Fr. Jim offers us the reflection for this weekend, when we will once again hold a live Liturgy of the Word service on Sunday, May 2, 2021 at 10:30 a.m. (Please register here to receive your Zoom link.) In his video reflection, Fr. Jim shares: “We hear the call to abide in Jesus, as he abides in us; that he is the vine and we are the branches.  The image of Jesus as the vine  and us as the branches explains that we are an intimate and inexplicable part of him, and of one another. For the author of John’s gospel, this blessing and choice marks us as disciples of Jesus. Most of the time, we consider discipleship of Jesus to be a following after him.  This is a consistent image in the Synoptic Gospels. However,  in John’s Gospel, discipleship is not an action or a movement, but a permanent dwelling in Jesus. “

Liturgical Resources

• Fifth Sunday of Easter – May 2 2021 – Liturgy of the Word for use at home
• READINGS FOR THE FIFTH SUNDAY OF EASTER – 2021
• READINGS FOR CHILDREN – Fifth Sunday of Easter
• Fifth Sunday of Easter – 2021 – Prayers of the Faithful
• Mission Prayer

Parish Update

Register for in-person weekday Masses

In addition to our Zoom Liturgy of the Word on Sundays at 10:30 a.m., during the period of the Provincial stay-at-home order, Mass is offered on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday for a total of 10 people only at each celebration. If you would like to attend these in-person weekday liturgies, please register here. Space is very limited.

Thank you to the Ottawa Food Bank!

The St. Joe’s Supper Table is the recipient of a COVID Sustainability Grant in the amount of $20,000 from the Ottawa Food Bank. We are grateful for this assistance!

Sunday Offerings for April 25, 2021: $4,812. 

Thank you for your generosity. We are grateful for your support during the pandemic, especially as our expenses continue. 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.

Springtime 2021 News from the Refugee Outreach Committee

Two new members joined in recent months. We are now a committee of 11 with 6 active Settlement Support Team helpers. Most of our volunteers attend our monthly Zoom meetings, or every second month if more suitable during the pandemic. This keeps everyone informed and connected as a team. Half of our volunteers are committed tutors, with weekly schedules to assist adults and children online with English language and academic support. We regularly assist, accompany and advocate individuals and families to successfully navigate medical, dental, legal, educational, governmental and community services systems. With summer approaching and the hope of more recreation options becoming available, we will encourage access to parks, bike routes, pools, sports fields, and other recreational and cultural facilities for both casual enjoyment and through registration in organized recreation programs and day camps.

We are doing the initial work on applications for two linked sponsorships for a family of 6 and a family of 3 who are living in a refugee camp in Jordan. As these sponsorships move forward over the coming months and years, we will share details on how parishioners can contribute to successful settlements. As we embark on new sponsorships, we welcome you to consider a Co-Chair position on the Leadership Team which we hope to fill at our June 2021 AGM. The Leadership Team consists of two Co-Chairs, a Treasurer, and a Secretary who work closely and supportively to continue the work that began at St. Joe’s over 30 years ago. For further information, please email our ROC parish contact Dona Bowers: dona-bob@rogers.com

The financial support we receive from parishioners and others from the wider community helps us to undertake sponsorships as well as respond to emergency and exceptional expenses that arise in the lives of refugee claimants, protected persons, and sponsored persons in the early stages of settlement as Permanent Residents. Financial support is gratefully accepted through Canada Helps.

Monthly or one-time donations can be made by credit card choosing Refugee Outreach Committee from the drop-down menu under APPLY YOUR DONATION TO A SPECIFIC FUND SET UP BY THIS CHARITY. Complete the Donor, Tax Receipt and Payment information and receive your receipt immediately. Contact John Weir jhnwr99@yahoo.ca for more information.

In gratitude to St. Joe’s and each of you as parish family,

–Angela Murphy and Margie Cain, Co-Chairs of the Refugee Outreach Committee

Oblate Vocation Reflection — Abide in Me!

By Vijay Deivanayagam, OMI – Vocation Team

What does it mean to abide? It comes from the Greek word “meno”, which means “remain, live, stay, dwell.” John the evangelist used these metaphors in his writings to help us see the reality of our relationship to the Lord. Abiding simply means we belong to Him; it denotes our connectedness. This connectedness and intimacy with the Creator are crucial in our Christian spiritual journey. Firstly, we are called to remain in God. For me, it is not just a belief in Christ rather it is having a conscious awareness of His presence throughout our life. It is also a self-realization of one’s own inadequacy to live and move without His presence (Acts 17:28). The German- American existentialist philosopher Paul Tillich describes God as “the ground of all Being.” The idea is that everything we are – our very life and existence, not only comes from God but remains completely connected with God in every way. Nothing, including us, exists apart from God.

To read the full reflection, visit: https://omilacombe.ca/become-an-oblate/ 

Virtual Children’s Liturgy of the Word over Zoom:

Each Sunday at 9:30AM we are hosting a Liturgy of the Word for families and children virtually over Zoom. If you would like to join us be sure to send an email to Andrew (apump@st-josephs.ca) and he will send you the Zoom information. Although a Children’s Liturgy with accompanying children’s readings, it is also a great chance to connect for everyone in our community that hasn’t been able to come back to Church yet. So don’t be shy: All Are Welcome.  

Lectio Divina over Zoom each Sunday at 1:30 p.m.

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

Friday evening meditation continues

During this latest lockdown join us each Friday evening at 7PM on Zoom. Use this  link.

Continuing his catechesis on Christian prayer during the weekly General Audience, Pope Francis explains the importance of meditation, highlighting that it is a means of prayer that helps us encounter Jesus and find ourselves…. Read all: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-04/pope-francis-general-audience-meditation-prayer.html

Resources for Celebrating the Year of St. Joseph

Available online  from the CCCB website. The resources include the official prayer card, prayers, litanies, and devotions,  Patris Corde guided video reflections, catechetical activities for children and youth, along with other resources from various sources.