Dear St. Joe’s parishioners,

As we enter the Season of Creation, Fr. Jim shares with us a homily on the interconnected nature of all life. Building on what Pope Francis teaches us, Fr. Jim speaks of how our existence is tied intrinsically to our relationships. “We exist only in relationships: with God the Creator, with our brothers and sisters as members of a common family, and with all of God’s creatures within our common home…Today we are invited to care for our common home and the poor; to create long-term action plans to practise integral ecology in our families, parishes and community,” Fr. Jim shares. See the full homily as a video below or in-person at Mass this weekend.

Liturgical Material:

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – September 6 2020 – Liturgy of the Word for use at home

READINGS FOR THE 23RD SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

READINGS FOR CHILDREN – 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time

23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time – 2020 – Prayers of the Faithful

Parish Update:

• A new school year has started and so to has a new season of our University Mass and Young Adult Ministry. University Mass is held every Sunday at 7PM from September to late April. If you would like to be added to the Young Adult E-mail list to receive updates on events and activities send an email to Andrew at apump@st-josephs.ca.
• Registration for St. Joseph’s Confirmation Preparation is now open. You can register your child on our website at www.st-josephs.ca/sacraments/confirmation and follow the link to the registration page. Confirmation is open to any child between grades 6 and 12 and classes will begin on Nov. 1^st and last for 7 weeks.
• Parish Pastoral Council is seeking to fill Member-at-Large position: Would you like to assist in the pastoral mission of the Parish through Parish Pastoral Council? Please consider a role on PPC as a Member-at-Large. We are presently seeking nominations. You can find the nomination form here. The new member of PPC, along with a new young adult representative, will be introduced to the Parish at the AGM on Sunday, October 4th, at 1:00 p.m.
• Season of Creation – A Jubilee for the Earth: The annual Season of Creation started on the World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation (September 1) and runs until the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4). This special time each year is an opportunity for Christians around the world to come together in prayer and action for creation. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Jubilee for the Earth: New Rhythms, New Hope”. In the long Christian tradition of celebrating jubilees as a time of restoration, we’re repairing our relationships with each other and all creation.
  • On September 1, Pope Francis offered a profound reflection on respect for the Earth, its resources, the evils caused by humanity’s greed and the need for “restorative justice” such as debt cancellation for poor countries. You can read it here. – and also watch his video.
  • The Global Catholic Climate Movement (GCCM) is providing many opportunities throughout the month to join in with others around the world for virtual events on the Care for Creation. On September 1, there was a wonderful, global prayer service that you can watch here. (It is the second video; especially recommended is the song All creatures of our Lord and King in the video at time mark 7:20 if you are looking for something joyful and uplifting.)
  • You can also find upcoming virtual events that you can sign up for at https://seasonofcreation.org/events/, including one on September 16 sponsored by Faith and the Common Good and GCCM Canada on a Just Transition. . Register here. The Season of Creation prayer can be found here.
• My Little Church update: Please note that the My Little Church area remains closed for the time being. We will provide another update in October.
• Sunday Offering for August 31, 2020: $4,141. 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/.
• You’ll see something new above the main entrance of the church if you’re here this weekend! Our new church banner includes some of the words and the sentiment of our Mission Prayer, as well as a line that may remind you of a song by Marty Haugen which we often sing in church. The banner is also a message to our neighbours in Sandy Hill and students at Ottawa U that St. Joe’s is open and welcomes all. 

This weekend we offer our prayers for all educators, students and parents, as a new school year begins.

Happy Labour Day weekend,

Chris

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Christopher Adam
email: cadam@st-josephs.ca