaboration within the Church with three areas of focus: Communion, Participation and Mission. The aim is not for all of us to be the same, but to walk forward together, sharing a common path and embracing our diversity. The communion that God builds in our midst is stronger than any divisions. And amidst our many differences, we are united in our common baptism, as members of the Body of Christ. The Synodal process also aims to explore and deepen the vital role of the laity in the Church.
At St. Joseph’s Parish on October 16-17, 2021, our liturgies will embrace the themes of this Synodal process in our prayers of the faithful. This is the beginning of a journey in our parish, in the Archdiocese and beyond.
Thank you to parishioners who donated toiletries!
Several parishioners answered our call last week and donated toiletries for Afghan refugee families. The Parish is helping the Catholic Centre for Immigrants Foundation and Capital Funeral Home & Cemetery in collecting tooth paste, tooth brushes, shampoo, soap, feminine products, deodorant, razors and diapers. If you are able to help out, we are still collecting donations at Masses this weekend. Please leave these in the basket located by the entrance of the church. Thank you!
Development and Peace – Fall Education and Action Campaign
Please join Development and Peace members and staff to discuss the dangers facing environmental and human rights defenders in the Global South and the relationship of their work to our Global Ecosystem. What could we do to move our Canadian Government to intervene in strengthening corporate due diligence laws to enhance environmental and human rights?
Saturday, October 16, from 10:30am – 1:00pm on Zoom. Register here.
Parish Donation to Jericho Road Ministries
Jericho Road is a Christian addiction recovery program with a treatment facility and several group homes in Ottawa. This weekend, our Parish will donate to this program shelf-stable snack and other food items . Jericho Road will be able to put these to good use and we’re happy to share our resources with another faith-based non-profit that works in the area of social justice.
The Hiring Process for a Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry and Faith Formation continues
We have been reviewing applications for this position as they come in and our search for a new Coordinator of Young Adult Ministry and Faith Formation continues. If you know of someone with experience in Catholic young adult ministry and/or religious education, please share with them our job posting.
Ordering 2022 Sunday Offering Envelopes
This month, we will be placing an order for 2022 Sunday offering envelopes. If you currently use envelopes for your offerings and would like to switch to auto-debit or Canada Helps, or if you no longer require your annual box of envelopes, please contact David in the front office by email: dtrepanier@st-josephs.ca. Please also contact us if you currently do not have a box of envelopes, but would like one for 2022. This information will help us to order the correct number for next year.
Sunday offerings:
- Sunday, October 3, 2021: $5,160
Vocation Reflection: “You Lack One Thing”
By Jarek Pachocki, OMI – Vocation Director
“When the young man approached Jesus in today’s Gospel, he probably expected a little bit of praise, a pat on the back and some words of encouragement. After all, he’s got it all! “Teacher, I have kept all these [commandments] since my youth.” (Mark 10:20) But Jesus knew that there was something missing in his life. “Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’” (Mark 10:21) He lacked “one thing,” that is, he never had enough courage to answer the call to follow Jesus. Have you ever wondered what his life would look like if he said, “Yes”?”
Read the reflection here (published on Friday, October 8): https://omilacombe.ca/become-an-oblate/
We are thankful that you continue to be a part of our parish community and that you share generously your unique gifts. Wishing all of you a happy, safe and restful Thanksgiving!
